Botany Works

If you're a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) or just plain Can't-Afford-To-Buy-Expensive-Brands (like us!), feel free to add us up and keep posted. We'll be adding more products and MYO (Make-Your-Own) recipes from time to time =)

Botany Works offers a broad range of Essential Oils and Base/Carrier Oils, although not everything is shown here. Do ask about our other scents and variants. Wholesale quantities are also available.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE USING ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential Oils are very powerful components of plants - they have the capability of being harmful if improperly used. Essential Oils can be very helpful for some cases, supportive in others, and have little to no effect in others. They are not intended to treat or cure serious medical conditions; there is no substitute for a consultation with a competent physician for any matters regarding your health, or anyone else. IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, PLANNING TO GET PREGNANT, OR BREASTFEEDING, IT IS CRITICAL YOU CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE USING ANY ESSENTIAL OIL. PLEASE READ THE CAUTIONS AVAILABLE ON EACH INDIVIDUAL OIL PAGE before using any essential oil. ALMOST ALL ESSENTIAL OILS MUST BE DILUTED PRIOR TO TOPICAL APPLICATION to the range of 1% to 3% in your chosen carrier (or 'base') oil - Lavender and Chamomile Oils being notable exceptions.

The two more common traditional uses of essential oils in aromatherapy are INHALATION and TOPICAL APPLICATION. Most essential oils can be used undiluted in a diffuser or oil lamp (sometimes called a 'burner') safely. A diffuser passes a continuous stream of air over your oil source - often simply straight from the bottle - creating a fine evaporated mist without heating. A candle lamp incorporates a small bowl over a tea candle. The bowl is first filled with a small amount of water, into which a few drops of essential oils are placed. The oils are evaporated through the gentle heating of the water by the candle.

GO SLOW, START WITH A SMALL AMOUNT! You will know when you've had enough - we tend to notice a distaste for the smell or even a mild headache coming on if the concentration of certain oils in the air has gotten too high. Inhalation is often effective for mood-altering effects of essential oils; Rosemary for mental 'stimulation', Lavender for relaxation, etc. This is the direct effect of essential oil components on the lymbic system. One may certainly blend essential oils in a diffuser or burner, adding a couple drops of each oil desired. Often a nice result can be had from mixing a brighter or sweeter oil (Rosemary, Basil, Orange) with one more earthy and grounding (Patchouli, Frankincense, Cedar). The effects are very personal - if you don't like the smell of a particular essential oil or combination of oils, there's probably a reason and they're just not for you! Your intake could be too high or the oil(s) may not be compatible with your body chemistry at that time.

Perhaps even more common than inhalation, topical application is the preferred method of use for many essential oils. However, MOST essential oils require significant dilution as they can cause skin irritation. Lavender Oil and Chamomile Oil are two essential oils that can be applied 'neat' or without dilution; others, such as Cinnamon Oil and Oregano Oil should not be applied topically in most cases - they may be applied once highly diluted to the bottoms of the feet. A VERY small amount should be tested first.

The interesting thing about topical application is that essential oils tend to pass through the skin fairly readily, as they are lipotropic (fat soluble) and their molecular structure is fairly small. Essential oils can pass into the bloodstream and surrounding tissues. In this manner, their possible effects can be targeted - if one has digestive trouble, rubbing Peppermint Oil diluted in a carrier oil (a pure vegetable or nut oil) into the abdomen may help. In the same way, rubbing Chamomile Oil or Lavender Oil into the solar plexus (bottom tip of the sternum) may help relieve tension.

*prices are subject to change without prior notice

Botany Works logo and packaging designed by Triggerfish Design triggerfishdesign@skydsl.com.ph

M-Y-O Sun-Relief Cooling Gel

It's time to hit the beach again! Here's a quick and easy way to soothe that nasty sun burn... What you'll need: 100mL Aloe Vera Gel 7 drops Lavender essential oil 7 drops Peppermint essential oil 10 drops Vitamin E Oil (or 2 gel... more

Previous blog entries:
Oct 16	-	M-Y-O First Aid Gel or Oil
Oct 16	-	M-Y-O Massage Oil
Oct 11	-	M-Y-O Room/Linen Spray