Faq

An essential oil is a concentrated, hydrophobic liquid containing volatile chemical compounds from plants. These oils capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or “essence,” and are often used for their aromatic and therapeutic properties.

Steam Distillation:

The most common and widely used process of separating out an essential oil. Steam is passed through tightly packed plant material, causing the plants “oil sacs” to burst, which releases its contents as a vapor. This vapor is cooled, and as it condenses, the essential oil and water separate. The oil and water separated and are filtered. The end product is called an “Essential oil”.

Hydro-distillation:

This is very similar to Steam distillation with the only real difference being that the plant material is boiled in water. This is the method that works best for some plants such as roses.

Expression Or Cold Pressing:

Used primarily for citrus fruits where the essential oil is obtained in tiny pockets in the peel or rind. Oils extracted by cold pressing are mostly made up of monoterpenes and can evaporate quickly when exposed to air. The end product is called an “Essential oil”.

CO2 Extraction:

Called CO2s for short, these extracts are produced by using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction methods. Carbon Dioxide can be pressurized to become a liquid. This liquid then acts as a solvent and dissolves the natural components present in the plant material. After this is completed CO2 returns to its gaseous state leaving behind the oil. The advantage of CO2’s is that heat is not used and therefore can’t damage any of the constituents. The two main types of Co2’s are CO2 Selects (lower pressure) and CO2 Totals (high pressure). The end product is called a “CO2”.

Absolutes:

These oils are extracted from plant material using chemical solvents such as hexane. The solvents are later removed with only traces remaining. Absolutes give the advantage of being able to carry over some compounds that are too heavy in steam distillation. Absolutes tend to be more potent than steam distilled essential oils. The end product is called an “Absolute”.

Organic essential oils and essential oils have the exact same chemistry. In fact, there is really no difference between the two except the marketing and cost. The “Organic” label only speaks to the conditions the plant was grown in and transportation packaging of the material, it does not speak to the oil itself following steam distillation. Because we do not spend the money of organic certification we are able to pass off these savings to you and keep our prices as low as we can.

Aromatherapy: Used in diffusers, inhalation, or topical application to promote relaxation, stress relief, and overall well-being.
Personal Care Products: Added to soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other cosmetics for their fragrance and skin benefits.
Cleaning Products: Utilized for their natural disinfectant properties in household cleaners.
Natural Remedies: Employed in alternative medicine for their potential health benefits.

When used properly, essential oils can be safe and beneficial. However, they are highly concentrated and should be used with caution. It is important to follow recommended guidelines for dilution and application. Some oils can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, and certain oils are not safe for children, pets, or pregnant women. Always consult with a healthcare provider before using essential oils, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Please keep in mind that there are no essential oils that have received approval by the FDA for internal use.

Essential oils are highly concentrated chemical solvents. We do not recommend ever using essential oils internally.

The only appropriate time to consider internal use of essential oils would be under direct recommendation by a health care practitioner trained at an appropriate clinical level. An appropriate level of training must include chemistry, anatomy, diagnostics, physiology, formulation guidelines and safety issues regarding each specific internal route (oral, vaginal or rectal). | The Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) |

We does not recommend ever using essential oils during pregnancy. While there have been no recorded cases of miscarriage or birth defects resulting from aromatherapy massage using therapeutic applications of any essential oil (Kurt Schnaubelt, Ron Guba, Chrissie Wildwood). There is a lack of clear information regarding toxicity of essential oil during and directly after pregnancy. We recommend avoiding wormwood, rue, oak moss, Lavandula stoechas, camphor, parsley seed, sage, and hyssop, Aniseed, Basil ct. estragole, Birch, Camphor, Hyssop, Mugwort, Parsley seed or leaf, Pennyroyal, Sage, Tansy, Tarragon, Thuja, Wintergreen, Wormwood throughout your Pregnancy, Labor, and while Breastfeeding. The above statement is supported by the NAHA (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy).

We believe that it is important to keep in mind that essential oils are highly concentrated volatile compounds, which means they can be potentially toxic to pets at certain concentrations. Cats can be especially sensitive to essential oils. What is safe for you to use may not necessarily be safe to use on or near your pet as your pet can inadvertently inhale, lick or ingest these essential oils. Your pet can react differently to these substances than you do, so it is important that you talk to your veterinarian before using them around your pets.

Essential oils should be stored in dark glass bottles away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain their potency and extend their shelf life. Proper storage helps prevent oxidation and degradation of the oil.

Essential oils are natural extracts from plants, whereas fragrance oils are synthetic and created in a laboratory to mimic natural scents. Essential oils have therapeutic properties, while fragrance oils are primarily used for their scent in perfumes, candles, and cosmetic products.

High-quality essential oils should be 100% pure, without any additives or synthetic ingredients. Look for oils that are labeled as “therapeutic grade” and check for information about the plant species, country of origin, and extraction method. Reputable suppliers will also provide third-party testing or GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) reports.

The sustainability of essential oils depends on the cultivation and harvesting practices. Some plants are overharvested or not grown sustainably, leading to environmental concerns. It is important to choose essential oils from companies that prioritize sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Yes, essential oils can interact with medications. For example, some oils can affect how the body metabolizes drugs, potentially leading to increased side effects or reduced effectiveness. Always consult with a healthcare provider before using essential oils if you are on medication.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefits. This can include inhalation, topical application, or use in diffusers to promote physical and emotional well-being. Aromatherapy aims to improve health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and pain.

Popular essential oils include:
Lavender: Calming and relaxing, often used for stress relief and sleep.
Peppermint: Energizing and cooling, commonly used for headaches and digestive issues.
Tea Tree: Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, used for skin conditions and infections.
Eucalyptus: Respiratory support, often used for colds and congestion.
Lemon: Uplifting and cleansing, used in cleaning products and for mood enhancement.

A waterless scent diffuser like Omsint works by nebulizing essential oils without water or heat. Instead of creating steam, waterless diffusers shoot highly pressurized air into the oils, which breaks them down into tiny particles which are then released into the air as a micro-fine mist.

A waterless air diffuser offers many unique benefits that aren’t available from other types of diffusers. First, as the name implies, waterless diffusers don’t require any water or measuring a water-to-oil ratio. Simply add some drops of your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend and the device will diffuse.

Additionally, the vapor from a waterless essential oil diffuser provides more therapeutic benefits because the oil isn’t watered down or heated. A nebulizing essential oil diffuser like omsint disperses oils into the air in their purest form for greater absorption and stronger aromas.

There are four main types of essential oil diffusers: waterless diffusers, steam diffusers, ultrasonic diffusers, and passive diffusers.

Waterless diffusers nebulize essential oils, which means they use air pressure to nebulizing the essential oil instead of using heat or water. Steam diffusers heat water and oil to create a scented steam. Ultrasonic diffusers use high frequency soundwaves to vibrate oil and water into vapor. Finally, passive diffusers are non-electronic objects made from ceramic or other porous materials. Passive diffusers allow essential oil aromas to slowly, gently fill a space as the oils absorb and activate in the exposed air.

You can use almost any essential oil in a waterless aroma diffuser. Some of our favorites include Lavender, Lemon, and Patchouli. With the Omsint Waterless Diffuser, you can also get creative and use the included bottle to make your own blends. (Note: We do not recommend diffusing essential oil blends that include a carrier oil such as FCO or Jojoba.)