Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are "fixed" oils which means they do not evaporate like the more volatile essential oils. Since it is recommended to dilute essential oils due to their concentration, a carrier oil is used as the base into which the essential oils are blended. Carrier oils also have medicinal properties which are considered when blending.

In choosing carrier oils, it is recommended to get organic, cold-pressed, and unrefined oils. Once the oil is refined, it loses some of its medicinal nutrients and qualities. Some oil producers use solvents to extract their oils. This is not as pure as cold-pressed oils.

Here's a list of fixed oils that are often used in aromatherapy blend formulation:

• Almond oil (Prunus amygdalis): Native to the Middle East, India, and North Africa. Used for dry skin, psoriasis, anti-itch, great moisturizer for damaged skin.

  
  

• Black seed oil (Nigella sativa): I wrote another blog specifically on black seed oil. It is antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral. Some report its benefits for pain and digestive issues.

  
  

• Castor oil (Ricinus communis): Castor oil packs for digestion and liver congestion/issues are effective due to castor oil's ability to penetrate skin layers and enter the organs. It will also carry whatever is mixed with it to the organs, such as essential oils. It is used for acne, alopecia, boils, stretch marks, sunburn and wrinkles. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and antifungal. See my blog on castor oil.

  
  

• Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera): solid at room temperature, coconut oil is great for skin, hair and scalp. It is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Coconut oil is also offered in a fractionated form which stays liquid at room temperature. This can be helpful when blending but it does not contain all the nutrients of virgin coconut oil which is solid.

  
  

• Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis): jojoba oil is technically not an oil but a liquid wax. For the sake of brevity and general usage, it is usually called an oil. Its chemical make-up closely resembles the sebum of the skin which makes it an excellent choice for most skin problems. Good for dermatitis, psoriasis, and dry skin.

  
  

• Sesame oil (Sesamum italicum): used in Ayurveda remedies, it is anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. It helps with circulation and digestive issues.

  
  

This is a very short list, and I mentioned only carrier oils that are fairly easy to come by at a reasonable price. There are many more carrier oils used in aromatherapy.

There are also herb-infused oils used as carriers. Herbs such as calendula, arnica and St. John's Wort are infused into an oil. The resulting infused oil contains the nutrients of the herbs in addition to the properties of that carrier oil. I grow calendula in my garden every year. I harvest the flowers, dry them, then put them in jojoba oil for 6 weeks. It turns the oil a beautiful golden shade. For skin conditions, I use it blended with essential oils.

Aromatherapy blending involves deciding on the purpose of the blend and on a dilution rate of essential oils in the carrier oil(s). Some essential oils have a maximum percentage to use it safely. You can check with the seller or contact me if you have any questions. The Amazon links above direct you to the carrier oils I use that meet the criteria for best oils. I will receive a small commission if you use these links.