Benefits of Whole Oils

By Trish Green

Nutritionists have long known the true value of oils and fats and their necessity in our diet. Different vegetable oils have special properties of their own, and aromatherapy has certainly pioneered their use and brought them to prominence in a number of ways. All vegetable oils are defined as lipids. They are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and o ygen. They are largely composed of fatty acids, which in turn are composed of two parts, one fatty and the other acid. !ach oil is uni"ue in itself, having its own origins and benefits. They can be used alone or in combinations, and are as much a part of nature#s gift as essential oils. They have been used for thousands of years in body work and massages. Always choose the best "uality for the purpose in mind. Above all, make sure your oil is fresh. $ost oils have no smell. %ancid oil not only smells, it has free radicals that contribute to premature aging and tissue degeneration. They reduce the skin#s elasticity. &ere are the better oils you can find' Sweet almond oil This oil is useful for dry skin during seasonal changes. Almond oil is highly nutritious, being a good source of trace minerals and rich in linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. (t is an e cellent emollient for chapped hands, and is used e tensively in skin care preparations. (t is a popular ingredient in cosmetics for moisturi)ers, night creams and body milks, as well as a skin softening massage oil. (t is almost an industry standard in aromatherapy for massage and body work. (t gives great slippage, as it does not absorb too "uickly. The oil should be pale yellow in color with a light odor. (f the oil is clear, it has been refined. Argan oil Argan oil has been known for centuries for its cosmetic and pharmaceutical virtues. As a free radical scavenger, it has more vitamin ! than most and contains carotenes and phytosterols. (t prevents the drying and slows the physiological aging of the skin by restoring its hydro*lipid film. Argan oil is also recommended to fortify fragile nails. Try adding this oil to your skin care protocols, and keep some onhand at the manicure table. Avocado oil This oil is e tracted from the flesh of the fruit, which contains up to +, percent pure oil. Avocado oil is highly moisturi)ing and skin softening- it promotes cellular regeneration, and its effect on dry and fragile skins is well documented. %epeated use and massage of this oil on the skin has shown an increase in hydration to the upper layers of the skin, as well as an apparent boost in elasticity. ( highly recommend it for alipidic, mature skin and the treatment of prematurely aging skin. ( personally use it daily as a part of my skin care regime. The viscosity is thicker than most, and so it needs to be combined with other oils for use in massage or simple daily application to reinforce the skin#s lipid barrier. (t is uni"ue in that it contains more vitamin D than most eggs and feels wonderful on the skin, especially in the cold of winter. Borage oil Borage is known for being rich in G.A. (t is one of the richest sources known. Borage oil is sometimes used to boost the G.A content of other oils such as evening primrose oil. (t is ideal for dry and sensitive skins. (t is found in formulations for fighting wrinkle formation, dehydration and loss of elasticity in aging skin because of its regenerative and firming properties.

Calendula oil Native to the $editerranean, this oil is generally used as an infused oil, and it is one of my favorites. (t has highly anti*inflammatory and soothing properties that work well in the treatment of rashes and dry, chapped skin. (t also makes an e cellent base for treating ec)ema. /alendula is said to be e cellent for venous complaints, especially when blended with essential oils of lemon and cypress. 0hen applied consistently, there is a decrease in the symptoms of varicose veins and venous congestion. $y e perience is that it provides immediate relief from the constant ache that varicose veins can create, especially at night. Hazelnut oil &a)elnut oil is similar to almond oil in composition and stability, and has similar properties. &owever its diffusion and penetration properties seem to be far greater. Therefore this oil is recommended as a carrier oil because of its ability to penetrate the epidermis without leaving the skin greasy. &a)elnut has good regenerative properties on the skin. (t prevents dehydration of the skin and is particularly recommended for sensitive skin and baby skin, leaving it smooth and soft. 0hen combined with sesame and calendula oil, it makes an e cellent after sun oil. Jojoba oil 1o2oba oil is highly compatibile with the skin. /hemically, it is actually a li"uid wa versus an oil. (t contains hardly any triglycerides but has a combination of esters and fatty alcohols. Naturally moisturi)ing and healing, its traditional use is being protective for dry skin conditions, but it can be used on all skin types. &owever it should be noted that it is ideal for regulating sebum, and is useful for oily scalp conditions. Macadamia oil $acadamia oil deserves a mention simply because it feels wonderful on the skin. (t is high in palmitoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid not commonly found in other oils. 3almitoleic acid is also found in sebumthus macadamia oil has often been recommended for mature skins that start to dry out and become alipidic. (t is very nourishing, and ( recommend every skin care specialist utili)e it. Rosehip seed oil /linical works indicate that rosehip seed oil is e tremely beneficial in tissue regeneration for conditions such as burns, facial wrinkles and the treatment of scars. ( have used this oil successfully to counter the effects of the sun, and also in the treatment of scars to reduce redness, hyperpigmentation and to help minimi)e keloid tissue formation. (t is believed that these properties are due to the very high levels of both linoleic and alpha*linolenic fatty acids. Soybean oil /old pressed soybean oil is the second best source of vitamin ! after wheat germ oil. 4oybean oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. (t is good for massage and suitable for all skin types, as it has a regenerative effect on the cutaneous tissue due to the presence of the fatty acids. (t therefore enhances local circulation in the treated area to bring about revitali)ation of the dermis. (t is a valued emollient for cosmetic use, containing intrinsic phytoestrogens. heat germ oil 0heat germ oil is an e tremely valuable source of vitamin ! and fatty acids. Due to its vitamin ! content, it is a natural antio idant. (t promotes the formation of skin cells, improves blood circulation and helps relieve symptoms of dermatitis. &owever for massage and facial treatments, make sure it is well blended with other vegetable oils, using maybe one or two milliliters, as it does have a strong, pungent odor.