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Writer's pictureTamara Glascock

Carrier Oils ~ Part 1

Please remember that I am not a medical doctor. I’ve never had formal medical training. I can’t diagnose your ailments or cure your disease. I can only offer you information that has been passed down for centuries. Most of the statements you will find are not backed by the FDA, the CIA, the FBI, or the KGB…in fact, no government agencies at all are willing to say that any of them even work at all, but that’s another story… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is a carrier oil? Well, you can follow the link and get the technical definition, or you can read on and I’ll break it down for you.

Most Essential Oils (E/O’s) shouldn’t be applied ‘neat’, which means they should not be applied directly to the skin. Why not? That’s a whole other blog entry! You’re just gonna have to trust me on this one. Don’t apply E/O’s directly to your skin. There are exceptions, of course, but we’ll touch on those later.

So, if you can’t apply E/O’s neat, how do you use them? You add them to a carrier oil, which dilutes the E/O, making it safe to apply to the skin.

That’s not all carrier oils do, though. Of course, all of them are edible and are a great alternative to butter or margarine, but many of them provide amazing healing properties for both your insides and outsides. A quick peek in your kitchen cupboard might reveal several of the more common carrier oils like Olive Oil or Safflower Oil. We’ll get to those soon, but let’s start with two of my personal favorites.



Vitis Vinifera is the formal name of this wonderful carrier oil. It comes from the seeds of….you guessed it!…grapes!

When used internally, grapeseed oil has powerful antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to raise HDL and lower LDL’s. Itcontains Vitamins A, E, C and beta-carotene, as well as Omega 3, 6 & 9. With those credintials, how could anyone argue that this oil is amazingly healthy for you!

What it can do for your insides is nothing compared to what it can do for your skin, though. Grapeseed oil is one of the most beneficial oils available for any type of skin, but especially for those with problem or allergy-prone skin. It is high in antioxidants, vitamins A, B & C, polyphenols and resveratrol. Not sure what that means in terms of skin care?

Antioxidants inhibit the production of free-radicals which are known to cause skin cancer and have a negative impact on the ability of natural body lipids to maintain proper moisture levels.

Polyphenols are a type of flavonoid that contain potent antioxidant abilities which are capable of protecting the body from damage by oxidizing free radicals.

Resveratol, another antioxidant, also has antifungal properties.

Vitamin A works like an antioxidant to neutralize harmful elements in our skin. It helps prevent wrinkles and resist infections, fade brown spots, and smooth surface roughness, so our skin keeps its youthful appearance.

Vitamin B increases the amount of moisture our skin retains so it is less likely to become irritated.

Vitamin C, also an antioxidant, neutralizes free radical molecules in the skin, helping protect skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays.

Simply put, grapeseed oil has the ability to reduce the signs of aging while helping to heal and protect our skin from future damage, which is why it is one of my favorites and is often found in my products like my Facial Toners, Scar Cream and Achin’ Joints Balm.

Sesame oil has been used to heal for centuries, due to the fact that it is naturally antibacterial against common skin pathogens including staphylococcus and streptococcus. It also contains natural anti-viral and anti- inflammatory properties.

It works as an emollient when applied to dry, cracked skin, psoriasis and eczema. This makes it a wonderful oil to use to keep the skin supple and soft.

A common misconception is that all oils are bad for the skin, however, as with most of the carrier oils I will be discussing, that isn’t always the case. Sesame oil helps to control breakouts by neutralizing the toxins that cause them on both the surface of the skin and below the surface. It also tones the skin so you look younger, longer. Sesame oil is even safe enough to use on baby skin to protect against rashes caused by the acidity of body waste.

Sesame oil is reported to be a UV protector, and when used after exposure to the sun, sesame oil soothes burns, heals sun-damaged skin and protects.

Sesame oil also works wonders on hair! It is known to nourish and feed the scalp, helps to control dandruff and kills dandruff-causing bacteria. It is a wonderful treatment for lice infestations, also. It also is known to protect the hair and repair damage from everyday abuse.

We aren’t done with Sesame Oil just yet, though. It is reported to help the joints maintain flexibility and to soothe sore muscles, which made it the perfect addition to my Achin’ Joints Balm. It kills bacteria, making it useful for ear infections, sore throats and even as a defense against the common cold.

This oil is still being studied and used all over the world, so there is no telling what else it can do. My own personal experiences with this oil have astounded me over and again!

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Both of these oils can be found at any health food store and many grocery stores. However, as with all the ingredients I use in my products, you are going to get the most benefit from pure, unrefined, and organic oils.

Want to try out the benefits of Sesame Oil for yourself? Here is a great recipe you can try at home!

Infection, cold weather, wind and water can all cause us a bit of ear pain at any given time. In our house, here is how we deal with all of that…

.5 oz Sesame Oil 5-7 drops each of the following Essential Oils: Lavender Peppermint Bergamot Tea Tree

Warm it gently to just above body temperature (appx 100 degrees F). The easiest way to accomplish this without overheating is to place the oil blend in a glass bottle, cap it and place in a cup of warm tap water until you reach the desired temp.

Place 2-3 drops of oil in each ear. Allow it time to run into the ear, then place a piece of cotton in the ear to prevent it running out.

Please note: Always consult your medical practitioner if you suspect an ear infection and never use any essential oils on babies under 2 years of age. I am not a medical doctor and I am not attempting to diagnose any conditions or prescribe any medical treatment.

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