The Miessence certified organic essential oils have been carefully selected for maximum therapeutic benefit, and are all certified organic, which means you don't have to worry about chemical contaminants such as pesticide residues. They present no risk to you, provided you adhere closely to the dosage instructions and follow any cautionary advice and stated contra-indications.

Because of their concentrated nature, essential oils generally should not be applied directly to the skin in their undiluted or "neat" form. Used to excess and/or inappropriately, these may cause severe irritation or provoke an allergic reaction. Instead, essential oils should be blended with a vegetable-based "carrier" oil (a.k.a., a base, or "fixed" oil) before being applied. The exceptions are lavender and tea tree oils.

Common carrier oils include olive, almond, hazelnut and grapeseed. A common ratio of essential oil disbursed in a carrier oil is 0.5?3%, depending on its purpose. Some essential oils, including many of the citrus peel oils, are photosensitisers, increasing the skin's vulnerability to sunlight.

You should not take essential oils internally unless specifically directed by a qualified health care professional.

Existing health conditions

If you suffer from epilepsy, high blood pressure, alcoholism or a progressive neural disorder, please consult a qualified natural health provider before using any essential or essential oil product.

The following are important safety warnings:

Epilepsy : Avoid fennel, hyssop and sage.
High blood pressure: Avoid hyssop, rosemary, sage (all types) and thyme.
Alcoholics or anyone who is drinking alcohol: do not use Clary Sage.

Allergy sufferers

People who are allergy-prone should try this test before using a new oil.

Step 1: Put one drop of carrier oil onto your breastbone or behind your ear and leave for 12 hours. If you have no adverse reaction to this, continue on to Step 2.

Step 2: Dilute one drop of the essential oil you want to test in half a teaspoon (5ml.) of that same carrier oil you've tested and put that blend behind your ear or on your breastbone. If you have no reaction after 12 hours, you can assume it's safe to use that essential oil.

Pregnancy

Opinions vary. Some experts believe you should not use oils at all when you're carrying: others say there a few problems. But the consensus from the majority of experts is that you should use your essentials oils only at half strength during pregnancy and completely avoid the emmenagogues (medicines that can increase menstrual flow and therefore may prompt contractions).

These emmmenagogic oils are best avoided during the first five months.

* Clary Sage
* Rosemary
* Juniper
* Melissa

Note: Although lavender and Roman chamomile are very gentle emmenagogues and lavender is a mild diuretic, you can actually use these two throughout your pregnancy UNLESS you have had a previous miscarriage. If in doubt, don't!

Photosensitization

Sometimes you'll read a direction on an essential oil (generally a citrus) that says something like: 'This oil can cause skin photosensitization when exposed to the sun'. What that actually means is that this oil can/will make the area of skin on which it's applied become very sensitive to sunlight for up to 12 hours.

If left exposed that spot will be prone to sunburn and it can become red and itchy. Cover it and you should have no problem. Those with extremely sensitive skins should also beware and do an allergy test as a matter of course.

Photo sensitizing oils include:

* Bergamot
* Lemon
* Lime
* Mandarin
* Sweet Orange

Oils to avoid

Not all essential oils are beneficial to humans. Here are some which you should definitely avoid.

Bitter almond . Boldo leaf . Calamus . Camphor (yellow) . Horseradish . Jaborandi leaf . Mugwort . Mustard . Pennyroyal . Rue . Sassafras . Savin . Southernwood . Tansy . Thuju . Wintergreen . Wormseed . Wormwood.

Caring for your oils - Storage instructions and shelf life

Essential oils are precious gifts from nature, and can be a substantial financial investment. To ensure their therapeutic properties are maintained for the life of the oils, please treat them with care and thoughtful handling. Proper storage is the key.

Sunlight, heat and oxygen are the main culprits of oxidation and degradation of essential oils. Essential oils are best kept tightly sealed, in amber glass bottles, in a dark, cool place where temperature fluctuations are kept to a minimum. Always keep them safely locked away from children.

When stored under proper conditions essential oils will last from 6 months (citrus oils) to several years. The shortest shelf life oils are the citrus oils, which are the most prone to oxidation. To avoid the damage caused by temperature variations citrus oils can be stored in the refrigerator. Once citrus oils start to turn cloudy or smell rancid they should be disposed of.

Most essential oils will keep for approximately 1-2 years, if stored correctly. When stored at low temperatures, some oils, like rose, will solidify. They will liquefy again once they reach room temperature, which you can do quickly by holding them in your palm to melt the waxes gently. Some oils like myrrh, sandalwood, frankincense and patchouli improve or "mature" with age.

Ideally, you should store your oils upright, tightly sealed, away from direct light and protected from damp and humidity.

If you don't have a storage chest, a cool, dark, dry place out of reach of children is best. The high shelf in a pantry or closet is a good start.

Ideal storage conditions are more difficult to achieve when traveling in the car with our oils. That's when they can be inadvertently exposed to sunlight and high temperatures and become very tempting to small children who discover those delicious smelling little bottles.

The best method is to transport them in your storage chest, inside an insulated bag aided by a fridge pack in hot weather. It's easy enough to seal the zip from against small exploratory fingers and your oils will stay cool and out of sight.

Being volatile, essential oils will evaporate if the bottle is left open for long periods. Be sure to replace the cap tightly when you have finished with them. When using essential oils from the bottle, to avoid contaminating the oil, don't touch the top of the bottle or the inside of the lid.

Essential oils are flammable. Never leave open bottles near sources of ignition such as cookers, fires, candles or any naked flame.

What to do if things go wrong

Keep essential oils away from the eyes. If you do get some essential oil in the eyes, rinse immediately and for a long time with clean, cool water. Put a couple of drops of Sweet Almond Oil into the eye to soothe. This same remedy should also be applied if incorrect oils used in an intimate massage cause extreme discomfort to the genital areas.

Never take essential oils internally. Do not swallow them. If they are accidentally swallowed, drink plenty of milk and consult your doctor.