Herbal oils, also known as oil extracts, are obtained from herbs and plant sources and known to contain an array of beneficial properties whilst possessing a vast amount of therapeutic benefits. It is well-known that synergistically a combination of nutrients, bioactive components, antioxidants and biostimulants have proved to be more effective.
Herbal oils can be used in aromatherapy, a complementary medicine that uses smell to improve your health, applied topically to the skin or used in a wide range of bath and body, hair, and skincare products.
Studies have shown that herbal oils may help:
- Boost mood
- Improve job performance through reduced stress and increased attentiveness
- Improve sleep
- Kill bacteria, funguses and viruses
- Reduce anxiety and pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Reduce nausea
- Relieve headaches
Essential Oils vs Infused Oils
Both essential oils and infused herbal oils are made from herbs or plant sources. Herbal infused oils are made by infusing whole plant material into a carrier oil which can then be used on its own or serve as a foundation of a skincare product such as cream, lotion or lip balm or used to make beautiful handmade artisan soaps. Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from plants, usually through the process of distillation.
While both herbal infused and essential oils can be used as part of a healthy lifestyle, herbal oils are the foundation of herbal self-care products. A 6-week process of cold infusing the oils allows the herbal essences to fully saturate with their beneficial compounds. These oils are potent, but incredibly gentle and can (and should!) be used in daily skincare routine.
Infused herbal oils are diluted
- Infused oils are much more mild
- Infused oils are gentle enough to be used on bare skin
Essential oils are pure concentrated oils
- Essential oils are highly concentrated
- Essential oils are so powerful that they should almost never be applied directly to the skin, but rather diluted in a carrier oil.
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts.