Fresh-Picked Beauty

It is impossible to say exactly what an essential oil shelf life will be. The storage conditions will vary and make a significant difference. If the essential oil has been received directly from the distiller shortly after distillation and the glass bottle is kept dark, full, closed, and cool, we can make some generalizations. Please note these are simply Fresh-Picked Beauty’s opinions based on experience and an understanding of the chemistry of each oil. I store all of my oils in a designated refrigerator and I always purchase the citrus oils in small amounts in order to use them quickly.  

Normally you won't know when the oil was distilled unless you call the essential oil company and ask them for that particular information.  Always work with reputable sellers that are able to provide batch specific information such as the date of distillation. 


Note that if an essential oil begins to appear cloudy, thicker, or if it smells more acidic, it has likely begun to oxidize.

I like to purchase essential oil from Mountain Rose Herbs.  They offer Certified Organic oils and they sell enough essential oils on a regular basis to ensure you are getting recently distilled oil which are genuine and fresh! You can visit Mountain Rose Herbs HERE. 

Approximately 6 months to 1 year from distillation:
Grapefruit - Citrus paradisi
Lemon - Citrus limon
Lime- Citrus aurantifolia
Mandarin - Citurs reticulata
Mastic - Pistacia lentiscus
Nutmeg - Myristica fragrans
Orange - Citrus sinensis
Palo Santo - Bursera graveolens

Approximately 2-3 years from distillation:
Balsam Fir - Abies balsamea
Common Spruce - Picea Communis
Conifer Blend - Abies alba, Pinus nigra, Pinus wallichiana
Cypress - Cupressus sempervirens
Douglas Pine - Pseudotsuga menzies
Engleman Spruce - Picea engelmanii
Eucalyptus citriodora - Eucalyptus citriodora
Eucalyptus globulus - Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus radiata - Eucalyptus radiata
Frankincense - Boswellia carterii
Galbanum - Ferula galbanum
Helichrysum - Helichrysum gymnocephalum
Helichrysum - Helichrysum Odoritissimum
Honey Myrtle - Melaleuca teretifolia
Juniper berry - Juniperus communis
Juniper (Utah) - Juniperus osteoperma
Larch - Pinus resinosa
Laurel - Laurus nobilis
Lemongrass (West Indian) - Cymbopogon citratus
May Chang - Litsea cubeba
Melissa - Melissa officinalis
Myrtle - Myrtus communis
Niaouli 1,8 cineole - Melaleuca Quinquenervia
Norway Pine - Pinus resinosa
Oregano - Origanum vulgare
Pinion Pine - Pinus redulis
Plai - Zingiber Cassumunar
Ponderosa Pine - Pinus ponderosa
Rhododendron - Rhododredron Anthopogon
Rock Rose- Cistus ladaniferus
Saro - Cinnamosma fragrans
Scotch Pine - Pinus sylvestris
Silver Fir - Abies alba
Thyme ct thymol - Thymus vulgarus ct thymol
White Fir - Abies concolor
White Pine - Pinus strobus

Approximately 3-4 years from distillation:
Black Pepper - Piper nigrum
Black Spruce - Picea mariana
Bergamot - Citrus bergamia
Citronella Java - Cymbopogon winterianus
Clove-Eugenia caryophyllata
Coriander - Coriandrum sativum
Elemi - Canarium luzonicum
Fragonia - Agonis fragrans
Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus dives
Fingerroot - Boesenbergia pandurata
Gingergrass - Cymbopogon martinii var sofia
Helichrysum - Helichrysum bracteiferum
Hemlock - Tsuga caneaensis
Lemongrass Rhodinol - Cymbopogon citratus ct rhodinol
Neroli - Citrus aurantium var amara
Opopanax - Commiphora guidotti
Ravintsara - Cinnamomun camphora
Rosalina - Melaleuca ericifolia
Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis ct camphor/verbenone
Siberian Fir- Abies siberica
Sitka Spruce - Picea sitchensis
Suganda Kokila  - Cinnamomum glaucescens
Sweet Marjoram - Origanum marjorana
Tamala ct linalol - Cinnamomum tamala
Tea Tree - Melaleuca alternifolia
Turmeric - Curcuma longa
Vanilla - Vanilla planifolia
White Spruce - Picea glauca
Yarrow - Achillea millefolium

Approximately 4-5 years from distillation:
Bergamot Mint - Mentha citrata
Cardamom CO2 - Elettaria cardamomum
Basil - Osimum basilicum ct linalool
Clary Sage - Salvia sclarea
Geranium - Pelargonium x asperum
German Chamomile - Matricaria recutita
Ghandi Root - Homalomena aromatica
Ginger - Zingiber officinale
Helichrysum - Helichrysum italicum
Ho wood - Cinnamomun  camphora ct linalol
Jasmine Absolute - Jasminum grandiflorum
Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia
Linalol berry - Bursera delpechiana
Neroli/Petitgrain Co-distill - Citrus aurantium var amara
Palmarosa - Cymbopogon martini
Peppermint - Mentha x piperita
Petitgrain - Citrus aurantium
Roman Chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile
Rose/Geranium co-distill - Rosa damascena/Pelargouium
Rose Otto/Absolute - Rosa damacena
Rosewood - Aniba rosaeodora
Spike Lavender - Lavandula latifolia
Thyme (Benchmark) - Thymus zygis loefl l.
Thyme ct linalol - Thymus vulgarus ct linalol
Wild Mint - Wild Mint
Xanthoxylum - Zanthoxylum armatum
Ylang Ylang - Cananga odorata

Approximately 6-8 years or longer: 
Balsam Capaiba - Copaifera officinalis
Balsam Poplar - Populus balsamifera
Blue Cypress - Callitris intratropica
Carrot seed Daucus carota
Cedarwood - Cedrus atlantica
Cedarwood - Juniperus virginiana
Myrrh - Commiphora myrrha
Patchouli - Pogostemom cablin
Sandalwood - Santalum album
Spikenard - Nardostachys jatamansi
Vetiver - Vetiveria zizanoides

General shelf life from a chemical family perspective:
About 1-3 years – Monoterpene rich oils, Monoterpene/Oxide (cineole) rich oils, Monoterpene/ Aldehyde rich oils, Monoterpene/Monoterpenol rich oils.
About 3-5 years – Monoterpenol rich oils, Monoterpenol/Ester rich oils, Ketone
and Phenol rich oils (Phenols are closer to 3 years).

About 6-8 years, or longer – Sesquiterpene rich oils, Sesquiterpenol rich oils.

 I asked a few volunteers to try it out and they all gave positive reviews on how well it worked at controlling embarrassing odors.  Success!!! Here is the recipe I created for my "Before You Go Odor Control Toilet Bowl Mist".

You will need the following ingredients. Most of them can be purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of Fractioned Coconut Oil or another light carrier oil (shop here)
1 teaspoon of Vegetable Glycerine (shop here)
1/4 teaspoon Stearic Acid (shop here)
1 teaspoon Emulsifying Wax (shop here)
1/2 cup of distilled water
1 teaspoon lemongrass essential oil (shop here)
1/2 teaspoon sweet orange essential oil (shop here)
1/2 teaspoon bergamot essential oil (shop here)
1/4 teaspoon grapefruit essential oil (shop here)

Directions:
Place the fractionated coconut oil, vegetable glycerine, stearic acid, emulsifying wax and distilled water in a 4 cup capacity glass measuring cup.  Place the measuring cup in a pot that has several inches of simmering water.  Bring the ingredients up to 160 degrees F and keep at that temperature for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Once the mixture is emulsified, carefully remove the glass measuring cup from the pot of water.  Using a hand mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the liquid for ten minutes to cool it down.  When the mixture has cooled to below 100 degrees F, add in the essential oils and continue to whisk for another 5 minutes.  You should have a thin liquid. Pour the mixture into a sanitized glass spray bottle.


Here is a little demo of how this spray works.  The photo above shows a bowl filled with plain water.


After spraying the mixture five times onto the top of the water, you will notice a film forms. You will also notice the wonderful aroma that floats up into the air.


It is the magical aromatic film that keeps the bathroom smelling so wonderful.  Avoid spraying the formula on your skin or your eyes.  Avoid spraying on the floor as it may become slippery.

How did we ever get along without such a product? Especially in single bathroom homes!!!

Cheers!
Shannon Buck

Benefit #1: 
Help reduce anxiousness and promote a calm state of mind.  Try my Ylang-Ylang & Lavender Relaxing Lotion when you feel stressed during the day or before bed to help you fall asleep fast.  Take four ounces of your favorite unscented natural body lotion (I like this one Click HERE) and add in 30 drops of lavender essential oil (shop here) and 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil (shop here). Blend well and store in a clean container. Apply a generous amount to your neck, shoulders and chest when you are feeling stressed. Make sure to take several deep breaths to calm down.


Benefit #2:
Get your romance on with my Sexy Massage Oil.  Add eight ounces of Jojoba oil (shop here) into a glass bottle and add in 2 drops of Bulgarian rose essential oil, 20 drops sandalwood essential oil, 10 drops sweet orange essential oil, 5 drops vanilla absolute, 2 drops patchouli essential oil and 1 drop of ylang-ylang essential oil. Shop for all the essential oils at Mountain Rose Herbs HERE.

Benefit #3: 
Make a headache relief roll-on remedy by adding 1/2 teaspoon of jojoba oil into a glass roller bottle along with 3 drops of lavender essential oil, 1 drop of peppermint and 2 drops of sweet marjoram essential oil. Roll over your temples (avoiding eye area) and massage in while deep breathing.

Benefit #4: 
Stay focused at work with my Concentration & Clarity Room Mist that can be sprayed in your office or around your work space to improve your mental clarity and ability to focus on your important tasks.  In a spray bottle, add in 8 ounces of rosemary hydrosol (shop here), 60 drops of spearmint essential oil, 70 drops grapefruit essential oil, 20 drops rosemary essential oil. Shop for essential oils HERE.  Shake well before use and mist through the air. Avoid spraying on painted and delicate surfaces and/or fabrics.

Benefit #5: 
Make a blemish-blasting roll-on spot treatment by adding a tablespoon of Witch Hazel into a glass roller-ball along with 5 drops tea tree essential oil, 1 drop thyme essential oil, 1 drop rosemary essential oil and 4 drops of lavender essential oil. Roll on a small amount over a blemish to soothe. 

Benefit #6:
Soothe a painful bee sting with my Calming Chamomile Aloe Gel. In a small squeeze bottle add in two ounces of Mountain Rose Herbs Aloe Vera Gel (shop here) along with 15 drops of lavender essential oil, 5 drops German chamomile essential oil, 2 drops peppermint essential oil and 3 drops of tea tree essential oil.  Find Certified Organic essential oils at Mountain Rose Herbs HERE. Shake well to blend. Apply a small amount to a bee sting or bug bite to soothe.

Benefit #7: 
Did you work out too hard at the gym? Are your muscles sore? I have the perfect recipe for a Post Workout Muscle Balm. Add 2 ounces of shea butter into a small bowl and mix in 25 drops of benzoin essential oil, 1 drop of cinnamon bark essential oil, 1 drop of wintergreen essential oil, 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 5 drops rosemary essential oil, 10 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil (shop for essential oils HERE). Mix well. Massage a small amount of the balm into your sore muscles as needed.

Benefit #8: 
Try adding a few drops of tea tree essential oil and a few drops of rosemary essential oil into shampoo before you wash your hair to help with dandruff.

Benefit #9: 
Bulgarian rose essential oil, clary sage essential oil, lavender essential oil, ylang-ylang essential oil, bergamot essential oil and neroli essential oil are all great choices to use in a diffuser to relieve PMS symptoms. Visit Mountain Rose Herbs for Certified Organic choices. Click HERE. 

Benefit #10: 
For minor cuts and scrapes, apply a few drops of lavender essential oil. 


The best place to purchase essential oils is from Mountain Rose Herbs. Click HERE to learn more and shop!


Essential oils are very potent and need to be used highly diluted. A patch test should be performed before use. I also need to say..."CAUTION: IF PREGNANT, NURSING, SUFFERING FROM ANY MEDICAL CONDITION, OR TAKING MEDICATION, CONSULT A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER BEFORE MAKING OR USING THESE RECIPES. AVOID EYES AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES. DILUTE PROPERLY. MAY IRRITATE SKIN. NOT FOR INTERNAL USE. AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN." Please visit my blog post about Essential Oil Safety HERE. 

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs,  Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details.. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!!