In this article, we invite you to discover the benefits of vegetable oils and macerates on a daily basis in the context of aromatherapy: conservation, precautions, contraindications, for what use, etc., ...

Short definition

Vegetable oils are natural substances concentrated in lipophilic molecules, which are commonly called fatty acids. Lipids are essential for the proper functioning of our entire body. They play an undeniable role at several levels: cellular, hormonal, balance the nervous and immune system, support growth and help concentration,... At the skin level, they provide protection and strengthen the hydrolipidic layer as well as other benefits that we will develop in the rest of the article .

A vegetable oil is therefore a fatty substance extracted from oilseed plants, giving seeds or fruits such as, for example, apricots, almonds, calendula, jojoba, hazelnut. , ...

Macerates are macerations of medicinal plants in a virgin oil (it is obtained by cold pressing without having been chemically modified), this serves as an excipient. For example, calendula oil is actually a macerate because to obtain it, marigold flowers (Calendula officinalis) are incorporated into a neutral virgin oil (olive, sunflower, sesame, etc.) for several weeks, then the preparation is filtered and by this process we obtain a “vegetable oil” full of active ingredients from marigold flowers .

​As you will have understood, it is wise for aromatic treatments to use a virgin oil obtained by cold pressing. This is the only way to have a guarantee on a truly natural product without solvents and/or refined products .

How to store them

Ideally, to avoid oxidation and rancidity, vegetable oils should be stored in a tinted glass bottle, away from light, air and heat. A temperature between 15 to 20° is preferable. You should know that below 15°, certain vegetable oils freeze and become, for example, jojoba solid. Solidification does not affect its conservation, so it can be brought to room temperature to liquefy again. However, it is important not to expose them below 20°.

Can we mix them 

Indeed, it is entirely possible to mix vegetable oils with each other to obtain the virtues of the mixture but also with other emulsions such as shampoo.

Essential oils are obviously essential allies in aromatherapy. We generally mix a lower dosage of essential oils compared to vegetable oils to influence and strengthen the aromatic treatment. For example, for an extensive hematoma on the thigh, mix 1 tablespoon of Harpagophytum oil with 2 to 3 drops of Italian Helichrysum essential oils to reinforce its decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to having a therapeutic interest, vegetable oils are necessary in aromatherapy to overcome the dermocausticity of an essential oil which cannot be used pure like Ceylon Cinnamon for example.

Precautions and contraindications

Some vegetable oils can cause allergies or can only be used cold or cannot be heated . 

For the most part, they are safe to use in children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. . 

Some vegetable oils and macerations

        Sweet Almond Vegetable Oil

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Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

Botanical name: Rosa rubiginosa 
Origin: Chile 
Obtained by first cold pressing 
Pressed part: seed 
roperties/indications: :
-  Nourishes, hydrates and protects the skin of the face and body 
-  Cell regeneration (used to repair skin after surgery or burns) 
-  Anti-wrinkle, acts against aging and elasticity of the skin
-  Healing (stretch marks, psoriasis, rosacea, spots, acne, etc.)

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Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

Botanical name: Prunus amygdalus 
Origin: Spain 
Obtained by cold pressing
Part used: the almond found in the fruit Properties:
- Nourishing and protective: it nourishes, repairs and protects the skin from drying out 
-  Soothing: it relieves and calms itching and irritation
-  Recommended for prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy
Indications: :
-  Dry, dull, tired skin
-  Sensitive, chapped, irritated skin
-  Helps fight against stretch marks

       Jojoba Vegetable oil

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Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

Botanical name: Simmondsia chinensis 
Origin: North Africa 
Obtained from first cold pressing
Pressed part: seed 
Properties/indications: 
-  Softening, gentle, protective, regenerating, softening 
-  Balances the acidity of the skin and protects against external aggressions 
-  Suitable for all skin types 
- Stops hair loss and revitalizes it: Eczema, skin conditions, oily, dry or    damaged  hair)

       Solar Maceration of Immortal.

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Botanical name: Helichrysum italicum 
Obtained by maceration in olive oil and then filtered 
Part used: Flowers 
Origin: Corsica 
Properties/indications:
-  Ideal for blows, injuries, scratches, etc. - Suitable for mature skin (excellent for beauty treatments)
-  Regenerative, for damaged skin, in case of redness
-  Unifies it and provides softness to the epidermis * Contraindications: 
Do not use during pregnancy or in children

       Solar Maceration Calendu officinalis

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Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

Botanical name: Calendula officinalis 
Obtained by maceration in sunflower oil and tocopnerol and then filtered 
Part used: flower
Origin: Corsica 
Properties/indications:
-  Strengthens the natural protection of the epidermis
- Suitable for damaged, weakened, chapped, cracked or reddened skin, also against stretch marks
-  Relieves burns, sunburns 
-  Calms pain (Eczema, itching, insect bites, jellyfish or hives)
-  Anti-inflammatory, healing and sanitizing 
-  Light legs, lymphatic drainage
-  Ideal for sensitive skin

        Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

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Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

/Rosmarinus officinalis
Obtained by maceration in olive oil and rosemary extract and then filtered 
Part used: root
Origin: Belgium
Properties/Indications:
Also called "Devil's Claw"
-  Athletes use it to treat tendinitis or facilitate muscle rest because it facilitates recovery after a training session. 
-  Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic 
-  Cartilage protector 
-  Reduces inflammation and joint swelling - Joint and muscle pain (tendinitis, neuralgia)
-  Arthritis, osteoarthritis 
-  Back pain, knee or hip pain

       Solar Maceration St. John's Wort

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Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

Botanical name: Hypericum perforatum L.
Obtained by maceration in olive oil and then filtered
Part used: flowering tops
Origin: Corsica 
Properties::
-  Soothing for sensitive and irritated skin
-  Regenerating, it calms various burns
-  Healing, anti-inflammatory and above all antiseptic
-  It is indicated for depressive states (hormonal changes due to menopause)
- Varicose ulcers, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, wounds, rheumatism, sciatica, aches, back pain)
* Contraindications:
Do not expose yourself to the sun's rays after application because this oil is photosensitizing.

       Apricot Kernel Vegetable Oil

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Harpagophytum Oily Macerate

Botanical name: Prunus armeniaca
Origin: Uzbekistan 
Obtained by first cold pressing Part used: the almond found in the kernel
Propriétés/indications:
-Illuminating oil which brings a boost of radiance, tones, it fights against skin aging 
-  Regenerating, nourishing, softening, emollient
-  Anti-redness, irritation 
-  Dry, sensitive, reactive skin
-  For mature and dry skin 
-  Provides softness and hydration

Reference and bibliographic source:

Chantal and Lionel, CLERGEAUD, (2003). “Vegetable oils, health and beauty oils”, Ed. Amyris.

Julien KAIBECK, (2013). “Vegetable oils”, Ed. Leduc.s.

* Cet article est rédigé à titre informatif et est issu notamment de la littérature de référence scientifique mais également sur la base des informations obtenues directement du producteur avec lequel nous collaborons sans intermédiaire en contact direct. Il ne remplace toutefois pas une consultation médicale ou un diagnostic auprès d'un médecin. 

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