SHELF LIFE OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Shelf life is the extent to which the aromatic and therapeutic properties of essential oils are stored during storage.
is the time it is preserved. Shelf that varies according to the identities of essential oils
they have lifetimes.
The feature that gives essential oils their name, namely their volatility, is due to their oxidation potential.
originates. Volatile substances can evaporate, otherwise we would not be able to smell them. A
How volatile the oil is depends on its components. Those with lighter components are the most
They are volatile and evaporate more quickly. Those with heavy components are less volatile and
they evaporate later. Due to these properties, factors such as heat, light, oxygen
It can cause essential oils to lose their freshness or deteriorate.
Volatile components of oils exposed to heat evaporate faster. in a chemical sense
An increase in temperature increases the kinetic energy of the molecules of substances. That is, the temperature of essential oils
more freely with each other due to the increase in molecular motions.
means interference. This can lead to some chemical changes. essential oils
It is most recommended to keep the components in the refrigerator so that they are not affected by the heat.
is the method. However, oils with frequent changes in temperature can collect moisture. It
For this reason, the place where the oil is located should not be changed constantly.
Essential oils exposed to direct sunlight can be damaged by exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Although the amber bottles are quite good at filtering out UV rays, they do not contain essential oils.
It will always be a better choice to store it in a dark environment.
When you open the cap of the essential oil bottle, it comes into contact with Oxygen. prolonged contact with each other
Oxygen and essential oil react, this event is called oxidation. Oxidation, volatile
It is the most common and rapid degradation form of oils. The therapeutic properties of oxidized oil
may lose its chemical properties and may cause increased sensitivity in the user.
For this reason, always make sure that the bottle with essential oils is tightly closed.
You must be. In addition, temperature increase is one of the factors that accelerate oxidation.
The average shelf lives of popular essential oils are as follows:
1 Year: Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange
2 Years: Frankincense, Tea Tree
3 Years: Thyme, Rosemary
4 Years: Cinnamon Bark, Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Rose, Peppermint
6 (or more) Years: Cedarwood, Ginger, Patchouli, Sandalwood
The reason why citrus oils such as grapefruit, lemon, and orange have the least shelf life
are obtained by the cold pressing method. That is, without any heat treatment.
their suppression directly from the fruit. For this reason, although they are one of the most natural essential oils, they are resistant to light.
They lead the oils with the least shelf life together with their maximum sensitivity.
But some oils become more valuable as time goes on. For example, cut cedarwood oil
It is said that it does not have a shelf life and its healing properties multiply over time.
No matter what oil you use, keep it in a cool and dark environment with the cap aired.
Keeping it intact will enable you to benefit from the shelf life at the most efficient level.
will provide. If you use the oils you take regularly, you don't have to worry about it.
not necessary. But it is useful to pay attention to the oils that you will store for a long time.
SOURCE
organicaromas.com
aromaticssessence.com
