We are here to help answer your frequently asked questions

Sourced ethically and sustainably from around the world, Tisserand Aromatherapy essential oils are either organic, wild crafted or ethically harvested. Let’s break that down:

Organic

Certified organic essential oils are derived from plants that have been grown without the use of man-made fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides. Instead, it uses ecosystem management methods to maintain the health of both plant and soil, guaranteeing there are no inputs such as genetic modification or irradiation. The benefits of organic agriculture include no pollution of the local air or groundwater and no synthetic chemicals in the plant or its essential oil, while maintaining the viability of the local environment. International standards are set by IFOAM (the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements), which also accredits many certifying bodies, for example the Soil Association or French Ecocert.

Wild crafted

Wild crafted essential oils are derived from plants that are not cultivated, but are gathered from their wild habitat. Although they are not organic, they are grown in their natural habitat, in conditions favourable to the health of the plant. Care is also taken to remain as sustainable as possible.

Ethically harvested

An ethically harvested essential oil is derived from a herb, shrub or tree that is consciously cultivated in its natural environment to ensure the species grows in abundance and is not depleted. As far as aromatic plants are concerned, species depletion is only rarely a problem with herbs (which are mostly easy to grow in quantity) but tends to be more of an issue with slow-growing trees.

Many of our smaller, more remote partners hold similar ethical and quality standards as the organic farms we work with, but some simply can’t afford to ‘make it official’. We recognise this and do our best to assure you of the quality you are receiving with your Ethically Harvested and Wild Crafted products.

Essential oils should not be used neat on the skin, as they are highly concentrated and could potentially cause a negative skin reaction. Essential oils should either be diluted into a blending oil, unfragranced lotion or cream.

There is nothing quite like a massage to make you feel soothed or energised. However, as pure essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin, they need to be diluted first. To create a body massage blend, add up to 5 drops of essential oil to 10mls of blending oil or unfragranced lotion. For a facial massage blend, add no more than 2 drops of essential oil per 10mls. Use no more than 10 drops in any one treatment.

Bathing with essential oils is one of the easiest and most enjoyable forms of therapy. Just before getting into a full bath, add 4-6 drops of essential oil (or blend of oils) in 20mls of blending oil, such as Jojoba or Sweet Almond and swirl the water to disperse fully.

Some essential oils, such as Eucalyptus and Tea Tree, are ideal for inhalation, because of their head-clearing and stimulating properties. Add 3-5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of very hot (not boiling) water and inhale the vapour for 5-10 minutes; the effect will be maximised by placing a towel over the head. If you are out and about, simply add 1-2 drops of essential oil to a tissue and inhale.

The evaporative properties of essential oils make them ideal for use in a diffuser. To create the fragrance or mood of your choice, simply add 6-8 drops of essential oil or a blend of essential oils to your Tisserand Aromatherapy Aroma Spa or favourite burner or vaporiser – perfect for the home or workplace.

We do not recommend using essential oils on children below the age of 5, unless it is a formulated product designed for children’s use.

Should you wish to create your own blend by adding essential oils to a blending oil for your child, please use the guidelines below:

For children aged 5-12 – no more than 2 drops of essential oil per 10ml of blending oil should be used.

For children aged 12+ – no more than 4 drops of essential oil per 10ml of blending oil should be used.

Should you wish to create your own blend of essential oils for a diffuser for your child, please use the guidelines below:

For children aged 5-12 –  add 4 drops in total.

For children aged 12+  – add up to 8 drops in total.

We advise using a diffuser in a well-ventilated room. Keep product container and diffuser well out of reach of children.

Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia – known for its sedative and antiseptic properties.

Mandarin – Citrus reticulata – known for settling emotions.

Roman Chamomile – Anthemis nobilis- Known for its sedative and skin-soothing properties.

Sweet Orange – Citrus aurantium dulcis – Known for settling emotions, and can assist in soothing digestive discomfort.

Cedarwood Atlas – Cedrus atlanticus – known for its ability to assist in relieving the symptoms of coughs and colds.

Essential oils should ideally be used within one year of opening. The best way to maximise the life of your oils is to keep them in a cool dark place, away from direct sunlight. Our amber bottles will help prolong their life. If the oil is exposed to heat, air or light, the shelf life will greatly diminish. Old oils should never be used as there is a risk of irritation or sensitisation.