March 10th blog
BANK on increasing life!
Shelf life that is..
What do heat, oxygen and light have in common?
They each ‘oxidize’ Essential oils. When an oil is oxidized it spoils and becomes less effective or can even become an irritant.. The initial shelf life of an oil is based on the individual chemistry of the botanical. How it’s stored will increase the shelf life or decrease it, for that matter. To maximize its life, store in a dark, airtight container in a cool place. Airtight really means to keep the oil in the smallest bottle possible, allowing the least amount of air in.
Any light, not just sunlight will damage the oil. Essential oils that are cold pressed like Grapefruit or Bergamot have a shelf life of only 18-24 months even when in a controlled environment. The life can be extended if in a cooler with a pressurized pump to express. An oil like a steam distilled Vetiver has a much longer shelf life, 4+ years but could be oxidized and ruined within 1 week if left directly in sunlight and in a hot car with the bottle ¾ empty. This is from the time of distillation, not from the date you or your alchemist purchased it.
This month Savitur is featuring cold pressed pink Grapefruit and steam distilled sweet Indian Basil. If you combine the two in a blend the shortest shelf life prevails. In this case? The Grapefruit is the indicator of how long it can stay on your shelf.
GREAT NEWS… we have FRESH sparkling Grapefruit that just arrived from distillation. So uplifting and a spectacular way to brighten your mood. Add a hint of Basil to balance it out. The two are outstanding in leaving a refreshing aroma after cleaning:
Easy Fresh Clean Spray~ a simple counter top cleaner
4 oz Spray bottle
20 drops Grapefruit
10 drops Basil
½ – 1 oz vodka or white vinegar
Fill with water and swirl together
peace + love!
Somah Devi Ma
