Essential oil and Aromatherapy

What are essential oils?

The vital element in any Aromatherapy treatment is the pure essential oil. An essential oil is an aromatic, volatile substance extracted from a single botanical source by distillation or expression. Essential oils have been utilized in fragrances, flavors and medicines for thousands of years. Some of the popular oils used in aromatherapy today include chamomile, lavender, rosemary and tea tree.

Chemically, essential oils are complex substances, and the way in which they exercise their effects on the body are similarly complicated. The oils contain, in many cases, up to 100 chemical constituents and it is evident that each constituent, however minor, performs some vital function. The reactions between these constituents and their component molecules give the oil its therapeutic value, which is why synthetic equivalents can never be equally effective.

How Essential Oils work?

Essential oils are composed of tiny molecules which are easily dissolved in alcohol, emulsifier and particularly, fats. This allows them to penetrate the skin easily and work into the body by mixing with the fatty tissue.

Essential oils stimulates the powerful sense of smell. It is known that odors we smell have a significant impact on how we feel. In dealing with patients who have lost the sense of smell, doctors have found that a life without fragrance can lead to high incidence of psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression. We have the capability to distinguish 10,000 different smells.

As these highly volatile essences evaporate they are also inhaled, thus entering the body via the millions of sensitive cells that lying the nasal passages. These send messages straight to the brain, and affect the emotions by working on the limbic system, which also controls the major function of the body. Thus in an aromatherapy treatment the essential oils are able to enhance both your physical and psychological well being at the same time.

Studies with brain wave frequency has shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation. Fragrance of Jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state.

Is Essential Oil same as other Oils?

Essential oils are very different from the heavy oils we use for cooking; they are concentrated essences, much lighter than water and highly flammable. They evaporate quickly, so they are usually mixed with other ingredients to trap their effectiveness. Because they are so concentrated, essential oils are measures in drops. It is both interesting and useful to note that essential oils are soluble in fatty/vegetable oils. Because of this, in aromatherapy, fatty/vegetable oils are called carrier oils.

Is Essential Oil same as perfumes?

Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances or contain artificial substances and do not offer the therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer. Essential oils contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. Essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way.

Care while using Essential Oils:

Essential oils can have a shelf life up to seven years, if properly cared for.
Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to air, it may cause damaging to essential oils. Keep your oils out of the sun and make sure the caps are tightly secured.
Keep out of reach from children.
Try to keep your oils in a cool dry place. They are sensitive to extreme temperature changes.
It is a very good idea to keep your eyes closed while inhaling the aromatic oil.
Certain oils such as mint oil causes insomnia. Do not use it at night (if you want go to sleep.

Essential oils in detail

Here you will find detailed information on Essential Oils available. These provide background information, properties, usage and form an ideal introduction to some of the main essential oils .

Lavender essential oil - Lavendula Officinalis
Bergamot essential oil - Citrus Bergamia
Jasmine essential oil - Jasminum Officinale
Geranium essential oil - Pelargonium Adorantissimum
Cinnamon essential oil - CinnamomumZeylanicum
Basil essential oils - Ocimum Basilicum
Ylang-Ylang - Cananga odorata
Sandalwood essential oils - Santalum album
Orange essential oil - Citrus aurantium
Rose essential oil - Rosa Centifolia, Rosa Damascena
Rosemary essential oil - Rosmarinus Officinalis
Patchouli essential oil - Pogostemon patchouli
Chamomile essential oil - Anthemis Nobilib
Sage essential oil - Salvia Officinalis

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What are Essential Oils? How Essential Oils work? The vital element in any Aromatherapy treatment is the pure essential oil. An essential oil is an aromatic, volatile substance extracted from a single botanical source by distillation

How to use Essential Oils and aromatherapy? There are many ways in which Essential Oil can be used such as inhalation, massage, facial mask, fragrance etc.

How to extract essential oil and various method of Extraction of essential oils? There are many ways in which essential oils are extracted such as Distillation, pressing, maceration etc.

Blending of Essential oil. Know about the basics of Aromatherapy Blend, art of aromatherapy blend such as mixing, storing etc.

Aromatherapy for Insomnia Know about various essential oils used in treating Insomnia.

Essential Oil Distiller Distillation is a process using which the Essential Oils are extracted from high volumes of plant matter.