E
S S E N T I A L O I L S
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential
oils are found in different parts of the plant:
flowering tops lavender.chamomile
grass lemongrass.palmarosa
leaves
peppermint.cinnamon
peel lemon.bergamot.orange
seed cardamon.fennel
twig cypress.tea tree.eucalyptus
wood rosewood.cedarwood
gum frankincense
Because of their properties, essential oils are widely used
in perfumes, flavorings and medicines. The main methods are steam
distillation, by compression, dissolving the oils out (extraction)
or absorbing
them,
and
by pressure and maceration (to separate into constituents by
soaking).
The methods used to extract the essential oil are time
consuming and expensive and require a high degree of expertise. To
maintain all of the therapeutic qualities, it must be extracted by
steam distillation using extremely low pressure and low heat as not
to defile the quality of the oil.
The name "essential" is derived
from the Latin “quintessential”, meaning the fifth element.
The fifth element was the vital element the alchemist sought to change
base metals into gold.
Each oil renders valuable health
benefits when properly used in aromatherapy. Essential oils do not
need to pass through the digestive system and can enter through the
skin by massage oils, by various methods of inhalation, compresses or
vaporizers.
Essential oils interact with the body in three distinct ways:
pharmacologically chemical change (through the blood stream),
physiologically (effects the systems of the body) and
psychologically (inhaled and a response is generated by the aroma).
Given that it takes in excess of 220 pounds of rose petals to
produce only 4 or 5 teaspoonfuls of oil, the chemical complexity and
high concentration of essential oils makes every drop valuable and
powerful. Once you understand the principles
of essential oils, you
will want them in your life forever.
Please read - Essential
oil safety and precautions
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Essential Oils