Essential oils are botanical extracts of various plant parts such as leaves, seeds, barks, stems, flowers, roots etc. They are natural extract of a plant form. They are natural aromatic compounds and are both beautiful and powerfully fragrant. They are also known as essences, volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the “oil of” the plant from which they were extracted, for example, “oil of lavender”. An oil is “essential” in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent or essence of the plant from which it has been extracted. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils also provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination. Contrary to their name, essential oils are generally not oily, though some of the thicker oils appear so. Most essential oils lack viscosity and will actually dissipate if left open in the air for too long.
Various extraction methods are used in the manufacture and extraction of essential oils. The method used is normally dependent on what type of botanical material is being used. They are generally extracted by distillation. Steam distillation is often used. Other processes include expression or solvent extraction. There are generally eight main categories into which the aromas or fragrances of essential oils are divided. Some of the essential oils are classified into more than one category, since they can have the aroma that could be indicated by either of the categories. These categories and the different fragrances that come under them are,
Citrus – lemon, lime, orange, etc.
Floral – jasmine, lavender, rose etc.
Herbaceous – basil, chamomile, rosemary etc.
Camphoraceous – peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus etc.
Spicy – cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg etc.
Woody – cedar wood, sandalwood, pine
Resinous – benzene, elemi, myrrh
Earthy – Angelica, patchouli, Vetiver
Essential oils are used in a variety of products. They are most commonly used in perfumes, body sprays, body mist etc. they are also widely used in cosmetics, soaps and beauty products, beauty treatments, household products such as air fresheners, room sprays, air Sanitizers, incense sticks etc. flavoring food and drink products, apart from others. They are also used by people in their own personal home use products like creams, lotions, scrubs, tonics, hair, face and body packs, bubble baths etc.
The most popular or common ways in which essential oils are usually administered is through Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is derived from the ancient practice of using natural plant essences to promote health and overall wellness. It consists of the use of pure essential oils obtained from a wide variety of plants. Aromatherapy can help ease a wide assortment of ailments; easing aches, pains, and injuries, while relieving the discomforts of many health problems. Aromatherapy also acts on the central nervous system and helps in relieving depression and anxiety, reducing stress, relaxing, uplifting, sedating or stimulating, restoring both physical and emotional well-being.
Most of us wonder if Aromatherapy is actually effective. Well, the answer is yes! Modern scientific research has proven the potency and healing qualities of pure essential oils. In many parts of the world they are prescribed for their medicinal benefits. Many of the oils have powerful antibacterial and antiviral qualities which, unlike pharmaceutical drugs, do not leave behind dangerous toxins.
The most famous use of essential oils in the form of Aromatherapy is generally though massages. It is a method of receiving the healing gifts of the essential oils through relaxation of body muscles and nerves. However, a scientific point of view makes it clear that the path the oils take to affect our bodies is through the olfactory system. It is by inhaling the aromatic chemicals that comprise these natural oils that they affect our central nervous system and soothe our body.
Another increasingly popular indirect way of using essential oils is in the form of Aromatherapy is through home fragrance products like reed diffusers, aroma oil burners and scented candles. While reed diffusers use reeds soaked in fragrant essential oils to gently scent the air and add freshness to our homes, oil burners, on the other hand, work on the principal of vaporization of the fragrance on heating. They help in creating an invigorating and soothing environment, much like the scented candles, which give out a delightful aroma of burning. These products help us to relax and rejuvenate while adding beauty to our homes.
Apart from Aromatherapy massages and home fragrance products, essential oils can also be used in a number of other ways. They can be used for skin care, for example, they can be added to water while taking a facial steam or to facial packs and facial oils. They also make a very soothing and relaxing bath, when added to a tub of hot water. They can also be used for steam inhalation while trying to cure a common cold or flu. They even have great results in household chores. They can add freshness to the laundry and bed linens, can also help in disinfecting the house and making it smell absolutely wonderful. However, the most important thing to bear in mind while using essential oils is that they are highly concentrated and volatile. They should never be used for any purpose directly. They must always be diluted in a carrier substance like oil, water etc. before use and only a few drops are generally enough. Also all essential oils cannot be used for all purposes. Each oil has its own particular properties and hence its own particular use. A sound knowledge of essential oils, therefore, is a must before their use.
Essential oils, thus, can be extremely beneficial, when used in appropriate quantities and advisable ways. These powerful oils are often referred to as the soul of the plant and as they contain the life force of the plant from which they come, they are full of goodness. As each oil contains individual properties, the mind and body respond to it in a particular manner. Hence, a closely and carefully administered use of these oils can help to heal the body, alter moods, stir memories, spread a feeling of wellness, create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility and generally improve the quality of life.
how to use essential oils
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how to use essential oils
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