WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?

Essential oils are the volatile liquids distilled from plants, including seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, etc. One of the factors that determine the purity and therapeutic value of an oil is its chemical constituents. These constituents can be affected by a vast number of variables, the parts of the plant from which the oil was produced, soil condition, fertilizer, organic or chemical, geographical region, climate, altitude, harvest season and methods, and distillation process. 

Producing the purest of oils can be very costly because it may require several hundred pounds, or even several thousand pounds of plant material to extract one pound of pure essential oil. For example, one pound of pure Melissa oil sells for $9,000-$15,000. Melissa oil is a powerful antidepressant. While it may sound quite expensive, it takes three tons of plant material to produce that single pound of oil. Because the majority of all oils produced in the world today is used by the perfume industry, the oils are being purchased for their aromatic qualities only. High pressure, high temperatures, rapid processing and the use of chemical solvents are often employed during the distillation process so that a greater quantity of oil can be produced at a faster rate. These oils may smell just as good and cost much less, but will lack most, if not all, of the chemical constituents necessary to produce the expected therapeutic results. 

There are also significant differences between synthetic fragrance oils and pure essential oils. Synthetic fragrance oils are produced by blending aromatic chemicals primarily derived from coal tar. These oils may duplicate the smell of the pure botanical, but the complex chemical components of each essential oil created in nature determine its true aromatic benefits. While synthetic fragrance oils are not suitable for aromatherapy, they add an approximation of the natural scent to crafts, potpourri, soap and perfume at a fraction of the cost. 

• Essential oils are the regenerating, oxygenating, and immune defense properties of plants. 

• Some EO constituents are so small in molecular size that they can quickly penetrate the tissues of the skin. 

• EO's are lipid soluble and are capable of penetrating cell walls, even if they have hardened because of an oxygen deficiency. In fact, essential oils can affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and are then metabolized like other nutrients. 

• EO's contain oxygen molecules which help to transport nutrients to the starving human cells. Because a nutritional deficiency is an oxygen deficiency, disease begins when the cells lack the oxygen for proper nutrient assimilation. By providing the needed oxygen, essential oils also work to stimulate the immune system. 

• EO's are very powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants create an unfriendly environment for free radicals. They prevent all mutations, work as free radical scavengers, prevent fungus, and prevent oxidation in the cells. 

• EO's are anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-microbial, anti-tumoral, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, and antiseptic. Essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses while simultaneously restoring balance to the body. 

• EO's work to detoxify the cells and blood in the body 

• EO's are aromatic. When diffused, they provide air purification by: Removing metallic particles and toxins from the air. Increasing atmospheric oxygen Increasing ozone and negative ions in the area, which inhibits bacterial growth Destroying odors from mold, cigarettes, and animals Filling the air with a fresh aromatic scent 

• EO's help promote emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. 

To extract essential oils in the most effective manner while preserving their therapeutic benefits, they are either Distilled or Expressed. These two methods are covered below. 

Distillation EO's are most commonly extracted from plants through the process of steam distillation. In this process, steam is introduced into a distillation chamber which contains the plant material. The steam breaks down the plant tissue, causing it to release its essential oil in a vaporized form. The vaporized essences, along with the steam and other substances, pass into a pipe through cooling tanks. The vapors return to liquid form and are separated from the water and captured as essential plant oil. 

Expression, also known as cold pressing, is done exclusively with citrus oils. In this method, the oil-containing outer layer of the fruit is pressed and filtered to yield essential oil. It takes 50 pounds of eucalyptus, 150 pounds of lavender, 500 pounds of rosemary, 1,000 pounds of jasmine and over 2,000 pounds of rose to make a single pound of essential oil! The price of each essential oil is directly related to the amount of plant material needed for distillation. Each oil has value in aromatherapy. For instance, lavender is relaxing, orange is uplifting, rosemary helps concentration and peppermint is energizing. If you want to support a certain mood, then you can diffuse a certain essential oil. Three typical methods for the application of essential oils.  

Diffusion 

This is one of my favorite ways to get the best value of the essential oils and to make my home smell lovely at the same time. Diffusers are so easy to use! You just follow the instructions on your particular diffuser. Most work by adding a small amount of water in the well of the machine, add a few drops of essential oil, and then you turn on the machine. The diffuser releases a cool steam, which will fill your room with a lovely scent. 

Ingestion 

Ingestion of essential oils is a very personal decision. I absolutely do not support ingesting essential oils that do not claim it is safe from the manufacturer. Always read the labels! 

Topically 

Placing EO's directly on the skin is a very common way to get their benefits. Some EO's can be used directly, which means undiluted. A very common essential oil that can be used this way is lavender. It's very gentle on the skin and can be used for so many different reasons! It's called the Swiss army knife of essential oils for a reason! 

EO's require dilution which is usually required to be a minimum of a 1:1 dilution ratio with a carrier oil, but can be further diluted depending on your preference. I usually find that 1-2 drop of essential oil in 1 TBSP of carrier oil is sufficient for many applications. All oils can be diluted and still retain their value, even the ones that can be used directly.

Created by: James_Hobart

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