 Essential oilsWhere Do Essential Oils Come From?Essential oils come from different parts of plants including the flowers, roots, bark and leaves. They are taken from the plant through the process of steam distillation. This occurs when the plant in question is treated with steam. After some time has elapsed, the plant will break down and release its essential oils. The essences which are required need to be separated from the water in order for them to be available in concentrated form. This is achieved by allowing the steam to cool before separating the oil from the water. This oil is then filtered once more and the result is what is used for commercial purposes. Essential Oils Are Not PerfumeThere are some misconceptions about essential oils that should be cleared up. The term ‘oil’ conjures up images of a grimy substance but in actual fact, most essential oils are clear in color. Essential oils such as orange and lemongrass buck this trend as they are yellow or amber. Also, the only thing essential oils have in common with fragrance oils and perfume is the fact that they all give off pleasant scents. While essential oils are all natural, perfumes are artificially created and cannot be used in aromatherapy like essential oils can. Essential Oils In AromatherapyAromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine which uses the scent of plant extracts such as essential oils to heal patients. The medicinal properties of essential oils cannot be understated. They have long been known to possess antiseptic properties. French aromatherapy doctors use essential oils to fight infections. A sample of the infected area is taken with various essential oils tested on it. Then they find the most effective formula to treat the patient. Essential Oils In MedicineTwo of the foremost doctors in the field of Phytotherapy, Drs. Lapraz and Duraffourd from France, have conducted thousands of clinical trials to find out just how effective essential oils are in medicine. In 2004, Peter Warn from The University of Manchester, England, conducted tests where he found that essential oils used in aromatherapy were capable of killing deadly MRSA bacteria. This enables hospitals to include essential oils in the soaps and hand washes used by patients and medical staff in hospitals and clinics. Three Of The BestThere are hundreds of essential oils available for aromatherapy and medical use. Among the most common are frankincense, myrrh and lavender. Frankincense trees grow in several places around the world including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India. When the bark of the tree is cut, gum resin oozes from it. This can then be distilled with the essential oils taken from it. Frankincense is spicy and sweet and can be used in aromatherapy for calming. Myrrh oil is one of the oldest sources of perfume and gives off a spicy, warm aroma. It can be used in aromatherapy for centering and meditating. Lavender oil is a popular ingredient in baths because of its flowery soothing aroma. It helps people to relax, stay calm and heal. Counting The CostThe price of essential oils varies wildly because certain plants produce much more essential oil than others. For example, it would take 100 pounds of lavender flowers to make one pound of essential oil but you need ten times more jasmine to make the same amount. It should be noted that most essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin without being diluted by massage oils like jojoba because they are too concentrated. Exceptions to this rule include tea tree and lavender oil. |
