Aromatherapy

General information

• Safety first.
• Introduction.
• Absolute.
• Carrier Oils.
• Concrete.
• Essential Oils.
• Hydrosols - Compliment to EO's.
• Disclaimer.

Introduction

Aromatherapy has been practiced in one form or another since the beginning of civilisation. It is the art, and science, of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health and beauty. Apart from the physical benefits, essential oils can have subtle effects on the mind and emotions. Essential oils extracted from plants and used in Aromatherapy have been described as their "life force" - they are essential to the plants' biological process, as well as being the substance which gives them their scent. Synthetic oils, even if chemically similar, will lack all the natural elements, and that vital life-force, that make essential oils so valuable therapeutically.

Synthetic oils are also unacceptable in that the minor constituents are never identical. The addition of synthetic chemicals is not normally disclosed in the essential oil business, so unless there is a declaration that the oils are natural, pure and unadulterated, assume otherwise.

Essential oils are extracted from flowers, herbs, spices, woods and fibres, usually by distillation, expression and solvent extraction. Solvent extraction is only acceptable for aromatherapy if the solvent used is completely removed after the manufacturing process

Absolute

This term describes materials which are obtained from the plant by means of enfleurage or solvent extraction. Enfleurage yields a 'pomade' - a mixture of fat and essential oil, whereas solvent extraction produces a 'concrete' consisting of fats, waxes, essential oils and other plant materials. The pomade or concrete is then treated with alcohol to extract the absolute.

Absolutes differ from essential oils (i.e. those obtained by distillation) in that they have an extremely high perfuming and therapeutic power and need to be used in low concentrations.

Absolutes are normally coloured and are more viscous than essential oils.

Carrier Oils

Pure Essential Oils are typically far too strong and concentrated to be applied directly onto the skin. Essential Oils should be diluted with Carrier (or base) Oils. Essential Oils can be very expensive and would not last long if used undiluted, however, they will cover a large area when diluted and will be just as effective.

"Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed Oils" are the best carrier oils to use. These are the first pressed oils from a crop. Later extraction's can come from heat or solvent processes which often destroy vital trace minerals and vitamins found in the oils. It is unwise to use mineral or baby oils as Carrier Oils.

Carrier oils with no or little aroma of their own, are most suitable, as they do not mask the aroma of the Essential oils.

Concrete

A concrete is an aromatic substance extracted from plants by solvents.

Concretes contain fats, waxes, and essential oil and require further treatment with alcohol to obtain the absolute.

This method is mainly used where steam distillation would spoil the delicate fragrance of the plant material, Jasmine for example.

Essential oils

Essential oils are aromatic, volatile substances extracted from one botanical source. They are found in leaves, flowers, tree bark, plant roots, fruit, and fruit peel.

Some botanical sources produce only one oil such as Basil (leaves), others produce several oils such as Sweet Orange (Petitgrain - leaves and branches, Neroli - blossom, Sweet Orange - peel).

• Essential Oils (storage)

  Because essential oils are affected by sunlight they should be sold and stored in dark glass bottles, with stoppered caps. The oils should be stored out of sight and reach of children. Good Essential oils should keep for several years under proper storage, although orange, lemon and lime oil will not keep as long. Patchouli, however, actually improves with age.

• Essential Oils (mixing)

  It is strongly recommended that you use a dropper so that you can measure the actual number of drops easily. Use a different dropper for each oil to avoid cross contamination.

  The Droppers supplied in bottles should be in different sizes according to the viscosity of the different oils. Good internal droppers have a grove on one side. With the grove uppermost you will get a "slow drip", with the grove downward you will get a "fast drip".

Hydrosols - The subtle compliment to Essential Oils

Steam distillation of aromatic plants results in two complementary products- the essential oil and the hydrosol (or hydrolate). During the distillation process the ascending steam dissolves the essential oil contained in the plant.

A particular advantage of hydrosols is that they do not contain the tannic acids and bitter substances contained in the essential oils.

Disclaimer

Aromass has taken care in presenting the information contained in this web site, and continuously reviews the information for accuracy. However . . .

Aromass does not accept any liability for any consequences, howsoever arising from the use of the information on this web site.

It is the individuals responsibility to assure them self of the appropriateness of a particular treatment for a particular individual under the circumstances which prevail at the time of treatment.