Essential Oils
Aromatherapy oils are essential oils used to enhance health, beauty and induce relaxation through the sense of smell. These oils are used for cooking as well. The biggest positive aspect of using aromatic oils is that they are used in a cosmetic or medicinal way without being toxic or invasive as they do not leave behind any chemicals in the body. They have a positive effect on blood circulation.
Odors affect our moods in various ways. Nerve pathways connected to our brain are very closely associated with the sense of smell. Essential oils may have a tension-relieving, sedative or stimulating effect on the nerves.
When two or more essential oils are mixed together they form synergy, when two or more essential oils are mixed together with vegetable oil, it is called a blend. The water left after the oil is extracted from the plant parts is called hydrosol which is used for beauty purposes and has therapeutic value.
What are Essential Oils
The aromas exuded by plants are due to the presence of powerful healing substances -essential oils – hidden in tiny glands within the plant. Essential oils are concentrated aromatic oils extracted from natural plant parts. They are obtained from stems, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, barks, woods, gums and resins according to their species. They are made up of a complex combination of organic chemicals like phenols, esters, aldehydes, ketones, terpenes, acids and so on. Essential oils are highly concentrated and volatile so they should not be applied directly; but always diluted with carrier oils. Essential oils can burn the skin if applied without dilution.
How are Essential Oil different from Fragrance Oils
All essential oils have fragrance (aroma) with therapeutic properties but all perfumed oils need not be essential oils. For e.g. Oils made from animal sources such as musk are perfumed and may smell similar to the aromatherapy oils. However, they are not considered as ‘essential oils’ and do not hold any healing properties. Most essential oils have antiseptic properties and will combat microorganisms. Each aromatherapy oil has its own specific healing property such as antispasmodic, astringent, deodorant, anti-depressant, sedative, tonic, hepatic, diuretic, hypotensive, hypertensive and so on. Aromatherapy oils are non greasy, light and volatile. They are much more expensive than vegetable oils or synthetic fragrance oils. The cost of each essential oil varies depending on how many plant parts are used in processing the oil. The more the number of plant parts used, the higher is the cost.
How do Essential Oils Work
Tiny amounts of essential oils which are absorbed into the bloodstream and tissues through the skin; have marked therapeutic benefits on physical and mental health. A possible explanation for this, is that some molecules in essential oils act like hormones and may revitalize and regulate our emotional and physical responses. Whether essential oils truly stimulate gland secretions and act like hormones in our body is unclear. However, scents of aromatherapy oils do influence the endocrine gland as seen from the effect of essences on emotions and the nervous system. These oils strengthen immune functions and the body’s ability to fight off infections. Certain aromatic oils have an affinity for certain organs in the body. If an organ is sluggish it selectively absorbs a substance that can boost its functioning. For example, Dr. Valet suggested that Rosemary, Sage, Pine and Geranium alleviate tension caused by stress by stimulating an endocrine gland. Similarly, cypress oil for the ovaries and lavender oil with kidney functioning.
Distinctive aroma of oils
Aromas are defined in ‘notes’
Top note, Middle note, Base note
Top notes: are sharp, evaporate quickly and last for 20-30 minutes. This is the characteristic first impression. E.g eucalyptus, bergamot, tea tree, lemon.
Middle notes: take longer to develop; fully develop between one and two hours or longer. It lasts for a day or two. E.g. Geramium, Camomile.
Base notes: are the heaviest, add strength to the aroma, stay much longer and are the last to fade. E.g Sandalwood, Ylang ylang, Frankincense.
These notes may sometimes overlap.
