As interest in all aspects of natural health and wellness grows, the use of essential oils is becoming more widespread. However, many individuals that are just learning about aromatherapy’s possibilities sometimes don’t know exactly what essential oils are. Well here’s a little primer that get you started in using these wonderful gifts of nature in your own life! Pure essential oils are complex mixtures of aromatic compounds produced by plants. These are the essences that give plants their wonderful scents; it is these easily evaporated compounds that you smell when inhaling the aroma from a rose, or a pine tree, or a bunch of fresh basil.

Pure essential oils are distilled from oil sacs found in most structures of plants – the leaves, roots, flowers and more. Almost all essential oils are made up of several, sometimes hundreds of various molecular compounds. The combination and ratios of these compounds give each oil it’s particular aromatic and medicinal properties. Essential oils are not just a by-product of plant growth; plants use these oils in a manner similar to those prescribed in medical aromatherapy: to fight infections from microbes, fungi and viruses; to protect themselves from animal invaders; and some suspect they may be used for chemical communication between plants of the same species. While essential oils come from the plant world, they are particularly suited to use in natural health, wellness and fitness programs as their chemistry is remarkably compatible with our own; they are easily absorbed into our bodies, even at the cellular level.

To produce essential oils of therapeutic quality – those that retain as much of the original plant essence in its original state as possible – the most gentle extraction method that will draw the oil from a particular plant is most desirable. Extraction methods range from Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extraction – being the most gentle (and most expensive), to pressing (as for extracting the oil from citrus rinds) and steam distillation, to solvent extraction. Steam distillation is most common, and as a result of only requiring heating to just above the boiling point of water, is considered gentle enough for most essential oils.

Humankind has used plants for healing for many thousands of years, and it’s from this tradition of that the use of aromatic plant compounds is medicine began. Documented use of aromatic plants dates back to near 4500 B.C., though it was in the hands of the ancient Egyptians that the use of oils and plant aromatics was truly developed. Oils were used in the embalming process, in medicine and in purification rituals. In 1922, when King Tut’s tomb was opened, 50 alabaster jars made to contain nearly 350 liters of oil were discovered. There are also over 200 references to aromatics, incense and ointments in the Old and New Testaments; Frankincense, Myrrh, Galbanun, Cinnamon, Cassia, Rosemary, Hyssop and Spikenard are noted for being used for anointing rituals and healing of the sick.

Modern use of essential oils in natural health, wellness and fitness programs began with the discovery of Lavender’s healing properties by a French scientist in the middle of the last century. Lavender was found to have effective healing properties for skin wounds, strong anti-inflammatory properties, and wonderful calming effects when inhaled. Further research has confirmed superior efficacy of essential oils for a broad range of physiological conditions.

Combating infectious illnesses like flu, bacterial and viral infections has been noted by medical aromatherapists as the most promising use of essential oils. Other applications include strong anti-inflammatory effects, powerful antioxidant properties, tissue regeneration, and cleansing of various organs and systems. Many psychological effects have also been studied, including sharpening of one’s mental faculties and bringing calm in both adults and children. Here, it is important to find a qualified practitioner or trusted source of information to find the right oil and how to best employ it. Using the wrong oil will likely have no effects, and incorrectly using certain oils can be dangerous. There are many quality texts available online or at your library or bookstore.

The most effective way to use most essential oils is by external application or inhalation, though some can be very beneficial when taken internally (note the cautions and applications on each essential oil’s page). The methods used include body oils, compresses, cosmetic lotions, baths (including hand and foot baths), hair rinses, inhalation (by steam, direct from the bottle or from a tissue), perfumes and room sprays. Essential oils are VERY potent – some will cause skin irritation or have other harmful effects if not used properly. Unless specifically noted, it is best to dilute all essential oils in a carrier of base oil like Almond, Jojoba or Apricot Kernel before applying to the skin – appropriate dilution is usually only 1 – 10% essential oil in carrier. For inhalation, a diffuser or oil lamp is effective for releasing essential oils into your environment – a very pleasant way of creating a particular atmosphere.

Tags: Your Health & Body

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