The World Of Aroma
This article talks about aromatherapy and the various essential oils and their benfits for people.It also talks about the pros and cons of using these oils.
Aromatherapy Overview
The absolute & essential oils used in Aromatherapy are distilled from plants that come from every continent on the globe. Each essential oil comes from a specific plant. Each plant shares a vibrant aromatic energy. Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential and absolute oils. Essential oils are complex, highly fragrant and volatile substances, with varying degrees of complexity, fragrance, and volatility. They are the most potent and concentrated extracts of various parts of flowers, fruits, leaves, spices, roots, and woods. The plant’s essence molecules are approximately 75-100 times more concentrated as an essential oil than in the dried plant. While in the plant, the essence molecules play a key role in the biochemistry of the plant they are located between the cells of the plant and these molecules act as regulators and messengers. By giving the plant its aromatic essence, they are also thought to give the plant its life force. They also protect the plant from parasites and disease, and play an important role in fertilisation and assist the plant’s adaptation to its environment.
To obtain essential oils using a technical distillation or extraction method must capture the aromatic essence molecules of the plant. The term ‘essential oil’ is used somewhat loosely as it is often applied to all aromatic products such as essence oils, absolutes, resinoids, and concretes. In Aromatherapy, the most common method of extraction is steam distillation. However, cold expression is used for citrus oils and a method of solvent extraction for absolutes, concretes and resinoids. The newest technological process of extraction is the hypercritical carbon dioxide method: in part due to high cost, it is not as commonly available.
In Aromatherapy it is held that once extracted, the chemical constituents of a particular essential oil will determine its primary action. Generally, essential oils consist of chemical compounds, which have hydrogen, carbon and oxygen in their building blocks. The primary functional groups of the essential oils used in aromatherapy are as follows:
The Types:
Monoterpenes: anti-viral, antiseptic, bactericidal, and can be highly irritating to the skin.
For examples: lemon, pine, and frankincense.
Esters: fungicidal, sedating, and very aromatically pleasing. For examples: bergamot, Clary sage, lavender.
Aldehydes: sedating and antiseptic. Examples: melissa, lemongrass, cirtronella.
Ketones: ease congestion, aid flow of mucus, can be toxic. Examples: fennel, hyssop, sage.
Alcohols: very antiseptic, anti-viral with uplifting qualities. For example: rosewood, geranium and rose.
Phenols: bactericidal and strongly stimulating, can be highly irritating to the skin. For examples: clove, thyme, oregano.
Oxides: expectorant and bactericidal. Examples: rosemary, tea tree.
How an Essential Oil Differs from other Oils
Essential oils and fatty/vegetable oils are two completely different types of oils. Understanding that essential oils are volatile by nature (most essential oils tend to evaporate or change to vapour quickly when exposed to air) should help to dispel frequent confusion about the relationship between essential oils and fatty/vegetable oils such as almond oil or sesame oil.
It is both interesting and useful to note that essential oils are soluble in fatty/vegetable oils. Since essential oils are often too potent to be used directly on the skin full strength, diluting an essential oil in carrier oil is an excellent way to facilitate safe use of the essential oil. Carrier and essential oils also compliment one another’s effects in a synergistic way; they are nourishing and easily absorbed by the skin.
The brighter side of aromatherapy
In Aromatherapy it is held that when essential oils are applied in a body massage, the to specific organs and systems of the body carry them where they enhance the natural functions of these organs. It is held that simply inhaling an essential oil elicits an immediate olfactory response and provides for ready absorption in the bloodstream. Essential oils as implied by the term aromatherapy have a powerful effect through our sense of smell. Smell (olfaction) is the least understood of our five senses and yet is perhaps the most powerful. The olfactory membrane is the only place in the human body where the central nervous system is exposed and in direct contact with the environment. When an olfactory receptor cell is stimulated, an impulse travels along the olfactory nerve to the limbic portion of the brain where memory, hunger, sexual response or emotion is evoked. Before consciously knowing we are in contact with an aroma, our subconscious mind has already received and reacted to it.
Care of essential Oils:
If properly cared for, essential oils can have a shelf life up to seven years.
Direct sunlight and exposure to air are most damaging to essential oils. Keep your oils
out of the sun and make sure the caps are tightly secured.
Try to keep your oils in a cool dry place. They are sensitive to extreme temperature
changes.
Bath: Fill the tub with bath water. Add & swish 9-10 drops of essential oil into the bath water. Some essential oils are more irritating to the skin than others. Read the safety cautions for each essential oil. Or add 9-10 drops of essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil, such as jojoba oil and add & mix into the bath water so the essential oil is soluble in the carrier oil before adding to the bath.
Liquid Soap: Add about 30-45 drops of essential oil to 8 ounces of unscented liquid hand soap or unscented liquid shower body wash. Shake vigorously.
Body Oil: Add about 12-15 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil, such as jojoba oil and shake to blend.
Body Lotion: Add 50-60 drops of essential oil to 16 ounces of unscented body lotion. Stir with a spoon or stirring stick to blend the essential oil into the lotion until smooth.
Body Mist: add 10-15 drops of essential oil to a 1 ounce glass misting bottle filled with spring or distilled water. Shake well and shake before each mist.
Compress: add & mix 3-5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm or cool water. Soak a washcloth, wring and apply.
Shampoo/Conditioner: Add 12-15 drops of essential oil to one ounce of unscented or mild shampoo and conditioner. Shake well to blend.
Hair Brush: place three drops of essential oil into the palm of your hand; rub over the natural bristles of a hairbrush. Brush your scalp and your hair.
Scent: Add five drops of an essential oil to a hanky or tissue and carry with you throughout the day. Or place under your pillowcase to ease you into sleep.
Place: a drop of essential oil in the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and inhale. (Keep away from your eyes). (Wonderful ways to encourage a deep breathe).
Cons
Never take essential oils internally.
Read about an essential oil before applying it.
Essential oils are very concentrated substances and should be diluted before applying them to the skin. Follow guidelines or recipes, which recommend a 2per cent-5 per cent solution.
Have a recipe’s concentration of essential oils when using with children. Do not use essential oils with infants.
Do not apply citrus essential oils, especially Bergamot before direct exposure to the sun. These essential oils increase photosensitivity.
Essential oils are not soluble in water. Make sure you dilute or fully disperse them when using water as a base.
Essential oils can cause a prickly, irritating sensation to the skin. Do not rub water on the area. Doing so will cause the oil to spread. Apply any vegetable/carrier oil to the area; this will cause the essential oil to be absorbed and ease the irritation in minutes.
Keep essential oils away from your eyes.
Keep essential oils out of the reach of children and animals.
If skin irritation occurs or an allergic reaction occurs with any essential oil or product with essential oils in it, discontinue use.
Essential oils should not replace proper health care. If you are under medical supervision consult with your health care provider before using essential oils.
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| By remona divekar Published: 7/4/2006 |
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