What Are Essential Oils?
Extract from National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy
“Essential oils are, “highly aromatic substances made in plants by special cells but at this stage the material is not yet an essential oil, but is called an essence. It becomes an essential oil only after it has been extracted by distillation.” Essential oils embody the plants from which they are extracted from in a number of ways: Chemically, physically, aromatically, and spiritually (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy).
Chemically: Essential oils are a complex make-up of volatile chemical components. These include, but are not limited to, phenols, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. Each chemical component contributes to the overall therapeutic effect of the essential oil. An essential oil’s chemical make-up may vary from the plant from which it was extracted from due to its method of extraction; for example, distillation vs. carbon dioxide extraction vs. expression.
Physically: Factors such as environment, altitude at which the plant was grown at, geographical location, time and method of harvesting of the plant can alter the chemical components of the final essential oil.
Aromatically: The aroma of an essential oil may not resemble the aroma of the plant as closely as you think because of the influences mentioned above. However, a true essential oil should be subtle in aroma (unlike its synthetic counterpart) and remind you in some part of the plant from which it was extracted from. Descriptors for aromas of essential oils are vast but include minty, citrus, floral, balsamic, green, earthy, and woody.
Essential Oils Safety
- Essential Oils do not dissolve in water and must be diluted with a carrier or vegetable oil.
- Avoid contact with eyes or sensitive skin areas. Milk can be used to flush the sensitive area should contact occur
- Do not add undiluted oils to bath water; add the essential oils to Epsom or Sea Salt, milk or bath gel and then add to the bath water
- Citrus oils can cause skin sensitization (photosensitivity) when the skin is exposed to the sun after application. That is because compounds found in citrus oils—known as furanocoumarins—greatly increase UV sensitivity. Citrus oils are: Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Mandarin. Avoid exposure to sun or tanning beds after application; cover the area if you use citrus essential oils and expose skin to sun (wear long sleeves, avoid waring shorts etc)
- Some oils have a very strong caustic characteristics and should be used with caution, generally in diluted form ( oregano, cinnamon)
- Essential Oils rich in menthol (peppermint) should not be used nor the neck or throat of children under 30 months of age.
- Avoid Rosemary, Tansy, Wintergreen, Birch, Fennel, Hyssop, Sage, Nutmeg, Tarragon Essential Oils in case of epilepsy.
- Avoid Rosemary and Thyme essential oils in case of high blood pressure
- Avoid warm baths with Epsom Salt or other bath salts in case of low blood pressure
- Always have a good quality vegetable oil handy when using essential oils; use it to dilute essential oils before use or to rinse an irritated skin area
- Periodically take a break from using essential oils; use for six days and rest for one day, or use for three weeks and rest for one week