What are essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavour or "essence" of their source: a concentrated liquid that contains the volatile chemical compounds of plants and maintains its characteristic fragrance.
How are essential oils used?
Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often using steam. Other processes include expression, solvent extraction, enfleurage, absolute oil extraction, resin tapping, wax embedding, and cold pressing.
Essential oils are combined with a carrier oil to create a ready-to-use product.
Manufacturers use essential oils to create a wide range of products.
The cosmetic industry uses essential oils to create perfumes, to add fragrances to body creams and soaps, and also as a source of natural antioxidants in some beauty care products.
Many natural medicine professionals, such as aromatherapists, use essential oils. Aromatherapy involves diffusing these essential oils into the air.
Aromatherapists believe that during inhalation, essential oils enter the lungs and bloodstream, where some of their compounds are beneficial to the body.
Anyone who has used a menthol steam rub to help clear nasal passages has used a form of aromatherapy. Inhaling menthol in this way can reduce the sensation of congestion and shortness of breath.
In addition to inhaling them, essential oils added to a carrier oil and massaged into the skin can provide active compounds to the body.
Method for applying essential oils
Compress
The essential oil is diluted in a liquid vehicle (water or oil) and applied, hot or cold, to a dressing or directly to the affected area.
Gargle
Drops of essential oil added to water and used for gargling. DO NOT ingest.
Bath
Drops of diluted essential oil blend are added to bath water. This method involves absorption through the skin and inhalation of the volatilized essential oil.
Bath
Drops of essential oils diluted blend are added to bath water in a dispersant immediately before stepping in. This method results in absorption through the skin, as well as inhalation of the volatilized essential oil.
Massage
Drops of essential oil are added to a natural carrier oil and applied to skin areas with gentle rubbing. Massage blends should not exceed 1% concentration of essential oils.
Safe Use
People should never apply essential oils directly to the skin without diluting them, unless under the direct guidance of a healthcare professional.
It is also dangerous to ingest essential oils because they are extremely concentrated and can irritate mucous membranes.