Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is all about essential oils. Essential oils are naturally-occurring oils that have been extracted from the various parts of different plants including the leaves, the bark, the stem, the flowers, the fruits and even the roots. Essential oils are not to be confused with perfumes which frequently are manufactured using a variety of ingredients, many of which are synthetic and do not provide the same types of mind and body benefits.

There are several commonly used methods of extracting the essential oils from plant matter. The oldest method and the one that is still the most commonly used is distillation. In this process, the plant material is heated. The volatile components are then able to be condensed and collected from the vapors that result. Maceration, enfleurage, solvent extraction and expression are other methods used to extract essential oils from plant matter.

Something interesting about essential oils and something many people don't realize is that there are different qualities of essential oils. While there is no formal grading system for these essential oils, where and how the plant was grown can have a significant impact on the quality of the oils that are extracted. Environmental conditions such as the weather and soil quality will impact the harvest as will the actual time of harvest, the farming methods used during planting and harvesting, and believe it or not, the way the plant material is treated after it has been harvested.

Essential oils contain a number of different chemical components and it is these components that influence the various effects on the body. While this sounds dangerous, it really isn't as our bodies naturally produce and utilize many of these chemical components. First and foremost, essential oils stimulate our sense of smell. From there, the chemical components go to work, stimulating or sedating the different systems within our bodies.

For example, the chemical component ester acts as a sedative, a calming agent, an anti-fungal and an anti-inflammatory. Esters are found in lavender, chamomile, bergamot and sage. Ketones promote new cell growth and help wounds heal faster and they're found in rosemary, camphor, sage and eucalyptus. Alcohols act as diuretics, they kill bacteria, energize and stimulate the body. Tea tree, ginger, rose, rosewood, peppermint, sandalwood and patchouli are some of the plants that contain alcohols.

The methods used to extract essential oils from plants produce highly concentrated oils. Therefore, you need only a very small quantity to reap the benefits. Oftentimes, concentrated essential oils are first diluted and then inhaled or absorbed. This makes economical sense, especially when you realize that essential oils can be expensive. When you begin shopping for essential oils, you'll also notice that many are sold as blends of different oils. Buying blended essential oils can save you a good deal of money. It's also very easy to create your own essential oil blends, and doing so can be more fun.

Aromatherapy and Infused Oils

Infused oils can be used several different ways. They can be added into ointments, creams, lotions, shampoos and other personal care products that are applied topically. In aromatherapy, infused oils are commonly mixed into essential oils or carrier oils. Some people prefer to use infused oils without first mixing them into other ingredients. Unlike essential oils, infused oils are not nearly as concentrated, making them safe to use alone.

Many who practice aromatherapy prefer to use infused oils instead of essential oils. Depending on the plant, it sometimes is just not possible to extract a sufficient quantity of essential oils to make the process cost-effective or worthwhile. Many infused oils provide the user with multiple benefits, which is another reason why they are preferred. Probably the biggest reason why people prefer infused oils is because they can create their own easily and inexpensively.

Creating your own infused oils is easy, you need just a few items: a glass container with tight-fitting lid, a slightly crumbled, completely dried herb or plant, and cold-pressed carrier oil. Using dried herbs is better than using fresh as the moisture contained in fresh can cause mold to develop. After you've gathered your ingredients, simply place the herb/flower/plant into the glass container, fill the container half-full with your preferred cold-pressed oil (olive or sunflower work well), cover tightly and place in the sun or next to a heat source for a minimum of 24-hours. A windowsill works just fine.

When the steeping process is finished, hold a sieve over another container and filter the oil. Next, pass the sieved oil through a piece of cheesecloth. Be sure to squeeze the cheesecloth so you get every drop! And make sure you have removed every piece of plant matter to avoid spoilage.

If you would rather not make your own infused oils, don't worry. You'll find plenty of outlets that sell infused oils, especially on the Internet. All you'll need then is your credit card and a shipping address.

Examples of infused oils

St. John's Wort

This infused oil is great for soothing and moisturizing any type of skin. It is also effective when applied after exposure to the sun.

Calendula

Oil infused with calendula is used by many for its healing qualities. It helps soothe skin and it can also help to balance out skin that is oily.

Arnica

Arnica infused oils are great to use when massaging. In liquid form, it's an excellent alternative to arnica cream. Just be sure to keep arnica infused oils away from open wounds.

Recommended Site

Visit Quinessence to buy aromatherapy oils