Essential Oils

We have all heard so much about essential oils and their benefits and their uses, but how many of us know what essential oils really are?

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are a liquid that are acquired through distillation by steam or water, of leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots and other parts of the plant. Though the term ‘oil’ is used, technically essential oils are not oils. They are mostly clear liquids just given the term of oils. The reason these oils are called essential oils are because they are derived from the essential part of the plant.

Essential oils are not to be confused with perfumes or fragrance oils. The reason for this is that essential oils are extracted from the essence of plants, where as perfumes and fragrances are artificially created. What makes essential oils so important and beneficial is the fact that their chemical composition has important psychological and physical benefits. These benefits are achieved through application or inhalation of the oil in its diluted form. The reason there is a stress on diluting the essential oils is because they are highly concentrated, and can actually cause more harm when not used properly.

Things to know while using Essential Oils

• Essential oil should never be used undiluted – as a rule, essential oils should never be used directly on the skin. This is because essential oils are very strong and can cause serious harm when used without the aid of diluter or base oil. There are only certain oils that can be used directly, but these too require expertise or an aromatherapy user or practitioner. These oils are lavender and tea tree oil, but it is best left up to a practitioner. As a rule, never use an essential oil while it is undiluted.
• Essential oils can cause irritation and allergies to sensitive skins – before you go out to an aroma therapy store, all excited about essential oils, why not test the reaction of essential oils on your skin first? There are some cases where essential oils cause allergies and irritation to skin. Wait for 24 hours to check for any reaction.
• Careful during health conditions – in cases like pregnancy, asthma, and epilepsy and other medical conditions it is best to avoid the use of essential oils.
• More is not better – essential oil is extremely strong and while using essential oil it is best if only a drop or two is used. This is because excess of essential harm isn’t going to be better; it will in fact be more harmful.
• Not all essential oils are apt for Aromatherapy – there are some essential oils like wormood, pennyroyal, onion, camphor, wintergreen, rue and even almond that cannot be used in aromatherapy.
• Never to be ingested – essential oils may be natural and taken from plant extracts but they can in no way be ingested or taken internally. The only time they can and may be taken internally is when they are given as per prescription and consultation by a aromatherapy practitioner.
• Keep away from fire – essential oils, though not technically being oils, are highly flammable, this is because of their composition and concentration.

Essential oils are a great way to de-stress and to relax, they are ‘essential’ in a stressful lifestyle.