Essential Oils

Essential Oils

Over the years, researchers have discovered that there are certain scents in the plant world that produce a relaxed state of mind and body. These scents are contained within the plants essential oils. Essential oils are chemical compounds found within aromatic plants, which the plants use to fight off infections.

Essential oils are referred to as the "life force" of plants. Essential Oils are derived directly from leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, wood, mosses, and roots of very specific and special plants. These pure plant essences are extracted from the flowers, leaves, stems, bark or roots by cold pressing or steam distillation.

Essential oil is derived from steam distilled from the seeds, steam distilled from berries, steam distilled from the leaves of herbs and steam distilled from the bark of trees. For example Angelica Root Essential Oil, is made by steam distillation of the roots and rhizomes or stems, or from the fruit or seeds. The essential oil is then removed from the surface of the water.

Since essential oils are extremely concentrated it only takes a mere drop or two of the liquid to release its healing odor. They are the world's most concentrated form of herbal energy. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with respect.

For some years, western medicine shunned herbal remedies in favor of synthesized drugs. Practitioners of aromatherapy believe that fragrances in the oils stimulate nerves in the nose. Those nerves send impulses to the part of the brain that controls memory and emotion. Molecules which are not absorbed in the olfactory region, are carried into the lungs, where they are absorbed through the alveoli. Upon absorption of the surface layer they quickly penetrate into the sinus, lungs, lymphatic & blood capillary systems - entering into general circulation. Once in the lymphatic system, the essential oils are carried directly to the liver or fed into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, they are transported to all parts of the body.

Supporters of aromatherapy believe that by selecting a particular scent, you can encourage a state of relaxation, romance, healing or comfort. Often the names of the fragrance oils imply that they are natural but that may not be the case. Even essential oils labeled as "pure" are not what they seem. There is a very big difference between the low quality essential oils and true therapeutic grade essential oils. Whether you are using the oils in massage, while bathing or in a vaporizer, be sure that the essential oil you use is of the highest quality and 100 percent pure.

About the Author
Francesca Black works in marketing at Organic Items http://www.organic-items.com and Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net leading portals for organic products and natural excercise.