What Are Essential Oils?

Maybe you've heard the term "essential oils" but don't really know what it means. Then again, maybe you've had some a vague idea that it was connected in some way with aromatherapy, but just didn't know for sure. Well, now is as good a time as any to learn just what essential oils are. Essential oils are made from different parts of plants. They can be made from leaves, like peppermint oil. They can be made from petals, like rose oil. Some are made from bark or wood, like sandalwood.

Others are made from other parts of plants. If a so-called "essential oil" has any kind of animal products in it, it is not truly an essential oil. Then too, true essential oils contain no synthetic ingredients.

Essential oils are usually made by distillation to make the natural oils in a plant substance very concentrated. It takes an enormous amount of plant material to make just a small amount of essential oils. For this reason, they are very expensive. It only takes a few drops of these essential oils to have a powerful effect. Most essential oils are not used directly on the skin. Most are either inhaled or applied in a carrier oil. Sometimes the oils are put into a bath.

You can buy the individual essential oils or you can buy blended products. If you chose to buy a blend, it's up to the maker to determine which oils to combine and in what proportions. You can save money this way, because you only have to buy one bottle of a blend rather than several bottles to mix yourself. Of course, if money is no object, you might like to have the ability to buy the individual oils and make your own blends.

Promoting physical and mental well-being

Essential oils have been used for centuries to promote physical and mental well-being. There are many varieties of essential oils and there are different ones for almost every ailment you can imagine. There are several choices of oils for many of the conditions. Some essential oils enter the body through the olfactory canal, or the sense of smell. This is why inhalation is the prefered method and they are often inhaled in some way or another. However, they can also be absorbed into the tissues of the skin where they can enter the bloodstream, which many people prefer. This is especially true when they are used in therapudic baths or massage.

When essential oils are inhaled, they reach the limbic system of the brain and go on to affect all the systems with which it interfaces. These include the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the endocrine system, and memory. In the bloodstream, they affect the organs as well. When you have had a massage treatment with essential oils, it is wise not to bathe or wash it off for a couple of hours. This is because the systems of the body take time to absorb the oils from the skin.

Both psychological and medical conditions have been treated with aromatherapy through the use of essential oils. Some can be very expensive, especially those that come from exotic plants. However, by using the few drops as recommended, a small bottle can last a long time. Essential oils are effective tools in controlling uncomfortable symptoms.