- Essential oils have long been known to have medicinal properties, a theory that dates to ancient times. The Egyptians used essential oils for embalming and spiritual ceremonies, and also held a firm belief in the oils' ability to heal those who suffered from illness. Practices such as these continued throughout history and heightened during the Dark Ages, when bathing was considered a sin and the essential oils helped reduce the resulting stench. As the science of pharmacology became more reputable during the 1800s, the use of essential oils began to dissipate, only to peak again in recent years. Today, there has been an about-face, and people are again looking to essential oils to free them of their chemical dependency on synthetic medications in hopes of finding a healthier approach.
- Essential oils can be derived in a number of ways, each one involving a distillation process that transforms the precious scent of the plant into liquid form. Most popular for ease of use is water and steam distillation. Plant materials are placed in a metal basket above a pot of boiling water, where the oils are released by steam vapors. In ancient times, hydrodistillation was used, which released the essential oils from the plant using a type of soup-making method. Finally, essential oils can be distracted using a high-pressure steam process that infiltrates the plant with hot steam, forcing out the scented oils.
- Essential oils can produce a sense of overall wellness due to their physical and psychological benefits. From the relief of nausea to the soothing of headaches, the pure oils provide a healthy alternative to modern medicine. Researchers have also found essential oils to have amazing benefits for the control of auto-immune and endocrine illnesses, as well as cardiovascular and oral health. The aromatic benefits can be reaped by the use of a diffuser, which infuses the air with the fragrances in the oil. Medicinal use usually involves the ingestion of the essential oils in teas, or over foods.
- Some people are often surprised to find that the consistency of essential oil is actually not oily at all. As a matter of fact, it more closely resembles free-flowing water. Despite this discrepancy, these fragrances are placed under the category of oil because they are not soluble in water but instead float on top of it. For this reason essential oils are often confused with aroma oils, which are made by infusing vegetable oil with fragrance--when in reality, the properties of both are quite different.
- Essential oils are extremely potent and should never be placed directly on the skin. Instead, they should be first mixed with carrier oil such as vegetable oil, and then massaged into the skin. Also, not all essential oils are safe to ingest. As a matter of fact, some can be hazardous to your health. It is always a good idea to research the essential oil first, in order to learn about its uses and possible health hazards. Asking an herbalist, or someone who is learned in holistic medicine, can be helpful in deciding which essential oils are best for your condition.
