Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular in natural healing circles for the vast array of health benefits they have to offer. Naturally fragrant, these concentrated substances not only provide plants and flowers with their distinctive aromas, but they are also chock-full of healing compounds. These particular essential oils characteristics make them ideal for aromatherapy, topical application, and other uses, with no risk of adverse side effects.
Although there are many different types of essential oils, there are some features common to all of them. They are partially water-soluble, volatile, which means they readily evaporate in temperature above room temperature, they have a non-greasy consistency, and easily absorbed into the skin, they are often blended with alcohol or a carrier oil. Basically all of them also have pro-biotic and antiseptic properties as well.
Each oil typically contains over 100 different chemical compounds, each with its own therapeutic benefits. Besides having antiseptic properties, some oil varieties are also antiviral and antifungal in nature. Most oil comes from structures on the source plant such as the leaves, flowers, roots, fruit skins, and berries which secrete these substances.
The oil must be extracted from the plant but the method used to accomplish this varies according to the type of structure it's in. Most often, steam distillation is used, but the high temperatures can be destructive to delicate blossoms of some plants, so another approach may be implemented. A cold press technique is used for extracting citrus oils. Extracts should be used as is, with no additives, for optimal purity.
Aromatherapy oil should not be "standardized", that is have properties removed and synthetic compounds added to achieve a consistent aroma quality. This practice diminishes the therapeutic value of the oil, and if applied topically these additives have also been known to cause skin irritation. Pure varieties offer a much higher degree of potency to the user.
If someone is to experience the benefits a particular essential has to offer to the fullest, he or she must be careful where they purchase these products from. Only buying from those sellers which have a solid reputation for producing pure, unadulterated oil products that are intended for aromatherapy or other therapeutic use is always the wisest choice. A single botanical species with a clearly stated country of origin, nothing removed or added, and being tested for quality using mass spectrometry or gas chromatography are all musts.
Because essential oils possess such a complex chemical structure, this is why they are so useful for healing all sorts of ailments. Every one is unique in its make-up of aromatic phenols, aldehydes, esters, alcohols, ketones, terpenes, and sesquiterpenes, giving it a multifaceted nature that can not only improve the health of the body, but the mind and emotions too.
People use essential oils for many reasons. They can help one look and feel better in numerous ways such as promoting cell renewal for a better complexion, prevent and heal infection, keep unstable emotions in check, and soothe aches and pains. It can be expected that the results one will enjoy from the purest oil available will be superior to those they will get from cheap, diluted versions with limited healing potential.
Although there are many different types of essential oils, there are some features common to all of them. They are partially water-soluble, volatile, which means they readily evaporate in temperature above room temperature, they have a non-greasy consistency, and easily absorbed into the skin, they are often blended with alcohol or a carrier oil. Basically all of them also have pro-biotic and antiseptic properties as well.
Each oil typically contains over 100 different chemical compounds, each with its own therapeutic benefits. Besides having antiseptic properties, some oil varieties are also antiviral and antifungal in nature. Most oil comes from structures on the source plant such as the leaves, flowers, roots, fruit skins, and berries which secrete these substances.
The oil must be extracted from the plant but the method used to accomplish this varies according to the type of structure it's in. Most often, steam distillation is used, but the high temperatures can be destructive to delicate blossoms of some plants, so another approach may be implemented. A cold press technique is used for extracting citrus oils. Extracts should be used as is, with no additives, for optimal purity.
Aromatherapy oil should not be "standardized", that is have properties removed and synthetic compounds added to achieve a consistent aroma quality. This practice diminishes the therapeutic value of the oil, and if applied topically these additives have also been known to cause skin irritation. Pure varieties offer a much higher degree of potency to the user.
If someone is to experience the benefits a particular essential has to offer to the fullest, he or she must be careful where they purchase these products from. Only buying from those sellers which have a solid reputation for producing pure, unadulterated oil products that are intended for aromatherapy or other therapeutic use is always the wisest choice. A single botanical species with a clearly stated country of origin, nothing removed or added, and being tested for quality using mass spectrometry or gas chromatography are all musts.
Because essential oils possess such a complex chemical structure, this is why they are so useful for healing all sorts of ailments. Every one is unique in its make-up of aromatic phenols, aldehydes, esters, alcohols, ketones, terpenes, and sesquiterpenes, giving it a multifaceted nature that can not only improve the health of the body, but the mind and emotions too.
People use essential oils for many reasons. They can help one look and feel better in numerous ways such as promoting cell renewal for a better complexion, prevent and heal infection, keep unstable emotions in check, and soothe aches and pains. It can be expected that the results one will enjoy from the purest oil available will be superior to those they will get from cheap, diluted versions with limited healing potential.
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