Beginning Aromatherapy: What Are Essential Oils?

Beginning Aromatherapy: What Are Essential Oils?
By Tarah Michelle Cech

Pure essential oils are the volatile - or 'readily evaporated' - chemical constituents of plants.

Essential oils are extracted from oil 'sacs' in flowers, leaves, stems, roots, seeds, wood and bark. They differ significantly from the well-known vegetable, nut and seed oils which are made up of various fatty acids (essential oils are not).

Essential oils are used by the plants in somewhat the same way they are by humans - they fight infection, contain hormone-like compounds, initiate cellular regeneration, and work as chemical defense against fungal, viral, and animal foes.

Despite their foliar origins however, essential oils have a similar structure to some compounds found in blood and tissues, allowing them to be compatible with our own physiology.

To produce essential oils of therapeutic quality - those that retain as much of the original plant essence in its original state as possible - the most gentle extraction method that will draw the oil from a particular plant is most desirable.

Extraction methods range from Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extraction - being the most gentle (and most expensive), to pressing (as for extracting the oil from citrus rinds) and steam distillation, to solvent extraction.

Steam distillation is most common, and as a result of only requiring heating to just above the boiling point of water, is considered gentle enough for most essential oils.
(Note: All of Ananda's essential oils are of Therapeutic Quality, being 100% pure, unadulterated, and properly produced to this standard - Read more about how essential oils are made).

Humankind has used plants for healing for many thousands of years, and it's from this tradition of that the use of aromatic plant compounds is medicine began. (see About Aromatherapy for a more in depth discussion of the olfactory aspects of essential oil use).

Documented use of aromatic plants dates back to near 4500 B.C., though it was in the hands of the ancient Egyptians that the use of oils and plant aromatics was truly developed. Oils were used in the embalming process, in medicine and in purification rituals.

In 1922, when King Tut's tomb was opened, 50 alabaster jars made to contain nearly 350 liters of oil were discovered. There are also over 200 references to aromatics, incense and ointments in the Old and New Testaments; Frankincense, Myrrh, Galbanun, Cinnamon, Cassia, Rosemary, Hyssop and Spikenard are noted for being used for anointing rituals and healing of the sick.

The first modern-day distillation of essential oil was performed by the Persian philosopher Avicenna (980-1037 A.D.) who extracted the essence of rose petals through the 'enfleurage' process. His discovery and subsequent use of a wonderful perfume substance eventually lead him to write a book on the healing properties of essential oil of Rose.

By the mid 1500's, many aromatic botanicals were being distilled in Europe and the Middle East. It was in the middle of the last century that the term 'Aromatherapy' was coined by French cosmetic chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse - Dr. Gattefosse discovered the healing properties of Lavender essential oil when, after burning his hands in a laboratory accident, he submersed them in the flower's essential oil.

His amazingly speedy recovery prompted him to write his book 'Aromatherapy' in 1937.

Research has confirmed centuries of practical use of essential oils, and we now know that the 'fragrant pharmacy' contains compounds with an extremely broad range of biochemical effects.

There are about three hundred essential oils in general use today by professional practitioners, though the average household could fulfill all its likely needs with 10 (for wound healing, cold fighting, insect repelling, calming children and the like), perhaps 20 if their use were a touch more esoteric (for deepening meditation, enhancing yoga practice, etc).

The most common methods of use are topical application (via aromatherapy massage or reflexology) or inhalation from a diffuser or similar means. Oils are often injested in small amounts for specific therapeutic effects through the guidance of a trained practitioner - this method should not be attempted without the support of a professional therapist.

Topically, essential oils can work both systemically (throughout the body) or can be used for their therapeutic action on the skin alone. Essential oils are typically diluted in a carrier oil at concentrations between 1 and 10%. Inhalation is common when using oils for their psychological effects, such as natural anti-depressants, sleep support or relaxation.

Inhalation is of course the primary modality utilized for bronchial and sinus infections, where the oils can act directly on the infected areas - caution is advised when first using essential oils in this manner however, as they are exceptionally potent - less is usually more; the therapy should never be uncomfortable or 'too intense'.

Whatever way you choose, start slowly, use your intuition and have fun!

About the Author
The author is a natural health practitioner in Boulder, Colorado. She is a regular user of essential oils and consultant to aromatherapy creations at Ananda Aromatherapy. Visit the website for more on essential oil chemistry and research.