Though no
one knows where and when the
first essential oil was extracted,
evidence of the use of aromatic
plant extracts for health
and beauty is found in the
writings and art of ancient
Egypt, India, China and the
Middle East. Modern Aromatherapy
was born in 1930 when French
chemist, Renee Gattefosse,
burned himself while working
in his cosmetics laboratory
and used the essential oil
of Lavender as an emergency
treatment. The remarkable
result led to his extensive
exploration of the healing
properties of essential oils.
While there is now a wealth
of scientific data on the
physiological and psychological
effects of the essential oils,
public awareness of the therapeutic
benefits of aromatic plant
extracts is not widespread.
Unbeknownst
to most of us, true essential oils
are commonly encountered when using
cosmetics of higher quality, certain
foods and household cleaners. As the
use of scented products gained popularity
in America in the late 1980's, shops
and products featuring adulterated
or low quality essences or synthetic
fragrances passing themselves off
as the real thing began to spring
up everywhere. The very word "Aromatherapy"
used in this context has lost its
meaning…the therapeutic use
of pure aromatic plant extracts. The
professional aromatherapy community
is investigating new words to convey
this meaning, such as "aromacology"
or "botanical medicine."
Pure, unadulterated essential oils
are usually available only from Aromatherapy
practitioners and essential oils suppliers
who understand the value and importance
of working with these powerful helpers
in a therapeutic way.
PURITY
It
is important to realize that true
essential oils cannot be had at bargain
prices and that many factors go into
arriving at a price for a specific
oil. Growing conditions and locations,
the amount of plant material needed
to produce the oil, the quantity of
essential oil available for purchase
after the cosmetic and food industry
take their share and the method of
extraction affect the price of the
essential oil. For example, Orange
oil is plentiful in the rind of the
fruit which can be obtained as a by
product of the juice industry and
is therefore inexpensive while Rose
oil, which must be obtained from unblemished
petals, requires a great deal of plant
material and very exacting methods
of extraction, is quite expensive.
If one sees Rose oil at a bargain
price, unless that price was the result
of buying a large quantity directly
from a producer, it is quite likely
that it is an adulterated rose, or
even synthetic fragrance oil.
METHODS
OF USE
With the exception
of Lavender, always dilute the
essences before using them on
the body or in the bath. These
highly concentrated substances
can cause irritation if used
directly on the skin. Undiluted
essences and blends are used
to scent the environment or
for simple inhalation.
Essential oils will not emulsify
in water. To dilute essential
oils for use on the body, choose
a cold pressed nut, seed or
vegetable oil, such as almond,
sunflower or jojoba. For use
on mucous membrane areas, a
food grade alcohol (clear, odorless
vodka is the best choice) can
be used. Honey, high fat content
milk or mineral salts can dilute
essences for the bath.
As a general blending tip, you
can use up to 7 drops per ounce
for massage oil, and up to 15
drops in a bath. If an essential
oil has a powerful aroma (such
as Peppermint, Chamomile, Ecualyptus,
Frankincense) it is best to
use very little. This is also
true of the more stimulating
oils, such as Rosemary and Ginger
or oils that are more irritating
to the skin, like Clove or Cinnamon.
SAFETY
TIPS
Never get essential
oils into or near the eyes. Do not
ingest essential oils and keep bottles
out of the reach of small children.
If spilled on the skin, soap the area
first and then wash thoroughly.
To keep your oils in prime condition,
keep them tightly capped, out of sunlight
and away from heat.
