What are Essential Oils?
What are Essential Oils?
You may have heard the term “essential oil” being thrown around or may have read it somewhere and you kept wondering about it. So what is an essential oil?
If you have enjoyed the scent of oranges, lemons or roses, then you’ve probably experienced one of the major qualities of essential oils—their distinct aromas.
Essential oils are naturally occurring substances which are extracted from various parts of a plant like the leaves, bark, seeds, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, or other parts. Essential oils are powerful and very fragrant substances. They have distinctive characteristics depending on where, how and from which precise species of the plant it was obtained from. For many years, essential oils have been used for various purposes including cooking and baking, beauty (skincare and hair care), aromatherapy, and other treatments.
Essential oils are volatile compounds whose state changes with factors like temperature, climate, storage, etc. They also have aromatic properties and powerful fragrances which travel very fast through the air and directly hit your nose odor receptors immediately you open the bottle. The aromatic quality and unique characteristic of each type of essential oil is what determines its applications and its benefits. This is one of the properties which make essential oils ideal for use in aromatherapy for a healthy mind and body.
Up to date, more than 3000 varieties of essential oils have been identified, and their classification and properties varies from one essential oil to another based on plant species, botanical family, etc. The composition of each essential oil type is what makes it unique and distinguishes its quality, aroma and precise benefits. Essential oil composition varies from one oil to another depending on method of extraction, weather and geographic location of the plant, farming or extraction season, and age of plant, among others.
For instance, two different brands of natural pure and organic lavender oils (not synthetic) may have somehow distinct aromas even if they are both of the same plant species. The quality of the essential oils also differs significantly from one brand to another depending on the production process involved.
Essential oils can be used for various purposes from physical, emotional and psychological wellness, to beauty and home use like cleaning and disinfecting. Essential oils can be used as single oils or can be blended to create complex therapeutic blends based on the experience of the user and the benefits you seek.
Recap: What are essential oils?
In simple terms, essential oils are concentrated plant essences which are extracted and distilled directly from the plant. Essential oils can be extracted from various parts of a plant like the leaves, bark, roots, seeds, stem, flowers, fruit, etc. There are various plant species and botanical families of plants which determine the unique composition and characteristics of each essential oil type.
Although the word “oil” is included in the name “essential oils,” essential oils are actually not oily and do not have a feeling of oiliness. Most essential oils have a clear color but others like Orange, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Chamomile, etc may have yellow, brown, green or dark blue color.
Reference:
Butje, A. (2017). The Heart of Aromatherapy: An Easy-to-Use Guide for Essential Oils. Hay House, Inc.
You may have heard the term “essential oil” being thrown around or may have read it somewhere and you kept wondering about it. So what is an essential oil?
If you have enjoyed the scent of oranges, lemons or roses, then you’ve probably experienced one of the major qualities of essential oils—their distinct aromas.
Essential oils are naturally occurring substances which are extracted from various parts of a plant like the leaves, bark, seeds, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, or other parts. Essential oils are powerful and very fragrant substances. They have distinctive characteristics depending on where, how and from which precise species of the plant it was obtained from. For many years, essential oils have been used for various purposes including cooking and baking, beauty (skincare and hair care), aromatherapy, and other treatments.
Essential oils are volatile compounds whose state changes with factors like temperature, climate, storage, etc. They also have aromatic properties and powerful fragrances which travel very fast through the air and directly hit your nose odor receptors immediately you open the bottle. The aromatic quality and unique characteristic of each type of essential oil is what determines its applications and its benefits. This is one of the properties which make essential oils ideal for use in aromatherapy for a healthy mind and body.
Up to date, more than 3000 varieties of essential oils have been identified, and their classification and properties varies from one essential oil to another based on plant species, botanical family, etc. The composition of each essential oil type is what makes it unique and distinguishes its quality, aroma and precise benefits. Essential oil composition varies from one oil to another depending on method of extraction, weather and geographic location of the plant, farming or extraction season, and age of plant, among others.
For instance, two different brands of natural pure and organic lavender oils (not synthetic) may have somehow distinct aromas even if they are both of the same plant species. The quality of the essential oils also differs significantly from one brand to another depending on the production process involved.
Essential oils can be used for various purposes from physical, emotional and psychological wellness, to beauty and home use like cleaning and disinfecting. Essential oils can be used as single oils or can be blended to create complex therapeutic blends based on the experience of the user and the benefits you seek.
Recap: What are essential oils?
In simple terms, essential oils are concentrated plant essences which are extracted and distilled directly from the plant. Essential oils can be extracted from various parts of a plant like the leaves, bark, roots, seeds, stem, flowers, fruit, etc. There are various plant species and botanical families of plants which determine the unique composition and characteristics of each essential oil type.
Although the word “oil” is included in the name “essential oils,” essential oils are actually not oily and do not have a feeling of oiliness. Most essential oils have a clear color but others like Orange, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Chamomile, etc may have yellow, brown, green or dark blue color.
Reference:
Butje, A. (2017). The Heart of Aromatherapy: An Easy-to-Use Guide for Essential Oils. Hay House, Inc.
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