Back to Basics: Essential Oils
Essential oils have existed for centuries, being used around the world for medicinal, spiritual, aromatic and therapeutic purposes. With so many options available, having some basic insights into the history, production and uses of these powerful plant products will go a long way in making informed choices.
History
Many cultures used essential oils for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Some of the earliest records date back to 4500 B.C.E. in Ancient Egypt. Perfumed oils, scented barks and aromatic vinegars were used in everyday life. Special fragrances were dedicated to certain deities, and scents like cedar and myrrh were used in the mummification process.
In Ancient Greece, myrrh was carried by soldiers to counteract infections. The Romans used scented oils in massage and baths, and the Chinese used several aromatics for healing, which are still in use in eastern medicine today.
Perhaps most importantly, the Arab scientist, Avicenna, discovered the distillation method for extracting essential oils from plants. Although many other extraction methods have been invented since then, his distillation process remains the most widely used method for producing essential oils.
Production
Essential oils are made using the stems, peels, seeds, roots, bark, leaves, flowers or fruit of the plant. Not all plant species produce essential oils. In fact, out of the vast plant kingdom only around 3,000 plants produce oils, and only a fraction of those are produced commercially.
There are three different methods of extraction- steam distillation, mechanical expression and solvent extraction. Steam distillation is the most popular method, combining heat and water to achieve separation of the oil from the plant material. This method creates two by-products, the pure essential oil and a water based product called a hydrosol. Rose water is probably the most widely used product of this method.
Mechanical expression is used with citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges. This process involves scraping or grating the peel to release the essential oils.
The third and least common method is solvent extraction. Mainly used for delicate flowers, this method involves mixing a solvent with the plant material, applying gentle heat and filtering the final product. Various solvents can be used such as petroleum ether, hexane, ethanol or acetone. Because this method is time consuming, these essential oils tend to be pricier and retain a small amount of solvent in the final product.
Uses/Applications
Now's the fun part! You have a beautiful smelling bottle of lavender essential oil but what to do with it? These oils can help mitigate stress, boost energy levels and transform your environment into a serene oasis.
Here's how to use them:
Diffuse
Diffusers take essential oils and transform them into tiny particles, filling a space with the scent much like a lit candle. There a variety of diffusers to choose from, which will be discussed in the next blog post!
Massage
Essential oils can be mixed with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond, and applied directly to the skin. This works wonders on stress and sore muscles. Be sure to test it first to ensure you don't have any sensitivities.
Mix and Match
Different essential oils can be combined to create custom blends and boost their medicinal power. Common mixes include:
Lavender + Vetiver
Lemon + Tea Tree
Clary Sage + Frankincense
Cedarwood + Rose
Eucalyptus + Peppermint
Lavender + Sandalwood
Cinnamon + Orange
Frankincense + Bergamot
Calming Essential Oils: Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot
Energizing Essential Oils: Orange, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Clove
Grounding Essential Oils: Frankincense, Lime, Lavender, Patchouli
Final Thoughts
Essential oils can be an excellent addition to your wellness routine. With the right knowledge, it can be easy (and fun!) exploring the different options and finding out which scents are your personal favorites. Here at Sensorium Emporium, our testers allow you to sample each scent so you know exactly what you're getting. So get out there and start exploring!
For online shopping, follow the link below to our sister store- Mother Nature's Beauty
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