Beginning Aromatherapy: All About Essential Oils

by: JaniceReese
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As the field of natural health, wellness and fitness grows, the use of essential oils in supporting one's health is coming more into the mainstream. Quality essential oils can be found in health food stores and on the internet, along with a great wealth of information. But some folks just hearing of aromatherapy are wondering: Just what are essential oils, where do they come from, and what can they do for me? Well, here's a little primer that may help get you started.

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.

Producing essential oils of the highest grades is truly an art form. It takes a delicate balance of time, temperature and pressure during the distillation process to ensure the most complete range of molecular components is extracted. The finer oils will have the most wonderful aromatic bouquets for this reason - they contain a breadth of compounds when inhaled together give an oil a brilliant aroma. Relatively few essential oils are produced in this manner - many are destined for large manufacturing processes, and will not have the same aromas and therapeutic effects of the highest grade oils.

Medicinal and spiritual use of essential oils dates back thousands of years. Oils were used by the ancient Egyptians along with many other ancient cultures. Hundreds of references to their healing properties in the Christian Bible, along with anointing for spiritual growth and insight. Frankincense resin continues to be used in the Catholic church today during mass as a purifying and uplifting aromatic incense - a similar application of essential oils can be the anointing of the third eye or temples with Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Sandalwood or a combination of these mind-centering aromatics.

Modern use of essential oils in natural health, wellness and fitness programs began with the discovery of Lavender's healing properties by a French scientist in the middle of the last century. Lavender was found to have effective healing properties for skin wounds, strong anti-inflammatory properties, and wonderful calming effects when inhaled. Further research has confirmed superior efficacy of essential oils for a broad range of physiological conditions.

Combating infectious illnesses like flu, bacterial and viral infections has been noted by medical aromatherapists as the most promising use of essential oils. Other applications include strong anti-inflammatory effects, powerful antioxidant properties, tissue regeneration, and cleansing of various organs and systems. Many psychological effects have also been studied, including sharpening of one's mental faculties and bringing calm in both adults and children. Here, it is important to find a qualified practitioner or trusted source of information to find the right oil and how to best employ it. Using the wrong oil will likely have no effects, and incorrectly using certain oils can be dangerous. There are many quality texts available online or at your library or bookstore.

Using essential oils is very easy, fun, and can be extremely rewarding. Employing oils is most commonly done using one of these methods: inhalation, topical application, and in certain instances ingestion. Diffusing essential oils with a cold-air nebulizer is best for inhalation, as these units make a fine mist of the oils which are easily absorbed in significant quantities. This method is effective both for psychological effects and support for the respiratory system. Topical application usually involved the dilution of essential oils in a carrier oil to a 5% or less concentration to be used with certain massage techniques. Massage is often used for relief of muscle and joint pain, and also with calming and uplifting psychological results. Topical application will frequently take the form of blends for healing various skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and even revitalizing aging skin. Finally, ingestion - which should only be done with very detailed knowledge from a qualified professional - is often used in the form of oil placed in gel capsules. Peppermint oil is frequently used this way for digestive complaints. There is such a wonderful variety of uses for essential oils; to get the most from them, educate yourself further through courses, texts and knowledgeable practitioners. Most of all, be safe, have fun, and welcome this new edition to your alternative natural health regimen.

About the Author

The author is a natural health practitioner in Boulder, Colorado. She is a regular user of therapeutic aromatherapy and consultant to aromatherapy creations at The Ananda Apothecary.  

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