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What are Essential Oils?

An essential oil is a liquid that is generally
distilled using steam or water from the flowers, bark, leaves, seeds, stems,
roots, or other elements of a plant. Contrary to the use of the word oil,
Essential oils are not an oil in the way most people think. As oils are
derived from many different parts of a plant, they are not an oil in the true
sense. They come in a variety of colours and consistency, from a clear, watery
texture, to a thick, syrupy and dark oil.



Essential oils contain the true
essence of the plant. Essential oils are very concentrated and therefore
should be used sparingly. Oils therefore represent outstanding value for money
as a little oil goes a long way. Essential oils are not the same as perfume or
fragrance oils.



Where essential oils are
derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances
and contain artificial substances fragrant oils are not to be used in
Aromatherapy. Additionally, as it is unknown what chemicals are in fragrance
oils, they are never to be consumed.



If you see oils at an unnatural
price, it is probably a fragrance rather then a true essential oil. Essential
oils contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. Essential oils
are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way.



Essential oils are not the same
as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true
plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances or contain artificial
substances and do not offer the therapeutic benefits that essential oils
offer. See the What are Fragrance Oils? article for more information on
fragrance oils and why they are not used in aromatherapy.



The chemical composition and
aroma of essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical
therapeutic benefits. These benefits are usually achieved through methods
including inhalation and application of the diluted oil to the skin. For
detailed profiles on 90 oils, see the Oil Profiles area. Essential oils are
often used by diluting them with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil, apricot
kernel oil, grapeseed oil) and then applying this blend to the skin for
absorption. See the What are Carrier Oils? page for more detailed information
about carrier oils.



Careful inhalation of the oils
can also provide therapeutic benefit as the oil molecules enter the lungs and
are absorbed into the bloodstream. Essential Oils are usually sold for
individual use in very small bottles. See the Storing Your Oils page for
information on how to store your oils and to view pictures of essential oil
bottles. Essential oils can very greatly in quality and price.



Various factors that can affect
the quality and price of the oil include the rarity of the plant, country and
conditions that the plant was grown, quality standards of the distiller, and
how much oil is produced by the plant. Essential oils can often be purchased
as blends of several essential oils. The advantage if it is a blend of pure
essential oils is that you can save from having to buy every essential oil
individually. The disadvantage is that you have no control over the blend by
not mixing it yourself nor can you reliably mix the blend with other oils.

 

Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils.

Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances and contain artificial substances fragrant oils are not to be used in Aromatherapy. Additionally, as it is unknown what chemicals are in fragrance oils, they are never to be consumed. If you see oils at an unnatural price, it is probably a fragrance rather then a true essential oil.
 
Essential oils can very greatly in quality and price. Many factors affect the quality and price of an oil such as the rarity of the plant, the country where it is distilled and grown and conditions that the plant was grown as well as quality standards of the distiller, and how much oil the plant produces.
The Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Centre offers a wide array of pre-blended, Essential oils that can save you money, as you won’t have to purchase each oil individually however, we encourage you to make your own blends from the hundreds of essential oils and absolutes we sell. Be creative!