Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils for improving or to maintain health and beauty. All ancient civilizations—Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Indian—have used aromatherapy for their physical and mental well-being.

The term “Aromatherapy” can be misleading as it suggests that it is a form of healing that works exclusively through the sense of [...]]]>

By Astrid Trikowsky

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils for improving or to maintain health and beauty. All ancient civilizations—Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Indian—have used aromatherapy for their physical and mental well-being.

The term “Aromatherapy” can be misleading as it suggests that it is a form of healing that works exclusively through the sense of smell. This is not the case, as each essential oil has an individual combination of constituents that interact with the body’s chemistry in a direct manner.

It is important to recognize that essential oils have three distinct modes of action with regard to how they interrelate with the human body: pharmacological, physiological and psychological.

The pharmacological effect is concerned with the chemical changes that take place when an essential oil enters the blood stream and brain and reacts with hormones and enzymes, etc.

The physiological mode is the way the essential oil affects the system of the body, that is, whether they are sedated or stimulated. The psychological effect takes place in response to the smell of the essential oil with the limbic (memory/emotion) part of the brain.

For aromatherapy to be effective, essential oils need to enter the body in one of two ways; one, physically through the skin and secondly through the olfactory system. Once the essential oils come into contact with the skin they are immediately assimilated into the circulatory system where they are carried to the various systems and organs.

When essential oils are inhaled, their unique molecules penetrate the limbic system in the brain. The limbic system, sometimes referred to as our “old” brain, is responsible for our memories and emotions. The brain, in turn, releases certain neurochemicals, causing positive changes throughout the body.

It is best to use essential oils as external remedies only. This is due to the high concentration of the essential oils and the potential irritation or damage they could cause to the mucous membranes and delicate stomach lining.

Essential oils are non-oily aromatic liquids occurring naturally in various parts of plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, woods and spices. They contain the life force of the plant and have the ability to strengthen our immune system and to stimulate our bodies’ natural healing abilities.

Like herbalism, Aromatherapy draws on the healing powers of the plant world. However, instead of using the whole plant, it employs only its essential oil.

This potent, aromatic substance is housed in the tiny glands on the outside or deep inside the roots, woods, leaves, fruits or flowers of the plant. Most plants contain essential oils, but often in such minimal amounts that extraction would not be worth the effort or the price of the essential oil would be too high.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and in most cases must be diluted prior to use. Such concentration has some advantages. For example, essential oils don’t take up much room and can be easily transported. They can be combined with each other in a variety of ways for many different purposes.

Essential Oils

Essential oils should be labeled “Pure Essential Oils“. There is a temptation by distillers and suppliers of essential oils to extend or stretch the essential oil. This greatly reduces or negates the therapeutic value of the essential oil, depending on what it has been extended with.

Essential oils will vary in price, depending on the amount of plant material required, the extraction process and the availability of the plant from which the essential oil is extracted. They should always be kept in dark glass bottles as they are extremely sensitive to light. The shelf life of essential oils varies.

A citrus essential oil has the shortest shelf life of approximately one year, after which it will gradually lose its therapeutic actions. Some essential oils, such as rose, sandalwood, rosewood and patchouli actually get better with age, much like fine wine.

There are hundreds of essential oils, which between them constitute an extremely effective medical system. Many of these are the active ingredient in drugs prescribed by the orthodox Western system of medicine, or the inspiration for synthetic copies. These concentrated liquids are indispensable to medicine, and to the food and cosmetic industries.

Some examples of the disinfectant properties of essential oils:

• The essential oil of cinnamon kills the Typhus bacillus at a dilution of 1:300

• The essential oil of chamomile has considerable bacteriostatic properties due to the amount of azulene contained in it. Azulene is effective at a dilution of 1:2000 against the Staphylococcus and thehemolyticbeta streptococcus (causes scarlet fever and rheumatic fever). Infected wounds have been healed using a dilution of 1:17000.

• The essential oil of lemon neutralizes Meningococcus , Typhus bacillus , Pneumococcus and Staphylococcus within 5 – 20 minutes.

In order to kill bacteria in the air, Professor Griffon carried out the following experiment: Mixtures of various essential oils were sprayed as mists in a room. The development capacity of the germs suspended in the air was studied before and after spraying.

Before the test there were 210 germs, of which 12 were molds and 8 staphylococci. Within 30 minutes, the essential oils had destroyed all the molds and staphylococci.

About the Author:
True Aromatherapy Products(TAP)- From Candles, Sea Salts, Organic Teas to Essential Oils and Synergies, we only use the very best, 100% holistic healing products at TAP. WORLD WIDE SHIPPING!! Astrid Trikowsky True Aromatherapy Products, Located in Fort Langley B.C Visit Us online At TAP Store

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/aromatherapy-with-essential-oils-449063.html

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Essential indicates that the oil carries distinctive scent of the plant. Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes include expression or solvent extraction.

Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. There are instances when experienced aromatherapy users [...]]]>

By Juliet Cohen

Essential indicates that the oil carries distinctive scent of the plant. Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes include expression or solvent extraction.

Essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. There are instances when experienced aromatherapy users and practitioners make exceptions to this precaution. Lavender and tea tree are listed by a large number of aromatherapy sources as being oils that can be used undiluted.

Essential oils are usually lipophilic (literally: “oil-loving”) compounds that usually are not miscible with water. Instead, they can be diluted in solvents like pure 100% ethanol ,polyethylene glycol, or oils.

Today, most common essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, are distilled. Raw plant material, consisting of the flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, or peel, is put into an alembic over water.

When using essential oils, use the smallest amount of essential oils that will get the job done. Essential oils should only be taken internally after receiving a detailed consultation and prescription from a trained and qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

The smoke from burning essential oils may contain potential carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Essential oils are naturally high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy or by those with asthma, epilepsy, or with other health conditions.

Essential Oils Tips

1. Essential oil can be put on radiators, scent rings, or light bulbs (avoid the socket).

2. Don’t use undiluted oils on your skin.

3. Skin test oils before using. Dilute a small amount and apply to the skin on your inner arm.

4. Keep oils away from eyes and mucous membranes.

5. Add 7-10 drops of essential oil to bath water directly or blend with 1 teaspoon of vegetable.

6. Massage helps the skin to absorb essential oils.

7. Use lavender essential oil in a spritzer bottle to spray on sheets and blankets at bedtime for a deeper relaxing sleep.

8. Wax candles can be bought ready-impregnated with essential oils and are a delightful way of scenting a room. Or

9. Essential oils are extracts from different parts of the plants such as herbs, flowers, leaves, resin, bark, fruit rinds and roots.

10. Add 2-5 drops of an essential oil to one teaspoon of unscented lotion.

11. Add 3 drops of appropriate essential oil to 1 t. of water, mix and gargle.

12. Add 10 drops to your bath water. Agitate water in a figure 8 motion. Soak in it for 15 minutes minimum.

13. Use a sitz bath with just enough water to cover lower body and add 5 drops of essential oil.

14. Avoid applying Essential Oils immediately after perspiring or using a sauna.

15. Avoid strong sunlight or tanning beds after applying essential oils.

About the Author:

Juliet Cohen writes articles for skin care tips and skin care treatment. For more information visit our skin care section.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/essential-oils-tips-251140.html

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Essential oils that have been adulterated can cause harmful side effects, or at best provide only minimal therapeutic benefit.

Below are tips that can help you select a brand of pure, high quality essential oils:

• Watch out for words such as “fragrance oil,” “nature identical oil,” or “perfume oil.” These [...]]]>

By Ivan S. Pullicino B.Pharm. (Hons.) M.Sc.

Essential oils that have been adulterated can cause harmful side effects, or at best provide only minimal therapeutic benefit.

Below are tips that can help you select a brand of pure, high quality essential oils:

• Watch out for words such as “fragrance oil,” “nature identical oil,” or “perfume oil.” These words indicate that what you see is not a pure, single essential oil. Many brands label fragrance oils (that can be combinations of essential oils and chemicals or just plain chemicals) and perfume oils as “aromatherapy”.

Dermastir Essential Oils by Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris are 100% pure.

• Avoid oils that are sold in clear glass bottles as the clear glass can allow light to damage the essential oils. Instead, buy oils that are stored in amber (brown) or other dark colored glass bottles. Some vendors sell oils in aluminum bottles. Aluminum is said to be acceptable if the inside of the bottle is lined.

• Avoid buying essential oils in plastic bottles as the essential oil can dissolve the plastic. In turn, the dissolved plastic will contaminate the oil.

Dermastir Essential Oils by Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris are stored in dark brown glass bottles to ensure that the essential oils remain highly active and no risk of contamination is involved.

• Avoid buying essential oils that have a rubber eyedropper bulb in the top because the oil can dissolve the rubber dropper and become contaminated.

Dermastir Essential Oils by Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris come with a dropper that is inserted inside the bottle that has been tested for contamination and resulted clear.

• The country of origin for oils is also important because the climate and soil conditions can affect the resulting properties of the oil.

Dermastir Essential Oils by Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris originate from France.

• Organic oils are superior to non-organic oils.

Dermastir Essential Oils by Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris are 100% organic.

Essential oils are highly potent and have many beneficial effects, providing that the quality of the essential oil is very good. ALTA CARE Laboratoires – Paris, has invested a great deal of time, dedication and funds to guarantee that the quality of DERMASTIR Essential Oils is the highest possible available.

About the Author:
ALTA CARE Laboratoires, an independent multinational company with head offices on Avenue Champs-Elysees, Paris. Founded by pharmacists who work in the EU, With over twenty years of experience in professional consultancy ALTA CARE Laboratoires over the years has produced products for other multinational companies. Recently, the group of pharmacists and doctors decided not to work exclusively for third parties but also to build its own brand ALTA CARE Laboratoires.

ALTA CARE Laboratoires immediately expanded its know how in the manufacture of nutriceuticals and phyto-therapy to produce an exclusively innovative line of products specializing in food supplements, luxury skincare products and aesthetic machinery.

ALTA CARE Laboratoires full range of products can be viewed on www.altacare.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/how-to-buy-a-good-essential-oil-438933.html

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By Aroma Gifts

Aromatherapy is an improvement of mental and physical health with the help of the essential oils derived from aromatic plants. The contents of Essential Oils are known as hormones, antibiotics, thermions (unseen scents) and recycling cells (essential to the existence of a live plant).

Due to these properties the immunity [...]]]>

Image via Wikipedia

By Aroma Gifts

Aromatherapy is an improvement of mental and physical health with the help of the essential oils derived from aromatic plants. The contents of Essential Oils are known as hormones, antibiotics, thermions (unseen scents) and recycling cells (essential to the existence of a live plant).

Due to these properties the immunity of plants to various diseases is heightened. Bacteria and viruses are eliminated and neutralized.

By deriving valuable essential oils from plants, we can use the same curative properties to improve the conditions of our bodies. There are two ways in which essential oils work:

1. psychologically—by way of the body’s sense of smell on the central nervous system by vaporizers or smelling of the oils; and
2. physically – through the skin by mixing the oils for massage, foot baths or steam inhalation.

Aromatherapy is the unique way of connecting our health with the riches of the world surrounding us. The pleasure in itself is therapy, but aromatherapy goes further, by transforming therapy into pleasure.

Use caution when using essential oils. Concentrated essential oils are too strong to be applied directly on the skin. Carrier oils are used when thinning essential oils for massage.

Try not to use essential oils on sensitive areas such as the eyes. Essential oils can be useful for certain disease applications but may not be suitable for others. Please do research to familiarize yourself with essential oils before use.

Essential oils should be stored in a cool dark place in an airtight container.

Comments on Essential Oils

Essential oils are categorized by their lightness and are divided into oils of the top, average and base. Essential oils of the top evaporate rapidly due to their lightness and care should be taken when storing them. Base oils evaporate the least rapidly.

Oils mixes that are the most stable and balanced are those that consist of oils from all three categories top, average and base. In this article we will explain how to make your own essential oils for massage or other applications.

Natural vs Synthetic Aromatherapy Oils

Natural essential oils contain a high content of vegetative extracts produced by extraction or evaporation from berries, seeds, roots, flowers, bark or citrus peels. The cost of essential oils directly depends on amount of the raw material necessary for the manufacturing of oil. It’s different for each plant.

For example, rose oil manufacturers may make one drop of oil from thirty rose petals, this explains the high price.

Synthetic aromas or flavored oils are created by artificial ways in laboratories. In technical language, flavored oils are actually not oils and are more likely artificial chemical compounds.

The exotic names of these products are deceiving as they are not even made from those flowers or fruit. For example, there is no such thing as the true peach or strawberry oil.

Despite the pleasant smell, flavored oils do not possess any curative properties and do not contain undiluted active ingredients of natural plants. They cannot be used for medicinal reasons and some can be dangerous when applied to the skin. As a precaution it is suggested that you not use these substances for aromatherapy applications as there is no information on their safety.

Ways of Making Aromatherapy Oils

Steam Distillation is the most widespread way of deriving essential oils.

One method of direct distillation is where the steam distillatory is loaded with raw vegetative material. Steam is then forced into the distillatory and elements of the raw vegetative material mix with the steam.

The steam and vegetative matter mix condenses into a liquid on top of which floats the essential oils. The essential oil is then separated from the water.

Citric oils are usually made by the Cold Pressing method. This is very soft pressing in which oils are squeezed out of the crushed peel. Carrier oils are produced in the same way by pressing seeds.

Using special solvents to extract the aromatic oils from vegetative matter is called Solvent extraction. The resulting absolute oils are extremely pure. It is a fine procedure in which the aromatic substance is extracted from a vegetative material by means of non-polar solvents.

Solvents are separated leaving a wax-like deposit which is mixed with spirits and is very cautiously heated up. It is followed with a process of a filtration as a result of which the wax is removed. The pure oils remain once the alcohol is removed. Absolute oils have special certificates of quality.

Essential Oils vs Absolute Oils

Essential oils contain highly concentrated and scented vegetable extracts. Steam distillation is the normal method by which essential oils are derived from vegetative matter. Oils from a peel of citrus are derived using a pressing method. Absolute oils which are normally more concentrated than essential oils are obtained by the solvent extraction method.

Infused Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Plant flowers are submerged in olive or Soy oils for a reasonable period of time. This allows the oils to receive the essence of the flower and use it for the manufacture of infused oils. For producing carrot oil the extract of the root crop is soaked in Soy oil for the most effective utilization of its aromatic properties.

Base Oils

Carrier or base oils are vegetable based and are very high in quality and nutrition. When combined with essential oils they allow the pure oils to be used for massage and body and skin care. Usually they are derived by cold pressing from nuts, seeds, grains and barks.

Pure Aromatherapy Essential Oils—3% Mix

In their pure form some essential oils are too concentrated to use so manufacturers dilute them so that they can be used. Generally, essential oil manufacturers make the essential oils useable by combining them with carrier oils in a 3% mix.

Massage Oil Blends

Essential oils used for massage come ready to use as they are blended with carrier oils. Carrier oils are obtained by the processing of nuts, apricots, grains or seeds of fruits. The carrier oils are combined with oils from new wheat to increase the stability and shelf life of the essential oils.

Herbal Creams

Well researched formulas of creams consist of essential oils and natural extracts from select vegetation. High grade lanolin is used as a basis for many formulas

About the Author:

The http://www.aroma-gifts.com line of Essential Oils cannot be found elsewhere. Nothing to burn or plug in. All natural and non-toxic. Safe to use around children and pets. Each scent has specific health benefits. Visit http://www.aroma-gifts.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/how-essential-oils-are-produced-101813.html

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