What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile oils extracted from flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark and roots of herbs, bushes, shrubs and trees that possess the odor and characteristic properties of that plant.

An oil is “essential” in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. This scent may serve as a protective or attractive “cloud”.

In the fragrance industry, essential oils are used in fragrances that go into cosmetics, soaps, detergents and perfumes.

Yes, with some essential oils if too much is used, it can have adverse effects, as well as cause death. That is why it is extremely important that a neat essential oil is never applied topically. Also, never ingest an essential oil unless prescribed by a trusted licensed practitioner of aromatherapy. Although, essential oils applied topically are absorbed to the body at a slower rate than ingestion, overexposure can still result in death. Here is a list of potentially fatal essential oils. When using these oils, you need to be especially careful (they are listed in no particular order): Wintergreen, Nutmeg, Tansy, Bitter Almond, Parsley, Mustard, Camphor, Turmeric, Arnica, Wormseed.
Essential oils also react differently on different individuals, when you buy a high-quality, therapeutic-grade oil, you know what you are getting and what to expect every time you wear or use it.

There are four main methods to extract essential oils: steam distillation, cold pressing, carbon dioxide extractions and enfleurage. Steam distillation and cold pressing methods yield liquid essential oils. Carbon dioxide and enfleurage distillation methods yield resins, solids and semi-solids. Perfume oils are always a liquid. Essential oils are much more volatile than perfume oils; they dissolve in alcohol and evaporation dissipates their scents quickly. A drop of pure essential oil on paper disappears without leaving an oily spot. A drop of a fragrance oil on paper, on the other hand, usually leaves an oily residue.

According to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts, priests and alchemists were using essential oils thousands of years ago to heal the sick. They are the oldest form of medicine and cosmetic known to man and were considered more valuable than gold to the ancients.

Over 150 references to essential oils in the Bible. Old Testament: Moses was given a recipe for a holy anointing oil, which included Myrrh, Cinnamon, and Cassia. New Testament: The wise men brought Frankincense and Myrrh as a gift to Jesus

Essential oils reintroduced to modern medicine during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to balance mood, lift spirits, and dispel negative emotions. Our modern science is only now beginning to investigate the incredible healing energy found in essential oils. Clinical research shows, for instance, that frankincense oil contains very high immune stimulating properties.