Essential oils are natural products formed in aromatic plants which are characterized by unique features of odor and flavor for their own benefits such as protection or attraction (7). The oils are accumulated in cells, located in tiny secretory structures or in glandular hairs of the plant. The interior of the stomatal cells is typically the location of where the essential oils are found.
While they are located within the plant, essential oils are continuously altering their chemical composition to adapt its host plant so ensure its utmost health in its surrounding environment. The actual area of the plant where the oils are sequestered varies depending on the type of plant. Common areas and examples of where essential oils are derived from: leaves (eucalyptus, mint, lemongrass), flowers (jasmine, carnation, rosemary, lavender), bark (cinnamon, canella), roots (angelica, sassafras, valerian), seeds (nutmeg, dill, caraway), fruits (orange, lemon, juniper), grasses (palmarosa), petals (rose), wood (cedar) rhizomes (ginger, calamus, orris) berries (juniper), resins (frankincense) and wood (cedar, sandal, pine), and others (5).
Each essential oil has unique properties and functions in nature such as attracting pollinators and dispersal agents, to serve as internal messengers for the plant host, releasing chemicals to aid in allelopathy, to serve as defense compounds against insects and animals, and to protect the plant with their antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal
Essential Oils have been used for centuries for holistic healing to promote well being, spirituality and health. The three common ways to use oils are, ingesting, applying to skin and diffusing. When ingesting or applying oils to the skin you should dilute the oils first with a carrier oil. Some of these carrier oils are coconut oil, almond oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil. After you have diluted the oil you can then ingest and apply to the skin. There are many different benefits to using essential oils such as skin care, hair care, sickness, sleep issues, and stress issues. There are over ninety different oils and they each have different issues that they treat. When using oils you have to understand that it takes time to find the right
Plant extracts known as essential oils have been utilized for centuries by many cultures for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Essential oils are extracted primarily through steam distillation or mechanical presses. The oils are then used through skin absorption, inhalation, or ingestion. The inhalation of essential oils is termed aromatherapy. Either a single essential oil or a combination of essential oils are inhaled through an inhaler, oils placed on an absorbent material, or in an essential oil diffuser. When inhaled, the olfactory system is triggered. The olfactory bulb sends messages to the limbic system which initiates a systemic physiologic response to the inhaled oil. When essential oils are inhaled, the respiratory system
Each contains its own mix of active ingredients, and this mix determines what the oil is used for. Some oils are used to promote physical healing—for example, to treat swelling or fungal infections. Others are used for their emotional value—they may enhance relaxation or make a room smell pleasant (“Overview” 1) Smells have a huge effect on the human body, but some smells are greater than others. Essential oils have many benefits on people’s health (Trudeau 173)
One of the first thing any essential oil expert will tell you, is that you have to create your recipe based on your specific skin type. Each person has their own skin type, and it won't do to make an essential oil recipe for one type, if yours is another. Only by discovering your skin type in
Essential oils have been used for centuries by people around the globe as healing agents. The oils have shown to be beneficial by decreasing many symptoms associated with dementia. They can help reduce stress and anxiety, aide in the symptoms of depression, and can also stimulate one’s senses. The oils can be administered in three ways
With this great invention, the world of medicine has been made a better place. Essential oils are a powerful medicine on their own, or in synergy. Synergy is the mixture of two or more oils that are allowed to rest before application or diffusion.
Rose - Aside from the popular use of scent of the rose in romance, essential oil from the rose flowers are also good for insomnia. It is also used fore sore throat and sinus and helpful as well in dealing with cramps and pain before menstruation as well as pain during menopause. It has also antiseptic and antiviral properties and helps in boosting up your mood to fight depression.
I have to say it; I am holding my hands up and admitting it - I have a love affair with essential oils! My life improves when I am exposed to the aromatic delights of one of nature’s most beautiful gifts. My senses are enlivened, my endorphins soar, and the muscles of my face relax, sending forth a smile each and every time I open my precious little bottle of pure plant essence. Yes indeed, they are treasure to me!
Since the beginning of the year I have become obsessed with essential oils. I have learned that there is so much more to oils than aromatherapy, and so many more oils than lavender and patchouli. I knew there was more but I didn't understand how much more. If you know a little about essential oils and would like to learn more then this article is for you. If you already know a ton but are obsessed with oils as I am, then this article is for you too.
In this regard, medicinal and aromatic plants are being employed, and they can be said to belong to the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) category under the biologically-based treatments subcategory (Mohsen et al. 785). Mohsen et al. point out that the industrial utilizations of MAPs include herbal teas, galenicals, health, pharmaceutical/industrial auxiliary, traditional medicines, new drugs, and intermediates for the manufacture of drugs (786). As Mohsen et al. further observe, MAPs serve to provide the raw materials required in the pharmaceutical industry where drugs are extracted through the isolation of active chemicals, which is succeeded by decocting them to medication (787). Further, the scholars fittingly observe that over 85% of the general population in the U.S., Africa, and developing countries make use of the complimentary medicines and nonconventional practices adjunctive to typical medical care (Mohsen et al
After the fall of the Roman Empire and right at the dawn of Dark Ages in Europe, there was the emergence of the Arabian empire. The scientist of the time studied the writings of the Greeks and Romans, but also those of Chinese and Indians and developed further the practice of aromatherapy. The Persian physician Ali-Ibn Sana, best known as Avicenna (980 -1037 A.D.), wrote books on the properties of 800 plants and their effects on the human body. He is also credited for discovering the first distiller of the essential oils, a coiled cooling pipe that he used to extract the essence of rose petals through the ‘enfleurage’ process, that method in which flower petals are placed on glass, over a thin layer of fat. Another merit of the Arabs is the
CVek, D., Markov, K., Frece, J., Dragicevic, T. L., Majica, M., & Delas, F. (2010). Growth Inhibition of Aspergillus Ochraceus ZMPBF 318 adn Penicillium Expansum ZMPBF 565 by Four Essential Oils. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol, 61, 191–196.
Carrier oils are generally cold-pressed vegetable oils derived from the fatty portions of the plant. Unlike essential oils that evaporate and have a concentrated aroma, carrier oils do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils. Essential oils are added to carrier oils to impart both a scent and their healing properties.
There is a special place that I go in my mind. It is the field in front of my grandmother 's house full of chamomile flowers - white petals with yellow centers and an unmistakable fragrance that permeates the air in the afternoon sun. I used to walk through this thick field and pick the flowers to feed the obliging horses in the next pasture. What I did not know then but know now is that these chamomile flowers were botanically known as German chamomile. There are only two-types of plants that are considered true chamomile - German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). Both plants are in the Asteraceae family. Although described as similar, their differences are evident morphologically as well as in their essential oil appearance (more so than in their alcohol extracts or teas). German chamomile is a low growing (up to 0.6 meters) annual herb with daisy-like flowers on a single stem and native to Europe. Roman chamomile however is a perennial plant growing up to 3 feet tall with daisy-like flowers on branched stems and also native to Europe (Western Europe).
Lemon oil has active ingredients such as Terpenes and citronellal. These have an antiseptic and germicidal effect. It is very useful in the treatment of instructions because of its ability to activate is immune system of the human body it promotes circulation of blood and lymph.