History:
Aromatic oils have an ancient history. The early use of essential oils in China, India, Persia and Egypt has been recorded dating back 5,000 years. Knowledge and use of essential oils has been maintained and advanced for over 3,000 years through the Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine. The earliest scriptures of the Hindu religion, the Vedas, mention hundreds of essential oils.
Aromatic oils have an ancient history. The early use of essential oils in China, India, Persia and Egypt has been recorded dating back 5,000 years. Knowledge and use of essential oils has been maintained and advanced for over 3,000 years through the Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine. The earliest scriptures of the Hindu religion, the Vedas, mention hundreds of essential oils.
Origins:
Essential oils may be found in virtually any part of the plant: seeds, flowers, fruit, leaves, stems, roots, bark, wood, needles and resins.
Essential oils may be found in virtually any part of the plant: seeds, flowers, fruit, leaves, stems, roots, bark, wood, needles and resins.
Basic Properties:
Essential oils are primaril lipid (fat) soluble rather than water-soluble. This allows for effective and easy penetration into the skin and blood. Oils are absorbed through cappillaries, lymph ducts or the lungs. The body takes about 30-90 minutes to absorb essential oils entirely.
Storage:
Should be stored in dark, airtight, glass bottles. Exposure to light, oxygen and heat will begin to break down the oils...possibly causing them to be a skin irritant. If stored correctly, essential oils can last 7-10 years, possibly longer! Some oils improve with age (except citrus oils- keep 1-2 years). Ideal storage temp is between 45 and 65 degrees F.
Concentration:
It takes a huge amount of plant material to make a small amount of oil. Por ejemplo, 25-30 roses are required to make just ONE drop of essential oil! A half-ounce of essential oil can last a good long while.
Cautions:
Most essential oils need to be diluted with a "carrier" such as vegetable or nut oils (almond oil, grapeseed, avocado oil, jojoba oil) before being applied directly to the skin.
Labratory Tests:
Essential oils kill infectious germs while promoting useful, beneficial microorganisms. They do not indescriminately attack the body like most pharmeceuticals, rather they support the body's own immune system. They do not attack or weaken the organism while busy destroying disease. In the late 19th century, tests were run in response to an observation that tuberculosis cases in the flower-growing districts of France were almost nonexistent. French workers who processed fragrant floewers nad herbs remained free from illness. Studies proved that microorganisms of several illnesses like tuberculosis, yellow fever, cholera, and diptheria, were killed by essential oils. Since then, a century of experiments have supported the antimicrobial and antiseptic powers of essential oils.
Special thanks to my Mama for sharing her wonderful oils and to Liz of AromaticWisdomInstitute.com for sharing this beautiful information.
