Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil – The Importance of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil
Essential oils are made from herbs, various parts of the plants, sometimes leaves or stems or roots. So it is safe to say that herbs are the basic source of essential oils. Each type of herb has its own miniscule quantity and quality of essential oils. Large quantities of herbs are needed to produce small amounts of essential oil. Most remarkable is the understanding that the entire quality of the essential oil cannot exceed the quality of the herbs from which it is made. No wonder it is important to seek excellent sources for therapeutic grade essential oil.
Aromatherapy: More Than Just ‘Smell Good/Feel Better
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Aromatherapy’? For many folks, it conjures an image of plastic Glade Plug-In air fresheners; for others, a bottle of flowery dish soap. For a fortunate few, a pleasing bath with natural soothing scents comes to mind; for even fewer, a cold-air diffuser releasing a fine mist of pure Rose petal oil throughout their home. The rarest concept of Aromatherapy in these United States is one of highly potent medicines, effective against a broad range of bacteria and viruses, with further uses including relief of arthritis pain, stomach discomfort, sleeplessness, and a host of other conditions. If this is a new idea, read-on and enter the wonderful world of medicinal aromatherapy and therapeutic use of essential oils.
Beyond ‘Aroma’ – Essences as Medicine
Do you agree Aromatherapy has suffered from it’s New Age stigma long enough? It’s time to tell the masses what these little bottles of liquid jewels are all about! Here in the United States, common use of the term ‘aromatherapy’ has been skewed so much that only that ‘touchy-feely’ aspect of ‘feeling good from smelling something nice’ is it’s complete definition to most folks. If you happen to know better, this article may just be a refresher in the science of therapeutic essential oil usage, but one that may help you teach others the ‘why’ of ‘medical aromatherapy’ – if this concept is new, however, read on and learn – this may be important to you someday!
A Quick Look at Today’s Essential Oil Distillation Techniques
With the new labels of CO2 and SCO2 next to the traditional steam and hydro-distillations, solvent-extracted absolutes, and cold-pressed, a little education for the aromatherapy enthusiast is in order. Does one produce a nicer smelling oil, or one with more therapeutic value? Is one process better than another? Essential oil production, similar to the making of fine wines, is an art form as well as a science. The value of each process depends greatly on the experience and care of the distiller. Each method is important, and has it’s place in the making of aromatherapy-grade essential oils.
Perfect Chemistry Makes A Fine Essential Oil
Uh oh. Chemistry – the word itself can make one’s eyes glaze over. But wait, this is ‘essential oil chemistry’. MUCH more fun! While even beginning aromatherapy students are put off by the mere mention of the subject, they eventually realize the importance of understanding at least the fundamentals. The basics of essential oil chemistry will help you appreciate what gives a fine oil its unique aroma, help you more carefully discern a good oil from a second-rate one, and can improve your practice of using essential oils therapeutically. The greatest benefits of essential oils lies in their potential for true medicinal applications, where their antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are effectively utilized. And it is the understanding of their chemistry that enables the practitioner to select the right oils and use them most appropriately. Convinced? Well here’s a primer to get you started…