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TID-BITS #3: AROMATHERAPY, ESSENTIAL AND FRAGRANCE OILS
INTRODUCTION
This “Tid-Bits of Information” issue is intended to
provide an overview of aromatherapy and some basics about essential and
fragrance oils. I intentionally avoided getting into much detail,
because these subject areas are quite complex and are more fairly
discussed by professionals. For thorough information, I highly recommend
reading any of the books I have listed at the end of this pamphlet.
These authors are well-respected professionals in aromatherapy and I
believe provide great guidance to those of us who are beginners.
What is Aromatherapy?
"Aroma” meaning scent, and “therapy”
meaning healing power;
or “to heal through scent”.
Aromatherapy has become a household word. Most people
have experienced it one way or another and may not even realize it. Have
you ever bought a scented candle? Room freshener? Potpourri? When you
smell a certain scent, does it take you back to a specific memory? Are
there certain scents that make you feel good? Do you search for that
particular scent in products you purchase? Welcome to Aromatherapy!
For years aromatherapists have been experimenting and
delving into the scientific arena of how scents affect us both
psychologically and physiologically. There is truth to the rumor that
it’s not just our minds that react to scent – our bodies’ sensors react
to the physical absorption of the source of scents as well.
ESSENTIAL
OILS
Simply put, essential oils are oils derived from a plant. The
composition of a plant determines what part of the plant is used to
extract its essential oil (leaves, flowers, bark, stems, roots, fruit,
seeds, etc.). There are several methods of extracting a plant’s oil, but
the most widely used is “steam distillation”. Steam distillation
involves putting huge quantities of the plant in a large vat and forcing
steam throughout the plant material. The heat and pressure draws the oil
out of
the plant material, into the steam, and a condensation process separates
the oils from the water. The oil that is gathered is essential oil; the
water is known as hydrosols. There are literally thousands of essential
oils available, but only hundreds are used on a regular basis.
Plant oils consist of naturally manufactured chemical
components. Some plant oils contain hundreds of naturally produced
chemical components. These components are identified and scientifically
categorized for their unique therapeutic properties. The scientific
community has been able to utilize this information to explore plant oil
benefits and precautions. This information is then used by
aromatherapists to determine the proper method of application.
Some essential oils are very costly to extract which
can result in very high marketing prices. A few factors that affect the
prices of essential oils are: where they are grown, if they’re
organically grown, transporting fees, weather - which will affect the
crop‘s harvest, and the extraction method used. Essential oils
classified as “organic” tend to be more expensive. I know from
experience that organically grown plants require much more effort to
grow because no pesticides are used to protect the plants from pests and
disease, so greater care must go into their successful growth. To
understand the different grades of essential oils available, you should
first learn about the plant to know where and how the best crops are
grown, and which variety of that plant produces the highest quality of
essential oil.
For example,
one ounce of pure Sandalwood essential oil, grown in India, can be as
much as $70; one ounce from Australia, $88. Here are some facts specific
to Sandalwood which contributes to its cost: Sandalwood trees - which
are evergreens - grow in Australia, Indonesia and Africa. It can take a
tree 30 to 50 years to grow to its 65-foot size, at which point it
reaches maturity. It is then ready to harvest and the innermost woods
are chipped and distilled for its oil. Fortunately, not all essential
oils are that difficult or expensive to produce.
In
comparison, Lavender, one of the most popular essential oils, varies in
price between $5 - $20 or more per ounce. Here are just a few examples
of one reputable herb company’s prices for one ounce of Lavender
essential oil:
Bulgaria – Organic Lavandula augustifolia - $20.00
Spain – Organic Spike Lavender - $ 9.00
France – Lavender 40/42 - $ 5.50
Augustifolia and Spike Lavender plants are reputed as being
the best for essential oil. The “40/42” is a blend made from a variety
of Lavender plants to produce a less expensive oil. It is not considered
to be as pure as those made from a single variety of the Lavender plant,
however, the scent is genuine because it is all plant-derived and is a
much better alternative than a fragrance oil. Are you beginning to
understand why products made with pure essential oils can get to be a
bit pricey?
If you prefer to use only pure essential oils, read
labels carefully to be sure you are getting what you pay for. Research
and compare companies to find one who sells the quality of oils you want
to purchase. In my research, there are a lot of companies who sell
essential oils. However, of those companies, there are few that provide
detailed information about the origin of their products.
FRAGRANCE
OILS
Fragrance
oils are synthetic; not derived from plants. Massive amounts of plants
are not needed because there is no extraction process. These two factors
alone can make fragrance oils cheaper to produce. Some fragrance oils
are marketed as a blend of essential oils mixed with carrier oils, which
dilutes the intensity of the essential oil yet maintains its
natural-quality scent. These are widely used as an acceptable method of
fragrancing. Unfortunately, these are sometimes marketed as “essential”
oils. They should more fairly be advertised as “blends”. The important
note here is to read labels carefully before you buy a product.
Fragrance oils are used in numerous products. The
majority of scents used in making candles and many of our toiletries and
health care products contain fragrance oils. If you are concerned about
the use of fragrance oils, again, read labels carefully.
SUMMARY
Many people are opposed to synthetic oils or products that contain them
because they are made of man-made chemicals and there is concern about
adverse effects. This is true of natural AND synthetic ingredients. Just
because it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it can’t be harmful! The fact that
essential oils are a pure, concentrated derivative of a plant is reason
enough to approach with caution. The increase in public awareness of the
benefits of natural ingredients in products has caused much more
research and studies to be conducted on their effects on our bodies. It
is important to educate ourselves about these effects so we can make
educated decisions about the types of products we wish to use.
One way or another oils are absorbed into the body,
whether it is by applying it directly to your skin as in a lotion, or
inhaling it (which sends its molecules into our nasal passages).
If you are pregnant, or are prone to allergies, or
have sensitive skin, it is recommended that you consult a physician
before trying any new product. At the very least do a “patch test”:
place a drop of the oil onto a cotton ball; brush it against a small
patch of skin on your inside wrist. If there is no itching or irritation
within 30 minutes, that oil should be safe for you to use on your body.
If you have any doubts, do not use it!
Many of the most popular scents on the market are
synthetic. In fact, some scents are only available in fragrance oils.
Coupled with the price of some of the essential oils, fragrance oils are
often an acceptable alternative.
My personal preference is to use pure essential oils
and natural ingredients in my products as much as possible. I use
fragrance oils only if a particular scent is not available in essential
oil or if a particular essential oil is too costly (such as
Sandalwood!).
My
experiences with essential oils and aromatherapy are limited compared to
highly trained professionals, but I hope you found this information
helpful. If you weren’t intrigued about aromatherapy and
essential/fragrance oils before you read this article, I hope it’s
piqued your curiosity enough to want to learn more. It truly is a
fascinating field!
SUGGESTED READINGS:
Essential
Aromatherapy by Susan and Valerie Ann Worwood
A Modern Herbal by Maud Grieves
An Introduction to Aromatherapy by Nicola Jenkins
Setting the Mood with Aromatherapy by Carly Wall |
