Generally, essential oils are prepared by steam distillation of the roots, flowers, bark, leaves, or other plant matter. The resulting oil is usually clear in nature and not slippery, even though it is an oil. Sometimes oils are too delicate for distillation and a cold extraction with ethanol is used to remove the oil from the plant material. People have been enjoying the health benefits of essential oils since ancient times.
When one uses pure essential oils, a small amount is needed because they are as concentrated as they can possibly be. Because you know how far essential oils will go, they are very economical because their strength is standardized. Because they are not formulated beauty products, they are all natural and therefore less allergenic and irritating as well.
Beauty products such as creams, lotions, fragrances, and perfumes have specific purposes. However, they are of no benefit in therapeutic treatments such as that utilized in aromatherapy. This is an alternative medicine that makes use of the natural oils in plants for a person’s physical and psychological well-being. This can be achieved through methods such as inhalation and/or the application of the oils, which have been mixed with carrier oils, directly to the skin.
When inhaling the essence, oil molecules enter the lungs, thereby using one of the least used senses in treatment, the sense of smell. From there it can be absorbed into the bloodstream providing many benefits. This results in an ability to energize and motivate one if used in the morning or to create a sense of peace and calm in the evening, depending on the essence oil used.