Essential oils are made from plants by extracting the essence of the plant to form the essential oil. All parts of the plant can be used in the manufacture of the oil--from the flowers, leaves and stalks to the wood and even the roots. The oils are considered to contain healing properties and are used in aromatherapy in massage oils, in vaporizers and bath oils.
How the Oils are Made
The most common way of extracting essential oils from plants is by distillation. Steam is pumped through the plant parts in a container, or they're soaked in water and heated. During this process, the oil in the plant rises to the surface and is then separated from the water by cooling in a condenser, after which the essential oil is siphoned off. Citrus oils are produced by expression, in which the oil is squeezed from the peel of fruits such as mandarin, grapefruit and lemon.
Types of Oil
Each essential oil belongs to one of six types, which reflect the parts of the plant that are used as well as the scent produced. These are herbal, such as rosemary and lavender; floral tones that include rose and neroli; the citrus oils characterized by mandarin and lemon; woody scents such as pine and cedarwood; the musky resin of frankincense and myrrh; and spices such as black pepper and coriander.
The Notes of the Oils
The oils are categorized as high, middle or base notes. The high notes--such as citrus oils and those made from flowers--are the most volatile, have a light scent and don't last for long. The middle notes are usually those of oils made from herbs and spices, and the base notes are the heavier woody and resinous scents that are more powerful and long lasting, such as frankincense and vetiver.
How the Oils are Used in Massage
When blending oils, the aromatherapist chooses any one oil from each of the three notes to create a synergistic mix of oils. The base note prolongs the life of the high note and fixes the blend, while the high note lightens the base note. The middle note acts as a balance between the two. Says Ali Headeach, aromatherapist from Margate, UK: "When the oils work in harmony together, the sensation is wonderfully uplifting."
Other Uses of Essential Oils
Essential oils are widely used in the cosmetic industry in the manufacture of face creams, deodorants, shampoos, toothpaste and all kinds of domestic cleaning products, including pine floor cleaners. Some oils are used in the manufacture of food. Says aroma-essence.com: "100% pure, therapeutic Grade A Essential Oils are freely available and safe for cooking and home use... Essential oils have a chemical structure that is similar to human cells and tissues. This makes essential oils compatible with human protein and enables them to be readily identified and accepted by the body."
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