What Are Essential Oils?
Do you remember the last time you smelled a pleasing fragrance? More likely than not, part of what created that fragrance was an essential oil. The lifeblood of plants, essential oils defend them from insects, harsh environmental conditions and disease and are vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve and adapt to its surroundings. They are aromatic liquids derived from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes and seeds and not only protect the plant but also determine its aroma.
I used to think that an essential oil was something that just smelled good. After attending my first aromatherapy class over fifteen years ago, I was amazed at the wealth of information that is available regarding the effects of essential oils and the science of aromatherapy. Did you know that there are over 28 species of Lavender plants in the world? So, how do we know if we’ve chosen an essential oil that’s for relaxation or one that’s toxic to nerves? We educate ourselves, because essential oils are not just something that smells good, they each have a multitude of beneficial uses and therapeutic benefits.
Dating back to Ancient Egypt and having been used in everyday life for centuries, essential oils were distilled and used for perfumes and pleasant aromas for embalming and medicinal purposes. In modern days, research shows that pure essential oils can provide similar benefits to humans and animals that they give to plants.
Many oils, touted as essential oils, are derived with harsh chemicals, diluted, or copied and produced in a lab, and as a result, can have the potential to be toxic. Because the skin is our largest organ, it’s imperative to take great care in choosing high-quality essential oils.
In Europe, essential oils have been used for medicinal purposes for decades. There are three different schools of application: inhalation is the preferred method in Germany; topical application is preferred in England; and, ingestion of therapeutic grade essential oils is preferred by the French. In the United States, we integrate all three application methods depending upon the desired therapeutic benefit.
If you’re looking to join a gathering of like-minded people to share quality time with, to learn and share information about essential oils and their beneficial uses, be in touch and find out when I'll be presenting the next Essential Evening.
Have questions or comments about any of the information presented in this article or about other holistic health topics? Would you like to learn more about a specific essential oil? If so, please post your comment or questions and they will be addressed in future blog posts!!
With blessings of gratitude and peace,
Ilene Gottlieb, The Heart Healer
Do you remember the last time you smelled a pleasing fragrance? More likely than not, part of what created that fragrance was an essential oil. The lifeblood of plants, essential oils defend them from insects, harsh environmental conditions and disease and are vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve and adapt to its surroundings. They are aromatic liquids derived from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes and seeds and not only protect the plant but also determine its aroma.
I used to think that an essential oil was something that just smelled good. After attending my first aromatherapy class over fifteen years ago, I was amazed at the wealth of information that is available regarding the effects of essential oils and the science of aromatherapy. Did you know that there are over 28 species of Lavender plants in the world? So, how do we know if we’ve chosen an essential oil that’s for relaxation or one that’s toxic to nerves? We educate ourselves, because essential oils are not just something that smells good, they each have a multitude of beneficial uses and therapeutic benefits.
Dating back to Ancient Egypt and having been used in everyday life for centuries, essential oils were distilled and used for perfumes and pleasant aromas for embalming and medicinal purposes. In modern days, research shows that pure essential oils can provide similar benefits to humans and animals that they give to plants.
Many oils, touted as essential oils, are derived with harsh chemicals, diluted, or copied and produced in a lab, and as a result, can have the potential to be toxic. Because the skin is our largest organ, it’s imperative to take great care in choosing high-quality essential oils.
In Europe, essential oils have been used for medicinal purposes for decades. There are three different schools of application: inhalation is the preferred method in Germany; topical application is preferred in England; and, ingestion of therapeutic grade essential oils is preferred by the French. In the United States, we integrate all three application methods depending upon the desired therapeutic benefit.
If you’re looking to join a gathering of like-minded people to share quality time with, to learn and share information about essential oils and their beneficial uses, be in touch and find out when I'll be presenting the next Essential Evening.
Have questions or comments about any of the information presented in this article or about other holistic health topics? Would you like to learn more about a specific essential oil? If so, please post your comment or questions and they will be addressed in future blog posts!!
With blessings of gratitude and peace,
Ilene Gottlieb, The Heart Healer
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