Aromatherapy Oils

Aromatherapy oils are the practice of using volatile plant oils for psychological and physical well-being. Want to learn the Power of Aromatherapy? Act Now!. A synergistic blend of the correct and proper proportions is considered to be greater in total benefit, than each working independently, thus creating synergy.This comprises the use of essentials, absolutes, CO2s,and hydrosols. 


 

 

 

The term essential as it pertains to aromatherapy is sometimes used in writing as a blanket term to include CO2s and absolutes. Aromatherapy oils not only utilizes the use of essentials, but it also encourages the use of other complementary natural ingredients such as, milk powders, sea salts, jojoba ( a liquid wax ), hydrosols, sugars ( an exfoliant ), and many clays, mud's and herbs. Aromatherapy oils involving essentials contain the true essence of the plant it was derived from. Essentials are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way. An essential is a liquid that is generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water), from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant for uses in aromatherapy oils.



What Are Absolutes?

 Just like their counterparts in aromatherapy oils, absolutes are highly aromatic liquids extracted from plants. Absolutes, however, are extracted in a complex manner that requires the use of chemical solvents that are later removed during the final stages of production in the use of aromatherapy oils. The solvent extraction methods are often used in these cases. As a rule, absolutes are more concentrated than their cousins. Where it is true that a little goes a long way, a little absolute goes an even longer way when used in aromatherapy oils.

Extractions by the CO2 (carbon dioxide) method are commonly called CO2 extracts or CO2s for short as one form of aromatherapy oils. In a nutshell, CO2 extracts are extracted by pressurizing carbon dioxide until it becomes a liquid. The liquid carbon dioxide then acts as a solvent on the natural plant matter and the content then dissolves into liquid CO2. Afterwards, the CO2 is brought back to a natural pressurization, the CO2 evaporates back into its gaseous state and what is left is the resulting liquid used for aromatherapy oils. Aromatherapy oils CO2 extracts are often labeled as essentials opposed to absolutes since no trace of a harmful solvent will remain in the final product. CO2s have an advantage over essentials because none of the constituents are damaged by heat, which is very useful in the practice of aromatherapy oils.
 

A hydrosol is the aromatic water that remains via steam or water distillation, which is another form of aromatherapy oils. Hydrosols are sometimes also referred to as a floral water or distillate water. The plant matter used in distillation imparts a wonderful aroma to the water. This hydrosol offers therapeutic benefits, and plants are specifically distilled for the resulting hydrosol instead of the hydrosol being simply a byproduct of the distillation. Unlike others that should be diluted prior to application to the skin, hydrosols are water soluble, are much more gentle than their counterparts and can be used directly on the skin without further dilution. Hydrosols can be used in the place of water in creating natural fragrances, lotions creams, facial toners and other skin care products. They can also be added to the bath and used on their own as a light cologne or body spray. Hydrosol can be added to finger bowls for elegant, romantic dinners. Examples of commonly available hydrosols are rose, roman chamomile, neroli and lavender, all of which are used in the practice of aromatherapy oils.