Essential Oils are used in Aromatherapy, if and only if they are of therapeutic grade.
Therapeutic grade essential oils are 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. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word “oil” are not really oily-feeling at all. Most essential oils are clear,but some oils are amber or yellow in color.
Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Where essential oils are derived from the true plants, perfume oils are artificially created fragrances or contain artificial substances and do not offer the therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer.
The uses of essential oils for therapeutic reasons are numerous. Delivery of aromatherapy is varied. Essential oils are often used by diluting them with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil) and then applying this blend to the skin for absorption. Careful inhalation of the oils can also provide therapeutic benefit as the oil molecules enter the lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream.
Essential oils can very greatly in quality and price. Various factors that can affect the quality and price of the oil include the rarity of the plant, country and conditions that the plant was grown, quality standards of the distiller and how much oil is produced by the plant.
Essential oils can often be purchased as blends of several essential oils. The advantage, if it is a blend of pure essential oils, is that you can save from having to buy every essential oil individually. The disadvantage is that you have no control over the blend by not mixing it yourself nor can you reliably mix the blend with other oils.
Laura Clark and Kelly Voboril, as Professional Aromatherapists, have extensive experience in using essential oils and can offer guidance and advice as to your individual choices in bringing the experience of aromatherapy into your lives for health & wellness.