Essential Oils FAQ
You’ve probably seen them – little bottles with names like “Lavender” or “Lemon” lining the shelves of drug stores or big box stores. Maybe a friend of yours is discussing the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, or you’ve read a blog recommending them. But what are essential oils and how can they benefit you and your loved ones?
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential oils are the distillation of the aromatic substance from a specific type of plant. They come from almost any part of certain plants— seeds, flowers, fruit, leaves, stems, roots, bark, wood, needles, and resins. Technically, when this substance is in the plant, it is called an “essence,” so once it has been distilled from the plant, it is referred to as an “essential oil.” While you may have heard of essential oils only recently, they’ve been prized for thousands of years by civilizations spanning the globe for their therapeutic properties.
The chemistry of essential oils is very complex. The chemical structure of an essential oil can penetrate cell membranes, travel throughout the blood system and tissues, and enhance cellular function. Most essential oils, although highly concentrated, do not appear “oily.” As oils, they are lighter than water and highly fluid. They are primarily lipid (fat)-soluble rather than water-soluble—allowing for easy, fast penetration into the skin and bloodstream. Oils are absorbed through capillaries, lymph ducts or the lungs (when oils are inhaled). Once applied to the skin or inhaled, the body takes about 30-90 minutes to entirely absorb the essential oils. Strong blood circulation increases the absorption rate.
Essential oils can be used alone or blended with other oils for health, beauty, and hygiene products. At Inshanti, we create blends for medicinal purposes, massage therapy, skin and hair care, and even household cleaning.
HISTORY
“Aromatherapy” is a relatively new term (1920’s) for the use of essential oils, also called aromatic oils. Aromatic oils have a 5,000-year history. Early use of essential oils in China, India, and Persia & Egypt has been recorded. The earliest scriptures of the Hindu religion— the Vedas— mention hundreds of essential oils. Knowledge and use of essential oils has been maintained and advanced for over 3,000 years through the Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine.
The first recorded scientific laboratory studies of essential oils measured their antibacterial properties. These tests were begun in response to an observation that tuberculosis cases in the flower-growing districts of France during the late 19th century were virtually nonexistent, a rare finding in the days of mass tuberculosis outbreaks and other communicable disease pandemics. French workers who processed fragrant flowers and herbs remained free of respiratory illnesses. Studies found that the microorganisms of several illnesses (tuberculosis, yellow fever, cholera & diphtheria) were killed by essential oils. Since then, a century of experiments have supported the antimicrobial and antiseptic powers of essential oils.
HOW DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK?
Essential oils are used in two basic ways: inhaled in aromatherapy or applied to the skin to be absorbed by the bloodstream.
As its name implies, aromatherapy is all about your sense of smell. The actual odor floating around in a room is made of molecules. These molecules go through your nose and pass over fibers made of specialized nerve cells that interpret the specific smell. This information is sent to the part of your brain that regulates your emotions, called the limbic system, which can be stimulated by particular aromas. For example, depending on their properties, some essential oils can provide relief from anxiety and fear, or give you a sense of well-being and relaxation, or help balance your emotions.
Additionally, essential oils applied to the skin are absorbed through capillaries and travel through the bloodstream, enhancing cellular function. They assist the body in bringing relief from symptoms of many chronic health problems – for example, the easing of inflammation and pain. It may take a half-hour or more for the oils to reach full effectiveness.
You only need to use small amounts of essential oils—often a single drop—to achieve their intended medicinal effects. So a half-ounce of pure essential oil can last you a long time!
AREN’T ALL AROMATHERAPY OILS THE SAME?
No! Many factors affect the quality of the essential oil. Unscrupulous vendors often take shortcuts because it takes a large amount of plant material to make a small amount of oil. For example, it takes more than 30 roses to produce just 1 drop of our Rose Otto Essential Oil, making it what is known as a “low yield oil.” This also makes it one of the more expensive oils. However, Rose Otto is valued for its wide array of therapeutic benefits, and a few drops go a long way.
Because of this factor, it’s important to do your research when using essential oils – first, in the kinds of oils you’re using, and second, in using them properly in order to maximize the benefits. Here at Inshanti, we are just as passionate about educating our clients as we are about our products themselves.
First, essential oils are not the same as perfumes or fragrance oils. Many synthetic oils on the market today try to replicate the fragrances of natural oils. If you unknowingly use them, expecting to derive the benefits of a true essential oil, you’re going to be disappointed. The synthetic chemicals that create these products do not contain the beneficial properties of pure plant oils. Only pure essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits.
Second, even true essential oils can be contaminated by herbicides, pesticides, and chemicals. Some are even extracted from the plants using chemical solvents. You don’t want to be inhaling those dangerous substances when you’re looking for natural health benefits! At Inshanti, we go to great lengths to ensure that doesn’t happen. For more information on buying essential oils, check out our Essential Oils Buying Guide.
DISCLAIMER
Inshanti does not endorse nor do we encourage anyone to implement aromatherapy or any suggestions contained within this site without the consent of his/her medical doctor. We also do not take any liability for any person’s implementation of any oils, recipes, or anything else available through this site, from any book or company recommendation, or on any site linked from Inshanti Essential Oils.