The use of essential oils can be traced back thousands of years with records being discovered in Egyptian papyrus manuscripts over 2700 years BC. The information encompasses 6000 years of aromatic history. Chinese herbal traditions using pure essential oils can also be found recorded as far back as 2000 years BC. More astonishing is that cave paintings in France suggest that plants have been used in medicine as long ago as 18000 BC!

Since these times information pertaining to the use of essential oils has been handed down from generation to generation. However, when Alchemy gave way to more technical chemistry, so did the interest in the "whole oil". As scientists started stripping away various constituents of the oils and developing synthetic counterparts, the modern drug industry was born

Herbal medicine and aromatic therapies lost their credibility as methods of treatment went out of the hands of individuals and became instead the "domain of the professionals". By the middle of the twentieth century, the role of essential oils had been reduced almost entirely to use in perfumes, cosmetics and foodstuffs.

As we enter the 21st Century and science has confirmed that essential oils - the aromatic essences of leaves, bark, roots and flowers - can enhance our moods, sharpen our minds and awaken our physical selves, we again see Aromatherapy as an important component of Herbal Medicine.

Science has discovered that our sense of smell plays a significant role in our overall health.

An essential oil is inhaled and directed by the olfactory system to the limbic system of the brain. In turn, the brain responds to the particular scent affecting our emotions and chemical balance. Essential oils are also absorbed by the skin and carried throughout the body via the circulatory system to reach all internal organs.

We all remember the smell of a newborn that has been freshly washed and powered. We remember the lavender smell of the hanky our Grannies always wore in their pockets, or the delicious smell of our Grandfathers pipe. Smells tie us to our past, refresh, delight and heal us in the present and in the future will tie our children to us forever in complex visions that recall experiences that leap out at them from the undergrowth of their lives.

As this field flourishes, more and more people discover the remarkable benefits of these essential oils. Aromatherapy is today an established science. Essential oils are nature's life force, and as such are NATURES PHARMACY. Once you begin to use them and discover their soothing and healing powers, you too will be amazed and find yourself using them daily. The time will quickly come when you will not be able to imagine living without them.

The healing properties of essential oils come not only from their aroma but also from the many subtle compounds from which each oil is made up. These natural chemical compounds, the 'life force' of plants, work in harmony with our own systems to enhance the natural healing power of both body and mind. Combinations of oils can provide benefits even more pronounced than when the oils are used individually.

Aromatherapy is the time-honoured practice of using essential oils to promote healing and to restore body, mind and spirit to a state of balance and well-being. Research has shown that smell has a direct effect on the limbic system, the emotional centre of the brain and in this way; essential oils can have a beneficial effect directly upon the personality, helping to overcome psychological problems.

The therapeutic benefits of essential oils are obtained through by a combination of the following methods

Massage: Massage is one of the most popular ways of using essential oils. This method allows the oil to penetrate the skin where it is absorbed into the body. In this way the oil has both internal and external benefits. A base or vegetable oil is used to act as a 'carrier' to apply the essential oil to the body - hence the term 'carrier oil'.

Bath: Up to 8 drops of essential oil are added to a running bath, near the tap end. For best results, the essential oil should be added to a small amount of carrier oil (milk or sunflower oil) to aid dispersion, prevent skin sensitivity and moisturise skin.

Foot or hand bath/spa: Up to 4 drops of essential oil are added to a bowl of warm water or into a spa and soak hands for a maximum 10 minutes and feet for a maximum 20 minutes.

Inhalation: Vapourised essential oils are useful for clearing the head. There are a number of methods available for inhalation such as adding up to 3 drops to a tissue or handkerchief, and inhaling at intervals, adding up to 10 drops of essential oil to bowl of boiled water and holding the head over the water, perhaps with a towel over your head and inhaling vapours for a few minutes at a time. This is also excellent for facial cleansing. Finally electric vapourisers, magnetic vapourisers or oil burners can be used to vapourise the essential oil into the room where you are.

Methods of Extraction

The basic process is designed to break down the cellular walls and to release the essential oil. The following methods are the most common methods used to extract essential oil.

Steam distillation: Involves placing the plant material on a rack or grid and heating the water above or beneath it. The steam passes through the plant matter, causing the Aromatic volatile essence held within the plant to be released.

Direct distillation: Involves placing the plant material in water, which is then heated and brought to boil

Vacuum Distillation: This method is as effective as steam distillation, but somewhat more expensive. The greater the degree of vacuum, the lower is the distillation temperature.

Maceration: This is to separate constituents by soaking. There are two methods used in the maceration process. One method is the preparing of aromatic plants by prolonged soaking in warm water or oil creating an infusion. The plant material is filtered out. The resulting liquid contains the essential oil. When water was used, it is used as 'a wash". If oil is used to soak the plant matter, it is used as an infusion oil e.g. Calendula oil. The second method is dipping the blossoms into hot oil until the wall of the cells break apart. The hot oil absorbs the essence. The oil is then cooled and separated. This is an old and expensive method not often used today.

Pressing: This is simply the pressing of the plant material until the essences drain. Control is important however, so that the temperature does not exceed set standards. Essential Oil of citrus fruits, such as orange, lemon, grapefruit and tangerine, are obtained by pressing the unpolluted peels of the fruit. The peel is pressed between two pieces of wood, one of which has a sponge attached to it. The oil is released by the cells and absorbed by the sponge. Wringing out the sponge then collects the oil. This type of essence is high quality and suitable for internal use.

Effleurage / Extraction: This is a process in which odourless fats or oils absorb the fragrance of fresh flowers. This method is used to produce an absolute. Some of the finest flower absolutes are produced by means of solvent extraction. Extraction is reserved for plants with a low concentration of Essential Oil like Jasmine. These oils usually have a finer fragrance.

Solvent Extraction: This is a combination of processes. It is commonly used for gums and resins, as well as flowers. Flowers are treated with petroleum, ether or benzene. Resins and gums are treated with acetone. The plant material is placed in a glass container and saturated with a solvent. This is then heated electrically causing the odour bearing molecules to evaporate, which are then filtered out and collected.

There is no doubt that the use of essential oils can beneficial in improving well-being. Used correctly they are very safe. There are however a number of precautions which must be taken to prevent injury or ill-health. The following information has been provided to help you ensure the safe use of essential oils.

Poisoning of Children: Essential oils in 5 or 10 ml bottles can be lethal if swallowed by a child. Essential oil should always be kept in dropper bottles and away from children.

Sensitisation: Sensitization is an allergic response to an essential oil. The first exposure usually has little or no noticeable toxic effect. However, future applications of the same or similar oil can produce severe inflammation. The response is a reaction of T-lymphocytes to the presence of the oil. Reaction can be minor or very severe for extremely small amounts of oil. The effect of the components that cause sensitization can vary from person to person. Some aldehydes and lactones have been found to be sensitizers. Sensitization occurs when a compound is absorbed by the skin and binds to a protein in the dermis.

Skin Problems: Skin irritation is more common and can range from minor irritation to severe problems. Dilution of an essential oil is not a guarantee, as the skin can react to even small particles of an allergen after repeated use. There are those who fail to act with caution when working on damaged skin or on an area of irritation. Every Aromatherapist must know how to conduct a patch test.

Pregnancy: Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy. These essential oils include basil, cedarwood, clary sage, fennel, jasmine, juniperberry, lavender, marjoram, myrrh, rose, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Epilepsy: Some essential oils can trigger epileptic fits amongst those individuals who suffer from this illness. These essential oils include camphor, fennel, hyssop, sage and rosemary.

High or low blood pressure: Some essential oils should be avoided if you have high blood pressure.

Cancer: Research has shown a number of the components in a few essential oils are carcinogenic. The components are low-level carcinogens. High doses of basil, something you are instructed to avoid, present an unacceptable risk, while low dosages present almost negligible risk.

Photo-toxicity: - Photo-toxicity is an excessive reaction to sunlight included by chemicals. The result is rapid tanning and damage to the skin. The most common chemical compounds that cause photo-toxicity are furacoumarins. They absorb ultraviolet photons, store them and then release them in a burst against the skin. Very few essential oils contain phototoxic compounds and then normally under 2%. If these oils are used undiluted and/or if the skin is exposed to the concentrated UV light, severe reactions can occur.

Safety must be an integral part of using essential oils. Although in most cases the risks are very small or zero, it is always better to fall on the side of being safe. Most ailments may be treated with a number of different oils and receive the same results. In the end, it comes down to your own judgment. Always read the safety information on the oils to be used. If there is any doubt as to an oils safe use, pick another oil.