What is Aromatherapy?

Well, simply put, Aromatherapy is the use of Essential Oils, through, physical application or inhalation to enhance ones physical, mental and or spiritual well being.

This is of course a very simplistic explanation. It does not come with the sensitization (allergies) and irritation warnings than need to be mentioned. However, later on that one.

Aromatherapy, as we know it, is an extremely modern "invention". However use of the
plant products themselves has been around since Man first bound a wound with a leaf, or even smelled a flower. Down through the ages man has used plant matter in one form or another, from incense, to pomades, perfumes and sachets, in hopes of warding off plaque, body odor, for preserving the dead, offering's to ones Gods, and of course to keep beautiful and young.

Today we are "re-discovering" just how miraculous plants can be, for health and in the fight against dry skin, wrinkles and more.

Essential Oils .

Essential Oils are the direct result of steam distillation and expression. The more expensive oils such as Rose, Jasmine, Neroli, also can and are extracted using chemicals. The result is called an Absolute. Purists, such as myself, don't care to use Absolutes as there are always minute quantities of the chemicals present.

Steam distillation is pretty much what it sounds like. The application of steam to plant matter such as bark, flowers, fruits and seeds to release the "Essence" of the plant. The waters that are left after this process are called "Hydrosols", or simply, "Floral Waters".

These Hydrosols are becoming a more valuable resource for Aromatherapy, as we understand them more. They are more gentle, the risk for irritation and sensitization is much less and the smell is wonderful.

Expression of Essential oils, is commonly used in the citrus essences. Squeeze the peel of an orange, see the liquid, that's your "hand expressed, Orange essential oil."

One other less common method of extraction is called CO2 extraction, the use of Carbon Dioxide to extract the plant's oil. Some say this produces an extraordinary essential Oil, and others disagree. Needless to say, the Jury is still out, and one other thing to take into consideration is it is a very expensive process.

The term "Essential Oil" is a bit misleading as the result is not really an oil, but the essence of the plant. You will find that the Essences of the plant often will not smell the same as the

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