Essential oils and fragrance oils: The natural health difference

Essential oils are truly one of nature's finest gifts.  They capture the essence of a plant by extracting oils from its flowers, leaves, bark, root, berry or other plant components - sometimes requiring up to 2,000 pounds of plant material for just one pound of oil.
Frontier Natural Products Coop

A quick history lesson

Medicinal plants have been an integral part of our daily life for thousands of years.  There are cave paintings in which medicinal herbs are depicted. Who can forget the body of that ice-age man that was found in Europe?  He had a bundle of herbs in his pouch.  To this day, modern research continues to discover health benefits of plants while illustrating the importance of preserving our ecosystem.  We now refer to the use of medicinal plants as herbology and aromatherapy.

Egyptian records dating back as far as 4500 BC show how plants were used for medicines, flavorings and perfumes.  The extracted liquid is referred to as an essential oil and some  were found to have preservative effects (used in the art of embalming).  Other ancient civilizations including Mesopotamia, India, China, Babylon, Greece, Rome, and Persia traded aromatic products and instructions for their use.  In the Christian story of the birth of Jesus, gold, frankincense and myrrh were brought as gifts.  In those times, they were used in religious ceremonies and highly prized.  The frankincense alone was worth more than the gold.  In the dark ages, knowledge about the uses of medicinal plants moved to the monasteries and they developed herbal teas, medicated wines, beers and brandies.  An Arabian physician and philosopher Avicenna is credited as being instrumental in the rediscovery of essential oils.  By way of The Crusades, information was brought to Europe where it grew and then flourished.  In Europe today, aromatherapy is taught in much the same way as in ancient times.

Fragrance oils and essential oils are not interchangeable

The development of coal tar products heralded the introduction of synthetic fragrances which mimic the smell of certain essential oils but cannot duplicate the effects they have on the body.  The chemicals in naturally sourced (organic - as in derived from a living thing) enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or through the skin so do not be guided by smell alone.  Chemical profiles can also vary from plant to plant within the same family - even the geographic region, age of the plant, or time of day it was harvested will determine what properties are more predominant.  For example, all hemp (cannabis) do not contain the same amounts of THC, in the same way beneficial chemicals can vary.  Additionally, essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with care (some individuals, especially during pregnancy, need to be especially careful).  While a few oils may be used directly on the skin, most need to be diluted first so do some research on it or seek the advice of a qualified practitioner.  If you're new at this, consult a knowledgeable practitioner before ingesting any essential oil!

The effects

Look for oils that are labeled 100% pure and indicate the species origin.  Good quality oils will also indicate the country of origin.  Quality oils require careful sourcing and manufacture so be prepared to see this reflected in the price.  Oils can be uplifting, calming, some help to change your mood, while others help your body to heal itself.  Most work on many levels.  For example, lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is very popular and has been tested for over 100 medicinal uses.  As oils go, this is truly one of the most "essential".  It will help to lift you if depressed, relax you if tired and stressed out, calm you when angry and modifies the smell of unpleasant oils in a blend.  Some of its many uses are for skin irritations and imbalances, headaches, high blood pressure and it can can be used by inhalation, sprays, massage oils, soaps, baths and lotions.  This is just one essential oil.  The many oil combinations and applications can be a little overwhelming but learning how to use this ancient form of natural health care for yourself and your family can be very rewarding.

"...Plants have always provided for human life.  They have nourished us with food, provided shelter and supplied medicine..."
Dr. Malte Hozzel
Oshadhi Essential Oil Products

Now here are some folks who could use a nice relaxing bath:

Visit Another Way for healthy living info - tips on using herbs in the kitchen coming soon!