Essential oils are the principles contained in aromatic plants, retrievable through the process of distillation. Essential oils differ from other oils contained in plants because they go very easily to gas.
In the history of the use of wood is lost in the mists of time, and though the earliest records date back to the Egyptians, it is not strange to imagine rituals and beliefs earlier in which the essences were used to curry favor with the gods and avert disaster.
Extraction methods
Although all higher plants can produce aromatic substances, must take into account a large number of factors and characteristics of the plant before moving on oil extraction. External factors such as soil composition, altitude, sun exposure and internal factors such as the variety of plant life cycle and its combined impact on the concentration of aromatic components. That is why, taking into account all these factors, the part of the plant on which it operates, and even time of day, is called “time balsamic” the phase of greater concentration of the odor.
Essential oils are used for personal care, as well as industrial use. Under the law can be used with therapeutic oils extracted through distillation and steam pressing.
The distillation of water vapor is the primary method through which the oils are extracted and the safest way to preserve the quality of the oil. Through the distillation plant material yields to steam volatile substances that, after a cooling process, separate to be collected in the form of drops. Each droplet collection is what we call essence. Through the distillation process, after passing into the condenser, there is also the split between essential oils, lighter, and aromatic waters, heavier. By the same process, then you will get two different types of aromatic substances, the most common use of water for aromatic tonic. Squeezing or pressing, is the methodology that is used to extract essential oils from the peel of citrus fruit.
Cosmetic industry, however, to extract the essential oils that are used in the perfume industry is makes use of volatile solvents, which are then distilled. This process is convenient and fast, has allowed the extraction to rejuvenate the industry with long and complex methods.
Numerous uses of essential oils for those who want to use it actively and take care of your mental and physical wellbeing, using natural substances. We must remember, however, that essential oils are still drug and as such must be considered, without abuse or misuse it. For the same reason the use of pure essential oils of aromatherapy is competence and not the individual, who instead will follow the simple tips below and reap the benefits from the use of essential oils mixed with water or other substances .
Add essential oil to water is an affordable for all of us that through this small gesture, we can find health and wellness.
As the smell plays a crucial role in the relationship between humans and the environment, the presence of a good smell can affect the human psyche and make you smell that comes from feeling a state of general well-being. Therefore it is important to live and work in an environment that has a good smell. To spice up the environment must obtain the appropriate pots or lamps where there is a candle that heats water and makes it slowly evaporate. Add the water container from 5 to 20 drops of essential oil will help you live in a relaxing and fragrant. The same applies to the humidifier or pans hung on radiators.
Added to water or vegetable fats
Many are the uses of essential oils added to water for health and beauty of our body and total body wellness.
* Bathroom
The benefits of immersion in a tub of warm or hot water are enhanced if at the time of the dive; add a few drops (5 to 12 as appropriate) of one or more essences. The essences act directly on the skin or through breathing. Exploiting the specific properties of various essential oils you can choose to have a relaxing bath, stimulating, cleansing, refreshing … There can be dipped into a pool for the prevention of colds or to boost circulation to combat cellulite and soften the skin . In any case it is advisable to massage the body before diving; to eliminate dead cells and make your skin is ready to absorb all the benefits of active ingredients present in the water.
* Hand baths / Foot
Pour into a basin of hot water from 8 to 10 drops of essence just before placing hands or feet is a very effective practice. The foot baths are good for combating fatigue and its negative effects on the mind and body.
* Hip bath
We are talking about the dive in water up to the dock, useful for combating diseases of the genital or urinary tract and to give a bit ‘of relief. Essential oils should be paid just before diving into the water and must be careful to stir well so that penetrate evenly.
* Wraps
The application of gauze soaked in hot or cold water to which essential oils are added (in the amount of 5%) is an ancient remedy and valued. The cold compresses are useful in cases of bruises and in the case of high fever, soothing as the warm compresses to the abdomen or lower back pain.
* Skin Tonics
A tonic for the skin composed of distilled water (100g), to which are added 5 drops of essence is an ideal target to combat a problem skin.
* Use of essential oils added to an oil or a vegetable fat
Added to an oil or a vegetable fat essential oils are used directly on the skin, causing the active ingredients can penetrate deep into the epidermis and can be absorbed in a more gentle and slow.
* Clutch
The clutch is the part of the preparatory massage or treatment in itself. In any case, the drops of essential oil must be paid on the palms of those who rubbed the skin and not rub on the skin.
* Massage
The art of massage has Eastern Shiatsu or Swedish massage western little change since the essential oils are used in both practices. The use of essential oil has a dual function: one is the best hands glide over the skin, allowing for good handling, the other that promotes the penetration of active components of the essences that carry the most of their relaxing or curative action.
* Miscellaneous
Mixed with other vegetable fats or oils in amounts up to 2% essential oils are used in the vast area of cosmetics: from shampoo to mask the facial creams, the important thing is to choose a product that is compatible with your skin and an essential oil and type-specific effect.
Aromatherapy
The uses of aromatherapy essential oils are designed to harness the great potential of healing essences and should be performed in accordance with the details and recommendations of an expert. Aromatherapy provides for the recruitment of essential oils internally and what it involves the absorption faster than the absorption due to external.
For aromatherapy essential oils are living substances with specific properties and can therefore be used in place of traditional medicine. It considered as natural antibiotics, without the drawbacks of medicine.
The essential oils in aromatherapy can be employed for airway (aerosol, inhalation, fumigation) or prepare a remedy and takes orally dissolved in an infusion or a sugar cube.
General precautions for the use of essential oils:
* If you use wood for the first time, although cases of allergic reactions are rare, it is best to try a reduced dose.
* Always follow the directions because a wrong dosage can have opposite effects.
* Never use the essences in the care of infants.
* Always seek before use on inland waterways to expert advice.
* If the use of creams and ointments that contain essential oils read the directions on the accompanying sheet.
How to choose essential oils
The essential oils are sold in health food stores, but also on the stalls. The difficulty lies in orienting and sees if the oil is natural or synthetic, or natural as there is in the bottle. One method is to guide the assessment of the price: a bottle of natural essential oil costs around 12 euros. Beware of those who have a lower price. If an oil is then sold in a transparent bottle, most likely will not be natural natural oils deteriorate on contact with light, why are sold in brown glass bottles.
Carefully read the label and all the notes: If the bottle is labeled “suitable for food” is a better guarantee of quality, while an oil that is specified “environments” cannot be used on the body and probably be of synthetic origin. In any case, consult your herbalist trust.
An empirical method to discover if an essential oil is natural or synthetic is to make a drop on a sheet of paper. The natural essence immediately expands and evaporates quickly without leaving an oily track. The synthetic oil, however, it takes one day to be absorbed by the paper, does not expand and remains oily.