Essential Oils

What is an essential oil?

An essential oil is the volatile essence extracted from aromatic plants by steam distillation.

And aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for the harmonisation of physical and mental health. Essential oils are used to strengthen the natural healing process. It is a natural method based on the activity of the biochemical molecules of essential oils.

The essential oils used in the context of scientific aromatherapy meet strict quality criteria that must be known and respected:

• Certified botanical species: Essential oils of quality must imperatively come from botanically certified plants, that is to say identified by two Latin names, Latin being the universally recognised language in botany. The first name designates the genus, for example Cupressus; the second, the species: sempervirens, evergreen cypress.
• Part of the plant distilled: The various parts of the same plant (flower, leaf, stem, bark, root, etc.) can produce different essences. It is therefore just as important to specify the plant organ.
• Chemotypes: The aromatic components of a plant are not immutable. The same plant, growing in different places, can secrete very different essences depending on various elements such as sunlight,

climate, soil composition, altitude, etc. Two chemotypes of the same essential oil not only have different activities but also very variable toxicity indices.

The extraction process:

consists of passing steam through a tank filled with aromatic plants. The steam extracts the essence from the plant and forms a homogeneous gaseous mixture with it. At the outlet of the tank and under controlled pressure, the steam enriched with essential oil passes through a coil and condenses. The liquid ends up in the separator (Florentine vase) where the essential oil, having a density lower than that of water (<1), floats on the distillation water (hydrolate) and is collected by overflow.

Expression:

consists of mechanically breaking the oil sacs of fresh citrus peels to collect the essences.

Precautions for use:

Essential oils are active and concentrated substances. Their use requires certain precautions:
Check for each variety the method of administration of the essential oil and the dosage.
Some oils should not be applied pure on the skin as they are very irritating. Consult a specialist.
In case of contact with eyes or mucous membranes, rinse the essential oil with vegetable oil, never with water.
Do not use essential oils directly in bath water. They float on the surface and may cause irritation or skin burns. Use an excipient or a washing base.
They should be kept away from light, heat and air.

Presentation of essential oils:

Essential oils are:

• liquid at room temperature,
• oily in consistency but not greasy,
• volatile, insoluble in water, often fragrant,
• soluble in vegetable oils and in alcohol up to a certain percentage.