Essential Oils

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are liquid, odorous and volatile that there are in aromatic plants and are found in the cells or specific organs of the same, such as in plants, in the leaves in the fabric a raw, in fruit, in seeds, in the root, rhizome, resin, gum, and sometimes in more than one part of the plant.

The essential oil of lavender is for example taken of the flowers and the leaves, and the orange tree has the particularity to contain 3 different essences, having each of them its aroma and therapeutic properties different. The essential oils are to the plant a way to survive, that serve your process of growth and reproduction, to attract insects polinizantes, to repel predators and as a defence of the diseases.

The quality of the essential oil will depend on various factors that will interact with each other, the conditions of the soil, the climate, the altitude and the time of the harvest that is recommended in the summer, the time in which the concentration of essential oils is highest. The harvest of the plants producing essential oils should be done in a few days, so that you do not lose the true essence, and its quality also changes from one year to the other.

The price of essential oils vary according to the quality that it is possible to obtain in the plant, as well as more pipelines or glândulos you have the plant, the cheaper is the oil. Despite its high price, these substances are very concentrated and just a few drops to obtain the desired therapeutic effect.

How are they obtained?

The obtaining of the essential oils requires a certain caution because they are for sale in the market many oils that are not 100% pure, containing substances for them to enhance the aroma or to dilute in such a way that this spreading more. Others contain pesticide residues or traces of chemical solvents used in the extraction process.

Currently, there are various extraction methods, the most classic is the distillation direct, which is a refined version of the method used in the Egypt of the clay pot.

The harvested material of the plant is placed in a still where it is in direct contact with the water which is heated and the steam entrains the essential oils to the condenser that will go then to the tab.

The most efficient method is steam distillation which is quite similar to the first but which prevents the distillate from burning, because in this case the plant material is not in contact with water, only the steam that will pass through it.

Use aesthetic

Here are a few examples in which the aromatherapy is used for aesthetic purposes where it operates with quite effectively:

• Oils anti-cellulite;
• Oils for pre-wash, for dry hair or damaged;
• Tonic haircare anti-dandruff and against hair loss;
• Facial masks for dry skins, oily, or with acne;
• Facial creams and body;
• Cleansing milk;
• Perfumes to the skin;
• Exfoliating facial and body;
• Baths;
• Massage.

Use in some pathologies

Anxiety – we Should use oils that have sedative properties in conjunction with massage or in baths. We can use Bergamot, Chamomile, Cedar, Stately, Geranio, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Magerona, Melissa, Neroli, Rose and Ylang Ylang.

Pain in the Back – the massage is The best way to reduce the pain. The oils that can help reduce muscle pain and tension are: Lavender, Marjoram, Rose absolute, black Pepper or Ginger.

Depression – we Can use the oils both in massage as in inhalations. To improve the state of mind and mood uses Geranio, Melissa and Rose, to help you sleep and improve the irritation and the rest use Chamomile, Lavender, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang.

Pain of Head – Apply near eyebrows or do warm compresses and apply on the forehead or behind the neck. The essential oils most effective are Lavender, Pepper that can be used separately or together. The Rose absolute can also be used.

Insomnia – To help soothe and relieve anxiety, the oils most effective are Lavender, Chamomile , and Could be used in the bath or even a few drops on your pillow to ensure a good night's sleep.

Pre-menstrual tension – The best form of treatment is through massage or bathing, can help reduce depression and irritation should use Bergamot, Chamomile and Rose, to prevent the retention of fluid using the essential oils Geranium and Rose absolute.