Essential Oils
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Plants create chemical compounds in cells found within a plant’s flower, seed, & wood, in cavities found on the rind of fruit, and in glands found on the tips of tiny hairs of leaves such as clary sage.
These chemical compounds can be steam distilled, cold pressed or CO2 extracted from aromatic plants to create the volatile liquids we call essential oils. Please know, not all plants produce essential oils. Essential Oils are extracted from roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruit peels, seeds, wood, or bark of trees. Some plants, such as Angelica, contain essential oils in the root & seed.
The plants chemical constituents change constantly while still in the plant. Environmental factors such a heavy rain or drought, the time of day, soil conditions, can all determine the chemical makeup when a plant is harvested. This is why the smell of lavender can vary year to year. Jasmine flowers are harvested at the early morning to obtain the highest amount of essential oil.
Our body uses these chemical compounds of a specific essential oil in much the same way as the plants they were extracted from. Chemical compounds used to protect the plant from invading pathogens also helps our own body ward off pathogens; bacteria, fungi & virus. Flower oils attract pollinators for the plant and are often the essential oils used in perfumes to attract the attention of others.
When used safely, aromatherapy is a simple and delightful way to support ones’ immune, endocrine & emotional health.
