About Aromatherapy Oil
The sense of smell is one of the stronger senses that people have. For this reason aromatherapy, an alternative medicine, has been shown to assist people with certain physical and emotional ailments. Essential oils are made from plant derivatives and are mixed with safe, natural oils. Essential oils may be applied directly to skin, inhaled or used as a room aromatic.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine using plant and plant products to create essential oils. These oils are meant to alter a person's mind, mood, cognition and health. Aromatherapy oils may be applied directly to the skin, inhaled or used in aerial fashion (i.e. a diffuser, candle, etc).
What Are Essential Oils?
Aromatherapy oils are extracted from plants by distillation and other types of extraction. Plants can be used for cooking, perfume, medicinal purposes, skin treatment and as a respiratory treatment. Essential oils can be used alone or with oils to add a scent to a bath, a room or cosmetic products. When used as a massage oil, essential oils are added to vegetable oil or some other mild base oil. The base oil dilutes the essential oil and makes it safe to apply to skin. Base oils include calendula, almond, rose hips and olive oil.
Types of Essential Oils
There are many types of essential oils, with common ingredients of bergamot, clove, coriander, lemon, lavender, peppermint and rose. Calming oils, like Bergamot oil is used for stress, depression, insomnia, skin disorders and digestive issues. Clove oil, also known for it's calming factors, treats headaches, toothaches, migraines and seasickness. Coriander is used to combat insomnia and depression. Mood-altering oils, like lavender, lemon and peppermint, all have rejuvenating effects and work to reduce stress, fever, headache and anxiety. Rose oil has been effective in treating depression.
Use
Aromatherapy oils are very highly concentrated plant extracts, and are therefore extremely potent. Oils can burn skin, cause eye irritation and skin rashes. Only one to two percent of an aromatherapy blend is incorporated into an essential. This means 98 to 99 percent of the essential oil is actually the base oil. The base oil should be safe and hypoallergenic, and able to be used by anyone.
Storage
Aromatherapy oils should be stored well out of sunlight. The oils are sensitive to sunlight and heat, and should stored in dark glass containers, which are kept in dark, cool and dry cupboards. Oils can also be kept in the fridge to ensure longevity.