Aromatherapy involves using essential oils derived from aromatic plants for therapeutic and healing purposes.

Learning about aromatherapy might seem straightforward nowadays, but the abundance of information can also make it challenging for many to make informed choices.

1. What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated liquid substances extracted from tiny sacs in plants. They possess fragrant odors, high volatility, and strong concentrations, but their scents don't last long. These oils are not greasy; in fact, some have an astringent quality.

When exposed to heat or light, they can easily oxidize. Due to their complex composition, most essential oils exhibit antibacterial properties, can soothe emotions, and help alleviate various ailments.

2. Where Do Essential Oils Come From?

Essential oils are collected from various parts of plants, including roots, stems, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits. They undergo a process that includes picking, washing, extraction, and refinement, although not all oils require all these steps; some need additional fermentation.

Different methods, such as distillation, solvent extraction, and cold pressing, are used during the extraction stage.

3. Why Are Essential Oils Therapeutic?

Essential oils are a result of plants' natural defense mechanisms. To survive and reproduce, plants have developed abilities to defend, attract, or repel. These abilities, harnessed during photosynthesis, transform into complex essential oil compositions stored within oil capsules.

The pharmacological effects of these oils enable them to offer various healing benefits to the human body.

4. Why Shouldn't You Apply Essential Oils Directly to the Skin?

Due to their high concentration, essential oils can irritate the skin, leading to sensitization or even burns.

To use them safely, they must be diluted. Common dilution methods involve adding carrier oils, lotions, creams, shampoos, water, or gels to reduce sensitization risk.

If pure essential oils accidentally come into contact with the skin, wash with plenty of water and apply a layer of carrier oil. If redness, swelling, or pain persists, consult a doctor.

5. How to Choose and Buy Essential Oils?

Before purchasing essential oils, it's crucial to differentiate between products based on factors like brand, purity, aroma, price, origin, labeling, and distribution. The correct English translation for pure essential oils is "Essential Oil."

"Essence" refers to extracts from plant bodies that haven't undergone the distillation process and shouldn't be considered essential oils.

These often contain synthetic components and have little therapeutic value. Always check labels for terms like "100% pure Essential Oil" to ensure you're getting genuine essential oils.

Aromatherapy oils are typically diluted for massage and may not be suitable for baths or diffusers due to their low concentration.