What Are Essential Oils?

An essential oil is an organic aromatic volatile compound extracted by distillation from a single botanical species. Essential oils can be found in leaves (peppermint), blossoms (orange blossom), fruit (lemon), wood (sandalwood), Oleo Gum Resin (Frankincense), Rhizome (Valerian), and dry flower buds (clove).

When we rub a sprig of rosemary between our fingers, walk through a rose garden, peel a mandarin, we are all aware of a very unique aroma. The specific aromas and flavours of flowers, fruit, herb, and spices are given by their essential oils. The ways in which aromatherapy can be practised can be separated into five areas of specialisation.

These different areas are: simple aromatherapy for home use, cosmetic aromatherapy, perfumery and the psychotherapeutic use of oils for the effects of their odours on the mind, holistic aromatherapy including the use of massage and essential oils, and medical and clinical aromatherapy, where essential oils are used to treat medical complaints.