Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt says: "Essential oils are volatile end- or by-products of plant metabolism, that are generated and stored by the plant in special cells."
EO's are secondary metabolites. They are not sap or "life blood" of the plant. They are not like vegetable oils and do not feel greasy or become rancid over time. (Remember...Frankincense was found in King Tut's tomb and was still good!) Various organs of the plant can produce and store EO's, like plant glands or hair cells, resin ducts and oil containers. Each plant (tree, shrub, etc.) has its own special way of producing its own specific essential oil.
Plants produce EO's to attract bugs for pollination (hormonal), repel bad bugs (antimicrobial) and attract beneficial bugs that eat the bad bugs. These are the same properties that make them so powerful for healing in humans and animals.
Here are some more websites that give an answer to the question "What are Essential Oils"? This ought to get you started. Keep in mind that some of these sites are also trying to sell you their oils. This first one is an extremely comprehensive directory from Google:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7TSHB_en&defl=en&q=define:essential+oil&ei=a6f4S8z0DYymM5T1-IMI&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title&ved=0CBUQkAE
http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatare.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-essential-oils.htm
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Learn About Essential Oils #5 - Storage & How Essential Oils Are Affected
It's very important how you store your essential oils. Here are some basics:
No heat
No moisture - keep away from shower, etc.
No sunlight - bleaches EO's
No contact with oxygen. In other words, don't leave the top off. Oxidation can especially affect citrus oils, making them more irritating to the skin.
You can refrigerate your oils, or even freeze them. They may crystallize, but will reliquify. Good way to check for impurities; they will sink to the bottom.
How storage affects certain types of EO's:
EO's with Esters in them will separate in the presence of water (like Lavender) and become more acidic.
EO's with Aldehydes in them will detiorate over time (like Lemongrass).
EO's with Alcohols in them are very stable (like Geranium) and won't separate or detiorate as quickly.
EO's with Resinification (like Peppermint) get thicker over time.
Some EO's get better with age (like Ylang Ylang and Patchouli).
No heat
No moisture - keep away from shower, etc.
No sunlight - bleaches EO's
No contact with oxygen. In other words, don't leave the top off. Oxidation can especially affect citrus oils, making them more irritating to the skin.
You can refrigerate your oils, or even freeze them. They may crystallize, but will reliquify. Good way to check for impurities; they will sink to the bottom.
How storage affects certain types of EO's:
EO's with Esters in them will separate in the presence of water (like Lavender) and become more acidic.
EO's with Aldehydes in them will detiorate over time (like Lemongrass).
EO's with Alcohols in them are very stable (like Geranium) and won't separate or detiorate as quickly.
EO's with Resinification (like Peppermint) get thicker over time.
Some EO's get better with age (like Ylang Ylang and Patchouli).
Learn About Essential Oils #4 - Distillation Methods
The following are the methods that are used for distilling EO's with a brief description: (we will be learning more about this as the course progresses.)
(These definitions are taken from Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt's Aromatherapy Course book. Dr. Schnaubelt is one the world's foremost authorities on EO's and heads up the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. The more complete definitions are in his book.)
The Basic Distillation Methods Are: Water and/or Steam Distillation, Cold Pressing and Extraction
Water Distillation: The plant material is placed in the still and is completely covered with water. All is brought to a boil. This is one of the oldest forms of distillation, kind of like making an herbal tea. It is the most generally acceptable for aromatherapy use because it is economical and because water is the only substance that comes in contact with the oil, it is free of contaminants.
Water and Steam Distillation: Same as above, only in this process live steam is generated in a separate apparatus and then led through the still.
Steam Distillation: Plant material is placed on a large grate and steam (often over-heated) is injected into the dry material. This method is employed mostly for industrial production of EO's.
Cold Pressing: Used exclusively to prepare citrus oils. Very gentle. The peels are separated from the fruits and then cold pressed.
Extraction: For raw materials with low concentration of EO's, (like Jasmine). In extraction a 2-step process is used whereby a volitile solvent is used first and then evaporated leaving a solid mass called a "concrete". In the second step the concrete is heated and then cooled and filtered. What remains is called an "absolute".
Extraction with Enfleurage: Done cold or hot, this is extraction with animal fats. The method was used for ages for delicate fragrances but now is practiced only with Jasmine and Tuberose.\
Extraction with Carbon Dioxide: This is a new form of extraction employs the behavior of liquified gases. Oils can be extracted at very low temperatures. This method has made possible the only successful extraction of Lilac and Lily of the Valley.
(These definitions are taken from Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt's Aromatherapy Course book. Dr. Schnaubelt is one the world's foremost authorities on EO's and heads up the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. The more complete definitions are in his book.)
The Basic Distillation Methods Are: Water and/or Steam Distillation, Cold Pressing and Extraction
Water Distillation: The plant material is placed in the still and is completely covered with water. All is brought to a boil. This is one of the oldest forms of distillation, kind of like making an herbal tea. It is the most generally acceptable for aromatherapy use because it is economical and because water is the only substance that comes in contact with the oil, it is free of contaminants.
Water and Steam Distillation: Same as above, only in this process live steam is generated in a separate apparatus and then led through the still.
Steam Distillation: Plant material is placed on a large grate and steam (often over-heated) is injected into the dry material. This method is employed mostly for industrial production of EO's.
Cold Pressing: Used exclusively to prepare citrus oils. Very gentle. The peels are separated from the fruits and then cold pressed.
Extraction: For raw materials with low concentration of EO's, (like Jasmine). In extraction a 2-step process is used whereby a volitile solvent is used first and then evaporated leaving a solid mass called a "concrete". In the second step the concrete is heated and then cooled and filtered. What remains is called an "absolute".
Extraction with Enfleurage: Done cold or hot, this is extraction with animal fats. The method was used for ages for delicate fragrances but now is practiced only with Jasmine and Tuberose.\
Extraction with Carbon Dioxide: This is a new form of extraction employs the behavior of liquified gases. Oils can be extracted at very low temperatures. This method has made possible the only successful extraction of Lilac and Lily of the Valley.
Learn About Essential Oils #3 - Simple Definitions
Thanks for following along with me on my journey. Now here is the next thing we learned in the first class. Some simple definitions to help us get started in the world of EO's.
Aromatherapy: the use of aromas for their healing properties.
Aromatology: Shirley Price says, "The controlled use of EO's to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit by inhalation, baths, compresses, topical application and selected area massage, plus external intensive use of undiluted oils and internal use via rectom, os and vagina."
Holistic Aromatology: "Focuses on the restoration of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health through the application of EO's." Australasian College of Health Sciences.
Essential Oils: The distilled (or sometimes expressed) product of the volatile components synthesized by various plant tissues of a single plant species.
Volatility: The speed or rate at which a substance evaporates when exposed to the air. The shape and weight of the molecules determines how quickly evaporation happens.
Diluents: Odorless substances added to Essential Oils to extend the product for commercial reasons.
Organoleptic testing: The process of using your senses to test or evaluate Essential Oils.
(During this process one might determine the Top Notes, Middle Notes or Base Notes" of the EO.)
Aromatherapy: the use of aromas for their healing properties.
Aromatology: Shirley Price says, "The controlled use of EO's to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind and spirit by inhalation, baths, compresses, topical application and selected area massage, plus external intensive use of undiluted oils and internal use via rectom, os and vagina."
Holistic Aromatology: "Focuses on the restoration of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health through the application of EO's." Australasian College of Health Sciences.
Essential Oils: The distilled (or sometimes expressed) product of the volatile components synthesized by various plant tissues of a single plant species.
Volatility: The speed or rate at which a substance evaporates when exposed to the air. The shape and weight of the molecules determines how quickly evaporation happens.
Diluents: Odorless substances added to Essential Oils to extend the product for commercial reasons.
Organoleptic testing: The process of using your senses to test or evaluate Essential Oils.
(During this process one might determine the Top Notes, Middle Notes or Base Notes" of the EO.)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Learn About Essential Oils #2 - Brief History of Essential Oils
Thanks for joining me on my journey to learn about essential oils. I would like to state, right up front, that one of the reasons I want to create this blog is to help me study. I've never been good at it, and I'm much better at reporting. If I report to you what I'm learning, then essentially I'll be studying, right? Also, I will be adding comments based on my personal experience as well as information I am learning from the course. As I stated before, this is a "test" course being created by a highly knowledgable teacher and not available to the public yet, although it may be next year. I will keep you posted on that.
We are studying pure essential oils; some call them "therapeutic quality" or "therapeutic grade". I suggest you do your own research on these terms because there is a lot of conflict in the aromatherapy world about the definition of these terms. Basically, there are different qualities of essential oils (EO's from here on out). There are food grade EO's and perfume grade EO's and then there are the EO's that you can use medicinally and some you can ingest. There's a lot of controversy about that as well. Actually, there seems to be a lot of controversy, in general, in the aromatherapy field. There are many companies who state that their oils are pure. You will need to do your own research and judge for yourself.
For the record, I prefer to use Young Living Essential Oils, but that is all I will say on the matter. I want this to be an educational blog and not a plug for any particular oil company. I have purchased and used oils from other companies and I like them as well.
There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of EO's which come from a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, roots, flowers, leaves, resins, rinds, etc. We couldn't possibly learn about them all in depth in this course. As I study, I will be sharing with you some of the characteristics of each of the oils I learn about and their usages.
We are studying pure essential oils; some call them "therapeutic quality" or "therapeutic grade". I suggest you do your own research on these terms because there is a lot of conflict in the aromatherapy world about the definition of these terms. Basically, there are different qualities of essential oils (EO's from here on out). There are food grade EO's and perfume grade EO's and then there are the EO's that you can use medicinally and some you can ingest. There's a lot of controversy about that as well. Actually, there seems to be a lot of controversy, in general, in the aromatherapy field. There are many companies who state that their oils are pure. You will need to do your own research and judge for yourself.
For the record, I prefer to use Young Living Essential Oils, but that is all I will say on the matter. I want this to be an educational blog and not a plug for any particular oil company. I have purchased and used oils from other companies and I like them as well.
There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of EO's which come from a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, roots, flowers, leaves, resins, rinds, etc. We couldn't possibly learn about them all in depth in this course. As I study, I will be sharing with you some of the characteristics of each of the oils I learn about and their usages.
Moving on; our first class was third week in March 2010.
We learned a brief history of EO usage. Many people think the first EO's were used in Egypt, but there is evidence that they show up even before that in China, about 5,000 years ago! The Egyptians coined the term "perfume" in 4500 B.C. It meant "through the smoke". Many of the oils have been found in tombs. Frankincense was discovered (good as new, I might add) in alabaster jars. (Ohhhh....dream on....can you imagine 4000 yr. old Frankincense? Mmmmm!) They also found clove, cinnamon and nutmeg in the bandages on the mummies.
We learned a brief history of EO usage. Many people think the first EO's were used in Egypt, but there is evidence that they show up even before that in China, about 5,000 years ago! The Egyptians coined the term "perfume" in 4500 B.C. It meant "through the smoke". Many of the oils have been found in tombs. Frankincense was discovered (good as new, I might add) in alabaster jars. (Ohhhh....dream on....can you imagine 4000 yr. old Frankincense? Mmmmm!) They also found clove, cinnamon and nutmeg in the bandages on the mummies.
There is an entire chapter on EO's in the Canon of Medicine, written by Avicenna, around 1000 AD. If you want to learn more about him and the Canon, here's a link: http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/phil/philo/phils/muslim/sina.html.
Avicenna
Around 1100 AD, Hildegard of Bingen wrote about EO's. Here's a link to info about her: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/hildegarde.html.
Hildegard of Bingen
In the 1600's perfumery became popular in Europe. I guess people smelled pretty bad and the women, especially, wore lots of scents to cover up the odors. There was usage of EO's, but due to The Inquisition and supposed "witchcraft", there wasn't a lot written about EO's in these times. People were using herbs and EO's for healing, but were afraid to document it. That's why they call it "The Dark Ages" folks.
Rene Maurice Gattefosse researched the dermatological aspects of EO's and wrote a book called "Aromatherapy", first published in1937. Here's a link to learn more about him: http://www.gattefosse.fr/internet/gatt-wk3.nsf/TECHDOCPARCLEF/00000481?OpenDocument.
Rene Maurice Gattefosse
Over the last 100 years, there has grown to be varying "schools" of EO information and usage. You may want to educate yourself about these varying schools of thought. I stole this explanation from this article:
Essential Oils with Dr Daniel Penoel
By: Noel Cunnington
http://www.natural-skin-care-info.com/Dr-Daniel-Penoel.html
(Dr. Daniel Penoel is a modern day researcher who reports on medical uses of EO's and modern French Aromatherapy.)
"In the world of aromatherapy, there are 3 schools of thought. The first is the British school, which teaches the dilution of essential oils, and its application -often through massage - for relaxation and balancing. The majority of Australian aromatherapists are trained in the British system. Secondly there is the German school, which relies on the aroma of the oils, rather than direct application. And thirdly, there is the French school, which treats essential oils as a valid form of medicine, to be used as in any other medical protocol - internally, by injection, topically (undiluted), rectally, and vaginally. As Dr Penoel said, "In my country, we've given millions and millions of clinical treatments with essential oils." It is from this medical application of essential oils that the term "Aromatic Medicine" was derived." I encourage you to visit websites to research all the different applications of EO's.
Shirley Price http://www.shirleyprice.net/ and Robert Tisserand http://roberttisserand.com/about
are two more modern day EO gurus. Robert Tisserand wrote a book called "The Art of Aromatherapy" which is very popular around the world. He is one of the founders of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapists here in the U.S. http://www.naha.org/history.htm, which is an organization you should know about. It is the organization which gives the test to become a Registered Aromatherapist. More on that later.
There are other modern day EO gurus you can research. Here is a brief list:
Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy http://www.pacificinstituteofaromatherapy.com/
Dr. Gary Young, Young Living Essential Oils, http://www.dgaryyoung.com/
Barry Kapp, Wisdom of the Earth, http://www.wisdomoftheearth.com/about-us.htm
David Crow, Floracopeia, http://www.floracopeia.com/crow.php
There are many more "experts". These are just a few that I have personal experience of. I have heard from aromatherapists that if there is only one source for a particular essential oil, many of the best companies will get that oil from the same source, especially if they want quality. Be aware of sourcing, growing, harvesting, distillation processes, storage, etc. Do your research before you buy. More on that later.
Learn About Essential Oils #1 - The Beginning
Join me on my 1-yr. Journey to Learn About Essential Oils and Become Certified
This journey actually began on March 22nd with my first class. I only decided today to blog about it, so I will make several posts to bring you up-to-date. This will be a very personal experience that I will be sharing with you and hopefully you will learn a lot about what I'm learning. Of course, I cannot share everything with you here as it will get very complicated and I have to study a lot, but I will do my best to give you the jist of what I'm learning.
First of all, let me tell you something about my love of essential oils which began about 10 years ago. For many years I was a healing practitioner and essential oils were an "essential" part of my practice. I've integrated them into my family's life and frankly, at this point, don't know what I would do without them! I prefer the pure essential oils from Young Living Essential Oil company, because I know their sources, but there are other essential oils on the market that are also high quality. Let me just say for now, "Do Not Buy Cheap, Over-The-Counter Essential Oils". More on that later.
I guess I could say that after 10 years I know quite a bit about essential oil usage, however, there is so much more to learn and the course that I am taking will prepare me to take two different tests to get my certification as a Registered Aromatherapist. More on that later.
The course I am taking is a one year "test" course that is being offered to a small group of people (all women as it turns out) so that the teacher can video tape the course and make it a viable course for preparing for the tests to become certified. Consequently, we are her test students.
I will do my best to convey what we are learning and perhaps add some pictures, etc., as I go along. The posting will be labeled simply #1, #2, etc., with maybe a little description of what I'm relaying.
One more thing...I just created this blog today and haven't really had time to polish my theme or anything. I will work on that.
This journey actually began on March 22nd with my first class. I only decided today to blog about it, so I will make several posts to bring you up-to-date. This will be a very personal experience that I will be sharing with you and hopefully you will learn a lot about what I'm learning. Of course, I cannot share everything with you here as it will get very complicated and I have to study a lot, but I will do my best to give you the jist of what I'm learning.
First of all, let me tell you something about my love of essential oils which began about 10 years ago. For many years I was a healing practitioner and essential oils were an "essential" part of my practice. I've integrated them into my family's life and frankly, at this point, don't know what I would do without them! I prefer the pure essential oils from Young Living Essential Oil company, because I know their sources, but there are other essential oils on the market that are also high quality. Let me just say for now, "Do Not Buy Cheap, Over-The-Counter Essential Oils". More on that later.
I guess I could say that after 10 years I know quite a bit about essential oil usage, however, there is so much more to learn and the course that I am taking will prepare me to take two different tests to get my certification as a Registered Aromatherapist. More on that later.
The course I am taking is a one year "test" course that is being offered to a small group of people (all women as it turns out) so that the teacher can video tape the course and make it a viable course for preparing for the tests to become certified. Consequently, we are her test students.
I will do my best to convey what we are learning and perhaps add some pictures, etc., as I go along. The posting will be labeled simply #1, #2, etc., with maybe a little description of what I'm relaying.
One more thing...I just created this blog today and haven't really had time to polish my theme or anything. I will work on that.
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