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
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