Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 I was asked the question: Why can't you have an authentic aromatherapy experience with synthetic oils. I gave the answer that the therapy in aromatherapy comes from the molecular construction of the essential oil and the way in which the brain processes those molecules. And, that brain doesn't process synthetics in the same way. I think this was a partial and a bit lame answer? Can anyone give me a better explanation as I am asked this at shows frequently. Thanks In Advance Jody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 I don't think it's lame at all.. Carol :-) - trendsjody Tuesday, September 16, 2003 8:45 AM AUTHENTIC AROMATHERAPY EXPERIENCE I was asked the question: Why can't you have an authentic aromatherapy experience with synthetic oils. I gave the answer that the therapy in aromatherapy comes from the molecular construction of the essential oil and the way in which the brain processes those molecules. And, that brain doesn't process synthetics in the same way. I think this was a partial and a bit lame answer? Can anyone give me a better explanation as I am asked this at shows frequently. Thanks In Advance Jody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 Hi Jody, First thing folks need to know / remember with regards to " fragrances " is that they can be made with a variety of things. Some (not many) fragrances are blends of natural ingredients. Most fragrances are made up of any number of synthetic ingredients, including petrochemical agents. Since in most cases one doesn't know what the heck a fragrance may be made of, its best not to use it in a " therapeutic " manner or expose oneself to it long term. Also, essential oils are made up of chemicals, natural plant chemicals, but still chemicals. The chemical make-up of these natural plant substances is quite complex. In most cases it is quite difficult for every individual component that makes up an essential oil to be replicated AND then blended together exactly too - so a synthetic version of rose oil for example is going to be inferior in chemical complexity and composition to the real deal. In addition, all those chemical components in authentic essential oils, down to the tiniest trace component, make up a " synergy " (which means the sum of all parts involved react in a way that is greater than the sum of their individual effects) that doesn't exist in the synthetics. Another thing to remember is that essential oils are from plants, which means that every crop, every strain, every plant will have a slightly different chemical make-up. A good example of how this can be desirable is anti-biotics. Some natural " anti-biotics " have proven to be very useful in this day and age of resistant bacteria, because just as every bacteria strain changes and mutates a little, every plant that grows and has " anti-biotic " properties also has a little different chemical composition. With that going on the bacteria strains can't adapt and as easily become resistant to all the differences in each plant, like it can with a synthesized medication that has exactly the same profile every time. Sort of like when they put phasers on a rotating modulation in Star Trek to keep the Borg from immediately adapting to their phaser blasts. It keeps the enemy on its toes a bit more Synthetics CAN do " stuff " - single active ingredients are extracted from natural substances every day and synthesized into medications that are widely used and praised by people all over the world, but if one is looking for a true or " authentic aromatherapy experience " than they'll most certainly want to go with authentic plant aromatics (the higher the quality the better). Then you'll meet folks who want strawberry scented " Glade Aromatherapy Candles " no matter what you say ;-p *Smile* Chris (list mom) http://www.alittleolfactory.com trendsjody I was asked the question: Why can't you have an authentic aromatherapy experience with synthetic oils. I gave the answer that the therapy in aromatherapy comes from the molecular construction of the essential oil and the way in which the brain processes those molecules. And, that brain doesn't process synthetics in the same way. I think this was a partial and a bit lame answer? Can anyone give me a better explanation as I am asked this at shows frequently. Thanks In Advance Jody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 Your answer is straight and to the point and absolutley accurate! Whats lame about that? BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 Jody, I think you did pretty well too! You could go on to add that the isomers are often different form for plant made EO verses a snythetic one to back up your statement. Natural ones contain far more of one kind, synthetic ones are more ballanced. I don't think balannced is a good thing here, for example the 22 amino acids all animals use are all left handed isomers. I don't know what right handed amino acids do for the body (might be good, might be a posion.) The only exception I can think of is rosewood. It's almost a 47/53 balance of left and right isomers. More are more like 80+% one sided. Anyway, late night can't sleep answer, hope it helps, David Roman Getting Ready for Tucson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 My opionion is simplistic compared to others, I think synthetic fragrances can be emotionally therapeudic, like if grandmas house always smelled like apple pie and burning a apple spice fragrance candle brings back happy memories. To people who really care, I would let them smell the craft store $1.99 fragrance oil,like lavender and then a good quality lavender people are really amazed at the difference, I was the first time I smelled it. If someone actually knows there is a difference between EO's and FO's to ask such a question and they can smell the difference than you can go further into the chemical components of the synthetic oils, if they see no difference than your just banging your head against a wall. Gea , trendsjody@a... wrote: > Thank you to all who answered and expanded my next answer to this question. I > guess what's still at the back of my mind is the comeback I often get after > the first question and that is: Can synthetic fragrances be therapeutic too? > Because I said the brain processes synthetics differently but if it > does process them at all, can't that be therapuetic? I'm wanting to say that only > natural essential oils can have a therapeutic component but I don't know if > that's true. > I wish I had a tape with all your answers taped on it and when the > question comes up, I could just push a button and there you'd all be!! > Jody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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