Digest Number 4358 Aromatherapy

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Aromatherapy is wonderful - I am a writer and most of my topics are freelance written - here is one pasted below on choosing an oil that is pure and not adulterated - you have to be very careful.

 

 

Pure essential oils are the volatile “life force†of the plant, the highly concentrated natural plant extracts. These oils are obtained from the plant’s roots, leaves, bark, stems, rhizomes, flowers, fruit rind or seed. Essential oils are the exclusive product from extraction of volatile aromatic principles or distilled oils. Essential oils are individually composed of many chemical constituents (alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, phenols and terpenes). Each of these components can be further broken down. A single oil can contain well over one hundred or more chemical constituents. Due to the highly concentrated nature of a pure essential oil, it is important not to use undiluted oil directly on the skin.

 

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to benefit the body, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The essential oils enter the body through inhalation via the nose or olfactory

system, or they are ingested in a suitable carrier such as oil, where they penetrate through the skin and eventually enter the circulatory system.

 

Adulteration or the dilution and adding of synthetics can occur at any stage in the supply chain. The distillation process is an important factor in the gathering of these oils. The use of pure water with no additives used in the distillation process, as well as the use of low temperature and pressure and a long distillation time are needed to preserve the pure essence of the plant and capture the quality of the essential oils.

 

In order to confirm that an essential oil is pure, a technique called GLC, or Gas Liquid Chromatography, is used to give a highly detailed analysis of the individual components. This is a complex process that revolves around the chemistry of essential oils. This type of testing is the most common, and will reveal the presence of any added adulterant. Other tests on essential oils are varied, and include: infra red, optical, rotation, specific gravity and mass spectrometry.

 

Adulteration of an essential oil can be as easy as adding a component to stretch or standardize the original oil. It can be a simple or complex process. Examples of adulterations are the addition of alcohol, the addition of lemon or orange terpenes, or synthetic additives to “bulk†up or augment an oil. A common process of adulteration is taking a cheap hybrid oil such as lavindin and selling it as lavender.

 

It is important to do your homework when looking for a pure grade essential oil. Adulteration serves to increase profits for the manufacturer and cheats the consumer into thinking they have purchased a PEO. Many oils are labeled as “fragranced†or “perfumedâ€. These are considered adulterated. They have been cut with other oils or

synthetic chemical components. For this reason, it is important not to purchase an oil based on scent alone. Perfumed oils are often mixed with chemical pesticides or other additives that dilute it to produce an oil at a cheaper price. The water used in the distilling process of these “perfumed†oils may contain chlorine and other harmful chemicals.

 

Good quality essential oils will not feel greasy to the touch and they will not clog the pores of the skin. These oils will be bottled in amber brown bottles to avoid damage from the light. Read the labels – make sure the oils you purchase are marked “Certified Organicâ€. A PEO will have a product specification sheet which describes how the oil was obtained and distilled. It will also tell you which country or region the oil came from. The label should have a batch number and production date and chemical data that contain the seven major components of the essential oil. Traceable protocols will state that it contains no added water, alcohol, carriers or diluents. Three excellent sources for pure essential oils are Young Living Essential Oils, Flora Research, and Aura Cacia. Buy your oils from a trusted source – do some online research or ask your massage therapist or alternative health practitioner.

 

Use common sense when dealing with essential oils. Although many essential oils are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA – never take an essential oil internally. Always check with an aromatherapist or herbalist first. Since pure essential oils are volatile, do not use or store near heat or flame. Some oils will cause sun sensitivity; especially those in the citrus family, these oils must not be worn out in the sun. Some oils

will cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before using a new oil.

 

Store your oils out of direct light. Be sure to replace the cap tightly to avoid evaporation. Citrus oils can be refrigerated. If you mix your oils with a carrier oil, the shelf life of the oil will depend on the type of carrier oil used. For safety reasons follow any precautions listed on the oil – this is especially important for those who are pregnant or who have health conditions such as high blood pressure, epilepsy or diabetes.

 

Above all, remember that aromatherapy is only as good as the quality of the essential oils used.

 

Katherine J. Turcotte

Copyright 2006