Table of Contents
What’s this
Essential oil is a very complex mixture of volatile molecules, produced by different plant species. Plants synthesize many substances which are distinguished between primary metabolites and secondary metabolites. Among the secondary metabolites we find a great variety of molecules, including essential oils. From the chemical point of view, it is blends mono and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and molecules derived from them, such as esters, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, etc. There composition of an essential oil is very variable and depends on the botanical species, the cultivation conditions and factors that include the time of harvest, drying, extraction processes.
The essential oil is synthesized by plants with various functions, mainly for the purpose of attracting pollinating insects and defending themselves from diseases, predators and parasites. The mixtures of essential oils are then stored in the organs of the plant, therefore in the leaves, in the flowers, in the fruits or in the seeds, in the wood and in the bark, in the roots or even in the gums and resins. The plants richer in essential oil are those belonging to the families of the Abietaceae (pine, fir), Cupressaceae (juniper, cypress) Apiaceae (dill, fennel, cumin etc.), Asteraceae (chamomile, pyrethrum) Lamiaceae (basil, oregano, marjoram etc.), Lauraceae (cinnamon), Myrtaceae (myrtle, eucalyptus, Tea tree) and Rutaceae (orange, lemon, grapefruit).
How you do it
Essential oil is obtained for extraction from the organs of the plants that contain the greatest quantities. The extraction generally takes place in a current of steam: the plant material, fresh or dried and rehydrated, is placed in an alembic or distiller to then be crossed by steam; the water extracts the essential oil and the water – hydrolat or aromatic water – which are conveyed separately.
What is it for
Essential oils are used in aromatherapy to treat various psycho-physical ailments. Each essential oil has its own specific composition and property features. In general, essential oils are active as:
- antimicrobials
- expectorants
- spasmolytics
- carminatives
- stimulating or relaxing
Thanks to’antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal action, many essential oils are used to treat flu symptoms such as colds and sore throats and to resolve infections such as cold sores, vaginal candida and mycosis of the skin. Particularly effective in this sense are for example the essential oil of malaleuca, known as Tea tree oil, and the essential oils of oregano, thyme, cloves. The expectorant action of some essential oils is instead used to improve the cough and excess mucus: for this purpose eucalyptus and pine essential oils are often used.
The property spasmolytic and carminative of many essential oils makes them an excellent remedy for difficult digestion and gas buildup in the gastrointestinal tract. The essential oils of mint, sage, rosemary and ginger, for example, are perfect for fighting stomach heaviness, nausea, aerophagia, abdominal tension, bloating and flatulence.
Finally, at the level of the central nervous system, essential oils can have properties relaxing as in the case of lavender or essential oil stimulants as for the essential oil of basil.
How to use
The essential oil can be used internally, externally or by inhalation. Essential oils can in fact be ingested, inhaled or used for applications on the skin for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes. Since these are substances that have acute and chronic toxicity, it is important not to exaggerate in the doses and in the time of administration or use of an essential oil. For the applications on the skin the essential oil must not be used pure but must be diluted in oil (5-10 drops maximum for each tablespoon of vegetable oil). Be careful in case of skin lesions, allergies and dermatitis and sun exposure, as the essential oil could cause reactions, irritation, burns and skin spots. The essential oil can also be used for baths, foot baths and fumigations. Many essential oils are used, as well as for well-being, also for ecological cleaning, to perfume the house and closed environments and to keep mosquitoes and other insects away.
Where to buy
To buy an essential oil it is good to choose serious manufacturing companies, able to offer controlled and quality products. The ideal would be to buy essential oils in herbal medicine, relying on a competent herbalist. In fact, essential oils obtained from poor quality raw materials or processed and extracted incorrectly are often found on the market. In some cases, the essential oil is not pure or even does not correspond to the plant indicated on the label: producing an essential oil is quite expensive since it takes a lot of plant material and it is not uncommon to find adulterated or counterfeit essential oils. It is therefore better to contact a herbalist’s shop, where you can buy selected essential oils a prices starting from 8-10 euros for 10 milliliters of product. After purchase, the essential oil must be stored no later than the expiration date, away from direct light and heat sources that would ruin it.
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