What 100% Pure Essential Oils Can Do For You
September 1, 2010 by Peter Lopipero
Filed under Beauty
Generally, essential oils are prepared by steam distillation of the roots, flowers, bark, leaves, or other plant matter. The resulting oil is usually clear in nature and not slippery, even though it is an oil. Sometimes oils are too delicate for distillation and a cold extraction with ethanol is used to remove the oil from the plant material. People have been enjoying the health benefits of essential oils since ancient times.
Pure essential oils have to be measured carefully in drops. They are the pure essence of the plant, and a little is all you need. This makes essential oils very reasonable for health or cosmetic use as well. Traditional cosmetics come from the formulary with stabilizers, emulsifiers, and preservatives, any of which may tend to irritate sensitive skin or dull hair. Essential oil, on the other hand, has only one ingredient so if you are not oversensitive to that ingredient you will have no allergic reaction.
Beauty products such as creams, lotions, fragrances, and perfumes have specific purposes. However, they are of no benefit in therapeutic treatments such as that utilized in aromatherapy. This is an alternative medicine that makes use of the natural oils in plants for a person’s physical and psychological well-being. This can be achieved through methods such as inhalation and/or the application of the oils, which have been mixed with carrier oils, directly to the skin.
In aromatherapy, the oils are nebulized by heat or steam and the mist enters the lungs and sinuses. Some gets absorbed into the blood, but most treats the mucous membranes of the lungs, throat, and sinuses, sometimes to good effect. The astringent, antiseptic, and cleansing properties of eucalyptus are proven and it has been formulated into products accepted by the medical establishment starting with Listerine, which was the first hospital antiseptic. Other oils supposedly have psychologically beneficial properties, but these have
Essential oils mixed with carrier oils are often used in massage. Some oils fight inflammation, others reduce pain, and many of them kill germs and fungus. Application of oils that kill germs and fungus and ease pain and inflammation are naturally very good for athletes. Some of the oils are said to help regenerate skin cells, however this is purely anecdotal and has not been clinically investigated by the FDA.
Pure essential oils can impact the physiology of the body either directly or indirectly. Different essences often focus on different concerns. For example, peppermint can be taken orally and helps aid digestion. Mucolytic oils, on the other hand, are usually inhaled and help with respiratory problems. The majority of scents, however, are designed to directly affect the brain and nervous system.
Aromatherapy oils that are popular today usually are calming or serve to lift the spirits. Lavender and neroli are sedative oils, the scent of which calms the senses. Rosemary and marjoram, on the other hand, are stimulating oils which activate all of the senses and makes the user feel very awake and alive. For real excitement try some ylang-ylang or jasmine.
Ultimately, for women who are health conscious, 100% essential oils often have the effect of relaxing the brain which sedates or stimulates the nervous system, depending on the oils used. Additionally, in many cases it also normalizes hormone secretion level. This direct connection to the brain can also send electrical information to the limbic system that serves to affect mental states and emotions. For those who have never tried a 100% essential oil, the experience and benefits received are well worth the effort and expense involved.
Before buying any essential oils be sure to take a look at our offerings on 100-Pure-Essential-Oil.net.
