is for essential oils
As someone who works with both flower essence and essential oils, I often come across misunderstandings of what each are. So today I thought I’d talk about essential oils.
Essential oils are the aromatic and volatile liquids extracted from flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, even stems and bark of plants. Extraction methods vary depending on the particular plant, but it’s not really an easily do-it-at-home kind of process.
Essential oils are aromatic and the benefits are often obtained by inhaling the fragrance, or the oils can be diffused into a room. But remember they are very potent and concentrated and you always want to be mindful of the particulars. While they can be applied to the body, most oils should not be applied “neat” meaning directly to the skin, but rather used with a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil. You want to be careful about phototoxicity – some oils shouldn’t be applied if you’ll be out in the sun. And of course particular care about what oils to use and/or avoid should be practiced by pregnant and nursing women, those with compromised health, children, and the elderly.
People sometimes confuse essential oils with fragrance oils. Essential oils contain only the distilled essence of the plant, but fragrance oils contain synthetic substances. You may need to be a bit vigilant about this, as I often see things labeled as aromatherapy that contain fragrance oils. It’s always a good caveat to know your vendors and/or ask questions.
But despite the cautions, essential oils are truly wonderful and have been used throughout recorded history. They are used for physical, mental, emotional, spiritual support; in the home, on the body, in ceremony; for healing and in wellness.
I’m known for making up words and one I love to use in connection with myself is Aromantic. I love scent and flowers and essential oils bring such joy to my heart.
As Rumi wrote:
Hear blessings drop their blossoms around you.
Today’s index card for the ICAD challenge:
I’m busy working on a couple blending projects that I look forward to sharing soon.
What about you? Do you use essential oils? Have a favorite? Or perhaps you like to make up words like I do – have any you want to share? A favorite fragrance quote? Do tell, you know I love to hear.
love Rumi … I could just swim in his words.
I don’t use essential oils. Maybe I just haven’t found the right blend.
Fragrances usually make me feel ill.
Any thoughts?
I love that image – swimming in the words of Rumi. I feel that way as well. I sometimes wonder what the world would be like if we only spoke spiritually uplifting words, love poetry, and heart messages – I imagine it would be quite a different place.
Sorry to hear about fragrances making you ill. I often find that the case with fragrances that are synthethic. Is it true for you for natural fragrances – like can you enjoy flowers, or the scent of oranges as you peel their skin or basil as you chop it? With the latter you’re actually releasing the oil as you bruise the skin as you peel or chop, and that’s essentially the essential oil. 😉 So if you can find something like that that pleases you without causing any difficulties, that might be a place to start.