It is useful to define the terms most commonly used in this field. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, or aetherolea, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of. The quality of essential oils is often a contentious subject bringing up feelings of protectiveness and challenging beliefs. Essential oils have been important substances since early times. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In 1976, world production of essential oils was about 25,000 tons.
It becomes an essential oil only after it has been extracted by distillation. Disputes regarding the nomenclature of essential oils also impact on received history of essential oil usage, because volatile oils in earlier use may not fall into the modern definition of an essential oil, since they were not hydrodistilled in the conventional sense. Due to their volatility, they can easily be extracted. Essential oils eos are a complex mixture of natural, volatile, and aromatic compounds. Most essential oils are obtained from tropical and subtropical plants. Essential definition is of, relating to, or constituting essence. Essential definition of essential by merriamwebster. Essential oils are more than just natural products.
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. An oil derived from a natural substance, usually either for its healing properties or as a perfume. Such substances, depending on their origin, are classified as animal, mineral, or vegetable oils. Essential definition of essential by the free dictionary. Essential oil benefits are determined by the chemistry of the plants. The following charts are taken from the essential oils desk reference guide, also commonly referred to as the eodr. The oils capture the plants scent and flavor, or essence.
An oil is essential in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. From the beginning, weve made it our mission to share pure, therapeuticgrade. Free essential oil downloads, charts, pdfs aromatherapy. The complete guide to the use of aromatic oils in aromatherapy, herbalism, health, and well being kindle edition by lawless, julia. See the recipes box area for example synergistic blends. These free essential oil downloads are available to use and share.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the encyclopedia of essential oils. An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile easily evaporated at normal temperatures chemical compounds from plants. Information and translations of essential oil in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Essential oils are aromatic volatile oily hydrophobic concentrate fluid derived from product of plants such as seeds, leaves, twigs, buds, flowers, bark, wood, roots, fruits and whole crop, that. If these natural chemicals are properly extracted, they can be. What is the difference between aromatherapy and essential oils. Essential oil definition, any of a class of volatile oils obtained from plants, possessing the odor and other characteristic properties of the plant, used chiefly in the manufacture of perfumes, flavors, and pharmaceuticals.
Essential oil definition of essential oil by medical. As defined by the interna tional organization for standardization iso, the term essential oil is reserved for a product obtained from vegetable raw mate. This steam distilled essential oil is commonly referred to as west indian sandalwood oil. For example, products containing camphor or eucalyptus essential oils can help relieve congestive coughs, and many essential oils are used in the practice of aromatherapy. Unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence. Pure essential oils, absolutes, resins descriptions, uses. Pdf on oct 9, 2017, mohammad moghaddam and others published.
An essential oil may also be fractioned and sold as individual natural components. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. Essential oils chemical composition and pharmacological. To apply topically, dilute 1 drop essential oil to 10 drops carrier oil. Herbalist the quality and authenticity of the essential oils we utilize are the very heart and foundation of aromatherapy. When buying and using essential oils you may come across the word chemotype or see something like this. Pdf essential oils have been important substances since early times. Take oregano essential oil for example which has great benefits and is a potent antibiotic, this book seems to make its readers believe that there is no medicinal home use for this oil. Dilute with a carrier oil then apply to targeted areas on the skin to purify and promote healthylooking skin.
Essential oil article about essential oil by the free. I would go as far to say that 100% pure wouldnt be advertised for oils that could possibly contain additives, fillers, or chemical aromas. Complementary essential oils common name botanical name complementary oils spearmint mentha spicata balsam fir, basil, eucalyptus radiata, lavender, ledum, lemon, myrtle, palmarosa, peppermint, pine, rosemary, tea tree spikenard nardostachys jatamansi clary sage, lavender, roman chamomile, rose. Above all else, purity is doterra s first priority when producing essential oils. Sep 30, 2019 essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds produced by living organisms. Essential oil, also defined as essence, volatile oil, etheric oil or aetheroleum, is a complex mixture of volatile constituents biosynthesised by living organisms. Essential critical infrastructure workers to help state, local, tribal, and industry partners as they work to protect communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. Essential oil definition and meaning collins english. Essential oil definition of essential oil by merriamwebster. A 100% pure essential oil means that youre purchasing just that oil, and not an essential oil blend or a bottle that has oil blended together with carrier oils or other additives. The essential oil is present in various plant components in oil sacs and is isolated by comminution and the action of heat, water, and solvents. Depending on their behavior on heating, they are classified as volatile or fixed.
Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils distilled from the leaves, fruit, roots of plants, as well as bark from trees, moss and. Complementary essential oils common name botanical name complementary oils angelica angelica archangelica seedroot bergamot, black spruce, blue spruce, cedarwood, neroli, orange, petitgrain, sage, ylang ylang, vetiver balsam fir idaho abies balsamea german chamomile, cedarwood, cypress, frankincense, juniper. Something that is essential is extremely important or absolutely necessary to a. Essential oil definition of essential oil by medical dictionary. The organoleptic characteristics of these oils are. Essential oils are, highly aromatic substances made in plants by special cells but at this stage the material is not yet an essential oil, but is called an essence. A synergistic essential oil blend of the correct oils in proper proportions is considered to be greater in total benefit than each oil working independently, thus creating synergy. Each with a unique chemical makeup, essential oils have dozens of benefits for the body and mind.
A contemporary introduction to essential oils semantic scholar. Essential oil definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Essential oil definition is any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy. Unsaturated free fatty acids react with oxygen and form peroxides, which. The term essential oil dates back to the sixteenth century and derives from the drug quinta essentia. Essential oil, sent by nature, is a complex mixture of volatile secondary metabolites. Its composition varies along with many parameters that can lead to. Not all plants produce essential oils, and in the plants that do, the essential oil may be found in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or fruits. Essential oil definition of essential oil by the free. This book, which contains valuable information on essential oils and how to use them, it is available from.
Essential oils chemical characterization and investigation. Bio source naturals pure essential oils, absolutes and essential oil blends are pure, undiluted essential oils of therapeutic quality. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetherolea, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. Distillation, selective solvent extraction, and mechanical expression are the three general basic methods employed for essential oil isolation with improvements or modifications incorporated for each. Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. A lower number of peroxides indicates a good quality of oil and a good preservation status. However if you do your research on oregano essential oil, you will find that there are even recommendations for internal consumption of this oil. Essential oils definition of essential oils by medical. Some pharmaceuticals, and many overthecounter or holistic remedies, are based on or contain essential oils. The specific definition of an essential oil may be subject to disputation among interested individuals including scientists, aromatherapists or lay. Essential oils are highly volatile, aromatic yields obtained from plants. The quality of essential oils by jade shutes, ba, dipl. An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile chemical compounds.
What are essential oils an aromatherapy introduction for. The essential oils of citrus fruit peel are about 95% monoterpene hydrocarbons. Pure essential oils offer an alternative to synthetic products. Aromatherapy by definition is the practice of using plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical wellbeing. Other processing options can also produce further products that can be sold alongside essential oils. Pdf chemistry of essential oils and factors influencing their. When an essential oil is adulterated or contaminated, it becomes less effective and can even be dangerous. Essential definition and meaning collins english dictionary.
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