Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Exploring Different Essential Oils For Relief

By Kenneth Schmidt


Essential oils have been used for centuries in products such as cosmetics and air fresheners. Only more recently has popularity grown in relation to using different essential oils for relief. For, research now shows that a number of different essences can benefit body, mind and soul.

These natural offerings are also known as aetherolea, ethereal, volatile and those named for the plant which the oil was derived. The term essential refers to the inner-essence of the plant as related to fragrance. Although, while similar, essential in this sense does not apply to essential amino or fatty acids. Unlike dietary supplements which can often have an interaction with pharmaceuticals and over the counter products, oils come from flora and fauna, so while there is a risk of allergy, drug interaction is often non-existent.

While essential is a term used in association with fatty and amino acids, these are different than the essences which come from flora and fauna. For, in most cases, steam is used in a single distillation process to extract these oils. While this is the case, there are also other methods which include expression, solvent and absolute extraction, resin tapping and cold processing.

The natural health food and medical communities have been using essences as a healing method for years. While this is the case, there are now new and stringent guidelines which have been placed on anything considered a remedy by the FDA and other organizations. As such, most countries now have strict rules and guidelines when it comes to distraction, production and delivery of these items.

The interest in using these products has seen a revival since popularity dwindled in the mid-80s and 90s. Now, with the popularity of aromatherapy, the essences are once again becoming more popularized. For, aromatherapy is an alternative form of medicine which using these essences that has shown promise when it comes to various studies.

These essence oils can be used to scent the air, create incense, make candles and soap, and other items. Most massage therapists use at least one form of these aspects during treatment to help calm and relax clientele. Whereas, some individuals prefer burning incense at home, using natural air fresheners and a nebulizer filled with different scents as needed to relieve pain, or calm anxiety and depression.

A good example of the four most commonly used essential oils are peppermint, lavender, tea tree oil and eucalyptus. All of these primary oils have been known to aid in creating an overall change in the body, mind and spirit. For example, peppermint has been known to increase energy, while lavender calms, tea tree oil is a great astringent and eucalyptus to aid in calming symptoms of cold and flu.

It is most likely Ibn a-Baitar whom we can thank for discovering the distillation process. Mr. A-Baitar is a well known Andalusian pharmacist, psychiatrist and chemist whom discovered the single distillation process to extract essences with the use of steam. Most chemists and others separating essence from flowers still use this process today.




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