What Are Aromatherapy Essential Oils?

Aromatherapy is a form of therapy that uses essential plant oils and other complimentary natural ingredients for the purpose of physical as well as psychological wellness. Essential oils refer to the essence of plants or its purest extract.

Aroma from plants like Jasmine, lime, ylang-ylang and chamomile has soothing effects when inhaled into the lungs. Physically, when an aroma is inhaled, naturally occurring chemicals in the fragrance brings on an immediate therapeutic effect in the body. For example, eucalyptus oil helps relieve symptoms of congestion and nasal block. Aroma from the essential oils also triggers certain reactions in the brain. For example, the citrus fragrance of lime helps enhance feelings of happiness and cheerfulness.

When applied on the skin, aromatherapy essential oils are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. There, they help the body in beauty, hygiene and health. Aromatherapy essential oils may be blended to create other aromas. Sometimes, these oils are mixed with other oils for the purpose of a particular therapeutic application. In this case, various essential oils in the blend complement each other to create a specific kind of effect in the body. These synergistic oils are considered to have a greater total effect than the effect of any one oil working independently.

Aromatherapy essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin because these pure concentrates are very strong. Even lavender and tea which are listed as oils that can be use undiluted must be used undiluted only in the case of emergencies. A skin patch test is recommended before you start using any oil. Some aromatherapy essential oils are best avoided if you are pregnant or suffer from medical conditions like asthma or epilepsy.

Not all aromatherapy products are completely pure. Many products available in the market claim that they are made with natural ingredients. However, these products may not be 100% natural. Holistic aromatherapy does not approve of the use of any synthetic materials. Products that contain synthetic or artificial elements yield only a fractional effect when compared with those that contain pure aromatherapy essential oils.

One of the ways to ensure that the product you buy is pure and natural is to buy from a reputed dealer. Users can also check the label to identify whether the product contains any artificial fragrances. However, some sellers of pure aromatherapy essential oils may not list all the ingredients because they want to protect their secret blend. In that case, you can find out more about the product by talking with the seller or their representatives.