November 1, 2011

Essential Oils: What Are They?

Essential oils are not just wonderful fragrances. They are also man’s first medicine, natural healing tools for people and pets as well as liquids carefully steam distilled from plant materials. Discover that there is much more to these precious plant oils than just beautiful fragrances.

Essential Oils are the Lifeblood of the Plant

Have you ever torn the leaf of a plant and watched a tiny bit of liquid ooze out of the tear? That liquid ooze is the essential oil of the plant. This liquid helps to carry out the plant’s life function, just like blood. The oil also helps the plant to repair and heal when it has been damaged. It also functions in much the same way for people too.

Essential Oils are Liquids Carefully Distilled from Plant Materials

Any part of the plant can contain oil. The leaves, stem, flowers, bark, root and seeds can all contain oil. The plant material must be carefully steam distilled to extract the oil. The best pure therapeutic grade oils are slowly steam distilled using low temperature and low pressure. The oil from one part of the plant may have different healing properties than from another part of the plant. Each plant oil has its own unique fragrance, constituents and healing potential.

Essential Oils are Wonderful Fragrances

They are often used for perfumes, potpourri and scented candles because they smell so wonderful. The fragrant oils from plants have tiny molecules that are very active. They are energized and bounce around quickly leaping right into the air. That is why we can smell them so easily. The fragrance of the oil travels through the air because the molecules are so tiny and active.

Essential Oils were Man’s First Medicine

Oils from plants were actually the first medicines used by man. Plant oils have been used by the priests and physicians of many ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Chinese. Even back in biblical times, plant oils were used for anointing to bring healing. Some examples of plant oils used in the Bible are frankincense, myrrh, hyssop and spikenard. These oils were used for supporting emotional health, spiritual wellness and physical needs as well. Bible references indicate that oils were used for cleaning (Exodus 30:22-29), skin care (Ester 2:12), stopping plagues (Numbers 16:46-50) and anointing for healing (James 5:14).

Essential Oils are Natural Healing Tools for People and Pets

Today people are using these same oils to support the health of their entire household. All family members, including pets, benefit from the emotionally and physically healing properties of oils. For example, lavender is antiseptic, calming and relaxing, peppermint is soothing to the digestive system and geranium supports skin regeneration. Every system of the body can be strengthened by using carefully selected natural plant oils. When using essential oils for health purposes, be certain that they are pure therapeutic grade oils. Oils that are synthetic or diluted with other substances will still smell nice, but will not have the same healing properties as those from pure plants.

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