The Aromatherapy Oil - Essential Oils, Organic Products, Massage Blends, Recipes

ABSOLUTES
Absolutes are aromatic oils extracted from plants that cannot withstand the heat of the steam distillation process. Highly concentrated, they are often thicker and more viscous than essential oils.
Often used in commercial grade perfumery, some absolutes also have powerful therapeutic applications. Jasmine, for example, can be used as an antidepressant, stimulant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cicatrisive or sedative.
It is important to note that all absolutes are extremely concentrated by nature. They should not be evaluated in this state unless you are accustomed to the undiluted fragrance. For those trying Absolutes for the first time, we strongly recommend they be evaluated in dilution. Otherwise, the complexity of the fragrance - particularly the rare and exotic notes – can be lost.

CARRIER OILS
Essential oils, due to their powerful and highly concentrated nature, must be diluted into a vegetable oil before being applied to the skin. While most carrier oils simply function as a lubricant, some have therapeutic properties of their own. As an example, apricot kernel or avocado oil have nourishing properties that help dry and ageing skins.
Any unperfumed vegetable oil could be used as a carrier, though the most commonly used are sweet almond and grapeseed. Sesame seed oil is great for massages as it washes easily out of fabric.
Vegetable oils, though not volatile, oxidize if not kept in proper conditions. For that reason, it is recommended to mix the essential oils only in the quantities needed for each treatment. Wheatgerm oil is a natural antioxidant but, because it is very thick, it is necessary to mix it into another carrier oil – a 10% solution of wheatgerm oil will help stabilize any other oil for a month or two.

How Essential Oils Work.
In aromatherapy there are two basic ways in which I essential oils have an effect upon the human body: through the nose and through the skin. Aromas are volatile, meaning they disperse in the air, float, and eventually reach the nose. These aromatic molecules float up the nostrils and come into contact with nerves extending from the olfactory bulbs, and ending in two small, sticky patches at the top of the nasal cavity..
When the aroma molecule hits receptors in these nerve-rich patches, it sets off a reaction that results in -rain activity. This phenomenon has been observed trough brain scans and other imaging techniques..
We sometimes use our mouth when we inhale. In this case the aroma molecules enter the mouth, an excellent absorption medium because it is full of delicate mucus membrane. Aromatic molecules can enter the bloodstream in this way or through the mucus membrane of the nasal cavity. The absorption potential of these two areas of the body is increasingly being explored by doctors and pharmaceutical companies, who now make preparations that are sniffed or taken sublingually - under the tongue. It is difficult to say whether a particular oil is working specifically on the olfactory nerve path system or being absorbed through mucus membrane into the bloodstream. Essential oil molecules also enter the trachea and lungs as we inhale..
Essential oils are also thought to enter the body through the skin because their molecules are extremely tiny. The surest evidence that essential oils get into the body is found in the scientific analysis of the means of excretion - perspiration, feces, urine, breath - after a certain amount of time has passed following the application of essential oils. Some oils seem to be excreted by one method while others seem to be excreted by another. For example, sandalwood detected in urine, may indicate that this oil works on the urinary system while garlic's components are detected with the out-breath. It is very interesting that one essential oil appears to naturally find one method of getting out of the body, while another oil finds another route. It may well be that all oils are excreted in all the usual manners, but to differing degrees in each..
When using essential oils on the body, whether as a massage oil or in baths, we are still utilizing the nasal/olfactory route, due to the fact that aromatic molecules are volatile and float around in the air as we receive a massage or take the bath. Also, depending on the particular method used, other routes of entry may be involved.



ABSOLUTES Absolutes are aromatic oils extracted from plants that cannot withstand the heat of the steam distillation process. Highly concentrated, they are often thicker and more viscous than essential oils. Often used in commercial grade perfumery, some absolutes also have powerful therapeutic applications. Jasmine, for example, can be used as an antidepressant, stimulant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cicatrisive or sedative. It is important to note that all absolutes are extremely concentrated by nature. They should not be evaluated in this state unless you are accustomed to the undiluted fragrance. For those trying Absolutes for the first time, we strongly recommend they be evaluated in dilution. Otherwise, the complexity of the fragrance - particularly the rare and exotic notes – can be lost. CARRIER OILS Essential oils, due to their powerful and highly concentrated nature, must be diluted into a vegetable oil before being applied to the skin. While most carrier oils simply function as a lubricant, some have therapeutic properties of their own. As an example, apricot kernel or avocado oil have nourishing properties that help dry and ageing skins. Any unperfumed vegetable oil could be used as a carrier, though the most commonly used are sweet almond and grapeseed. Sesame seed oil is great for massages as it washes easily out of fabric. Vegetable oils, though not volatile, oxidize if not kept in proper conditions. For that reason, it is recommended to mix the essential oils only in the quantities needed for each treatment. Wheatgerm oil is a natural antioxidant but, because it is very thick, it is necessary to mix it into another carrier oil – a 10% solution of wheatgerm oil will help stabilize any other oil for a month or two. How Essential Oils Work. In aromatherapy there are two basic ways in which I essential oils have an effect upon the human body: through the nose and through the skin. Aromas are volatile, meaning they disperse in the air, float, and eventually reach the nose. These aromatic molecules float up the nostrils and come into contact with nerves extending from the olfactory bulbs, and ending in two small, sticky patches at the top of the nasal cavity.. When the aroma molecule hits receptors in these nerve-rich patches, it sets off a reaction that results in -rain activity. This phenomenon has been observed trough brain scans and other imaging techniques.. We sometimes use our mouth when we inhale. In this case the aroma molecules enter the mouth, an excellent absorption medium because it is full of delicate mucus membrane. Aromatic molecules can enter the bloodstream in this way or through the mucus membrane of the nasal cavity. The absorption potential of these two areas of the body is increasingly being explored by doctors and pharmaceutical companies, who now make preparations that are sniffed or taken sublingually - under the tongue. It is difficult to say whether a particular oil is working specifically on the olfactory nerve path system or being absorbed through mucus membrane into the bloodstream. Essential oil molecules also enter the trachea and lungs as we inhale.. Essential oils are also thought to enter the body through the skin because their molecules are extremely tiny. The surest evidence that essential oils get into the body is found in the scientific analysis of the means of excretion - perspiration, feces, urine, breath - after a certain amount of time has passed following the application of essential oils. Some oils seem to be excreted by one method while others seem to be excreted by another. For example, sandalwood detected in urine, may indicate that this oil works on the urinary system while garlic's components are detected with the out-breath. It is very interesting that one essential oil appears to naturally find one method of getting out of the body, while another oil finds another route. It may well be that all oils are excreted in all the usual manners, but to differing degrees in each.. When using essential oils on the body, whether as a massage oil or in baths, we are still utilizing the nasal/olfactory route, due to the fact that aromatic molecules are volatile and float around in the air as we receive a massage or take the bath. Also, depending on the particular method used, other routes of entry may be involved.
© New Directions Australia Pty. Ltd. 2006