Essential Oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts distilled from berries, seeds, roots, bark and citrus rind. They contain vitamins, hormones,antibiotics and many other properties that strengthen the living plant's immunity to disease and scent signals for fertilization. Despite their name they aren't oily or greasy- they are like the blood of the plant- and like blood, they lose their life force if not extracted and preserved with the utmost care. They're particularly susceptible to light, heat, moisture, air and adulteration. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for treating illness and enhancing well being, hence the name aromatherapy oils.

Aromatherapy Oils must be 100% pure unadulterated essential oils containing no additives of any kind, either artificial or natural and of the highest quality to ensure maximum healing. The most potent form of herbal energy with many medicinal uses, some may be taken internally in minute amounts as well as being applied externally. They affect the body physically through their extremely swift penetration into human tissue and psychologically via the sense of smell. (Sceptics who doubt the effects of essential oils may like to consider how the body reacts to other inhaled substances such as tobacco smoke, anaesthetics, petrol and glue). The anti-bacterial, anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant, sedative, aphrodisiac and cell-regenerating properties of essential oils strengthen the body's own resources without harmful side effects.

Fragrant oils are either synthetic fragrances or essential oils which have been mixed or diluted with carrier oils, alcohol or commercial chemicals or additives. Technically, they are not oils they are man-made fragrances. They usually carry exotic floral and fruity names though in most cases they are not extracted from the plant or the fruit that they are named after. For example, there is no such thing as pineapple or strawberry oil and real carnation oil actually smells like clove oil because of its high content of natural eugenol. While smelling pleasant, fragrant oils have no therapeutic value as they lack the undiluted, active medicinal ingredients of the natural plant.

Certainly they cannot be taken internally and in some cases should not be used directly on the skin. What are you really breathing when you burn these oils in oil burners? Low price is sometimes an indication of quality. The price of essential oils depends entirely on the oil yield of each individual plant- ten thousand tiny blossoms produce only 1ml of Jasmine and it takes the petals of thirty roses to yield a single drop of Rose oil.

To achieve the best effects and avoid wastage of your precious essential oils, remember these helpful hints when choosing a vaporiser:

Height between candle and base of water is approximately 10cm (no boiling or burning of oils)
Design allows for good air flow (no cracking of vaporiser)
Well glazed inside and out for easy washing (no build-up of caked oils or candle soot)

Pure essential oils used in Aromatherapy are Nature's healing aromas, offering healthy pleasure and a necessary link with the riches of the natural world around us

Article collected by - The Organic Advisory Line - 2001

Organic Formulations blends its products only with the aroma from pure essential oils.