| The use of essential oils, which is derived from the | | | | a few oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass, |
| pure essence of a plant, is not new. Though the | | | | most oils are clear and see-through. |
| term aromatherapy was coined only in the 1920s (by | | | | Aromatherapy essential oils must be differentiated |
| Gattefossé in 1928), people knew of | | | | from the perfume or fragrance oils. While essential |
| aromatherapy essential oils from the prehistoric times. | | | | oils contain the purest essence of the plant, |
| Starting from the Chinese to Egyptian, Greek, | | | | fragrance oils are made of artificially created |
| Roman, Persian and Indian civilizations, each have | | | | substances as a whole or a part of it. Fragrance oils |
| added to the science of essential oils and to | | | | may cause allergies or other skin reaction because of |
| aromatherapy as a whole. | | | | the use of artificial substances; but the use of |
| Research still continues in the field of aromatherapy | | | | essential oils brings upon no such allergic reaction. |
| essential oils, with new developments being made in | | | | Aromatherapy essential oils can be used by people |
| the field. Aromatherapy and essential oils are no | | | | either through inhalation or by applying them on skin |
| longer limited to cosmetic or aromatic uses only. | | | | in a diluted form. When essential oils are inhaled, they |
| Many of the essential oils have been proved to have | | | | enter the bloodstream and lungs directly, thus |
| medicinal and therapeutic benefits too. Take lavender | | | | producing an instant effect on the ailment. |
| oil for instance. French chemist Gattefossé | | | | Applying aromatherapy essential oils on the body is |
| would have been unaware of the properties of | | | | good for absorption. Since essential oils are available in |
| lavender oil to give instant relief without any scar in | | | | a concentrated form, they need to be diluted using |
| cases of burn, until he burnt his hand and accidentally | | | | carrier oil. Sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grape |
| put his hand in the jar full of the essence of lavender. | | | | seed oil, etc are blended with the essential oil; and |
| Similarly, there are a large number of essential oils | | | | the mixture is used on the body or the part that is |
| that have medicinal properties. The 'tulsi' plant or | | | | afflicted. |
| Indian basil, distinct through its strong aroma and | | | | One needs to be very careful while purchasing an |
| taste, is considered "the elixir of life" since it is | | | | essential oil. Though readily available, people are not |
| thought to bring longevity. The use of the plant's | | | | well equipped to differentiate between the good |
| extracts is made to treat illnesses like headaches, | | | | quality and poor quality essential oil. The following |
| inflammation, heart disease, and malaria. The essential | | | | checklist might be helpful to all those people who are |
| oils derived from 'karpoora tulsi' have found use in | | | | on their way shopping for aromatherapy essential |
| the manufacture of herbal toiletry. | | | | oils:o A vendor who allows you to check the essential |
| Essential oils are derived from almost every part of | | | | oil is preferred more.o If the bottle containing |
| the plant. Leaves, stems, flowers, roots, etc are | | | | essential oils has terms such as fragrance oils, nature |
| distilled through steam or water to result into | | | | identical oils; they are not essential oils.o Never buy a |
| essential oils. Consequently, aromatherapy essential | | | | bottle of essential oil that seems old. It might be |
| oils contain the true essence of the plant. In its | | | | adulterated or just might not produce the medicinal |
| purest form, a few drops of essential oil can give the | | | | benefits.o A clear glass bottle of essential oils allows |
| same results that loads of that plant would have | | | | light to come in, thus reducing its aroma therapeutic |
| given. This is because essential oils are available in | | | | benefits. Avoid buying essential oils that are sold in |
| concentrated form. | | | | clear glass bottles.o Essential oils sold in plastic bottles |
| Though referred to as oil, essential oils in | | | | too must be avoided as it dissolves plastic and |
| aromatherapy do not give that oily feeing. Except for | | | | becomes contaminated for use. |