| Essential oils are the concentrated, aromatic, | | | | Essential oils include a variety of chemical |
| essences extracted from plant material through four | | | | constituents. The complete functions of these |
| primary methods: steam or water distillation, solvent | | | | components in the plant's physiology is by no means |
| extraction, and expression. This substance is often | | | | fully understood. |
| referred to as the 'soul' or 'life-force' of the plant. | | | | Although they're extracted from simple plant material, |
| The extracted essence or matter is commonly more | | | | these oils are very powerful. This is not so surprising |
| thin and watery than oily, making the name | | | | when you consider some of the functions the |
| somewhat of a misnomer. But like other oils in | | | | 'life-force' of plants and trees perform. For instance, |
| general, they don't mix well with water. | | | | certain species of the plant kingdom secrete chemical |
| Essential oils occur in various parts of a plant's | | | | compounds that are powerful enough to attract |
| anatomy; in some cases it can be found in certain | | | | insects for pollination, some species secrete |
| organs, while in other plants it confined to only one | | | | compounds that protects the plant from weather |
| portion of the plant. For instance in the pine tree, | | | | extremes, bacterial and fugal infections, ward off |
| essential oil is found over most of the tree; in the | | | | predators, and even produce chemicals to warn other |
| cinnamon, it is present in the bark and leaves with a | | | | trees and plants. |
| little in the root, whereas in the rose, the oil is | | | | Essential oils have a variety of uses. They've been |
| confined to the leaves of the flower; and in the | | | | used to freshen the atmosphere, enrich food, and |
| orange family, to the flowers and the peel of the | | | | sometimes heal the body, mind and spirit. |
| fruit. | | | | |