Over the years I have gathered a lot of information on Essential Oils. This website is to share basic information with links for further exploration if you are interested in learning more about aromatherapy and essential oils. The links that you will find on this site are from reputable Aromatherapy schools and educators. It is free and no sign up is necessary or ads to block in order for you to read and learn from the information that is here. In addition I included links to free Essential Oil and Aromatherapy e-books that I have found over the years and few different companies that I purchase from and had great success with using these EO. Cheers to Learning!
When it comes to Aroma Therapy there is few things to know about the products one is using. With so much information on the internet here is simple knowledge of understanding what is the difference between Essential Oils & Fragrance oils.
What are Essential oils, Fragrance oils and Aroma Therapy?
Essential oils are naturally occurring substances found in different parts of plants - the blossom, fruit, leaf, stem, bark, wood or resin. Through a complicated and often expensive extraction process is how essential oils are produced. Each essential oil is comprised of between 50 to 500 different naturally occurring chemicals, which can have both positive and negative effects. For example, cinnamon essential oil is known for its antiseptic and astringent properties yet it is highly irritating to the skin and caution must be taken.
Fragrance oils, aromatic oils or perfume oils as they are sometimes called, are manufactured scents. They are artificially created fragrances and they contain artificial substances. They are specifically designed to mimic the scent of a natural product (such as coffee fragrance oil) or are created to invoke a feeling (for example “spring rain”). The range of scents is enormous and fragrance oils are quite inexpensive.
Aroma Therapy is referred to Essential Oil therapy which can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process. To learn more about the history of Aromatherapy click HERE
Essential oils are naturally occurring substances found in different parts of plants - the blossom, fruit, leaf, stem, bark, wood or resin. Through a complicated and often expensive extraction process is how essential oils are produced. Each essential oil is comprised of between 50 to 500 different naturally occurring chemicals, which can have both positive and negative effects. For example, cinnamon essential oil is known for its antiseptic and astringent properties yet it is highly irritating to the skin and caution must be taken.
Fragrance oils, aromatic oils or perfume oils as they are sometimes called, are manufactured scents. They are artificially created fragrances and they contain artificial substances. They are specifically designed to mimic the scent of a natural product (such as coffee fragrance oil) or are created to invoke a feeling (for example “spring rain”). The range of scents is enormous and fragrance oils are quite inexpensive.
Aroma Therapy is referred to Essential Oil therapy which can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process. To learn more about the history of Aromatherapy click HERE
Historical Use of Aromatherapy & Essential Oils
The roots of aromatherapy can be traced back more than 3,500 years before the birth of Christ, to a time when the use of aromatics was first recorded in human history. In reality, the history of aromatherapy is inexorably linked to the development of aromatic medicine, which in the early days was itself combined with religion, mysticism and magic.
This was a time when the ancient Egyptians first burned incense made from aromatic woods, herbs and spices in honor of their gods. They believed that as the smoke rose up to the heavens, it would carry their prayers and wishes directly to the deities. Eventually, the development of aromatics as medicines would create the foundations that aromatherapy was built upon. For more information click HERE
The roots of aromatherapy can be traced back more than 3,500 years before the birth of Christ, to a time when the use of aromatics was first recorded in human history. In reality, the history of aromatherapy is inexorably linked to the development of aromatic medicine, which in the early days was itself combined with religion, mysticism and magic.
This was a time when the ancient Egyptians first burned incense made from aromatic woods, herbs and spices in honor of their gods. They believed that as the smoke rose up to the heavens, it would carry their prayers and wishes directly to the deities. Eventually, the development of aromatics as medicines would create the foundations that aromatherapy was built upon. For more information click HERE
How Extraction Methods of Essential Oils are done?
Essential oils can be extracted in different ways. However the most common way that it is being done is through Distillation (includes hydrodistillation and expression)
Distillation
Essential oils can be extracted in different ways. However the most common way that it is being done is through Distillation (includes hydrodistillation and expression)
Distillation
- Traditional Steam Distillation
- Water Distillation/Simple Distillation
- Hydro Diffusion
- Hydro Distillation
- Combination Water and Steam Distillation
- Cohobation/Water Distillation
- Rectification in Essential Oil Extraction
- Fractional and Percolation Distillation
- General
- Sponge Extraction
- Écuelle à Piquer Extraction
- Enfleurage
- Maceration
- Solvent Extraction
- Supercritical Carbon Dioxide CO2 Extraction
- Phytonic Proesss/Florasols Extraction
Safety Guidelines & Ways to Use Essential Oils
Before starting to use essential oils there is some information you should know. The most important one to start with, is the safety when using EO. Visit Safety Guide & Ways to Use Essential Oils for more information.
Before starting to use essential oils there is some information you should know. The most important one to start with, is the safety when using EO. Visit Safety Guide & Ways to Use Essential Oils for more information.
e-books and links to recipes to making your own products.
Below are some resources of free e-books that are available to learn more about essential oils.
Below are some resources of free e-books that are available to learn more about essential oils.
- Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils by LaRee Westove for more e-books visit www.butterflyexpressions.org
- Essential Oils for Beginners DoTerra e-book
- Guide To Aromatherapy and Essential Oil
- Handbook of essential oils science, technology and applications., Edited by K. Hüsnü Can Baser Gerhard Buchbauer
- Creating a healthy environment with essential oils by Danielle Sade B.Sc & CAHP
- Easy Aromatherapy Recipes
Reputable Essential Oil Companies
There are many companies that sell therapeutic grade essential oils. I'm not one to commit to one company since most companies have EO from different parts of the world. Taking Lavender as an example, one company may only have Lavender from US where another company may have Lavender from other regions. In addition depending what Lavender EO is being used for, as in making your own soap, skin product, cleaning or medicinal purpose the quality and therapeutic grade will differ from different regions. This is where the layers of information about EO gets more complicated.
There are quite a few companies that I have tried over the years and these are the 3 that I settled on.
Young Living - This was my very 1st company that I signed up with and I am thankful that I met many wonderful people through my journey learning about EO. (I am a YL distributor so if you would like to order from YL you can contact me by email inVisionTherapy@gmail.com or call 623-777-9919)
The Ananda Apothecary - When I stepped outside of YL looking for more reasonable priced products for cleaning I discovered Ananda Apothecary. What I liked about them is that the quality of their EO was also therapeutic in addition they had different EO from other parts of the world that YL did not offer. Also different size bottles that I could order as some of the EO I was going through pretty quick. The company has many specials every month that they run and offer Free essential oils and Free shipping based on your order. In addition if you are a more advanced Aromatherapist, the company has a Certificate of Analysis for each essential oil they sell. To find out more on how to read GC/MS & Laboratory Analysis click HERE
Plant Therapy - Plant Therapy is a family owed online business that launched in 2011. What I like about their company just like YL and Ananda Apothecary they have great customer service. Also that they are work with Robert Tisserand who is an international speaker, educator and consultant on the science and benefits of essential oils and its safety and effective application. Robert Tisserand has written books and is well known in Aromatherapy industry. Plant therapy also has Certificate of Analysis for their essential oils. For most who are just starting to learn about essential oils, Certificate of Analysis may be a bit confusing but reputable companies will all have these certificates available. Some may have it online where others you may have to request it directly from the company.
There are many companies that sell therapeutic grade essential oils. I'm not one to commit to one company since most companies have EO from different parts of the world. Taking Lavender as an example, one company may only have Lavender from US where another company may have Lavender from other regions. In addition depending what Lavender EO is being used for, as in making your own soap, skin product, cleaning or medicinal purpose the quality and therapeutic grade will differ from different regions. This is where the layers of information about EO gets more complicated.
There are quite a few companies that I have tried over the years and these are the 3 that I settled on.
Young Living - This was my very 1st company that I signed up with and I am thankful that I met many wonderful people through my journey learning about EO. (I am a YL distributor so if you would like to order from YL you can contact me by email inVisionTherapy@gmail.com or call 623-777-9919)
The Ananda Apothecary - When I stepped outside of YL looking for more reasonable priced products for cleaning I discovered Ananda Apothecary. What I liked about them is that the quality of their EO was also therapeutic in addition they had different EO from other parts of the world that YL did not offer. Also different size bottles that I could order as some of the EO I was going through pretty quick. The company has many specials every month that they run and offer Free essential oils and Free shipping based on your order. In addition if you are a more advanced Aromatherapist, the company has a Certificate of Analysis for each essential oil they sell. To find out more on how to read GC/MS & Laboratory Analysis click HERE
Plant Therapy - Plant Therapy is a family owed online business that launched in 2011. What I like about their company just like YL and Ananda Apothecary they have great customer service. Also that they are work with Robert Tisserand who is an international speaker, educator and consultant on the science and benefits of essential oils and its safety and effective application. Robert Tisserand has written books and is well known in Aromatherapy industry. Plant therapy also has Certificate of Analysis for their essential oils. For most who are just starting to learn about essential oils, Certificate of Analysis may be a bit confusing but reputable companies will all have these certificates available. Some may have it online where others you may have to request it directly from the company.