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