Learning About Different Essential Oil Properties Is Key To Aromatherapy

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Learning About Different Essential Oil Properties Is Key To Aromatherapy

Sunday, November 25th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Aromatherapy is the use of medicinal properties in plants and fruits to heal the body and mind. It can do this in a number of ways but it has been popularized as a technique that produces a scent or aroma that has positive effects on the person being treated. Aromatherapy also includes massage and rubbing of essential oils onto the body where there is some ailment. A fundamental part of using aromatherapy effectively is to understand the different essential oil properties and how they are used to treat people. This article will look at how essential oils are created and some common essential oils. It will cover what they are used for and how to apply them.

Creating Essential Oils

Essential oil is the extract from a plant or fruit. It is generally obtained by steam distillation, by pressing the fresh product or by applying a hydrocrabon solvent. In some cases it involves more than one of these processes to produce the viscous liquid substance that is known as essential oil.

The most common method is steam distillation. This is where steam is passed through the natural product. The resultant steam is then cooled down to produce a mixture of water and oil. As the substance cools the oil separates from the water and rises to the top. This is skim off to produce the essential oil. The left over water can also be used for various things as it is scented water. Rose water is an example of such a product.

Essential Oil Properties - Lavender

The resulting oil is often very concentrated and it cannot be used neat. It often has to be diluted with other oils or filtered through water when burning. An essential oil that has many uses is lavender. It can help to sooth aches and pains and it can also be used to fall asleep. Putting a few drops on your pillow should help with this.

Chamomile Essential Oil

In fact, each essential oil has it’s own distinctive properties. For example, Chamomile oil can do wonders for your rashes, dry skin, acne and also allergies plus having many other beneficial essential oil properties as well. It also has the ability to provide relief from pain and it can help your muscles to relax. Other essential oil properties of chamomile can help your immune system and has anti-bacterial properties. Chamomile oil is generally blended with other oils, such as almond essential oil to make it last longer or make to prevent skin irritation.

Geranium Essential Oil

There is another essential oil that has its own distinct essential oil properties and that is geranium oil which can provide relief from pain and help your sores in healing while it also makes your overly oily skin more balanced and it is useful for menstrual cramps as well. It has other properties as well such as being able to put an end to bleeding and it will make the body do away with cellulite while helping with bruising as well, and it can also be used for burns as well as bites though take care to dilute it first.

Understanding how each essential oil works and blending various oils so that they complement each other is not only an interesting challenge but it requires study and experimentation.

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