Aroma Pets

The Aromatic Extracts

In nature, essential oils can be found in either the seeds, roots, leaves, resin, bark or flowers of aromatic plants. in different plants they have ddifferent functions; for example, to protect from microbes or attract insects for pollination. They are most commonly extracted from the plant steam distillation. Plant material is put into a large vat. Steam is then forced through under pressure, condensed and collected as water. The essential oil collects on top of the water and is separated out.

Essential oils are also produced using  solvent extraction, in which case they are known as absolutes. Essential oils are highly volatile, light weight and penetrative. They are easily absorbed through the skin or by breathing them in. Inhaling an essential oil brings it directly into the regions of the brain concerned with emotions and memory. The nervous system transforms the messages  from the aromatic chemicals into physical responses in the body, such as the anti-inflammatory, relaxation or anti-allergic responses. 

Essential oils are mostly produced from the fragrance and flavouring industries, which demand high yield and low cost and produce inferior quality oil. Essential oils suitable for therapeutic use are distilled with care, slowly and at a lower temperature, so more of the healing molecules remain intact.

Unfortunately, many essential oils are adulterated, usually by adding synthetic fragrances or cheaper essential oil with similar fragrance. This is especially true of the more expensive oils, such as rose or those in high demand, like French lavender.

The best way to guarantee you are using good quality oils is to purchase from a reputable supplier who is also a trained aromatherapist, who can tell you where the plant was grown or distilled, and guarantee botanical purity.

Reference: The Aromatic Dog : Nayana Morag