A Blissfully Brief History of Essentials & How They Work

Essential oils were humankind's first medicine. From human hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts, we know that priests and physicians have been using essential oils for thousands of years.

The word "aromatherapy" was first introduced by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist in 1928. The word itself is misleading....as it suggests that it is a form of healing that works exclusively through the sense of smell and on the emotions. However, apart from smell, every essential oil has an individual combination of constituents that interacts with the body's chemistry in a different manner, which in turn can affect systems as a whole. For example, rub a clove of garlic on the soles of your feet. Wait a little while as the volatile oil is carried through you blood stream. Before you know it the odor will appear on your breath.

What are essential oils? ... Essentials are volatile liquids that are distilled from plants. They are often more water like than oil. Their molecular structure is smaller than that of a skin pore which explains the rapid absorption rate into the body. Essentials should rarely be applied directly to the skin....they should be diluted in water or a carrier oil.

What benefits do essentials provide?...

1. They quickly penetrate the tissues of the skin.

2. They are lipid soluble and can penetrate cell walls.

3. Essentials contain oxygen which help transport nutrients. This helps to stimulate immune mechanisms of the body.

5. They are powerful antioxidants.

6. Essentials can be anti-bacterials, anticancerous, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic.

The list could go on and on.

Please read "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils" by Julia Lawless for concise information on all essentials.