Essential Oil
Essential oils are highly complex substances, which contain up to 300 separate components. Essential oils are the plants natural form of life, some oils attract insects of pollination or for food, some are used for defense, and others act as medicinal oils for the plant.
An essential oil is an organic liquid, which is extracted from a plant. Because it is volatile, it emits an aroma when exposed to air, and even more so when warmth accelerates the evaporation of the aromatic particles. Essential oils are derived from many different parts of the plant.
Not all plants contain essential oils. Of the thousands that do, only about 200 essential oils are produced for use commercially.
Essential oils are not produced solely for use in aromatherapy. In fact aromatherapy use accounts for less than 5 per cent of oil production. The balance is used extensively in perfumes, cosmetics, food, confectionery, alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, pharmaceutical preparations and everyday use items like shampoos and conditioners.
Essential oils should not be confused or even compared with herbs. Essential oils contain only some of the constituents of the plant; therefore they will have only some of the healing properties of the plant (or herb). However, because an essential oil is a concentrated extract from the plant, it is a much more powerful substance and, unlike herbs, is used only in minute quantities. Again, unlike herbs, essential oils are seldom taken internally.
At Bliss Aromatherapy, we offer a wide selection of pure, unadulterated Essential Oils obtained from the blossoms, leaves, bark, and roots of flowers, herbs, fruits and spices.
