Definition: Essential oils are also known as essential oils, but are not actually oils; they are extracts of plants that may be mixed with oils. Most plant extracts do not contain any fats in themselves. It’s almost impossible to find a definitive definition of what essential oils are, but two good guesses include: “highly concentrated constituents that possess potential medicinal and cosmetic qualities” (Valerie Gennari Cooksley) and ‘I consider essential oils to be the life force or soul of the plant’ (Stephanie Tourles).
Uses: Essential oils are commonly used in three ways; massage, inhalation and ingestion. However, oils are also used in industry and are often added to personal care products, foods, etc. for their properties as well as flavors and scents. The two main purposes of using oils are to improve our appearance and increase our well-being.
Properties: Most oils have an inhibitory effect on bacteria, viruses and fungi. These properties are the main reasons why they have been used for healing purposes for thousands of years. These properties have also been instrumental in making the oils popular in commercial skincare products.
Effect: It has been proven in numerous scientific studies that essential oils have a relaxing effect on the body when inhaled. This is one of the basic concepts of aromatherapy. There is also a single study that has shown that inhaling oil vapors can stimulate brain activity in humans and that this can, among other things, improve certain parts of memory under certain circumstances. However, essential oils have a myriad of other documented effects, which you can read more about in the respective articles for each oil (see the various links on this page).
Lack of research: Because plant oils cannot be patented, the pharmaceutical industry spends almost no resources on researching the oils and their properties. This limits our knowledge of their true effects and potential, and also makes it difficult to find useful information about their qualities. The knowledge we have about oils today comes primarily from two sources; countless people’s experiences with different uses of oils over the last few thousand years and recent scientific studies conducted by researchers from universities, companies and the like.
Production of the oils: It takes huge amounts of plant material to produce even a small amount of oil. The amount of material needed to produce a given amount of oil depends on the type of plant, but one of the most demanding is rose oil, where up to 2 tons of rose petals can be used to produce 1 kg (about 1 liter) of finished oil! Although the majority (around 70%) of the world’s rose oil is produced in Bulgaria, where prices are generally low, rose oil is still very expensive due to the high production costs. This is also true for many oils and if you want a high-quality organic oil, you have to pay the price.
Safety: When buying an essential oil, you should always read the instructions on the packaging before use. Keep in mind that some oils are suitable for ingestion while others are not. In addition, be aware that not all oils are suitable for direct application to the skin; very often they need to be diluted with a base oil. You should also be aware that many oils are phototoxic and can cause skin damage if you apply them and then spend time in direct sunlight. In addition, remember that everyone’s skin can react differently to different types of oils – so it’s always recommended that you start by trying new oils on a small area of skin before applying them to larger areas. Finally, it should be mentioned that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children should be careful when using essential oils.
Castor oil is the same as: Palm kernel oil Castor oil American oil Background Ricin Castor beans contain ricin, which is a toxic protein. During the production of castor oil, the oil is heated, which neutralizes the protein and thus eliminates the harmful effects. People who work in the harvesting of castor beans – and … Read more
Cedarwood oil is mainly used in industry as a fragrance and for its pesticidal properties. It is also used to “revitalize” various wood products (e.g. furniture, fences, flooring, etc.). Although there is no scientific evidence of cedarwood oil’s effect on health, some people use it for medicinal purposes. In aromatherapy, cedarwood oil is used especially … Read more
Chamomile oil can be made from several different flower species in the genus Chamomile (Matricaria), but the most popular and used species are without a doubt the following: Fragrant Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) Fragrant chamomile is also called blue chamomile. Chamomile oil is made from fresh chamomile flowers and is extracted by … Read more
Citronella oil is sometimes also called citronella oil, which comes from the English term citronella oil. The oil is extracted from lemongrass, which is particularly familiar from Asian cuisine. Citronella oil is mainly used as an insect repellent – but not in the EU, where it is banned. In relation to human health, citronella oil … Read more
The characteristic scent that spreads when you peel an orange or lemon is citrus oil. This is because most of the oil in citrus fruits is in the peel. If you squeeze a piece of peel from a citrus fruit between your fingers, the pure citrus oil will also deposit on your fingers and give … Read more
Coconut oil has become extremely popular in recent years for many good reasons; several experts agree that it can be used for weight loss, better skin and hair, and even improve our brain function! In this article you can read about the following: 40 ways to use coconut oil 1. Weight loss: Coconut oil can … Read more
Eucalyptus oil is well known for its fresh, uplifting aroma. Eucalyptus oil is extracted from fresh or partially dried leaves and young twigs of eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus oil also has a long and rich history of being used for many different purposes, including some medicinal ones that are not necessarily scientifically proven. In this article you … Read more
Flaxseed oil comes from common flax (Linum usitatissimum), a plant in the flax family. Flaxseed oil is extracted from the dried seeds of common flax by cold pressing. However, flaxseed oil used for industrial purposes is extracted in a different way. Flaxseed oil is primarily used as a dietary supplement and is especially known for … Read more
Geranium oil comes from flowers in the Pelargonium genus. It is extracted by steam distillation using the aromatic parts of the flowers, which are primarily the leaves, but also the stems to some extent. Although there is no scientific evidence of geranium oil’s effect on health, it is still used for medicinal purposes by some … Read more
Sometimes simply called evening primrose oil, giant evening primrose oil is extracted from the seeds of the giant evening primrose plant (Oenothera biennis). Although there is no scientific evidence that giant evening primrose oil can be used to treat disease, it has long been used as an herbal remedy for a wide range of diseases … Read more