Essential Oils: Beginner's Guide with Simple Recipes for Aromatherapy, Weight Loss, and Stress Relief

100 Pages·2015·0.37 MB·English

by  Brinson

Essential Oils
Beginner's Guide with Simple Recipes for Aromatherapy,
Weight Loss, and Stress Relief
Table of Contents
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Introduction
For thousands of years, essential oils have been used for various purposes,
including cosmetic uses, emotional uplifting and spiritual enhancement. The
ancient tradition of harnessing the powers of essential oils has caught the
attention of numerous people, as these substances can bring complete body and
mind wellness that other individuals may consider impossible.
The purest essential oils are extracted from botanical plants through cold
pressing and steam distillation. According to studies, essential oils are even more
useful and potent than the plants from which they come. Once you hold and smell
a bottle of essential oils, you can certainly tell that it comes from the pure essence
of nature.
In addition, holding a bottle of any type of powerful essential oils is like holding
the health-enhancing botanical plants through inhalation, diffusion, topical
application, internal intake, or massaging.
Essential oils can be used for various purposes including promoting a positive
emotional state, enhancing physical wellness, purifying a home, refining the skin,
and creating deep and real spiritual awareness.
Essential oils are said to activate an individual's limbic system, which is the
brain's center of memory and emotion. Thus, they can inspire an emotional state
that is positive and balanced. For instance, smelling the refreshing fragrance of a
fresh orange peel can usually brighten your atmosphere. This is because essential
oils have a unique, pleasant, and complex scent that sparks off the limbic system.
Essential oils can also enhance or improve your physical well-being. Modern
lifestyles translate to lack of exercise, poor diet, and a number of environmental
toxins that diminish energy levels. Essential oils, as well as essential oil-infused
supplements, can provide the necessary solution for feeling your best and
restoring balance in terms of physical wellness.
Essential oils can also be useful for purifying your home. Most of the chemical
formulas for home purification available on the market contain harmful
ingredients that are detrimental to your health. In order to enjoy your home
without compromising your health, it is advisable to use essential oils, which can
cleanse dirty surfaces, clean sticky messes, polish countertops, and provide a
fresh fragrance, gently and effectively.
During ancient times, essential oils were considered the top skin care secret for
promoting a clear and attractive complexion. Back then, no harmful chemicals
were used to protect the skin. People used essential oils to nurture their skin and
hair. In addition, some essential oils can help diminish signs of aging.
Apart from physical and emotional well-being, essential oils are also used for
creating deep and real spiritual awareness. A number of spiritual ceremonies and
religious traditions make use of incense and essential oils to help people
transcend and connect with something higher than themselves. According to
studies, the pure components of essential oils activate the olfactory receptors and
stimulate the limbic system in the brain, which is associated with emotion,
memory, and mind state. Essential oils can help improve your spiritual practice
and awareness; for these applications, you just need to dilute the oils and apply
them onto your wrists, behind your ears, and feet. Essential oils are also used
through diffusion in a personal or quiet area.
In this book, you will learn about the origins and fundamentals of essential oils.
One chapter will focus on the actions and applications of essential oils in different
bodily systems. You will also learn about the significance of the quality of
essential oils and the common ones you should keep at home. There will also be
chapters focusing on carrier oils and how to use them with essential oils, the
safety of essential oils, and the profiles of various essential oils. You will also
learn about how essential oils are used for aromatherapy, weight loss, and stress
relief with basic recipes you can follow. One chapter deals with other common
uses of essential oils that you might not have dreamed possible. In the final
chapter, you will learn about the chakras, how to balance them, and what
essential oils can do to restore balance in each chakra.
Chapter 1: Origins of Essential Oils
Whenever you peel an orange, rub a lavender sprig between your fingers, or walk
through a garden of roses, you become aware of the special fragrance of that
particular plant, don’t you? However, you might also wonder exactly what it is
you smell. In general, essential oils give herbs and spices their particular flavors
and scents. Essential oils also give fruits and flowers their fragrance.
For instance, identifying the essential oil in the orange peel is not so hard. This is
because of the richness of its scent, which spurts when you peel the orange. Once
the droplets of oil found in the glandular cells or tiny pockets in the outer peel
become volatile, they infuse the air with their particular aroma.
However, not all plants have essential oils with such rich scent. For instance, the
rose flower's aromatic content is extremely low; as such, it would take numerous
petals in order to produce 300 grams of essential rose oil. While the aromatic
attribute of essential oils has a significant role in either the attraction or repulsion
of specific animals or insects, it is not fully explained why some plants have
essential oils and others do not. A number of scientists also assert that essential
oils are significant in the lives and transpiration processes of some plants, as well
as protect against disease. Thus, essential oils are regarded as the life-blood or
“hormone” of a certain plant because of their highly concentrated nature.
Essential oils are found in different parts of certain plants, including the root,
seeds, bark, flowers, resin, balsam, and wood. For instance, the bitter orange tree
produces orange essential oils from its fruit peel; neroli essential oils from its
blossoms; and petitgrain essential oils from its twigs and leaves. The clove tree is
able to produce various types of essential oils from its leaves, buds, and stalks.
The Scotch Pine produces distinct oils from its resin, needles, and wood.
The origins of essential oils go back to the earliest civilizations. However, over the
course of time, the broad range of essential oils produced from various natural
sources as well as their process of extraction and usage has developed.
Essential Oils Origins – Ancient Civilizations
For thousands of years, aromatic plants and their essential oils have been used as
perfumes, incense, and cosmetics, as well as for both culinary and medical
purposes. Many early civilizations used essential oils in their rituals, making
them an important part of their tradition. Essential oils were also regarded for
their therapeutic and religious roles. Today, some cultures still practice such
rituals in the Eastern and the Western parts of the globe. For instance, in the
East, most Tibetan temples have burning sprigs of Juniper as an integral part of
purification. In the West, Roman Catholics use Frankincense during their mass.
In ancient civilizations, perfumes were regarded as an expression of the cosmic
and animistic doctrines. They were a huge part of the art of therapy, as well as the
incantations and theophanies of certain cults. From around 2000 BC, the Indian
Vedic literature lists more than 700 substances including Spikenard, Myrrh,
Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Ginger, and Coriander. However, essential oils were
more than just perfumes for some ancient cultures.
In the Indo-Aryan language, the term “atar” means odor, wind, smoke, and
essence. Adherents of the Rig Veda made use of herbs and essential oils for their
therapeutic and liturgical rites. These cultures' understanding of the plants
developed into the Ayurvedic or Indian tradition of medicine that is still used
today.
The ancient herbal tradition of the Chinese involved the use of herbs, essential
oils, and the practice of acupuncture based on the earliest records of the Book of
Internal Medicine of the Yellow Emperor dating back from before 2000 BC.
Some of the remedies of this Chinese herbal tradition included Ginger and Opium
essential oils, which were used in therapeutic applications, and also for religious
rites, including the Tcheou-Li and Li-ki ceremonies. Today, Borneo Camphor is
still being used in China, specifically for ritual purposes.
Probably the richest and most famous use of the first aromatic materials came
from ancient Egypt. The Papyrus manuscripts from the reign of Khufu contain
records of a number of medicinal herbs. In another papyrus that was written
around 2000 BC, choice perfumes and fine oils, as well as the incense of temples,
were used as offerings to delight the god. Aromatic gums and essential oils,
including Myrrh and Cedar, were used in the process of embalming. In fact,
traces of Frankincense and Styrax in cosmetic pots and ornate jars were found in
tombs.
In the stone inscriptions of the Nile Valley, complete symbolic representations
were preserved, covering the preparation process for essential oils, fermented
liqueurs, and balsams. The Egyptians were regarded as experts when it came to
herbal ointments and preparations, as well as cosmetology. One of their most
prominent remedies was the “kyphi,” which is a mixture of sixteen ingredients
used as perfume, incense, or taken internally for medicinal purposes. The “kyphi”
was primarily an antiseptic and a remedy for poison. In addition, according to
Plutarch, it could induce sleep, brighten dreams, and lessen anxieties.
Essential Oils Origins - Eastern Treasures
Some of the earliest trade materials of ancient times were made up of natural
aromatics and perfume items. These were rare and expensive. Around 1240 BC,
the Jewish people started their exodus to Israel, taking with them numerous
varieties of precious oils and gums. The Jews knew of the many uses of these
materials. According to the Bible, the Lord imparted the formula for a specific
anointing oil to Moses on the journey to Israel. This anointing oil included
essential oils such as Cinnamon, Myrrh, Olive, Cassia, and Calamus. This holy oil
was used for the consecration of Aaron and his sons to become priests. Thus, this
method of consecration using essential oils continued through the succeeding
generations. Eastern treasures such as Myrrh and Frankincense were offered to
Jesus Christ upon His birth.
Merchants from Phoenicia also exported scented oils and gums from the
peninsula of Arabia and eventually throughout Rome and Greece. These
merchants were responsible for introducing the Orient treasures to the West.
They brought cinnamon from India, camphor from China, rose from Syria, and
gums from Arabia. They ensured that their trading routes were kept secret.
The Egyptians taught the Greeks a great deal about herbs and essential oils. For
instance, during the 5th century BC, Democrates and Herodotus visited Egypt and
imparted what they knew about natural therapeutics and perfumery. Around 425
BC, Herodotus recorded the process of turpentine distillation and imparted the
information about odorous materials and perfumes. Meanwhile, Dioscorides
conducted a detailed study regarding the sources and uses of aromatics and
plants, which were applied by both the Romans and the Greeks. Dioscorides then
compiled the details into a five-volume pharmacology known as the Herbarius.
Hippocrates was born in Greece and is regarded as the “father of medicine.” He
prescribed perfumed fomentations and fumigations as part of his medical
practice. In general, the Greek medical practice was derived from Hippocrates,
who was known to cure using aromatic unctions.
Megallus also created one of Greek's famous preparations called the “megaleion”
from cinnamon, cassia, and myrrh. It was used both as a cure for battle wounds
and skin inflammation and as a perfume.
The Romans used aromatic oils and perfumes more lavishly than the Greeks did.
They utilized three kinds of perfumes, including solid unguents (ladysmata),
scented oils (stymmata), and powdered perfumes (diapasmata). These perfumes
were primarily used to aromatize their bodies, hair, clothes, and linens. Large
amounts of these scented oils were also used for massage after bathing.
As the Roman Empire fell and Christianity came forth, most of the Roman
physicians fled to Constantinople, taking with them the books of Hippocrates,
Dioscorides, and Galen. Consequently, the physicians translated the books into
Arabic, Persian, and other languages and passed on their knowledge to the Arabs
after the Byzantine Empire.
Essential Oils Origins – The Alchemy
The Arabs produced a number of great men of science between the 7th and 13th
centuries. One of them was Avicenna, a physician and scholar who was
enormously gifted with talent and intelligence. He wrote more than a hundred
books during his lifetime. One of these was solely about the Rose, a flower
treasured in Islam. Avicenna invented the refrigerated coil as part of the
distillation process, using it to create aromatic water and pure essential oils.
In 1975, Dr. Paolo Rovesti, who led an archaeological expedition to Pakistan,
found a distillation apparatus made of terracotta in the museum of Taxila.
Rovesti's expedition was set to investigate the ancient civilization of the Indus
Valley. The museum also showcased perfume containers dating back to 3000 BC.
This confirmed the use of the refrigerated coil in the process of preparing
aromatic oils. This discovery implied that the Arabs either improved or revived a
process that was already used more than 4000 years ago.
During the time of the Crusades, one of the most popular scents was rose water.
It came to the West along with the method of distillation and other exotic plant
extracts. The “perfumes of Arabia” became famous all over Europe during the 13th
century, while aromatic plants and herbal bouquets were scattered on floors and
carried as protection against infectious diseases during the Middle Ages.
The Europeans started to experiment with their own native herbs, as they lacked
the trees of the Orient that produced gums. In the beginning, they tried
Rosemary, Sage, and Lavender. By the 16th century, essential oils and lavender
water, referred to as “chymical oils,” could already be bought from pharmacists.
When printing was invented, the publication of numerous herbals began. One
called the Grete Herball was published in 1526. Some publications also included
illustrations of various herbal combinations and methods of volatile oil
extraction.
Meanwhile, philosophers employed the art of distillation in their practice of
alchemy as they tried to transform base metals into gold. Their pursuit in doing
so was primarily spiritual in nature. They asserted that the various distillation
states were the same as that of an inner psychic transmutation. These stages
include dissolution and coagulation; separation; extraction; fusion; and
sublimation. Similarly, while aromatic materials are distilled to create a pure
essence, the human emotions could also be concentrated and refined in order to
bring out their true nature.
Thus, according to the alchemists, volatile oils are comparable to the purified
human psyche. The “quintessence” concept of alchemists asserts that volatile oils
are an emanation of matter while the human psyche is the manifestation of the
spirit. Consequently, alchemy is the mediator between matter and spirit.
Essential Oils Origins – The Scientific Revolution
During the Renaissance period, pharmacopoeias were filled with aromatic
materials. For centuries, pharmacopeias were the only protection against plague
and epidemics. With the introduction of aromatic materials, the medicinal
applications of essential oils were recorded. The writings in the pharmacopeias
included well-established aromatic materials such as cinnamon, juniper,
rosemary, sage, lavender, rose, frankincense, and cedar. There were also essences
such as cajeput, orange flower, pine, artemisia, chervil, and valerian.
The industries of distillation and perfumery attracted a number of illustrious
names. In Europe's northern countries, flourishing commercial businesses
sprang up, specifically in Grasse, France. Towards the end of the 17th century, the
perfumery profession became distinct from its general field, which also
distinguished between aromatics and perfumes.
Alchemy paved the way to technical chemistry, along with an interest in the
interrelationship between matter and spirit, as well as the mutuality between
psychology and medicine. The concept of opposing speculation with deductive
reason and logic was also developed.
The early 19th century was the period for scientific revolution. Chemists were able
to distinguish the various constituents of essential oils as well as provide them
particular names such as cineol, citronellol, and geraniol.
Enthusiastic research was conducted for the discovery, conceptualization, and
application of essential oils. This paved the way for the growth of the modern
industry of drugs and pharmaceutics. However, this research also led to the
development of synthetic oil counterparts, which are available today.
Unfortunately, in the advent of artificially-produced oils and improper methods
of treatments, the credibility of aromatic remedies and herbal medicine was lost.
During the middle of the 20th century, the popularity of essential oils waned, and
almost died out completely, specifically their applications in cosmetics, food
products, and perfumes.