What are Essential Oils?
You’ve seen the name on product labels and advertisements, but what are essential oils? In this weeks blog we are going to do a deep dive on essential oils, so you can make informed purchasing decisions and utilize them to maximum benefit.
Essential oils are organic liquids secreted from the microscopic structures in various plant materials such as the seeds, grasses, roots, bark, stems, leaves, fruits and flowers. Since each plant type produces its own essential oil, the oils named after the plant from which it was derived. Although the term “oil” may suggest a thicker, viscous composition, they actually have a much more watery texture. These aromatic oils not only lend to a plant’s distinctive fragrance, they promote their self-protection and pollination.
The name “essential” stems from the fact that these oils were believed to capture a plant’s essence; its odour and flavour. They create each plant's distinctive fragrance.
Composition of Essential Oils
Essential oils are comprised of a unique mixture of constituents; a single essential oil sometimes containing hundreds of them. The unique ratio of the constituents gives the oil its specific wellness-enhancing and therapeutic qualities. The most commonly found classes of essential oil constituents include: Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, Diterpenes, Alcohols, Phenols, Aldehydes, Ketones, Esters, and Oxides. Due to the health-supporting and cleansing properties that many of the constituents share, almost all essential oils are anti-septic and many also have anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
Fragrance Oil vs. Essential Oil
Fragrance Oils (also called a “perfume oil”) are artificial compounds, synthetically created by chemists from botanicals. Although they produce a pleasant scent, they do not contain the same therapeutic benefits as essential oils. The human body does not absorb the structures of synthetic molecules as readily as the natural molecules in essential oils. As the name suggests, they are used to add a scent or perfume effect to products such as soaps, cleansers and moisturizers.
Popular Essential Oils
These are some of the most commonly used essential oils broken down by their beneficial traits:
Citrus Oils are uplifting and supportive of the immune system. Oils in this category include Lemon and Blood Orange. They are notable for their fresh, warm and tangy citrus scents. These strong and long lasting scents deliver a pleasant uplifting and invigorating experience. Try our popular Sweet Orange Essential Oil to experience citrus oils yourself!
Oxide-rich Oils are regard as being de-congestive and mentally motivating. Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Peppermint are the most notable of the oxide-rich oils. Eucalyptus has many applications including; purifying skin, warming, toning and refreshing skin, and promoting a sense of well-being. It can be applied topically or diffused to benefit through scent, creating an uplifting atmosphere. Rosemary is notable for its strong, fresh, woody and herbal scent. Peppermint on the other hand is known for the minty sweetness of its scent, making it one of the most popular essential oils, and one of the oldest documented medicinal herbs. It provides an uplifting sense of refreshment and a boost of positive vibes. Interested in experiencing the benefits of an oxide-rich essential oil for yourself? Try out our Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil or Rosemary Essential Oil and let us know what you think.
Monoterpenol-rich Oils (say that three times fast), are traditionally used to nourish and soothe inflamed skin. Tea Tree Oil has a fresh, slightly woody scent as its name suggests. It has long been used be the Aboriginal People of Australia for both medicinal use, as well as consumed as a tea. Featured in our Tea Tree Essential Oil.
Kentone-rich Oils are considered to be mucolytic and known for their cooling effects when applied topically. Lavender is by far the most popular of these oils, thanks to its calming, physically and emotionally balancing fragrance. It is also considered to have anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and anti depressant properties. If you are interested in experiencing Lavender Oil yourself, we recommend our Lavender Scrub or Lavender Essential Oil.
Tip: Essential oils should be stored in cool, dark, dry areas.
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