What is an Essential Oil?

Essential oils are concentrated oils or liquids containing chemical compounds from plants, which possess a strong aroma or fragrance.  These oils can be derived from various parts of the plant.  For example, berries, leaves, bark, seeds, peel, or root, among other parts can be used to produce essential oils.  Other names for essential oil are volatile oil, ethereal oil, and “oil of” whichever raw plant material it was extracted from.  The word essential, in this case, is used to identify that the oil is the pure fragrant essence of the plant.

Essential oil is usually produced using distillation, but may also be extracted by expression or solvent extraction.  Many of the most common essential oils, like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus are distilled.  This distillation process usually consists of putting the raw plant materials into a distillation device over water, which is then heated.  The steam vaporizes the aromatic compounds, which are then condensed back into liquid and collected. The liquid that is collected is called a hydrosol, hydrolat, herbal distillate or plant water essence.   

Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils

Essential oils are extracted from the actual raw plant and are natural and pure.  In contrast, fragrance oils, also known as perfume oils are created unnaturally and contain synthetic substances.   In addition, perfume or fragrance oils only provide the benefit of the aroma, while essential oils have a variety of other benefits and uses in addition to their aromatic quality.   Some of these additional benefits include, calming, relaxing, healing, antiseptic, and antibacterial benefits, among many others.

 Essential Oil Uses

The history of the use of essential oils is long and established. They have been and are used in medicine, aromatherapy, cosmetics, incense, cleaning products, and flavoring for food and drink. 

Distilled essential oils have been widely used throughout history for medicinal purposes varying from things like headache to athlete’s foot.  Most commonly essential oils have been used for a variety of skin care and conditions.  

Aromatherapy is a type of herbal medicine, in which essential oils are also commonly used for their healing effects.  Through aromatherapy, essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and sage are used to do things like relieve nervous tension and uplift the mind.  Many essential oils also have antiseptic properties. 

You can find Lavender, Vanilla, and Juniper essential oils in our Silver and Gold Skin Care bars.  These essential oils each have a variety of properties, which can be physically and emotionally beneficial.   Lavender oil has antimicrobial properties, which makes it good for cleansing and disinfecting.  It also has anti-inflammatory and restorative properties.  With its restorative abilities it has been known to be useful in the healing and regeneration of tissue.  It is also very popular in aromatherapy for the reduction of stress and tension.  Like Lavender, Vanilla tends to be a great stress and anger reducer.  It has a warm and soothing scent, which promotes relaxation and calm emotions. 

Juniper oil has properties, which allow it to help fight skin irritants and defend against further infection or inflammation.  It also tends to help with muscle and joint pain and can act as a toner for oily skin. Other properties cause Juniper oil to be good for stimulating circulation and even helping cellulite by firming the connective tissues of skin.  In addition to all of these physical benefits, it also has aromatic properties which are energizing and restorative, among other things.