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Hippocrates – 460 BC – 370 BC
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AROMATHERAPY
The use of aromatic plants in medicine, cooking and personal hygiene dates back to Medieval times. However, it was the French chemical engineer from Lyon, René-Maurice Gattefossé, who in 1928 introduced the term 'Aromatherapy' and created the ‘Therapeutic Applications of Essential Oils‘. He is considered the founding father of scientific aromatherapy, a discipline that employs rigorous methodology to study essential oils and their therapeutic properties.
Essential oils offer very interesting therapies in holistic health because of their numerous applications and their actions which are reflected on both physical and psychological aspects of health.
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile, aromatic compounds derived from plants.
They are true and undiluted essences extracted mainly through steam distillation from various parts of plants, including flowers (rose), fruits (lemon), leaves (peppermint), bark (cinnamon), roots (horseradish), spices (cloves), tree blossoms (Ylang Ylang) and gums (frankincense).
Essential oils are typically obtained from aromatic plants and trees through a water vapor distillation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ESSENTIAL OILS
A typical essential oil is a complex mixture of over 100 chemical compounds. The tiny molecular structure of these components makes essential oils extremely concentrated. Their lipid solubility combined with their small size, allows them to penetrate the body easily through the skin.
Essential oils are usually clear, pale yellow or yellow liquids although some can be solid or semi-solid like camphor. An example of a deep-colored essential oil is blue German chamomile.
STORAGE OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils should be stored in dark, tightly closed bottles, away from sources of heat as they are susceptible to degradation from several factors:
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Oxygen: Oxidation can alter the chemical composition of essential oils when oxygen interacts with certain components.
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Heat: Increased temperatures can saccelarate oxidation.
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Light: Exposure to light can also speed up oxidation.
QUALITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils intended for therapeutic use must be free from pesticides, chemicals, and adulteration with synthetic compounds or other essential oils, as such contamination can increase toxicity.
It is crucial to purchase essential oils from reputable sources that adhere to strict quality control standards to ensure their purity and effectiveness.