FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions.
What are the Basic Tools of Aromatherapy?
Essential oils & Hydrosols
Collected plant materials are steam distilled, cold-pressed, CO2 extracted or macerated to extract the pure essence of each plant. This essence is called essential oil. Essential oils serve to protect plants against insect attacks, microbes, fungal infections and serve as precursors for many chemical compounds that the plant makes in reaction to its environment.
Hydrosols are the essential oil waters that are created as a result of the above processes. Often hydrosols, or floral waters, are the only product that can be obtained from a plant because its essential oil content is so low. Hydrosols are very mild and can be used in greater extent than essential oils, on the skin, in skin care regimens, and in healing product blends. They contain most of the chemical composition that the essential oil would at a much lower (diluted) concentration.
A great example is peppermint hydrosol. Peppermint essential oil is extremely aromatic and can only be used in very small quantities. Applying the essential oil directly to the skin, even 1 drop can create a burning sensation and may produce redness or even itching. However, the peppermint hydrosol, because of the dilution, contains many of the cooling and healing properties of peppermint but is soothing when applied to skin in a compress or added to a cream or lotion for skin care.
How do you know what is in your essential oil?
What is its chemical composition?
Essential Oils change from season to season. They also vary from region to region. Where we harvest the oils and when we collect the clippings, roots, bark, leaves, flowers directly affects the oil content. For many essential oils, the time of day is crucial to harvesting specific chemotypes for the essential oil distillation.
You must use a reliable source, such as a professional aromatherapist, a direct contact at a farm or distillery to be able find out what’s in your essential oils. Each professional supplier can provide a lot # plus a GC sheet that breaks down the main chemical constituents of the oil in question.