What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that is centered on approximately 200 aromatic plants that provide essential oils, which are extracted through distillation, CO2 extraction, alcohol extraction of some resins, enfleurage, maceration, or cold pressing. The term aromatherapy, which implies health benefits, coined in 1928 by Rene Maurice Gattefosse, refers to the combined effect of an essential oil on the body and the mood or attitude it evokes.  Aromatherapy is the art and science of using botanical essential oils to create and maintain physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well being.  

The word "aromatherapy" has been widely misued in advertising products which simply "smell".  The U. S.  marketplace is deluged with artificial , laboratory produced, and inferior fragrance products, which have no therapeutic value whatsoever.   More and more people are becoming less tolerant of these suspicious synthetics.  We can hardly avoid them if we move about in the world.  Fortunately, our bodies in their innate wisdom, when given a choice, will choose nutrients that will create well being.

What are essential oils? Essential oils are a part of a plant’s immune system and contain hundreds of constituents. Most of these compounds are not oily and range in viscosity from light to fairly solid. The word ‘oil’ was likely chosen because the substance floats on water. They actually contain volatile compounds, invisible to the eye, but profoundly available to the nose with direct access to the brain and control of the endocrine system. They are structured with the highest amount of double bond atoms known in the plant kingdom. Natural intelligence is stored in these double bonds. Here lies the amazing compatibility and support available to the whole human being in body, mind and spirit.

What are hydrosols? Hydrosols are the intricate infusion created through the same steam distillation of plant material that produces essential oils. They carry minute amounts of essential oil and are imbued with aroma. They also carry water soluble constituents which are not present in the essential oil.  They do not contain tannic acids and bitter substances found in the essential oil.  They are gentle, subtle and useful  for mucous skin, internal use and skin care. 

How does aromatherapy work? It works through the sense of smell, inhalation and absorption through the skin. Our sense of smell involves nerve receptor ending that are in direct contact with the outside world. Neural impulses go directly to the limbic system of the brain, particularly the thalamus and hypothalamus where our endocrine system is controlled. Our memory of wellness is stored here. Topical applications and inhalations enter through the bloodstream and set to work restoring balance in whichever systems and organs they have an affinity for.

What is the history of aromatherapy? The history of aromatherapy lies in the realm of spiritual practices of indigenous culture when plant medicines were formed and administered with healing intent. Perhaps a cedar branch was put on the fire and the quest for incense was begun.  Perhaps someone noticed a substance (essential oil) floating on a well made herbal infusion or decoction of an aromatic plant . No one knows for sure when the first stills were used. The oldest known recorded history, the Sumerian texts, mention Thyme. The Rig Veda, Ayur Veda textbooks and Traditional Chinese Medicine have 5,000 year old written documentation of use and practice.  Hippocrates, father of western modern medicine said the way to health was an aromatic bath and massage every day. Recent history which has sparked the revival of this ancient art/science involves Rene Maurice Gattefosse , a French chemist working in his family’s perfumier business, who discovered by accident that Lavender was able to heal a burn rapidly and help prevent scarring. He coined the term aromatherapy in 1928. In 1904 Cuthbert Hall proved that the antiseptic power of natural whole euclayptus was stronger than its isolated main active constituent. Dr. Jean Valnet , also French, treated patients in his practice and published the results in 1964. Continued research today is verifying the records of ancient medical texts from around the world.  

For commentary on the current state of the industry and the art, click here.

Are essential oils really safe to use? Yes. They are safe, but powerful and deserve our respect. With the exception of Lavender, Tea Tree and sometimes Sandalwood, all essential oils should be diluted before applying to the skin. A 1% -3% dilution is appropriate for most applications. They are used by the drop. 1 drop of essential oil in 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) is a 1% dilution. Some oils can be toxic when ingested in quantity. Some phototoxic oils can cause a rash or irritation when used directly on the skin. Some oils should not be used by pregnant women, those suffering from epilepsy, or by young children.

What is a synergy? Synergy is basically the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A synergy is a combination that works differently, ideally more effectively, than any individual component does. Essential oils have miraculous synergism within themselves. A more complex synergy is created when the individual essential oils in a formula harmoniously support each other's characteristics. The particular effect of any one oil may become far more powerful when that oil is properly combined with others.

Why do prices vary so much? Low priced oils are most likely synthetic or artificially constructed through certain adulterations. Medium priced oils, even though botanical in origin and labeled therapeutic are often harshly distilled and are missing many of the constituents found in an essential oil that has been cultivated and distilled with utmost respect. Prices vary greatly in therapeutic essential oils, primarily due to country of origin, availability and, of course, shipping cost.

Where should I start?   Let your nose be your guide. Begin to develop your sense of smell and you will soon begin to distinguish between the levels of quality as well as the ability to identify different aromas. Lavender is a good starting place for most people because it has a very broad range of action and can be used neat, or undiluted. It is considered the best first aid remedy.

How should essential oils be stored? Essential oils should be stored in amber or cobalt glass bottle with tight fitting lids. Keep them in a cool dry place away from children. Do not use rubber stopper tops which will degrade and hasten spoilage.

How long will they keep?   It varies.  The citrus oils will generally keep for 6 month to two years. Many of the florals and resins actually improve over time. Life expectancy is dependent on exposure to air and extreme temperautre fluxuations.  The test of freshness in an essential oil is its smell.  Collectors build a library of essential oils which are opened infrequently and reserved like fine wines. They are the gems of the plant kingdom.   Therapists and Dr. Moms who use aromatherapy as part of a healthy lifestyle will usually use what they buy and seldom have to throw anything away. 

What is gas chromatography?   It is a laboratory procedure that generates a graph of the volitility rate of constituents present in an essential oil (or other substance being examined). The use of this procedure by Dr. Christoph Streicher has contributed greatly to the establishment of purity standards for the therapeutic use of essential oil. Anyone with the machine can do the testing. The value lies in the analysis of those results. Just because an oil was tested does not mean that it is whole and therapeutic. It lends a certain mystique to aromatherapy, but is not, by itself, a guarantee of therapeutic value.  more info

What is chiral column analysis?    It is the analytical procedure by which a trained scientist can determine the molecular structure of a compound and it’s likely pharmacological effects. The "handedness" of the molecule is one of the issues in aromatherapy. Synthetic compounds can often have detrimental effects and are not therapeutic to a human being. Dr. Christoph Streicher is a master of chemistry and analyses every oil before it is included in the Amrita collection. He makes his personal guarantee regarding the therapeutic value of essential oils used in Amrita products.      more on purity standards