Where Essential Oils Are Used

Essential oils – this aromatic phrase is surely familiar to everyone. These gifts of nature fill our lives with the richness of life-giving forces and the harmony of natural aromas. The amazing science of Aromatherapy is based on the natural properties of essential oils, revealing the secrets of human interaction with nature in the language of ethereal substances. Aromas are used by humanity not only in aromatherapy, but also in everyday life, in food, and in industry. Methods for extracting aromatic oils are being improved. This article will tell you where aromatic oils are used and applied, how they are classified and how far their traces go back in history.

History

The history of essential oils, according to scientists, has developed in all world civilizations. According to archaeologists, in Egypt 6000 years BC, turpentine was already extracted from plants and they possessed the art of embalming. In China, 4500 BC, they began to study the medicinal properties of plants. In 2700 BC, Emperor Shen-Nun compiled the “Great Herbalist”, which described 365 medicinal plants. The Chinese believed that the smell of plants contains magical energies, aromas strengthen human strength and expel diseases. The Greeks in 400 BC discovered the therapeutic effect of plant incense, their calming and stimulating effect. Around 1000 AD, Avicenna first obtained fragrant rose essence by distillation. The Enlightenment brought with it the tradition of using scented water, and from the 12th century, aromatization separated and became an independent perfumery industry. In 1928, the French chemist Gattefosse, when describing the therapeutic effect of plant extracts, introduced the concept of “aromatherapy”. This scientific work was continued by the doctor Jean Valnet, who during the Second World War treated the wounded using essential oils and discovered their regenerating and antiseptic properties. Aromatic oils were brought to Russia under Peter I. Snuff and sachets with fragrant herbal powder, which fashionistas sewed into their fluffy skirts, became fashionable.

Application

If you ask what essential oils are needed for, the answer will be voluminous. Aromatic oils are used in many areas of life: in cooking, in everyday life, in industry, in medicine. If you analyze the life of a modern person and calculate how many substances based on essential oils he used in just one day, the list will be long. Starting with morning washing with fragrant soap, using perfumery and cosmetic products, meals during the day, most likely with spices, coffee breaks and other joys, ending with evening events with shower products, teas with goodies and sleep on your favorite bed with the smell of air conditioner fragrance. I wonder how our life will smell if we exclude the smells of essential oils from it?

Industrial Applications - Food and liquor industry. - Tobacco production. - Pharmaceutical production. - Veterinary medicine. - Perfumery and cosmetic industry. - Aromatherapy. - Production of household chemicals. - Production of paints and varnishes, plastics and rubber. The food industry uses the largest part of the total volume of essential oils – 50%, perfumery production (30%), pharmaceutical industry (10%), cosmetic (5%), aromatherapy (about 1%).

Home Use - Inhalations, compresses. - Aromatic massage and cosmetic care. - Baths, hand and foot baths. - Shower, sauna, jacuzzi. - Spraying in the room. - Vaporizers (aromalamps). - Aromatic candles. - Air humidifiers. - House cleaning: And this is not a complete list of what essential oils are needed for.

Production

What types of essential oils are there, depending on the production method. - Cold pressing – using pressing. Suitable only for citrus fruits. - Distillation – using condensation. The most common method. - Hydrodiffusion – using hot steam. The most environmentally friendly method. - Solvent extraction – using non-polar solvents. Absolutes of essential substances are obtained. - Supercritical extraction (CO2) – using carbon dioxide. The structure of essential substances is not damaged. Expensive oil for elite perfumery. - Dynamic adsorption – using activated carbon. Suitable for flower oils. - Enfleurage – extraction with solid fat. The oldest and most expensive method. Since 1930, this technology has not been used due to its high cost, except for one private production in France. - Maceration – extraction with vegetable oil. The method is available for home use.

Classifications

Classification of essential oils.

By naturalness The composition of essential oils depends on the method of obtaining. - Natural essential oil – has a natural composition, rich aroma, gives maximum therapeutic benefits. - Reconstructed (restored) – obtained by mixing natural and synthetic components that recreate the composition of natural oil. - Synthetic – produced by chemical synthesis, the aroma is identical to natural, but it is a chemical product. - Falsified – produced by mixing fragrance with solvent, imitating the original. Not useful!

By effect on humans Types of essential oils effect on humans: - tonic, exciting, stimulating; - calming, relaxing, harmonizing; - refreshing, cleansing, strengthening. These properties of oils are used as tools of influence in aromatherapy.

By aroma notes

• Top notes – strong initial aromas, evaporate in 1–2 hours (mint, eucalyptus). - Middle notes – main aroma notes, evaporate in 2–4 hours (pine, lavender). - Base notes – aroma trail, resistant to evaporation, last up to 24 hours (sandalwood, frankincense, vanilla). The shelf life of essential oils is up to 5 years (roses, sandalwood, myrrh, jasmine, patchouli, verbena, frankincense). But citrus and coniferous oils require careful storage and use after opening the bottle for 0.5–1 year.
  The shelf life on the packaging refers to an unopened bottle. When the bottle is opened and the oil comes into contact with air, the oxidation process begins and the shelf life is reduced.
  How to store essential oils so that they retain their beneficial properties: - tightly closed dark bottle; - temperature from –5 to +30 degrees Celsius; - away from fire and children.
  If the oil has become cloudy, thickened, has become unpleasant to smell, it means it is spoiled. Do not use it.
  If you carefully study information about the properties of essential oils, a generous and wise world of nature opens up to us. Having learned to interact with it competently, we will gain access to the world of harmony of the universe. Now you know what essential oil means.