• What are essential oils?
• Types of essential oils?
• How are oils extracted?
• What are the main chemistry components in essential oils?
• What are the properties of essential oils?
• What are the safety rules of using essential oils?
• How to store essential oils?
• What is the life span of essential oils?
• What is aromatherapy?
• History of aromatherapy
• What are the fields of applications of essential oils?
  

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the odoriferous, volatile (i.e. evaporate rapidly when exposed to air) liquid components of aromatic plants. They may be found in the petals, fruits, seeds, leaves, buds, resins, bark, twigs, stems, woods, roots, rhizomes of a plant.

The essential oils may be concentrated in a specific part of a plant or spread out in several areas. For example, the orange tree yields oil from its flower blossoms, leaves, twigs and rind of the fruit. The clove tree contains oil in the buds, stems and leaves. The whole plant of peppermint, lemongrass and gingergrass is used, whereas oil is extracted only from the flowers of rose, jasmine, helichrysum and ylang-ylang.

Essential oils are also known as the soul or lifeblood of plants. Essential oils have been used for centuries all over the world for its fragrant quality and its healing powers.

We may not realize it but practically everyone is in contact with essential oils on many occasions each day. The oils are ingredients in toothpastes, chewing gum, candy, soft drinks, food flavourings, household products, cosmetics, perfumes, aftershave lotions, colognes, soaps, skin and hair care products and personal hygiene products.

According to William Poundstone in the book Big Secrets, the secret formula for Coca-Cola includes the essential oils of nutmeg, cassia, lemon, orange, lime, neroli, lavender and coriander. The quality and quantity of an essential oil produced from a plant depends on several interacting factors:

Soil conditions, altitude, moisture, climate, the time of harvesting and the extraction process. The ylang-ylang tree bears flowers year-round, but the months in which the flowers contain the highest yield of oil are May and June. Roses are picked early in the morning before sunrise; Jasmine, being night scented flowers are picked at dusk before they are a day old.

For instance, 100 kilos of lavender yields almost 3 litres of essential oil, whereas 100 kilos of rose petals can yield only half a litre of oil.

Types of essential oils?

Chamomile
The warm, sweet fruity-herbaceous scent of Chamomile oil is relaxing and antispasmodic, helping to relieve tension, migraine, headaches, nausea, stress related complaints and digestive problems or insomnia. Blends well with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Jasmine, Orange, Rose, Geranium and Lavender.

Geranium
The rosy-sweet, minty scent of Geranium oil has a refreshing, uplifting and antidepressant quality. Besides relieving nervous tension and exhaustion, it also helps to relieve fluid retention and cellulite when use in baths or massage.
Blends well with Lavender, Patchouli, Melissa, Clove, Rose, Orange, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Bergamot and other citrus oils.

Ylang Ylang
This tropical tree, native to Indonesia, produces an intensely sweet, soft, floral-balsamic scent. It has a sedative yet antidepressant action. It is good for many symptoms of excessive tension such as insomnia, panic attacks, anxiety and depression it also ideal as an aphrodisiac, through its ability to reduce stress levels. Blends well with Rosewood, Jasmine, Vetiver, Bergamot, Rose and others.

Peppermint
Peppermint oil has a highly penetrating, grassy-mint and camphoraceous scent that is both stimulating and strengthening; It’s clean, uplifting, cooling and refreshing aroma alleviates headaches, migraines and especially useful in the treatment of shock. It is effective in reducing mucus and relieving coughs, sinusitis, throat infections, colds, flu, asthma and bronchitis. It also encourage menstrual regularity and relieves hot flashers/flushes when use in baths or massage.
Blends well with Rosemary, Lavender, Marjoram, Lemon, Eucalyptus and other mints.

Melissa
One of the earliest known medicinal herbs-Paracelsus called it the “Elixir of Life”. It has a light, fresh and lemony fragrance and is used to strengthen and revive vital spirit. It helps to regulate menstrual cycle and promote fertility. Effective remedy for wasp and bee stings and when used in very low concentration, is very valuable oil in treating eczema and other skin problems. It is used for digestive and respiratory complaints of nervous origin such as asthma, indigestion and flatulence.
Blends well with Lavender, Geranium and other floral and citrus oils.

Jasmine
Jasmine if often regarded as the “King of Oils”. Its intensely rich, warm, floral and tea-like undertone aroma has a relaxing, euphoric effect and can greatly lift the mood when there is debility (weakness, especially as a result of illness), depression and listlessness.

It is also a valuable uterine tonic, for relieving menstrual pain and cramps. When us as a massage oil on the abdomen and lower back in the early stages of labour, Jasmine will both alleviate pain and strengthen contractions, and it helps with the expulsion of the placenta after delivery and aids post-natal recovery. Jasmine is also known for its aphrodisiac properties and is one of the best means to help with sexual problems that arise from tension, anxiety, depression or fear. Blends with Rose, Sandalwood, Clary Sage and all citrus oils. It has the ability to round off any rough notes and blend with virtually everything.

Lavender
Known among aroma therapists as the “Mother of all essential oils”, Lavender has a sweet, floral-herbaceous scent and balsamic-woody undertone and is used for centuries to refresh homes and as a remedy for stress-related ailments.

It is especially helpful for alleviating tension headaches, or for nervous digestive upsets; use in massage oil or in the bath for a deeply relaxing and calming experience. Lavender oil is one of the safest and most versatile of all oils. It uses range from first-aid treatment of burns, to skin care products and oils for muscular aches and pains. Blends well with most oils, especially citrus, floral, Cedarwood, Clover, Clary Sage, Pine, Geranium, Vetiver and Patchouli.

Bergamot
The oil from the peel of the citrus fruit has a fresh, sweet-fruity and slightly balsamic undertone. It is the most effective antidepressant oil of all, best used at the start of the day.

Bergamot is cooling in feverish conditions. It is an ingredient of Earl Grey tea ad of eau de cologne, both of which have a cooling and uplifting effect. It is an excellent deodorant both for personal use and for rooms and buildings.

It is one of the most valuable oils in treating urinary tract infection. Used in early stages, when added to bath (diluted to 0.5 or 1%), can often prevent infection from spreading upwards. Blends well with Lavender, Orange blossom, Jasmine, Cypress, Geranium, Lemon, Chamomile and Juniper.

Sandalwood
One of the oldest perfumes in history with at least 4,000 years of uninterrupted use. Sandalwood has a deep, soft, sweet-woody balsamic scent of excellent tenacity and often appeals to men as much as to women. It has a relaxing antidepressant effect on the nervous system and where depression causes sexual problems, sandalwood can be a genuine aphrodisiac. Blends well with Rose, Violet, Clove, Lavender, Black pepper, Bergamot, Rosewood, Geranium, Patchouli, Myrrh and Jasmine.

Lemon
Lemon is one of the most cleansing and antiseptic of all the citrus oils, useful for boosting the immune system and in skin care. Its light, fresh, citrus scent refreshes and cleans the air as well as enhances clarity of mind and thoughts. Blends well with Lavender, Orange Blossom, Ylang Ylang, Rose, Sandalwood, Chamomile, Fennel, Geranium, Eucalyptus and other citrus oils.

la Brise Special Blends and Fragrance

Brole
PSB tested for anti microbial activities. Strongly recommended for its antibacterial properties and is effective in purifying, deodorizing and refreshing the environment. It also boosts body’s immunity to fight against infectious diseases, speeds up recovery process from illnesses, improves memory and concentration, relieves stress and fatigue and repels parasites and insects. It is made up of a proprietary blend of therapeutic grade essential oils, which include Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Lavender and others.

Festive Scents
Enchanted Garden
Blend of Rose, Bergamot and Ginger Flower

Pastel Reflections
Blend of Rose, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang.

Royal Ecstasy
Blend of Lavender, Thyme and Sandalwood

Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley fragrance

Breath of Spring
Green Apple fragrance

Corporate Scents

Communication
Consists of Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Neroli, Vebena and other essential oils. Helps to set a pleasant and delightful atmosphere that will encourage flow of communication and cooperation. It is good to use in meetings where negotiations take place.

Concentration
Consists of Rosemary, Thyme, Bergamot, Lavender and other essential oils. Helps to stimulate the mind and improve mental clarity and alertness. It is an ideal choice of oil for working on a detailed project or studying for exam of which requires long duration of concentration.

Relaxation
Consists of Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense and other essential oils. Helps to calm and relax the senses. It is also useful for relieving stress and tension.

Motivation
Consist of a synergistic blend of Pine, Mandarin, Vanilla and other essential oils. Helps to promote positive thoughts and sharpen the senses to tackle difficult tasks and strengthen will power.
For all Corporate scents above:

How are oils extracted?
The extraction process helps to determine the purity of oil. Six methods are outlined below:

1. STEAM DISTILLATION:
Steam from boiling water is used to release the essential oils from the plant material. The steam is then cooled and condensed into liquid, the oil separates and floats on top of the water where it is skimmed off. This extraction method is most extensively used and produces a good-quality essential oil.

2. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTRACTION:
There are two extraction processes in this method. They are referred to as Select and Total. In the Select method, the oil is extracted at a temperature of around 87.8 degrees F (31 degrees C). The plant material is placed in a chamber and then the compressed CO2 gas is released. As the gas passes through the plant material, it takes the components into solution. When the process is completed the pressure is lowered, and the extracted components precipitate out and are collected. The CO2 gas is then recompressed and recycled to be used again without leaving any residues in the extracted oil. The extracted oil contains selected components similar to the oils that are steam distilled. In the Total extracted method, the plant material is processed at a higher temperature. The extracted oil from this method contains more components than from the Select method. Since the CO2 process equipment is extremely costly, the essential oils produced are more expensive.

3. EXPELLER, MECHANICALLY, OR COLD PRESSED:
Seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and fruit peels are pressed without the use of high heat. This is an excellent method to produce quality oil. However, large amounts of these oils are usually refined afterward using high heat and harsh chemicals. Therefore, it is important to check the label on the container in order to ensure that the oil is unrefined so that it contains all the valuable nutrients.

4. MACERATION:
Flowers are soaked in hot oil until their cells rupture and the oil absorbs the essence.

5. REFINING PROCESS FOR VEGETABLE/CARRIER OILS:
After the oil has been extracted from the plant material, it is usually put through a refining process that included these steps:

6. SOLVENT EXTRACTION:
The plant material is bathed in solvents such as hexane and other toxic chemicals that extract the oil. This method is less costly and extracts a greater amount of oil. However, toxic residues remain in the oil, which makes this product undesirable for aromatherapy use. Absolute flower oils and a high percentage of vegetable oils are extracted in this manner.

What are the main chemistry components in essential oils?
Essential oils have complex molecular structures and may contain from over a hundred to 30,000 different natural chemicals. Alcohols, esters, ketones, phenols and adehydes feature prominently and have been most closely studied with regard to their therapeutic potential.

In general, essential oils high in alcohols and esters have gentle healing properties and are safe for home use. Ketones, phenols and aldehydes are more powerful chemical s that are also active therapeutically.

Many of the other chemicals present in an essential oil (including the minor and as yet, nameless ones) are thought to play a vital role in preventing side effects.

While it is interesting to take a closer look at the individual components of essential oils, it is important not to lose sight of the whole. Assigning actions to an essential oil based on its chemical composition can be misleading. As we have seen, the therapeutic properties of the whole oil are the result of synergism: an interaction of all its chemical constituents working harmoniously together so that the whole becomes more potent than the sum of its individual parts.

Several major families of chemical compounds found in essential oils, along with their most widely-acknowledge therapeutic properties are listed below. Obviously not every compound is present in every oil, which is why different oils can have very different therapeutic effects.

Terpenes
Common terpenes include limonene (an antiviral agent found in 90 per cent of citrus oils), and pinene (an antiseptic found in high concentrations in pine and turpentine oils). Others, such as chamazuline and farnesol (found in chamomile essence), possess remarkable anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties.

Esters
The most widespread group found in plant essences, which includes linalyl acetate (found in clary sage and lavender), and geranyl acetate (found in sweet marjoram). Esters’ qualities include fungicidal, relaxing, anti-spasmodic and sedative, usually with a fruity scent.

Aldehydes
These substances are found notably in lemon-scented essences, such as lemongrass and citronella. Aldehydes generally have sedative, relaxing, calming, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic qualities.

Ketones
Certain ketones are known to be toxic, so this chemical group is regarded with a degree of caution. However, it is misleading to generalize about the toxicity of individual chemical components without knowing the exact ratio of the substance in relation to other chemicals in the whole oil. Certain essences, however, do contain appreciable quantities of toxic ketones, so should be avoided by lay people. Mugwort, tansy, wormwood and common sage contain the potentially risky thujone, while pennyroyal contains pulegone. Non-toxic ketones include jasmone, found in jasmine and fenchone in sweet fennel. Ketones ease congestion and aid the flow of mucus, which is why plants and essences containing relatively large quantities of these substances are usually helpful for upper respiratory complaints and stimulating cell regeneration.

Alcohols
Some of the most common alcohols include linalol (found in abundance in lavender), citronellol (rose, lemon, eucalyptus and geranium) and geraniol (geranium and palmarose). These substances tend to have good antiseptic and antiviral properties and an uplifting quality.

Phenols
These are bactericidal with a strong, stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Essential oils containing relatively large quantities of certain phenols are potentially irritant to skin and mucous membranes. Common caustic phenols include eugenol (found in clove essence), thymol (thyme) and carvacrol (oregano). However, anethole (from fennel) and estragole (tarragon) are not at all caustic.

Oxides
These are found in a wide range of essences, especially those of a camphoraceous nature, such as rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree and cajuput. Oxides tend to have an expectorant effect; for example, eucalyptol (eucalyptus).

Flavonoids
This group of compounds is being very actively researched. Qualities of these components include stimulating circulation, anti-cancer, preventing cardiovascular disorders.

What are the properties of essential oils?
The consistency of essential oils ranges from water (lavender oil, for example) to firm (from rose “otto,” for example). Their coloured vary form mostly clear to dark brown, green, dark red or blue. They dye fabrics readily, so it is best not to let clothing come in direct contact with them.

Although these substances or essences are called oils they are not fatty. They evaporate in the air with varying speeds and intensities and are highly sensitive to light (ultraviolet rays) and heat.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and cannot be compared with herbal extracts. That is why only extremely small amounts of essential oils are necessary for an optimal effect in your cosmetics. The yield of essential oils is generally low. To obtain 1/3 ounce-the amount commercially sold by most merchants to the consumer, required as much as 6.6 pounds of marjoram, 8.8 pounds of clary sage, 22 pounds of rosemary, 1,100 pounds of rose petals or 2.200 pounds of hyacinth blossoms!

What are the safety rules of using essential oils?
Although Essential Oils are harmless in most cases, they are concentrated substances and it is important to follow the safety guidelines when use Essential Oils.

• Avoid oral intake of essential Oils, except when they are prescribed by experiences therapist. Some Oils are toxic when ingested. For example, wild Tansy contains thujone, which cannot be taken internally.
• Do not use citrus Oils when expose to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. Citrus oils, such as Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Mandarin, Bergamot, Angelica, etc., are photosensitive and may cause a rash or pigmentation. Apply 1 to 2 drops of diluted oil to see how your skin responds.
• Never apply essential oils directly to eyes or ears. Apply only around the opening and always diluted.
• Spice, Conifer, and Citrus oils can be caustic to the skin. Spice oils include: Nutmeg, Ginger, Pepper, Basil, Cinnamon, Marjoram and Thyme. Conifer Oils include: Juniper, Spruce, Pine and Birch. Particular care should be exercised with Cinnamon, Lemongrass, Oregano, and thyme, as they are some of the strongest and most caustic. Always dilute these oils before use. Do not add more than 3 drops of these oils in the bath.
• When pregnant, avoid: Clary Sage, Sage and Fennel, which have active constituents with hormone-like activity.
• For babies and children, always dilute 1 to 2 drops with 1 tsp. Of Vegetable Oil. For babies 0-12 month, use only 1 drop of Lavender, Rose, or Chamomile, diluted in 1 tsp. Of Vegetable Oil for massage or bathing (please, do not use other oils). For infants 1-5 years old, only use non-toxic and non-caustic oils. For children 6-12 years old, use as for adults, but in half of the recommended concentration.
• Should a child swallow an oil, give the child milk, cream, or any other soluble liquid to dilute the oil and call local poison control center to seek immediate emergency medical attention. Oils should be kept away from children!
• If the skin becomes irritated or if oils get into the eyes, immediately flush with Vegetable Oil. Call health care Practitioner. You may use water, but this may cause considerable discomfort, as water drives the oils deeper into skin.
• Take extra caution if you wear contact lens. Essential Oils with high phenol content, such as Cinnamon, Oregano, Thyme, Clove, Lemongrass, Bergamot, etc., may damage the surface of the contact lens.
• Do not mix blends. essential Oil blends are specific in their formulation; and by mixing them, you may change the aroma as well as the benefit desired. You may add a single oil to a blend or combine various single oils.
• Avoid using of following essential Oils in cases of high Blood Pressure: Rosemary, Sage and Thyme.
• Avoid using of following essential Oils in cases of Epilepsy: Fennel, Hyssop, Rosemary and Sage.
• Alcohol. Clary Sage should not be used in any form within a few hours (before or after) of drinking alcohol. It can cause nausea and exaggerated drunkenness.
• Homeopathic Treatment is not compatible with following oils, due to their strength: Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Black Pepper.
• Detoxification Problems. Some people have reported that when applying too many different oils or too much of one oil, the body may be subjected to a cleansing response, which can cause headaches, rashes, nausea, burning, diarrhea, etc. Toxins stored in the body may also be released through the skin, especially on the face and neck area. Should this occur, simply reduce the amount of oils used and the number of times applied and drink plenty of purified water.

How to store essential oils?
Storage of oils is very important. Essential oils should be stored in dark glass bottles away form light, heat and damp, which can adversely affect them.

Bath, massage and skin care oils containing essential oils should also be kept in dark brown bottles. It is not advisable to keep them in plastic bottles, which may cause chemical reactions with the natural substances. The pure, unadulterated gift of nature should be stored in natural containers of glass, porcelain or clay. Should essences come in contact with fire, thay may ignite – a reaction that can be easily e observed when a twist of orange peel is pressed over a candle or pine branches are tossed into the fireplace and the igniting oils crackle explosively.

What is the life span of essential oils?
In theory, most essential oils will keep for several years except for the citrus oils, which begin to deteriorate after about six months. Bergamot essence however, is the exception and will keep for at least two years. A few oils will improve with age, rather like some good wines; such as sandalwood, frankincense, rose otto and patchouli. Many of the absolutes and resinoids improve with age too, especially jasmine and oak moss.

However, the more often the bottle of any aromatic oil is opened, the greater the chance of oxidation and thus of reduction in the oil’s therapeutic properties and the quality of its aroma. However, if stored carefully in a cool dark place, they will keep for at least one year, from one harvest to the next, with no problem.

Once diluted in vegetable oil for use as massage oil, essential oils will keep for no longer than two months (three if kept in a cool place). Blended into perfumes, your creations will keep for at least six months (or longer if diluted in alcohol). This is because the concentration of essential oils in perfume blends is much higher, while aromatic waters and colognes contain a much lower concentration of essentials oils should be used within three months. Aroma gradually fades with time, depending on how often the bottle is opened.

What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is an aesthetic healing art that uses essential oils to promote both a healthy body and a serene mind.

Even though massage is the mainstay of aromatherapy, essential oils are used in a variety of other ways for healing and aesthetic purposes – for example, in baths, steam inhalations and as mood enhancing perfumes.

History of aromatherapy
Although the term aromatherapy has been in use for less than a century, the therapeutic, spiritual (religious and liturgical), and cosmetic uses of aromatic oils have at least a 5,000-year history. The spread of aromatherapy has followed the westward course of civilization, beginning in the oriental cultures of China, India, Persia and Egypt. The earliest scriptures of the Hindu religion-the Vedas-mention several hundred perfumes and aromatic products, codifying them for both liturgical and therapeutic practices. This knowledge has been maintained for at least 3,000 years through the Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine, in which many of the essential oils used in aromatherapy have been a useful part.

It is very likely that the ancient civilizations of China and India were practicing some form of aromatics as well as phytotherapy. (i.e. “plant therapy” or plant medicine-better describes the varied treatment applications using plant extracts and materials other than, and including, essential oils) while such practices were occurring in Egypt.

The revival of aromatherapy began in the late 1920s with a French cosmetic chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. It was he who coined the term aromatherapie-aromatherapy-which became the title of his first book.

He noted that many of the essential oils used in the perfume products were superior antiseptics to the chemical antiseptics that were added. He was particularly impressed by the extraordinary healing effectiveness of lavender when, after burning his hand during a lab explosion, he immediately immersed the injured hand in pure lavender oil. The hand not only healed within a few hours but it did so without infection or scarring. This motivated his first exploration into the uses of essential oils for dermatology and cosmetics. From there, Gattefosse viewed the enormous potential and great possibilities in aromatherapy research.

What are the fields of applications of essential oils?
Human development and the advances of the past century have coupled with the rich potential and amazing versatility of aromatherapy and pure essential oils to greatly widen their application. These various traditional and modern applications are broadly categorized as clinical/medical, aesthetic/cosmetic, and holistic/naturopathic, or sometimes according to the administration method of essential oils: internally (ingestion), externally (topical), or aromatically (inhalation).

Since essential oils have simultaneous physical and psychological affects, and human response to them will, therefore, occur physically, emotionally, and mentally as well as spiritually, separate categories cannot always be maintained by sharp lines of theory or hard barriers of practice. Aromatherapy and essential oils will invariably give crossover results and reciprocal benefits.

Medicine:
One clinical/medical application of essential oils is as an alternative to chemical synthetic drugs, as mood-enhancing agents useful in psychology or psychiatry. The Practice of Aromatherapy, Dr Valnet offers a sure definition of safe and healthful treatment: “any substance or process that is non-toxic and constant in its effects when faced with the same symptoms.” By his criterion, essential oils are certainly safe, healthful, and effective antimicrobial agents and that they are without the unpleasant side-effects associated with medical antibiotics. Essential oils have a profound influence on virtually every physiological system, process, and function. They assist the elimination of toxins at the cellular level and are antimicrobial and antiseptic not only by their direct activity but by strengthening the body’s own immune system.

Unlike synthetic drugs, essential oils prescribed for physical or psychological ills do not harmfully or indiscriminately impose their action upon the body but instead help the body to help itself. They do not attack or weaken the organism while attacking the disease. They are a natural suitability that, unlike medical antibiotics, counters infectious germs while sparing-even promoting-useful, beneficial microorganisms.

Microbes build little or no resistance to essential oils, perhaps because essential oils are the natural defense mechanism of plant and their chemical complexity, which defies scientific analysis, also confounds and thwarts would-be invaders.

Aromatherapy and essential oils offer physicians a safe and effective alternative for nearly any condition that might otherwise indicate the use of drugs. That is not to suggest that aromatherapy is a cure-all (no system or therapy is) or that essential oils are entirely without hazards. But the potential toxicity and hazards of essential oils are mild and minimal in comparison with drugs.

The clinical/medical use of essential oils also includes them in anal or vaginal suppositories, in topical applications for dermatological conditions, and in germicidal sprays or aerosols. As observed by Dr H Sztark, French medical inspector of schools in the late 1930s, “Being both volatile and antiseptic, essential oils are the ideal means of preventing the spread of airborne infection.” The inhalation or topical administration of essential oils has decided advantages over their internal use, especially when combined with other therapies such as massage. They seem to be better absorbed through the skin and nose, and their effects are more immediate. By either means, essential oils gain easy and unaltered entry into the bloodstream as they are taken up by the capillaries and lymph ducts (when applied topically) or the lungs (when inhaled); they are initially unchanged by the liver metabolism that occurs when they are swallowed.

Massage:
Many therapeutic results of massage upon the circulatory system, lymphatic system, muscles, organs and glands have been well documented and scientifically proven; combined with essential oils they are greatly enhanced and expanded. The healthful vegetable oils used in massage, which are also lipid soluble and therefore absorbed into the skin, make excellent carriers for essential oils. The effects are threefold: The topical application of essential oils restores, rejuvenates, and nourishes the skin, something that is also accomplished when essential oils are included in aesthetic/cosmetic treatments. The essential oils assist the massage effects that liberate toxins from muscles, open congested nerves, and increase blood and lymph flow. Meanwhile, the oils are also released aromatically and taken up by the olfactory systems of the nose.

In summary, aromatic massage will:
1. Enliven and tone the skin and the subcutaneous and connective tissues, increasing circulation and thus facilitating the removal of toxins while assisting skin nutrition;
2. Reduce or eliminate conditions of lymphatic stasis, edema, and inflammation;
3. Stimulate muscle irrigation (releasing toxic buildup such as lactic acid) and restore muscle tone, thus reducing fatigue and accelerating recuperation;
4. Harmonize or balance the autonomic nervous system and cerebrospinal system;
5. Tone and normalize the visceral digestive organs; and
6. Normalize functions of the endocrine glands.
Although aromatic massage is generally recognized as the most complete and comprehensive body therapy, other bodywork systems, such as shiatsu, reflexology, acupressure, and polarity therapy, can also greatly benefit from the incorporation of essential oils.

Cosmetology:
Obviously, the superior advantage to skin care provided by aromatherapy is the capacity of essential oils to advance cellular renewal through increased circulation, hydration, and waste removal. In this way, the essential oils also exhibit their natural “homeostatic intelligence” by regulating the skin’s sebaceous secretions according to its requirements, just as they do for glands elsewhere in the body. Essential oils will invigorate a hypoactive organ or stabilize one that is hyperactive, thereby restoring homeostasis. Once an essential oil is applied topically, it needs approximately 20 to 90 minutes to be entirely absorbed into the body. Excess body fat will slow absorption, as will edema, sluggish circulation, and excessive tissue toxication. Since essential oils are immiscible in water, oil absorption will be diminished by sweating. The stronger the blood circulation, the faster and more thoroughly the essential oils are absorbed. Essential oils are excreted from a healthy body within 3 to 6 hours after treatment, perhaps three times as long from an unhealthy body.

Psychology:
Everyone seems to agree that scents have a remarkable influence upon the human organism. Although the mechanisms and processes of olfaction remain largely mysterious, science’s progressive knowledge and understanding of our sense of smell opens exciting new vistas and possibilities for aromatherapy research. Although more limited in range than sight or hearing, our sense of smell is estimated to be 10,000 times more acute than our other senses and sensitive to some 10,000 chemical compounds. Once registered, scent stimuli travel more quickly to the brain than do either sight or sound; how this happens is still a matter for some speculation. Olfactory responses to odors induce the brain, or at least parts of it, to stimulate the release of hormones and neurochemicals that alter body physiology and therefore human behavior. Odors are processed directly from the olfactory through the limbic system, a primitive part of the brain involved with the hypothalamus and having to do with emotions, memory, sexual behavior, and certain visceral activities. Therein lies the “pleasure center,” the stimulation of which relates to primal behavior and the reinforcement of learning. Recent scientific evidence supports the observation that odors can help evoke memories, especially those with emotional overtones. Other senses also reach the limbic system but only after traveling to other regions of the brain.

A University of Cincinnati study showed that fragrances of peppermint and lily of the valley increased subjects’ performance accuracy by 15-25 percent. A replication study at Catholic University using only peppermint achieved the same findings.

It's becoming progressively clear that science and industry are convinced of the power of scent. But are they persuaded by aromatherapy? After-Flight Regulator essential oil blends, developed by aromatherapist, Daniele Ryman to treat jet lag, are now offered at some London hotels and at the duty-free shop in Heathrow Airport’s international terminal.

Japanese construction firms are enhancing efficiency and reducing stress among office workers by pumping fragrances through air-conditioning systems. Junichi Yagi, a a subsidiary vice-president for Shimizu, Japan's third largest construction firm, says that fragrances used by his company were selected by the principles of aromatherapy. In 1989, Dr Gary Schwartz, current professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Arizona, found that spiced apple had relaxing effects, as measured in brain waves, within a minute of one subject's smelling that fragrance.

The profound and complete therapeutic effects of essential oils derive from more than their pleasant fragrance. They have vital electromagnetic properties and vibrational energies that invigorate the mind, the soul, the body's energy, and thus their functioning.

When oils know for their sedative or antidepressant capacities are administered, endorphins and enkephalins (neurochemical analgesics and tranquilizers) are released. This has been demonstrated by hospitals in Oxford, England, where essential oils of lavender, marjoram, geranium, mandarin and cardamom have replaced chemical sedatives. These and other oils relax people, lower blood pressure, increase mental acuity, normalize body functions, reduce stress and even act as aphrodisiacs.