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What are Essential Oils
Essential oils are naturally-occurring substances responsible for the characteristic odor of an aromatic plant. Besides playing a role in the biological processes of the plant, the essential oils in its leaves can serve two additional functions: their odor attracts pollinating insects; and they repel pests, bacteria and viruses which could harm the plant. This is especially true of many common culinary herbs, such as rosemary, oregano and thyme. Some essential oils are found in the peel of fruits such as lemon and orange, or in roots, twigs and other parts of a plant.
Strictly speaking, essential oils are not “oils” in the same way as nut oils and other fats used in cooking and massage. Essential oils are so-called because they have a viscous, oily appearance and do not dissolve much, if at all, in water. Typically an essential oil is not even a single chemical substance, but rather a complex mixture of different chemical compounds. Together they give the plant its unique scent.
It is important to note that perfume oils (also known as fragrance oils or "fragrances") are not essential oils. There are two key differences between them. First, an essential oil must be derived from natural plant sources by specific methods, usually steam distillation or cold-pressing, while perfume oils are synthetic (laboratory-made) and may even contain other chemical substances not found in the natural plant oil. Second, despite similarities in scent, perfume oils do not have the same therapeutic properties as essential oils, and should not be used for aromatherapy.
Unfortunately, many companies improperly apply the term “aromatherapy” to products that contain synthetic or perfume oils. So, when seeking true aromatherapy products, it is important to look at the ingredient label and ask questions about the source of the essential oil(s) inside.
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