What is Aromatherapy?

The History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy literally means, “healing through the senses.” Many centuries ago,priests in Egypt, China and India used herbs infused with oils as a way to heal their patients. They ground the herbs in oil and used the blends to anoint their patients during prayer and exercise.

Then in the 10th Century, an alchemist named Avicenna invented the distillation process, from which aromatherapy was born.
As Middle Easterners made their way to Europe during the Dark Ages, European alchemists began experimenting with the distillation process. The colognes they created were used not only for perfumery purposes, but also for their antiseptic properties—the “Four Thieves” cologne, for example, allowed four thieves to rob cadavers during the black plague.

For years essential oils have been used as flavoring agents in cookies, soda, etc., but it was only in the 1930s when their therapeutic values came to light by the French chemist Gattefosse. As the story goes, Dr. Gattefosse burned himself one night while experimenting in his lab. He submerged his hands in a nearby bucket of lavender essential oil and was surprised at how quickly he healed and without scarring. He became intrigued with how efficient essential oils are and how to use them for medical purposes.

What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the pure and concentrated energies held within the plants cells. These aromatic cells are located in specific parts of the plants. In Sandalwood, for example, the aromatic cells are in the bark. In Rose, they’re found in the petals. For Orange, the peel, etc. Various organs of the plant itself either produce and/or store the essence. What we call oil cells or hair cells are living cells in which the essence is found (i.e. hair cells for cinnamon). Oil or resin ducts are spaces within the plant tissue that hold the essence. Through the regression of bordering cells, the space becomes enlarged and hose-like (essential oils from seeds, resinous trees such as spruce, etc.). Oil containers exist when the cell walls of the oil-producing cells dissolve, as in the citrus family.

There is not one part of the plant that does not produce or store the essence. Sometimes the same plant can hold different essences. A perfect example of this phenomenon is the orange tree. Orange essential oil is derived from the fruit, Petitgrain is extracted from the leaves, and Neroli from the blossom. They all offer very different characteristics and healing properties. The essence is volatile, and is collected from the plants by one of three processes: steam distillation, cold-pressed extraction, or enfleurage.

The quality of an essential oil is determined by the quality and value of its chemical composition, which is influenced by a number of factors. This may be the part of the plant from which the oil has been extracted, the type of soil in which the plant has grown, the weather, the climate, the altitude, botanical species (there are hundreds of sage, lavender, mint, etc.), and most importantly, the quality of extraction or the skills of the distiller. For example, steam distilling the plant material at the right temperature and pressure is the key for obtaining a valuable essential oil.

Extraction Methods
There are a variety of processes used to extract the oils from the plant:

Steam Distillation
Steam distillation is a method of evaporating and condensing the liquids. This is the process Avicenna discovered in the 10th Century, and is now the most commonly used to refine essential oils. Steam distillation is a highly respected method because there is no contact with any contaminants, thus allowing a perfect opportunity for therapeutic purposes.

The process works like this: a pipe injects steam through the plant material. The steam is then saturated in aromatic molecules, and exits through another pipe into a condensation tank. At the end of this tank, the water is contained in a bucket. The aromatic water is called “hydrosol,” or floral water, and floating on the top are droplets of essential oils. Essential oils are actually not oily at all, but named after their light density, allowing them to float on the water—as oil would.

Cold-Pressing
Cold-pressing is a very gentle method used mainly within the citrus family. The essential oils are collected in juice form, and then separated. Cold-pressing and steam distillation are the preferred extraction processes for therapeutic purposes because of their perfectly pure conditions.

Extraction
This method is used on those plants that have a very low concentration of essential oils, such as Jasmine, Rose, Neroli (orange blossom), Tuberose, and even Oak Moss. Solvent extraction is very gentle. The disadvantage is that nonfragrant and non-volatile constituents are extracted as well (waxes and dyes). For example, Jasmine has a first extraction performed with a solvent—petrol ether. The solvent is then evaporated and a solid mass remains: the essence concrete.

A second step is necessary to remove other constituents not soluble in alcohol. To this end, the concrete is mixed with alcohol and heated. At that temperature, some waxes have not still been removed. It is then cooled and filtered. The remaining oily residue is called an absolute, which is totally soluble in alcohol. Another form of extraction is called enfleurage, which is extraction with animal fats. A new and more potent method uses CO2. Some precious flowers, like Rose, can be steam distilled, and the oil is then named Rose Otto.

The Purification Process of Essential Oils
Most commercial essential oils are first steam distilled and then “purified” by a secondary steam distillation process. The second step rectifies the essential oils. Only the essential oil is re-distilled in order to regain the more volatile components and remove other higher boiling components. Such essential oils present a clear and colorless oil with a lighter fragrance. This process is done in order to gain value of one component of the essence. In fact, the quality of the essential oils depends on their complexity and chemical synergy—or many chemical ingredients combined together with one oil. An essential oil that has been rectified or purified loses most of its therapeutic value.

How Do We Determine the Healing Properties of an Essential Oil?
The process of gas chromatography helps us determine what the chemical components of an essential oil are. This is the most important method used to precisely measure what percentage of specific chemical ingredients the essential oil holds. It is done on a regular basis on essential oils used for medical purposes. The peaks of the chromatograph present the level of concentration of specific chemical ingredients. From there, we are able to determine the healing properties and the “energy” of an essential oil.

(History of Aromatherapy)
(What is Aromatherapy)