Natural Organic Herbal Remedies

Ancient Chinese Culture "Yin And Yang"

Essential Oils are highly aromatic, volitile,  concetrated organic compounds extracted from particular plant. They are loaded with atibiotics, vitamins and minerals, antiseptics, hormones an the list goes on and on.

In the essence, no pun intended, these essential oils are the “soul and the spirit” of the plant. Essential oils are the most complete form of herbal energy responsible for the fragrance in plants.

This fragrant oil is natures way of protecting vegetation, playing major role in the development of plants. Essential oils are formed as tiny sacs located in between cellular layers. They act as regulators, hormones and catalysts for many chemical and biochemical reactions within the life cycle.

Essential oils play several other major roles. The fragrance acts as attractant to beneficial insects neccessary for polination and cross pollination. On the other side of the coin this same fragrance acts as a deterrant to harmfull insects protecting the plant.

The chemistry and composition of essential oils is quite complex. It varies during different stages of growth. To make things even more complicated the composition will change between night and day, wet and dry or sunny and cloudy conditions. The plants are highly adoptable  largley due to essential oils.

There are number of methods used in extraction of essentiasl oils.

Enfleurage is one of the oldest method of extracting. This cold extraction consists in soaking plants in vegetable oil exposed to sun for several weeks. The plants are taken out and more herbs are added to the scented oil.

Cold Expression is extraction using pressure. Best explanation is when you sueeze the peel of citrus fruit . The oil justt oozes out of the skin.

Distillation is the number one method used in extracting essential oils.  Steam is passed through the plants evaporating the essential oils. As the steam mixture cools the oil and water seperate. Oil being lighter than water floats on top making easy seperation.

Extraction by solvents is realitevly new method used to produce higher yield or to obtain oil that can not be gathered via other methods. IsoPropyl Alcohol is the solvent of choice as it has good affinity for organic compounds and form azeotropic mixture with water

There are several techniques to administer essential oils.

Massage Is Art Perfected By The Ancient Egyptians

Massage

and hand healing is one of the oldest ancient healing arts. The use of  essential oils with combination of tissue manipulation alleviates most discomforts. Ancient Egyptians perfected the art of massage.

Aromatic baths are another very popular methods used by the ancients. Essential oils in bath, hot or cold, have synergistic effect. The beneficial oils are absorbed through the skin while the fragrance of the oils please the olfactory organs and the spirit.

Inhalation and aromatic diffusion is as old as humanity. Throughout history sorcerers, healers and priests have used essential oils for various rituals and ceremonies. The ionized micro particles  stay in the air for several hours. Beside the beneficial fragrance these particles revitalize the surrounding air by their antiseptic actions.

Internally, essential oils can be taken  for therapeutic use. Undiluted oils can be mixed with honey or by placing few drops on a cube of sugar. Any oil can be dangerous in higher dosage, As a rule of thumb, do not exceed 4 – 5 drops of undiluted oil more than three times a day.