Why are Essential Oils So Essential?

Judy Addington, LMT, NCTMB, CR

An essential oil is the oil soluble part of the fluids (life-blood) of a plant which contains the aromatic compounds.  These are steam distilled from vegetable plant matter.  They must be cultivated organically or grown wild without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides.  To extract the oils, steam distillation is used at minimum temperatures and pressures; no chemical solvents are added in the process.  It can also take a long length of time in processing to extract all of the components of the oil. This may make the oils slightly more costly, but providing greater benefit.

Ninety five to 98% of the essential oils on the market are made for the flavor and fragrance industries and have no therapeutic value.  These oils are distilled at high temperatures and high pressures for short amounts of time, plus chemical solvents are added to cut costs of production to market and sell them more cheaply.  Labels with 100% USP simply means they are food grade oils manipulated to meet a standard and are not therapeutic.  No matter where you purchase essential oils, know how the plants were grown and processed to be sure of the therapeutic benefits.

Here's a little information about peppermint (Cymbopogon martinii) essential oil; not oil of peppermint which is a food grade oil.  It can be used to provide quick relief from headaches, helps regulate sebum (oil) production in the skin, and is a digestive aid for peristalsis.  Some of its medical properties are:  antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral; it is a synergistic oil which means it works well with other oils.

Young Living Essential Oils are the only oils used and sold at Integrated Health Concepts.

- Judy Addington, LMT, NCTMB, CR
Massage, Reflexology, & Raindrop Facilitator

(This article is from our 2nd Qtr 2007 Newsletter)

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