Essential oils, the pure essence of a plant are the volatile, (easily evaporated) substance produced by plant tissues of a single plant species.
Essential oils are highly concentrated and carry the same physiological, psychological and spiritual healing properties as the plant from which they are derived. They produce a certain action in the body based on their active constituents (plant properties that give the oil its unique range of action) which provide therapeutic actions. These properties when applied externally or when inhaled are absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin and the mucous membranes in the nose have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly and safely.
Essential oils occur widely in the plant kingdom and are found in various parts of plants. They can be extracted from leaves, stems, fruits, flowers, leaves, bark, seeds, berries, gum, resin, needles, bulbs, fruit peel, and roots of plants, trees, and herbs. The living plant produces these volatile components as secondary metabolites, which means it is not vital to the normal growth, development or reproduction of the plant. It is the plant essence, the heart and soul of the plant. It is the fragrant aromatic heart that acts as a powerful attractant to insure pollination. It is the essence that deters bugs from eating the plant, or attracts beneficial insects that prey on the plant’s predators. These oils are extracted from the plant, through a number of methods with the primary production process being distillation. Therapeutic quality of the oil is the emphasis for all extraction processes.
