What are pure essential oils?

An introduction to pure essential oils

What are pure essential oils?

Essential oils are the volatile liquids that are distilled from plants, including their respective parts, such as seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, etc.  They come from the immune systems of the plants.  One of the factors that determine the purity and therapeutic value of essential oils is its chemical constituents. 

As we begin to understand the power of essential oils in the realm of personal holistic health care, we comprehend the absolute necessity of obtaining pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. 

Those who are beginning their journey into the realm of aromatherapy and essential oils must actively seek for the purest quality and highest therapeutic-grade oils available..  Anything less than pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils may not produce the desired results and can, in some cases, be extremely toxic. (1)

 
Essential oils are the volatile liquids that are distilled from plants, including their respective parts, such as seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, etc. They come from the immune systems of the plants.

Essential oils are the volatile liquids that are distilled from plants, including their respective parts, such as seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, etc. They come from the immune systems of the plants.

 

Why is it so difficult to find pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils?

Producing the purest of oils can be very costly because it may require several hundred pounds, or even several thousand pounds, of plant material to extract one pound of pure essential oil. Because the vast majority of all the oils produced in the world today are used by the perfume industry, the oils are being purchased for their aromatic qualities only.  Unnecessary high pressure and high temperature, rapid processing, and the use of chemical solvents are often employed during the distillation process so that a greater quantity of oil can be produced at a faster rate.  These oils may smell just as good and cost much less, but they will lack most, if not all, the chemical constituents necessary to produce the expected therapeutic results. (1) 

Benefits of pure therapeutic-grade essential oils

Essential oils embody the regenerating, protective, and immune-strengthening properties of plants.  Essential oil constituents are both small in molecular size and are also lipid soluble, allowing many of them to easily and quickly penetrate the skin..

The lipid solubility of essential oil components allows the oil constituents to penetrate cell membranes, even if these membranes have hardened because of oxygen deficiency.

In fact, essential oil constituents have the potential to affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and then be metabolised like other nutrients. (1)

Frankincense, which doTERRA sources from Oman and Somalia, is known as "the King of oils" .

Frankincense, which doTERRA sources from Oman and Somalia, is known as "the King of oils" .

Frankincense

Frankincense is known as "the King of oils".

Vetiver, which doTERRA sources in Haiti, a member of the grass family, is grown for many reasons, due to Vetiver’s calming, grounding aroma.

Vetiver, which doTERRA sources in Haiti, a member of the grass family, is grown for many reasons, due to Vetiver’s calming, grounding aroma.

Vetiver

The distillation of Vetiver is a painstaking, labour-intensive activity.  The roots and rootlets of Vetiver have been used in India as a perfume since antiquity.

(1) Modern Essentials – A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils (8th Edition) .. see Description in our Library.

Oriental Lillies essential oils Winchester home page

Oriental Lillies essential oils Winchester home page