What are Essential Oils?

Have you walked through a flower garden and instantly felt more peaceful? Or put a peppermint leaf in your water and felt more invigorated? If so, you’re already practicing aromatherapy in its simplest form. Therapeutic scents can help us feel better in many ways. But, you say, exactly what IS an essential oil?

This video does a great job of simply explaining what an essential oil is: What is an Essential Oil? (Password: 101)

Summary:

An essential oil is:
1. A volatile substance derived from plants, containing the natural smell and characteristics of the plant.
2. Extracted primarily through steam distillation.
3. Potent, volatile and extremely versatile and are often called the “lifeblood” of the plant.
4. A way to support our body systems on a natural basis.
If you’re a super science dork like me and you want to know even more about how essential oils are made, I also love this video:

Video only for science dorks (PASSWORD: 101)

CHALLENGE: What is the highest grade of essential you can get? – 2 points

a. Therapeutic oils

b. Natural or organic oils

c. Extended or Altered oils

d. Synthetic oils

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