In the world of aromatherapy, essential oils are a main component. They provide not just the scents but also other beneficial properties that enhance the entire aromatherapy experience.
1. When diffused, some oils have the ability to remove any toxins or metallic particles from the air.
2. There are different strains of plants, as well as different ways of extraction, which can result in a different level of purity, color and the way the oil will work best.
3. You can test the purity of an essential oil by dropping a drop of it onto a peice of construction paper. Pure essential oils will not leave a trace on it after a short period of time (about 15-20 minutes). If an ‘ring’ is visible, the essential oil is not pure.
4. One drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to the amount in 28 cups of peppermint tea.
5. Captain James Cook first mentioned tea tree oil (scientific name:melaleuca alterniforlia) in 1772 during his voyage to Botany Bay, Australia, whereby he made a tea from the leaves of the plant to protect his crew from scurvy.
6. Only five drops of essential oil can be obtained from one lemon
7. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the term “aromatherapy” was used.
8. When applied to the skin, essential oils are easily absorbed and carried by the bloodstream to every cell in the body within minutes.
9. Each essential oil contains several to several hundred different kinds of molecules, each of which offers benefits in promoting good health, healing and regeneration.
10. In some European medical communities, doctors prescribe oils to be taken internally, in addition to pharmaceuticals, or sometimes even in place of them.
11. Essential oils can’t be patented
12. A human’s sense of smell is the first of all the five senses to develop. It’s also the only sense directly tied to the limbic area of the brain, which is considered the emotional control center.
13. Although termed as oils, essential oils are actually concentrated forms of plant nutrients which in most cases, emit a fragrant aroma
14. Sesquiterpenes, found in oils, have the ability to go through the blood-brain barrier which helps treat brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, Parkinson’s,
15. Diffusing essential oils can actually help increase the atmospheric oxygen in a room.
16. Less than 1 percent of the entire plant species population is able to produce essential oil.
17. During the 17th century, people who used herbs, which included essential oils, for medicinal reasons, were accused of practicing witchcraft. If found guilty, they were sentenced to death by hanging.
18. Neroli oil, made from orange blossoms, is one of the most expensive essential oils in the market. 1,000 pounds of the flower has to be used to produce just one pound of the precious neroli essential oil.
