May 26, 2007

Aromatherapy Bath Oil

Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being. Essential oils are the pure "essence" of plants extracted from their leaves, twigs, flowers, barks, roots, and even rids of their fruits. Used for nearly 6,000 thousand years, aromatherapy is said to connote several therapeutic benefits and is associated with branches of alternative medicine as herbology and holistic healing.

In aromatherapy, several types of plant oils are used to help promote your health and general well-being. The effects of each type of oil may vary according to their therapeutic properties. In this article, you will learn more about aromatherapy bath oils and what it means to use one of them.

Aromatherapy Bath Oils - Essential Oils

Essential oils are perhaps the commonest type of aromatherapy bath oils used. They are liquid substances that are generally extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other parts of a plant. The process of extraction may be done through distillation using steam or water.

Contrary to its name, essential oils are not really "oily" when you feel them. Most of them are clear although some may be amber or yellow in color, like the aromatherapy bath oil called patchouli, orange, or lemongrass.

This type of aromatherapy bath oil is highly concentrated so just a few drops can be very potent. Essential oils give new meaning to the phrase "a little goes a long way."

Aromatherapy Bath Oils - Absolutes

Like all other aromatherapy bath oils, absolutes are highly aromatic liquids extracted from plants. But, unlike essential oils, absolutes are extracted not by mere distillation of the plant parts. The manner of extracting absolutes is far more complicated than that. It requires the use of chemical solvents that are later removed during the final stages of production.

Aromatherapy Bath Oils - CO2s

CO2, if you remember your chemistry lessons, is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide. Aromatherapy bath oils may be derived from plants through the carbon dioxide method wherein pressure is applied until carbon dioxide becomes liquid. The liquefied form of carbon dioxide is then used as a solvent to extract from the natural plant matter its aromatherapy bath oil content.

Aromatherapy Bath Oils - Carrier Oils

This type of aromatherapy bath oils is also referred to as base oils. Carrier oils are made almost purely of vegetable oils and they are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s, and absolutes, hence its name "carrier." This type of aromatherapy bath oil is applied to the skin.
The practice of using plant oils for physical and psychological benefits is known as aromatherapy, and there are numerous passions regarding its use. From holistic and alternative medicine to using essential oils for their aroma's calming effects casually associated with the term aromatherapy in the western world.

Since ancient times, the use of plants and herbs for their healing properties has proliferated through numerous cultures. The extraction of essential oils from specific plants have been used for medicinal as well as cosmetic purposes for several centuries, however it was not until the early 20th century that the term aromatherapy became part of the English language.

With its beginnings in France, aromatherapy is held in higher regard for medicinal treatment than in other countries, and the oils are used for treatment of bacteria, fungus as well as an antiseptic. Essential oils are included in many phases of pharmaceuticals in several countries, but aromatherapy has not yet been recognized as a branch of medicine in the United States and a few other countries.

Different Oils Created Through Extraction Process

Essential oils are the liquids extracted from a plant, typically through distillation while the oils extracted with the use of a solvent, commonly water, and are usually known as fragrant oils. Carrier oils are those oils, when mixed with essential oils, are used for skin products. Essential or fragrance oils are often mixed into candles and other medium for the aromatherapy benefits expected.

While the medical field has no qualms of expressing its opinion on the benefits of aromatherapy, they concede that there are benefits relating to the relaxation benefits as well as the reduction of stress. The medical and pharmaceutical experts admit that scientific study has been lacking towards the medical benefits of aromatherapy, but point out studies to this point has not provided sufficient evidence to deem further study essential.

Despite the critics, many people have noted the beneficial effects that certain oils have had on them. Lavender is claimed to not only help relaxation and stress reduction, it also holds healing properties. Many cite Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, the French scientist who suffered a third-degree burn on his arm. While attempting to place his arm in water he inadvertently placed it into a small vat of lavender oil.

Noting the immediate relief, he continued to apply lavender oil to his burn, which healed without scarring. He wrote of his experience, using the term aromatherapy for the first time in 1928.