Essential oils are volatile oils that come from herbs, flowers, or trees. They are generally extracted by means of distillation, although other processes are employed such as mechanical expression, or solvent extraction. They are used in a variety of settings and purposes. For example, it is no longer uncommon to find perfumes, beauty, hygiene, and household products that contain them. There are also food-grade essential oils that impart flavor and scent to food items and beverages.
The therapeutic use of these oils is called aromatherapy, which is widely considered as a form of alternative medicine. Widely regarded now as an alternative and complementary medicine, aromatherapy is said to improve one’s health through its effects to the brain’s limbic system, which many believe governs our emotions and mood. Some of these aromatic oils, like those of frankincense and lavender, are known to exert antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. In addition, frankincense essential oils have been used for many years as a treatment for diseases such as ulcerative colitis.
There are also researches done in the past which report that the smoke from incense sticks infused with Frankincense essential oils are effective at calming the mind, and may be used to bring those who are depressed to a better mood. Lavender essential oil has shown calming effects too, and is actually used as an ingredient in certain anti-anxiety medications. When taken in vapor form, lavender essential oils are known to relieve tension headaches and treat cough.
Topical essential oils are usually diluted since their concentrated versions have been reported to bring about varying degrees of dermal irritation, and at times, even set off a hypersensitivity reaction. Lavender essential oil has recently been implicated in gynecomastia, which is the development of breasts in young boys. There have been reports as well of consumers suffering from mild to moderate bouts of GI upset after taking or using products which contain frankincense essential oil. Remember to talk with your healthcare provider about your aromatherapy practices to ensure safe and coordinated health management.
Therapeutic-grade essential oil products can be found from web-based and brick-and-mortar health product vendors. Those you can add to food and non-food items are typically sold by the manufacturing company or their dealers. Various agencies regulate essential oils according to their intended use. For instance in the US, aromatherapy products do not need the approval of the FDA.
Instead, buyers check if the product passed ISO or AFNOR manufacturing standards to evaluate its
quality. Regulation of the sale and marketing of industrial-grade products containing these aromatic oils is typically governed by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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