Aromatherapy.

No doubt you've run across this word lately. We see it all the time advertising candles and potpourri. Sounds harmless enough, but is it?

Did you know that burning essential oils (as in a candle) can change the chemical structure of the oil and release toxic compounds into the air? What's more, you could be burning unknown chemicals that were mixed into the oil. And as for that potpourri - the chances of that fragrance being truly natural are slim.

Aromatherapy, one of the terms by which the use of essential oils is known in the U.S., is now a growing and expanding field. And, as usual, imitations and inferior copies of the real thing have popped up everywhere. To know the difference between a quality oil and a nice-smelling but synthetic potion, it is important to understand what essential oils are and how they are made.

The use of essential oils (then called aromatics) extends far back to ancient Egyptian days and beyond. There was a vast body of knowledge surrounding aromatics. Some of that knowledge has been lost, but some traveled to Europe, where essential oils have been part of healing therapy for centuries.

What Are Essential Oils?

Simply stated, essential oils are highly concentrated natural plant extracts. They are usually produced by distilling plant material, although a few plants require different methods of extraction. They are many times more potent than herbs — the distillation of an entire plant might produce only a single drop of essential oil.

Essential oils are the life-blood of the plant, protecting it from bacterial and viral infections, cleansing breaks in its tissue and delivering oxygen and nutrients into the cells. In essence, they act as the immune system of the plant — without them, plants could not survive.

When applied to the human body, they have a similar action – such as transporting valuable nutrients to the cells; increasing oxygen intake and digesting toxic waste in the blood. This is because the three primary elements — carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are common to both human beings and essential oils. This shared chemistry makes essential oils one of the most compatible of all plant substances with human biochemistry.

But beyond carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, essential oils are highly complex substances. They are mosaics of hundreds — even thousands — of different natural chemicals. The average essential oil may contain anywhere from 80 to 400 known chemical constituents. Many oils contain even more, occurring in minute quantities — but all contributing to the oil's therapeutic effects.

What Can Essential Oils Do for You?

Essential oils act in ways science is only now beginning to understand. Because of their unique structure, they are able to penetrate cell membranes. And because they contain powerful oxygenating molecules, they help transport nutrients into the cells, while moving toxins out. Many are immune enhancing, antiseptic, high in antioxidants, and support the body's natural defenses.

They promote overall health, vitality, and longevity. And they support the immune, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, digestive, nervous, and other body systems.

"I expect that essential oils may someday prove a vital weapon in the fight against strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Lavender, thyme and tea-tree oils have been used for centuries as antiseptics; their chemical compounds appear to kill microbes on contact."

- Andrew Weil, M.D Aromatherapy offers intriguing possibilities" from Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing, Oct, l996, Watertown, MA

Drs. Keville and Green have even more to say about them:

"Essential oils include muscle relaxants, digestive tonics, circulatory stimulants and hormone precursors. Many repair injured cells; others carry away metabolic waste. In addition, a number of essential oils enhance immunity, working with the body to heal itself. They're capable of stimulating the production of phagocytes (white blood cells that attack invaders). And some are antitoxic. Many essential oils have been proven effective against fungi and yeast, parasites and viruses. Others fight infection with amazing effectiveness, killing bacteria by disrupting their life cycle. And unlike conventional antibiotic drugs, essential oils are "probiotic;" they kill pathogenic bacteria, but tend to leave beneficial bacteria intact. Finally, bacteria typically do not acquire resistance to essential oils, as they so often do to antibiotic drugs."

- Keville, K. and Green Aromathrapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, Crossing Press, (l995), Freedom, CA

Only Therapeutic-Grade Oils Really Work

But only therapeutic-grade (beyond Grade A) essential oils have this kind of effectiveness. Oils that have been redistilled two or three times are obviously not as potent as oils that have been distilled only once. Likewise, oils processed with high heat and pressure have an inferior profile of chemical constituents, since excessive heat and pressure break down many of the delicate compounds within the oil that are responsible for its therapeutic action. Worse yet, are the oils that have been thinned or cut (i.e. adulterated) with synthetic chemicals. Yet these comprise most of the essential oils in this country.

Due to the fact that there is no regulation of essential oils in the U.S., there is little to prevent mislabeling, misrepresentation and adulteration. Many people suffer reactions ranging from dermatitis to diarrhea to fever from the toxins added to essential oils - most of the time from bottles marked "pure" or "natural." Oils of this quality have no therapeutic value whatsoever. It really is a "buyer beware" market.

Know the Source

That is why it is so important to know the source of the essential oils you buy. Look for the European AFNOR or ISO certification - one of the most reliable indicators of essential oil quality. Find out if your supplier has each batch tested by several independent labs (in-house testing is very easily doctored). Check if the fragrances of the oils vary from batch to batch. If they've been distilled in small batches, rather than industrially processed (with chemicals and synthetic fragrance added), the fragrance should vary.

Therapeutic-grade essential oils can work magic. But beware of cheap imitations. To learn more about therapeutic-grade essential oils, read the "Crash Course" at: http://therealessentials.com.

Rufina James, M.A., has taught at the college and university levels as well as in the public schools and the private sector. Her articles are often published on the web and in hard-copy magazines and newsletters. In addition, she writes articles and ad copy and consults small business owners in internet marketing. She publishes a monthly ezine, "The Real Essentials Newsletter" – hard-hitting news in health and alternative medicine, new discoveries, tips, aromatherapy, research, and more! To subscribe, fill out the subscribe information in the left nav bar at www.therealessentials.com This article is available for reprinting as long as it is printed in its entirety including the resource box. Please notify us if you use it from our "Contact us" page.