DISCLAIMER

 

Even though there is specific evidence about the use of essential oils by humankind, there is very little scientific medical evidence currently available to support healing claims. There is abundance of supportive testimonial evidence. If you are considering the use of essential oils for implied medical issues check with your medical doctor. Do not hesitate to do a patch test. Most essential oil should not be taken internally. Those that have been suggested as ‘safe’ to use internally are always done with water or an approved carrier oil.

 

Intention plays a hugely significant and important role is the success of any medical or supportive medicine use. Without a specific and positive intention, the chance for success is minimalized.

 

I acknowledge that some of the “success” credited to the use of essential oils may very well be the placebo effect. My professional attitude is “So what! If it works use it!”

Norman W. Wilson, PhD

Certified Aromatherapist Practitioner

 

 

 

 

 

A SPECIAL THANKS TO

Stuart Holland, my publisher, for his advice and personal care in the completion of this work, and bringing it to the printed page.

Stephen R Walker, my book cover designer, for his personal attention to the execution of design appropriate for the subject matter of my books.

Omar Lopes, PhD, my book’s interior designer, for his keen insight in what photos, drawings, charts, and graphics best illustrates concepts presented in the textual content of the book.

Suzanne V Wilson, my wife, who has endured times of grumpiness, isolation, and cry for help when things were not going the way I thought they should.

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

GETTING STARTED

 

 

Essential oils have been around for a long time. Records from Ancient Egypt suggest the use of oils as early as 4500 BCE. From China comes The Yellow Emperor’s Book of Internal Medicine (2697-2597 BCE) A translated copy of this ancient book is available.

 

When applied to plant medicine the word essential means any component necessary for the plant’s survival. As far as oils are concerned essential means those part of a plant necessary to create an oil.

 

It is estimated there are 320,000 species of plants in existence today. Of these, an estimated 80,000 have medical value. This figure changes as scientist continue to test

 

Because of the proliferation of essential oils made available in a wide variety of stores, small shops, and on the internet, it strongly recommended that you make sure the oils you buy are as they are claimed to be. When buying any essential oil check the following factors:

1.     Is the common and scientific name of the plant on the label?

2.     Has the method of production been identified?

3.     The color of the bottle should be dark blue, green, or amber. The bottle should be glass.

4.     Is the part(s) of the plant used to create the oil identified?

5.     Check certification: USDA Organic, PETA’s & Cruelty-Free, Leaping-Bunny Cruelty-Free Certification and the non-GMO statement.

 

A story worth repeating

A number of years ago I visited a “metaphysical store” in a neighboring city. There, lined up on shelves were various bottles filled with essential oils. One caught my attention. The label boldly claimed Pure Essential Oil Moldavite. I thought this was a wonderful discovery since Moldavite comes from a meteorite that hit the earth millions of years ago. I bought it. Using a magnifying glass, I discovered a minuscule piece of Moldavite. Once I had the small bottle opened my nose was assaulted with a disgusting sweet smell―a carrier oil. The sweetened carrier oil was oil pure. The Moldavite had not been made into an essential oil. Buyer beware is a good motto to follow.

 

 

Essential oils are generally divided into two distinct groups of chemical constituents or parts: Hydrocarbons and Oxygenated Compounds. Included in the Hydrocarbons are terpenes which inhibit the accumulation of toxins and aid in the discharge of toxins from the liver and kidneys. The Oxygenated Compounds of essential oils include Esters. Esters are the result of reaction to alcohol with an acid. They are anti-fungal and help create a calming and relaxing sensation.

 

The smell of essential oils can trigger five different aspects of influence for an individual. Memories and feelings can be provoked by the smell of a particular essential oil. The five aspects of essential oil influence are:

1.     May open a sense of personal inner peace that may result in improved self-esteem

2.     Opens the potentiality of acknowledging both good and bad and still recognizing the value in any situation

3.     Depending on the intensity of the essential oil’s aroma, one’s emotions and temperament may be impacted

4.     May accelerate the healing of wounds

5.     May open the individual to a new level of relaxation, allowing healing.

 

As with many things in life, there is a negative side to the use of essential oils.

There are common irritants found in some of essential oils, especially those that are fragrant. These irritants include limonene, citronellol, eugenol, and linalool.

 

A basic rule of thumb for the use of essential oils is do not apply them directly to your skin. An exception is Frankincense Essential Oil. It may be applied around the outer edges of a wound that is not healing. This stops the spread of the infection and allows natural healing to take place. To help ensure the safe use of any essential oil it is highly recommended to do a patch test by applying a very small amount of an essential oil directly to the skin. If redness, swelling, or itching occurs stop using the oil. Wash the area with mild soap and warm water. It it doesn’t clear up, consult your medical doctor. The same cautionary note applies to a spray, incense, or diffuser. Do a sniff test. If your eyes, nose or throat become irritated discontinue use.

 

What then, are essential oils? They are concentrated hydrophobic liquids. Generally, hydrophobic means a fear of water, but in chemistry, it refers to the property of a substance to repel water. These hydrophobic liquids are often called volatile or ethereal oils. Some believe that any essential oil that I created using chemical processes are not true essential oils. Essential oils are made from plants; more specifically, specialized plant cells that exist in minuscule sacs in the plants.

 

There are several methods of extracting oils from plants. Depending on your interests and needs extraction methods become important. There are nine extraction methods:

1.     Steal Distillation

2.     Absolutes

3.     Mechanical

4.     CO2

5.     Cold Press

6.     Water Distillation

7.     Solvent Extraction

8.     Enfleurage

9.     Maceration

Of these nine extraction methods only these four will be discussed in detail: Steam Distillation, CO2 Extraction, Maceration, and Water Distillation.

 

Steam Distillation

 

The most popular method of creating essential oils is, without a doubt, steam distillation. It involves the following: A still is required. A still is an apparatus used to distill liquid mixtures by heating to selectively boil and then cooling to condense the vapor. Usually, the still is made of stainless steel.  Plant materials are placed within the container which has an outlet for steam to flow to a condenser and on to a separator. Small stills for at home use can be purchased online for about $80. Large stills cost $1300 and up. Oil and water do not mix. As a consequence, oil floats to the top of the separator. It can, ten be siphoned off.

 

Some essential oils have a higher density than water. The density of a liquid is a measure of how heavy it is for the amount measured. High density fluids will sink to the bottom. Clove, Cinnamon, and Vetiver oils are heavier in density.

 

A major problem in using the Steam Distillation Method in creating essential oils is the quality of the oil varies. The reason for this is that much depends on the degree of temperatures, pressures, and time involved in the distillation process. Considerable damage to the oil can be caused by heat and thus reduces its effectiveness. There is a workable way around this issue. The CO2 Extraction Method provides an answer.

 

CO2 Extraction

 

Even though Steam Distillation is considered the most popular method of creating essential oils, CO2 Extraction is viewed as producing a higher quality oil. The reason for this is the lack of high heat. For example, Steam Distillation heat ranges from 40 to 212 degrees F; whereas, CO2 ranges rom 95 to 100 degrees F.  The CO! oils are generally thicker than some of the other extraction processes, consequently, the aroma is more pronounced.

 

In this process, the carbon dioxide is pressurized and becomes liquid. It is then pumped into a container filled with plant matter. The liquid properties of the CO2 function as a solvent. The plant materials’ oils dissolve into liquid CO2. It then, is brought back to a natural pressure and evaporates. What remains is the essential oil. A rewarding spin-off of the CO2 process is that there are no harmful solvents to humans or to the environments. The diagram of the CO2 process gives a graphic image of the procedure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maceration

 

Oils created using the Maceration process are referred to as infused oils. The Maceration method is the most used for removing the oils from certain flowers. The process involves soaking flower petals in warm fats (carrier oils). The essence of the flowers is drawn into the fat. Once removed, the fat is dissolved in alcohol so the extract of the floral oil can be used.

 

A chief benefit of Maceration is that more of a plant’s essence is accumulated in the carrier oil. The heavier and larger molecules of the plants are captured. The Maceration Process involves the following:

 

·Â Â Â Â Â  Very dry plant materials are ground into a medium coarse powder. If the plant material is not dry the moisture can cause the oil to become rancid. To discourage the potentiality of rancidity, Vitamin E or Wheatgerm Oil is added.

·Â Â Â Â Â  The plant material is placed in a closed container

·Â Â Â Â Â  Solvent is added.

·Â Â Â Â Â  The plant material is shaken occasionally for one week

·Â Â Â Â Â  The liquid is strained.

·Â Â Â Â Â  The remaining solid is pressed to remove any remaining liquid

·Â Â Â Â Â  The strained and the pressed liquids are mixed

·Â Â Â Â Â  The liquid is clarified using a filtration process.

·Â Â Â Â Â  The base oil will probably change color.

·Â Â Â Â Â  The oil is placed in an airtight dark glass container and stored in a cool dry place for 12 months.

 

A diagram of the Maceration Process appears on the next page.