What are essential oils?

Every time you smell the petal of a flower, walk in a pine forest, peel a citrus fruit, touch the leaf of a medicinal herb or use a spice, the scent you perceive is that of the essential oil contained in the plant.

Essential oils are complex mixtures of fragrant molecules produced by plants, volatile aromatic substances concentrated in leaves, flowers, pods, berries, resin, seeds, flowering tops and branches, citrus peel and wood.

Sometimes more than one essential oil can be extracted from the same plant, each with its own physical and olfactory characteristics. A good example is the orange tree, from which three distinct essential oils are obtained: one from leaves and twigs (Petit Grain), one from flowers (Neroli) and one from the fruit peel (Sweet Orange).

They are the most subtle and purified component of the plant, containing the active ingredients and the energetic information that characterise it.

Do essential oils make things greasy?

Although the name suggests oily substances, essential oils are not fatty oils such as olive oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil (in which they dilute very easily). To understand their different nature compared to base oils, one only needs to consider the fact that they do not leave permanent stains on paper - apart from the coloured halo of some waxes - unlike greasy substances.

Organoleptic characteristics

The nature of essential oils is linked to the fire element: they are flammable substances that burn instantly on contact with flame. Volatility is one of their main characteristics, in fact they are the most ethereal part of the plant: its perfume.

Pure essential oils generally have a strong and pleasant smell. Although they are not water-soluble, they can be easily used in any fatty or oily compound, as well as in honey, salt or alcohol.

How can I use essential oils?

Many, after appreciating the natural scent of an essential oil, exclaim: "Delicious! But how can I use it?"

Every time we smile, aware that the ways of using essential oils are countless, as are their physical and aromatherapy properties. Thus, offhand, the answer is so vast that it seems impossible.

Let's try to outline some of the uses, which can be refined once the benefits of each plant are learned more closely:

- Environmental diffusion: energising essential oils in the morning and during study or work hours, relaxing and rebalancing oils in the evening

- Aromatherapy massage: circulatory, anti-rheumatic, purifying or decontracting, depending on the oil or mixture used.

- Foot and hand baths

- Fumigation and aerosols: choose expectorant and mucolytic essential oils in case of colds

- Applications against mouth ulcers, herpes, warts, fungi (with antiviral, antiseptic and antifungal essential oils)

- DIY biocosmetics: face creams, masks, tonics, shampoos, soap

- Cleaning: you'll be amazed at how many surfaces and objects you can sanitise and polish with baking soda, citric acid and essential oil!

- Laundry (and dryer!): again, baking soda and essential oil to replace your fabric softener and perfume your laundry

- Perfuming wardrobes, drawers, boxes, letters, bookmarks, etc...

- Insect bites and burns: you can use some emollient, anti-inflammatory and cell-regenerating essential oils

- Motion sickness: some essential oils combat motion sickness, alleviating nausea

An essential oil is a true ally, a fragment of Nature to always carry with you.

Essential oil is the soul of the plant, of which it carries the subtle energy and all its virtuous properties. It is a living and extremely pure raw material that interacts with humans both physically and on a subtle level, harmonising moods and contributing to the development of human potential.

For centuries, oils have been used for their pleasant scent and for the vast benefits they bring to our body, such as the antiseptic and antiviral properties with which they ward off germs, bacteria and viruses: this awareness, lost over time, is fortunately re-emerging, parallel to increasing scientific studies on the subject and a greater dissemination of information.

Barbara Pozzi and Olfattiva team*

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And do you know essential oils? If so, how do you use them? Comment on the article and share your experience!