Essential oils and absolutes are very potent and should always be used sparingly and in conjunction with a reliable reference. Essential oils contain the odor, taste and medicinal properties of the plant itself, but in very concentrated form, with no base oil, alcohol, water or dilutants added. Our Herb Info Links will help you research that particular herb more deeply on the web. Please bear in mind, however, that any herb's essential oil is many times more potent than the whole herb itself. You can also refer to our illustrated and annotated herbals bibliography for many great books, all available with one click thru Amazon, that will provide many recipes, techniques and proven facts about this remarkable therapy.
Aromatherapy is both an art and a science.
Aromatherapists, armed with a technical understanding of an oil's constituents, artfully blend essential oils to produce new aromas. The results of aromatherapy are very individual. While there is general agreement about the actions of certain oils, aromatherapy texts vary in their descriptions of the properties and characteristics of an essential oil. No two persons are affected by the same essential oil in exactly the same way. Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of day or mood.