Essential oils are the lifeblood of the plant, carrying oxygen and other nutrients to them as our blood does for us. Essential oils are regenerating and aid in the immune defense properties of plants. Essential oils are contained in the glands, glandular hairs, sacs, or veins in different plant parts including roots, leaves, stems, bark, flowers and fruits.
Essential oils are volatile oils, turning from liquid to gas with exposure to oxygen.
Aromatherapy is defined as the skilled and controlled use of essential oils for physical and emotional health and well-being. Essential oils can be applied topically to be absorbed through the skin because of the small molecular weight of the oils. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 12 hours for complete topical absorption to occur. Skin condition and poor circulation may slow topical absorption, whereas heat, water, aerobic exercise and broken or damaged skin will increase absorption. Also, essential oils can be inhaled, where the essential oil fragrances stimulate cilia on the olfactory epithelium that relay neurological messages to the olfactory bulb to produce the sensation of smell.