Aromatherapy also encompasses the topical application of essential oils. Because essential oils have a unique lipid-solution structure, they are able to easily pass through cell membranes, particularly of the skin, and diffuse into the bloodstream. They penetrate the skin the same way that the active ingredients in transdermal hormone or nicotine patches do. Lucia stopped by with 2 of her grandsons. Essential oils are the volatile liquids that are distilled from various parts of plants, including seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruit.
Essential oils are different from vegetable oils such as corn oil, peanut oil, and olive oil.
They are not greasy and do not clog the pores like vegetable oils can. Essential oils are chemically very complex, consisting of hundreds of different chemical compounds. They are highly concentrated and far more potent than dried herbs. The distillation of an entire plant may produce only a single drop of essential oil. Essential oils are subtle, volatile liquids.