Scholars in English grammar would be livid at the phrase pure essential oils. For them essential oils are by nature pure and adding the expression ‘pure’ to this is nothing but being verbose. Leave apart the criticism of the scholars, in practice one can regularly come along instances when the essential oils have been mixed with other oils or the customer has been duped with entirely synthetically manufactured oil. So, now you will appreciate the concern for people when they demand pure essential oils.

For the beginners, let us first elucidate about what essential oils are. An essential oil is extracted from different parts of the plant such as stem, leaves, flower, bark etc. You name a plant and an essential oil derived from it will be available. The list of essential oils is really impressive. Some of the most common essential oils include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, rose, jasmine, cedar wood and so on. These are derived from a complex process of distillation through water or steam. Certain essential oils like rose leave a fragrant water after the distillation process. This is available in the market as hydrosols. Other hydrosols include lavender water and orange blossom water.

Pure essential oils have been proved to have benevolent effect on human beings. Several adverse conditions can be treated through the proper use of essential oils. The most common of these is treating burns with lavender essential oil. French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé found this effect of essential oils as quite interesting. He has contributed largely to the science of using essential oils for medical purposes. This science is known as aromatherapy or treating through plant aroma.

However, essential oils will produce the desired effects only when they are pure. Chamomile essential oil is derived from the chamomile flowers and has a soothing and comforting impact. When used in the bath after the end of the day, one will experience a rejuvenation of the body and mind. Nevertheless, do you get the same effect if the essential oil used is impure? No. Moreover, if an oil to which one is allergic to has been mixed with the essential oil, you can also count on the side effects.

The most common of impurities found in essential oils are pesticides and insecticides. Now, the use of pesticides and insecticides to grow plants has become widely prevalent. In this case, it is very difficult to do away with pesticides to the most miniscule levels. The process of distillation ensures that most of this is removed from the pure essential oils to give just the unadulterated extracts of plants.

Nowadays, organic essential oils have becoming increasingly popular. Organic essential oils are manufactured from organically grown plants. When a plant is grown organically, no artificial fertilizers are utilized. This ensures that the essential oil that you are using is totally free of pesticides. However, be prepared to shell that extra price for procuring organically pure essential oils. Yet no one complains since they are buying essential oils for the desired effect and not just for showing off their collection.

About the author

Bryan Josling is working with the Horticultural Research Station in Adelaide. He has also been involved with research on plants. http://www.ndaroma.com

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