What are Absolutes?

Absolutes are highly concentrated aromatic liquids extracted from plants. They are extracted in a complex manner. Absolute distillation requires the use of chemical solvents that are later removed during the final stages of production, thus culminating in a more concentrated essence.

There are reasons for producing absolutes. Many times steam distillation of a plant by steam does not extract as much natural oil from the plant, or in some cases, breaks down the precious natural oil in delicate flowers. The solvent extraction methods are often used in these cases.

As a rule, absolutes are more concentrated than a similar essential oil. Being more concentrated, an absolute goes much further then the essential oil counterpart.

What are Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before applying to the skin. The carrier oil serves two purposes:

1. To carry the essential oil onto the skin

2. To dilute the potent oil before use.

“MerevilleTrust” at Auroville offers many different carrier oils that feature different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought.

The carrier oils are mainly cold-pressed vegetable and fruit oils derived from the fatty portions of the plant. Unlike essential oils that evaporate and have a concentrated aroma, carrier oils do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils.

What are Resins?

Have you ever come upon a pine tree and noticed a sticky substance on the trunk? This is a resin. During the production of resin, trees will be cut in many spots to encourage the tree to produce its resin. Natural resins are extremely thick and sticky. Most liquid resins are extracted by solvent or alcohol extraction.

Storing Your Essential Oils

Although essential oils do not become rancid, some oils deteriorate with age and may lose their therapeutic benefit over time. Oils such as the citrus oils will oxidize and begin to lose their aroma and therapeutic properties. Some oils such as patchouli and sandalwood can improve with age becoming more rounded and mellow.

To avoid deterioration and protect your oils properties, keep them in amber or cobalt blue bottles. Dark glass such as amber or cobalt helps to keep out sunlight, which can hasten deterioration. Do not keep your oils in clear glass bottles. Beware of oils in plastic as many can dissolve the plastic. Essential oils should also be stored in a cool, dark place.

Favourite Essential Oils

Here is a list of some of the most popular essential oils sold today these oils should form the foundation of your journey into the world of Aromatherapy.

• Lavender

• Jasmine

• Rose

• Ylang Ylang

• Patchouli

• Sandalwood

• Neroli

• Bergamot

• Cinnamon

• Peppermint

• Rosemary

• Juniper Berry

How to categorize essential oils

The essential oils fall into three categories:

Top notes, middle notes, and base notes.

Some oils fit into all three, others in two, but every essential oil will always fall into at least one note level.

The classification of these three note levels is  based on how long the natural scent actually lasts.

Top Notes

Essential oils in the top note category are all deep penetrating, sharp smelling, stimulating, uplifting, and volatile in nature. The aroma can last upto 24 hours. It has a strong and immediate appeal. This is the strongest group of essential oils. When

applied to the skin, one experiences either a cold sensation or a hot one. These essential oils do not feel warm. In general, use less quantity of top notes in the formulation.

Middle Notes

As the name implies, middle notes are the essential oils that act as equalizers and make up the bulk of the formula. They round out the sharpness of the top notes and control the intensity of the more dominative essential oils. These aromas can last up to three days. The varying fragrances of these essential oils are greatly liked by most people.

Base Notes

Base notes have maximum impact and create  a lasting impression, since their aromas can remain as long as one week. In the formula, the depth and intensity of the base notes deepen and enrich the blend. Many of the essential oils that fall into this category, penetrate the skin more thoroughly. Initially the aroma may not be particularly noticeable to the smell, but applied on the skin, the fragrance becomes more prominent.

Modern aromatherapy

Dr. Rene Maurice Gattefosse is the modern father of aromatherapy. He was a French chemist who worked in his family’s perfumery laboratory. One day when he suffered a severe burn in the lab, he quickly thrust his injured hand into a container of lavender oil & was amazed to notice the immediate decrease in pain, and subsequently observed rapid healing with no scarring. So impressed was he by this experience that he dedicated the rest of his life to researching and discovering the therapeutic properties of essential oils. He first coined the word “aromatherapy” and published a book by that name in 1937.

Dr.Jean Valnet, a French medical doctor, was greatly influenced by Gattafosse’s work. During the Second World War, he experienced success treating war injuries with antiseptic essential oil solutions. In 1964, he published a book called Aromatherapy Treatments of Illnesses by the essence of Plants, and he is responsible for training over 1000 French physicians currently using essentials oils in their practice. Essential oils have been accepted as a valid therapy in France.

Numerous experiments have proven the antiseptic qualities of essential oils (i.e., thyme is eight times more powerful than phenol). Russian researchers have verified the stimulation of liver digestive processes by rose oil. Italian researchers have verified the psychological effects of essential oil.

One of Dr. Valnet’s students, Margarite Mallory, further developed the modern use of essential oils in massage therapy and skin care in England.

Today’s advances in essential oils & aromatherapy are a result of the hard work done by these three people.

Aromatherapy massage

Essential oils penetrate the skin very quickly to reach the bloodstream & therefore are excellent for massage therapy. The concentrated essential oil should be added to a greater quantity of oil known as a “carrier” or “base” oil. These should have a neutral odour & be easily absorbed. Light vegetable or nut oil such as sweet almond, jojoba, wheat germ & soya are popular.

Do not prepare large quantity of massage oil at one time as the fragrance deteriorates over time. A few drops of your selected essential oil in three tablespoons of career oil should be sufficient for a massage. Adding  vitamin E to your mixture can help to prevent it from turning rancid. Dark glass bottles are best for reducing deterioration of essential oils in any form.

Essential oils

There are few luxuries as simple and pleasing as soaking in a fragrant bath or being massaged with aromatic oils. There are also few healing arts as enjoyable as aromatherapy, as the pure plant essences known as essential oils.

Since ancient times, essential oils have been thought to benefit the body, mind and emotions. Different oils can be used to treat or prevent all manner of health problems, to relax or rejuvenate, sooth or stimulate. All the essential oils encourage a wonderful feeling of well-being. Use them simply to create a mood and indulge your senses.