Effects of Aromatherapy Using Different Types of Oils

The effects of aromatherapy are as varied as the types of oils available, and it is important to understand what your requirements are, what effects you would like to see and experience, and based on the same, the essential oil can be chosen to bring about the desired effect.

Different oils bring different health and medical benefits of aromatherapy. Some oils have a relaxing effect, some revitalizing, some stimulating, and others antiseptic, etc. They can thus be used for varied aromatherapy remedies.

When we talk about aromatherapy, we mainly discuss essential oils; however, essential oils are just one aspect of this branch of healing. Aromatherapy includes all the different types of oils, and it is important to understand their uses, and the effects of aromatherapy that are caused by them in the human body.

Essential Oils

At the top of the list are essential oils which are extracted from herbs / plants via a process of steam distillation. The fragrance of the essential oil is used for medicinal purposes.

Absolutes

Absolutes are a different element of aromatherapy oils, and are more potent than essential oils. The method of extraction is different in that it is extracted through chemical expression.

Absolutes bring about different effects of aromatherapy as compared to essential oils. They contain trace quantities of solvent, which could potentially trigger allergic reactions, so caution should be exercised when used. Due to the chemical process required for extractions, Absolutes are not nearly as natural as essential oils. They are viscous, thick and highly potent.

Hypercritical carbon dioxide or CO2s

This is a type of oil that requires extraction by utilizing pressure to convert gases in plants to liquid. The CO2 in plants is subjected to extreme pressure to bring about its liquidation. In the process the essential oil contained within also gets dissolved in the extracted liquid CO2.

Through a process of removing the pressure, the pure essential oil is separated from the carbon dioxide since CO2 evaporates when pressure is normalized.

This category mainly comprises of volatile compounds found in plants which could not be extracted by any of the other available methods. This type of aromatherapy oil is thick and viscous.

Hydrosols

Hydrosols or hydrolytes is the leftover liquid which is a by-product of the process of extraction of aromatherapy oils via steam or water distillation.

This is the floral water which will have a strong fragrance of the extracted oil, as also the some of the attributes, a milder version of the essential oil. These find their way in cosmetic products such as skin astringents, toners and perfume sprays. The effects of aromatherapy of these oils would not be strong as those of the essential oils.

Infused Oils

This type of aromatherapy oil is created by heating the selected herbs in carrier oil so the attributes of smell and flavour of the herb is infused in the oil.

This is a simple method of obtaining the effects of the herb and enjoying the effects of aromatherapy without having to go through the elaborate process of steam distillation, and can be made at home for use as massage oils, etc.

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are used as a base for other essential oils in aromatherapy. A neutral of mild fragrance oil is frequently used as carrier oil, e.g. jojoba, almond, etc.

Strong and powerful essential oils cannot be used directly on the skin and have to be blended with a carrier oil to avoid the possible negative effectives of aromatherapy, for example risk of allergy, irritation, etc. Carrier oils are generally used for massage oils, perfume oils, etc.

Resins

Resins are the sticky substances that one sees oozing from trees when they are injured. Obviously they have healing properties which are used in aromatherapy.

These resins are extracted by solvent or alcohol since they cannot be used directly in aromatherapy oils. Liquid resins are used in aromatherapy for medicinal / healing purposes.

Blends

Blends, as is suggested by the term, are mixtures of two or more essential oils. They can also be essential oils that are mixed with carrier oils or distilled water. Different blends are used to produce the desired effects of aromatherapy.

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