As far back as 4500BC the Egyptians were using plant essences to make perfumes. The ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, said that “the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.”

The ancient Hindu system of Ayurveda relied on the use of essential oils in its healing potions. According to the Bible’s Book of Exodus, God transmitted a special anointing formula of essential oils to Moses which was used to consecrate the first high priest of the Israelites. Essential oils are absorbed by the body in two ways-through the nose and through the skin. When the oils are inhaled, the olfactory nerves in the nose transmit the scent message in .05 seconds, faster than the brain registers pain. From there, the oil molecules are diffused again into the blood stream via the lungs.

The scent message triggers the release of neurochemicals which produce mental effects from relaxation to euphoria.

The limbic part of the brain, where scent registers in the center of the brain, controls memory, emotion and sexuality.

When essential oils are applied to the skin, they are absorbed into the bloodstream by passing through the hair follicles or the sweat glands. Different essential oils are absorbed into the body at different rates depending on the size of the molecules in the oils.

The unique properties of every plant, which define its gifts, are extracted in the form of essential oils and used for the healing of the body, mind and spirit Even the very best synthetic perfume copies of essential oils lack their true healing nature. Producing essential oils is a labor of love; for example it takes 2000 rose petals to extract one drop of essential oil.

We use only true essential oils in all of our products and we purchase all of our oils from trusted suppliers who monitor and even produce many of the essential oils we use. We purchase wild crafted and organic essential oils whenever possible.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 10:33 pm and is filed under Aromatherapy, Resources.