Many people enjoy the captivating aromas that mother nature has to offer. By adding essential oils to your life, you can improve your overall well being. Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy, in medications, and as an excellent flavoring for food. So you may wonder where do these essential oils originate? What exactly are these oils?

Essential oils are defined as liquids which are concentrated with an all natural scent derived from plant parts. The reason they are referred to as "essential" is because they have a very unique aroma from plant parts. They are the natural "essence" of the plant. Never confuse essential oils with fragrant oils. There is a big difference. Fragrant oils are oils which have unnatural ingredients added to them. Essential oils have nothing artificial in them.

The use of holistic remedies has been around for a very long time. Most of these holistic treatments originated in Egypt. Egyptians found out they could use aromatic plants and herbs for their rituals, medicines and cosmetics. They also used essential oils for the mummification process and for embalming. Many other cultures use essential oils and this has remained as time has gone on.

A French chemist by the name of Rene Gattefosse invented aromatherapy through experimenting with the healing powers of essential oils. When he burnt his own hand, he applied undiluted lavender oil to the burn. By doing so, he realized that lavender eased the burn pain as well as allowed the burn to heal with no scar or infection.

So you may wonder just how these essential oils work. When essential oils are used for medicine, there are three different ways they can be used. One way is by applying the oil to the skin. Another is by inhaling or swallowing the oil. When the oil is put on bare skin, the oil is soaked in through the skin just the same way any other ointment works. When these oils are inhaled, the small molecules travel into mucous membranes within the nose and then into the respiratory system. When swallowed or ingested, you should seek the professional direction of a person who is skilled in diluting these oils. There are some essential oils which can be dangerous to the system.

There are numerous ways to use essential oils. The scent is very refreshing and can be emitted through inhaling the steam, hair care, body care, baths, compresses, floral waters, and massage. By researching, you will know the proper ways to use essential oils.

There are a wide variety of different types of essential oils. Some of the more popular oils are Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang, Peppermint, Lemon, Geranium, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, and Lavender. Most of these have relaxing effects and are often used for medicine purposes. It's very important to research the different ways of using each oil for each specific need.

Each oil has a wonderful aroma. The healing effects are beneficial and work great when used correctly. By using these oils, you can easily restore balance and harmony to your life.