An essential oil is a natural aromatic compound extracted from plants. It is obtained by steam distillation or pressing of plant parts such as flowers, leaves, wood, resins, bark or roots. Each oil has a unique chemical composition, conferring specific properties. They are highly concentrated and should be used with caution. Used in aromatherapy, they are recognized for their benefits on physical and mental health. Essential oils can be applied in a variety of ways, including inhalation, diluted skin application, or sometimes orally under professional supervision. They play an important role in alternative medicine, well-being and in the cosmetics industry. However, their use requires an understanding of their properties and contraindications. Research continues to explore their effectiveness and safety.
The most effective essential oils depend on the desired goal. For example, lavender is known for its calming properties and is often used to promote sleep and reduce anxiety. Tea tree is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a popular choice for skin care and household cleaning. Eucalyptus is frequently used to relieve cold and flu symptoms, while peppermint is valued for its cooling and stimulating effects. It is essential to choose quality essential oils, pure and undiluted, to fully benefit from their properties.
For a basic home aromatherapy kit, certain essential oils are a must. Lavender, for its soothing and relaxing properties, is excellent for stress and sleep. Tea tree is a must for its antibacterial properties, useful in cases of cuts or irritated skin. Eucalyptus and peppermint are good for breathing and can help with nasal congestion. Lemon is loved for its refreshing scent and cleansing properties. It is also helpful to have an essential oil like rosemary for concentration and mental fatigue. These oils offer a full range of benefits and can be used alone or in combination for synergistic effects.
Using essential oils offers many benefits for physical and mental well-being. They can be used to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, promote restful sleep, and increase focus and energy. On a physical level, they are beneficial for relieving pain, improving breathing, and supporting skin health. Essential oils are also used in cosmetics for their regenerating and balancing properties. Additionally, they can be used in relaxation and meditation practices, adding an aromatic dimension that can help deepen the relaxation experience.
There are a wide variety of essential oils, each with their unique characteristics. Flower oils like lavender, ylang-ylang and rose are known for their calming and balancing properties. Citrus oils like lemon, orange and grapefruit are popular for their energizing and refreshing effect. Tree oils and resins, such as pine, cedar and frankincense, are used for their grounding and purifying properties. Mint oils, such as peppermint and spearmint, are known for their cooling and stimulating effect. Herbal oils like rosemary and basil are used for concentration and relief from mental fatigue. Each type of oil has distinct chemical properties and recommended uses based on its specific effects.
Safe use of essential oils is crucial. It is advisable to always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin to avoid skin irritation. It’s also important to do a patch test, especially if you’re using an oil for the first time. Inhalation should be done in moderation, and certain oils should not be used by pregnant women, children, or people with specific medical conditions. It is essential to educate yourself and, if possible, consult an aromatherapy professional or doctor before starting any treatment with essential oils.
The ingestion of essential oils is a subject of debate. Some are safe to ingest, but only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional experienced in aromatherapy. It is important to never ingest essential oils without professional advice, as they are extremely concentrated and can be toxic if used incorrectly. Oils intended for ingestion should be pure, therapeutic grade, and always follow the precise dosage instructions on the product label.
Caution is advised when using essential oils in children and pregnant women. Some oils may be safe if properly diluted and used in small amounts, but others should be avoided. For example, it is generally advisable to avoid the use of essential oils containing camphor, such as eucalyptus and rosemary, in young children. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils in these sensitive populations.
The quality of essential oils is essential for their effectiveness and safety. Look for oils that are pure, undiluted and free of additives. It is important to check the information on the label, including the botanical name of the plant, its origin, the method of extraction and if possible, the results of purity tests. Choose brands that are reputable and transparent about their sourcing and distillation methods. Be wary of cheap oils, as they may be substandard or adulterated.
The noble laurel, whose botanical name is Laurus nobilis, belongs to the Lauraceae family. Its essential oil is produced from its leaves (young leaves) and fruiting branches. History of Noble Laurel This tree has been venerated since ancient times by the Greeks and Romans. They adorned their emperor’s head with a laurel wreath. Dedicated to … Read more
Wintergreen was known and used for a long time by Amerindians for inflammatory pathologies . The Indians in fact made an enormous consumption of wintergreen, both internally, against infectious diseases , to bring down fever, and externally, to relieve their pain and heal their wounds. A little history At the beginning of the 19th century, the Iroquois prepared “ Swains panacea ”, … Read more
In ancient Egypt, papyri almost 5,000 years old indicate the presence of fennel at that time. It is the same for Mesopotamian tablets from Babylon or from Assyria. Quoted and widely used by the Greeks, Arabs and Chinese, fennel also appears in certain botanical literary works of the Middle Ages. This plant has therefore long been considered a … Read more
Originally from the Austral lands, eucalyptus will give birth to many species , some of which, very interesting, will be exploited in the medicinal field . The term Eucalyptus comes from the Greek “ eu ” and “ kaluptos ” which mean respectively “ well ” and “ covered” , probably in reference to its stamens perfectly closed by a operculum. A little history Discovered in the 18th century in … Read more
Lemon eucalyptus is a plant native to the Australian continent as well as Madagascar. The Aborigines had in fact always known its powerful antibacterial properties . Lemon eucalyptus was also used to dry out swampy areas in the subtropics. The aborigines of Australia used the sap of the eucalyptus or “gum tree” in direct application on their wounds in order … Read more
Tarragon, whose botanical name is Artemisia dracunculus, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its producing organs are its aerial parts. The history of tarragon Tarragon was introduced to Europe during the Crusades. But it has a long tradition as a medicinal plant and spice in Asia and Siberia. As well as being used in cookery books, … Read more
Since ancient times, frankincense, along with myrrh and other aromatics, was among the drugs burned in temples during religious ceremonies. These odoriferous fumigations are also currently still in use and are part of the rites of current religions. A mythical and ritual plant of all civilizations of the Mediterranean basin, incense has therefore been the object of all desires. of the … Read more
Cypress was part of the medical material of the ancient Egyptians, as evidenced by various papyri. Its reddish yellow wood, practically incorruptible, was used to make sarcophagi to keep mummies. Tradition has often dedicated this tree to the cult of the dead and to the ornamentation of cemeteries because of its dark foliage and its eternally green color ( semper … Read more
Cilantro is one of the oldest aromatic herbs in the world . In Antiquity, the Romans were keen on it. The spice appears in more than 70 dishes from the collection of recipes of the gastronomic Roman Apicius . It is mentioned in Sanskrit writings, the Ebers papyrus , the Old Testament … without forgetting its use in China, more than 2000 years ago … This plant, in … Read more
As everyone knows, lemon is a citrus fruit, a word whose etymological roots directly refer to its pungent and sour flavor . In the fifth century BC, Sophocles referred to the orange and the lemon under the same name of “golden apples” ( which for a long time suggested that these two fruits could indeed have some relation with apples. from … Read more
The virtues of chamomile flowers have been known since the dawn of time. Although not of Roman origin, tradition has it that it was named so because a German botanist and physician Camerarius rediscovered it in the 16th century in Rome. The flower head is used in herbalism, traditionally to facilitate digestion . In liquorice, it gives a bitter flavor to aperitifs. The … Read more
Discovered by botanists in 1925 in the Juriti Velho region (States of Para), this tree was named “rosewood” because of the delicately scent of its wood . The study of this tree revealed that it contained an essential oil of an exceptional richness in linalool , an odorous substance precursor of the perfume of lavender. A thriving extractive industry developed in the Amazon … Read more
In the citrus tribe, bergamot stands out, not only because it is a funny phenomenon full of sparkling and charming, but also because we wanted to attribute several places of birth and equally numerous parents. Indeed, some say that it comes from the west: they claim that it was Christopher Columbus who discovered the bergamot tree in … Read more
To fully understand the sacred dimension that surrounds this basil, it is important to retrace its steps, and to go to its original land, that is to say India. There, basil is just as sacred as verbena was to the Romans, if not more so. Very small “temples” are erected there, as well as veritable altars surrounded by walls … Read more
Also called “royal herb”, basil is known for its many medicinal properties . Before landing in the crucible of old-time stills, basil has come a long way. The adjective “tropical”, moreover, is there to remind us of its origin, because in fact, tropical basil does indeed originate from the Indian subcontinent . A little history More than 4000 years ago, the … Read more
The tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia) or Tea tree is native to New South Wales in Australia, where the Bundjalung aborigines used the leaves to heal themselves from a variety of ailments for a long time . Unfortunately, very little of this ancestral knowledge has come down to us, due to the fact that huge sections of aboriginal culture have … Read more
“Of all the senses, smell is the one that strikes me the most. How does smell, taste, become perfume? How do our nerves get nuanced? Subtle, sublime interpreters of what cannot be seen, cannot be heard, cannot be written with words? The smell would be like a soul, immaterial. These sentences by Marcel Hanoun , filmmaker and thinker, poetically illustrate the mysteries of … Read more
Hippocrates said that “if Man gets sick, he finds the solution in nature, if he knows how to look at it”. Indeed, Mother Nature provides Man with everything he needs to meet his health needs. In his book “Aromatherapy: healing yourself with essential oils”, Dominique Baudoux indeed offers many formulas based on essential oils which … Read more
Dive into the fascinating world of chemotyped essential oils and discover how HECT aromatherapy is revolutionising natural skincare. In this article, we explore the concept of chemotype, a key criterion for choosing quality essential oils, guaranteeing their efficacy and safety. Learn to differentiate between the various biochemical compounds, such as monoterpenols and sesquiterpenols, and understand … Read more
Thanks to their highly potent active molecules, essential oils make an effective contribution to curbing ENT disorders, which are very common and the cause of many of our ailments. They are one of the main reasons for consulting a doctor. We often tend to play them down and wait for them to go away… But … Read more