Aromatherapy utilizes essential oils and byproducts from plants for medicinal uses. There are thousands of plants that have been used for aromatherapy; either alone or in combination with other compounds.
Essential oils are the key to aromatherapy and when heated release chemicals and compounds with a variety of beneficial effects.
Essential Oil Sources
All plants contain essential oils that can have a range of benefits when activated and inhaled, some widely used plant species include lavender, jasmine, geranium, rose, and juniper.
Organic Oils and Byproducts
Though essential oils are often used in their pure form they can also be combined with other organic compounds for different use, these additional products
- absolutes
- phytoncides
- distillates
- herbal infusions
- carrier oils
Essential Oil Extraction Methods
There are a number of extraction techniques that are able to be utilized to separate the desired oils in flower material from undesirable elements and toxins. The extraction system utilized has a large affect on the value of chemicals and byproducts. Essential oils are usually removed through
- steam extraction
- solvent extraction
- supercritical extraction