Essential Oils vs. Extracts

Overview

There is a significant difference between plant essential oils and simple plant extracts. Although both may be used in aromatherapy, it is the essential oils which carry the medicinal qualities and are used most often during massage and aromatherapy sessions. Extracts are mainly used in perfumes or even in cooking.

History

Although aromatherapy is often considered a new age practice in the field of alternative medicine, the use of plant extracts and essential oils dates back thousands of years. They were used for both religious and medicinal purposes in ancient Rome, Egypt, China and India. They are mentioned in the Bible and other ancient texts. Plant oils were applied topically, used in incense and even taken internally for therapeutic purposes. Today, they can be found in candles, body sprays and massage oils.

Features

There is a distinct difference between pure essential oils and simple plant extracts and how they are made.

• To obtain an extract, the plant parts (flowers, leaves or roots) may be cold pressed, macerated or soaked in a liquid, such as alcohol, in order to isolate (extract) a certain quality or flavor from the plant.
• The process of acquiring a plant's essential oil is a bit more complex. It must be obtained through distillation. The liquid that is distilled off is called the plant essence, and the very small amount of volatile liquid that is left behind is the essential oil. It takes a large volume of plant parts to obtain a small amount of essential oil, which is why they are typically more expensive than regular liquid extracts. Because of their complexity, essential oils cannot be replicated in a laboratory and are known for their intense aroma and medicinal properties.

Uses

• Liquid extracts are typically used for cooking, perfumes or as part of medicine. Examples include vanilla extract used in baking, citronella extract used as an insect repellent in lotions, and grapeseed extract used by herbalists to treat heart conditions.
• Essential oils are generally used for therapeutic purposes. They may be used in aromatic diffusers, in massage oils, compresses, spritzers or in therapeutic baths.

Effects

Pure essential oils are considered to have profound effects on the body. According to studies cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center, essential oils may be beneficial in treating such conditions as alopecia and post-surgical pain. Different essential oils have different medicinal qualities, and therefore, have different effects on the body. Lavender, for example, may be used to treat headaches, depression or insomnia. Extracts, although beneficial, do not appear to effect the body to the degree that essential oils do.

Expert Insight

There have been a number of studies done which support the medicinal use of essential oils and aromatherapy. In a cancer research study, found on the Internet Health Library, researchers found that patients who received massage using a carrier oil plus Roman chamomile essential oil showed a significant reduction in anxiety, and also noted improvements in their disposition, physical comfort and overall quality of life. Other studies listed showed aromatherapy to be beneficial for such conditions as anxiety and stress, alopecia, childhood eczema, depression, hypertension and insomnia.

Essential Oils

Chamomile Essential Oil

• There are two types of chamomile, an essential oil well-known for offering calming effects. They offer similar benefits, although Roman chamomile tends to be more calming, while German chamomile is considered to be a more powerful anti-inflammatory agent as it contains a compound known as azulene. Just a few of its beneficial properties including being an antibiotic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative and analgesic.
• It may help to relieve anxiety, tension, and stress as well as to aid in healing the skin and soothe irritation.
• It may also aid in the promotion of the secretion of digestive juices, facilitating better digestion. With so many different benefits chamomile oil is a must for anyone’s medicine cabinet.
• Chamomile essential oil has a scent of fruits and herbs, and is known for its calming, soothing and comforting scent.
• It blends well with florals, and some citruses, such as lemon.

Clove Essential Oil

• Clove essential oil offers antioxidant, antifungal, anti-parasitic and antibacterial properties. It’s a top oil when it comes to dental issues, and has long be used in treatments for problems like toothaches, and it can also help treat infection, battle stress and headaches, fight indigestion, ease nausea and more. If you develop a toothache in the middle of the night or another time when you can’t get to the dentist right away, clove oil can be a real lifesaver.

Ginger Essential Oil

• contains gingerol, which offers powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s also been shown in studies to increase thermogenesis, resulting in a boosted metabolism which makes it easier to lose weight. It’s stimulating, relieves nausea and pain, supports joint health and improves mental clarity.

Lavender Essential Oil

• Lavender is known to help speed healing in cuts and burns as well as rashes and stings. It can also decrease anxiety, reduce inflammation and promote better sleep, particularly after trauma. Its specific properties include being an analgesic, antifungal, antiseptic, sleep inducing and a disinfectant.
• Here are different types of lavender essential oils, including English varieties (Lavandula angustifolias), French (Lavandula dentate) and Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), which grows in lower elevation areas of France and Spain. Bulgarian Lavandula angustfolia is generally considered to be the best pick as it’s lower in cost than the others but offers the same benefits. Bulgaria is also the world’s biggest producer of lavender oil.
• Put a few drops on your pillow just before going to bed, and odds are, you’ll get a much better night’s rest.

Peppermint Essential Oil

• Peppermint essential oil is a great complement to handmade disinfectants due to its antibacterial properties.
• Peppermint oil not only smells wonderful, it can help boost your energy level, improve focus, support healthier digestion, reduce fever and headache, and provide muscle pain relief. Some of its properties include being antiseptic, analgesic, a stimulant, anesthetic, and antispasmodic. Carry some along with you when you’re traveling, or just out and about, and when fatigue hits, take a whiff – it’s an instant pick-me-up.

Rosemary Essential Oil

• It blends well lavender and pine.
• Rosemary improves brain function and memory, making it ideal to use when working or studying. It’s also known to relieve mental fatigue, helping one to focus on a particular task longer. As it can naturally stimulate hair growth and thicken hair, if you want to enjoy thicker, healthier, locks, add a bit to a homemade shampoo and/or conditioner. Regular use of this oil can result in hair that’s longer and stronger. If you suffer a dry, flaky scalp or other scalp conditions, regularly massage rosemary oil into your scalp to nourish it and eliminate dandruff. Other attributes include the ability to reduce pain and relieve respiratory issues.