Background, Definitions Etc.

Question 1

What is holistic Aromatherapy?

Answer 1

Treating body, mind & spirit as one, with essential oils and massage in a therapeutic session.

Question 2

Definition of essential oils

Answer 2

A fragrant volatile liquid, extracted by expression or distillation from a single botanical source.

Question 3

Properties of essential oils

Answer 3

Strongly lipophyllic - dissolve in fats & oils of vegetable, animal or mineral origin.

Weakly hydrophylic - don’t readily dissolve in water. Some constituents are less lipophylic & more hydrophilic & end up in hydrosols/floral waters during distillation.

Question 4

Why do plants produce essential oils?

Answer 4

• Protection & repulsion of predators & pathogens
• Tissue repair e.g frankincense resin - stops pathogens entering wounds
• Attraction - flowers attract insects or birds to pollinate them
• Competition & species inhibition - eucalyptus - nothing grows where the leaves fall
• Destruction, regeneration, biodiversity - when dies > fertilises soil > next generation
• Temperature & water regulation
• Communication - tells of attack, pollination etc.

Question 5

What is meant by Chemotypes?

Answer 5

Variations of chemical analysis of the essential oil from the same botanical plant, due to growing conditions.
eg Thymus vulgaris - CT Thymol & CT Linalol - same botanical plant produces 2 chemically different EOs.

Variations can be brought about by:
- Where it is grown - altitude, climate, soil, angle to sun, wind, rain.
- Age & health of plant
- Cultivating, timing & harvesting methods eg no use of pesticides increases EO levels
- How harvested & what distilled - hand or machine?
Juniper NYR mix berry & leaf - different oil chemistry to just juniper berry.