We will look at: a) Where Essential oils come from, b) The way Essential oils effect mind and emotions, and c) The way Essential oils effect etheric body or physcho-spiritual level

a) WHERE DO ESSENTIAL OILS COME FROM ? - Essential Oils – Part 1

The odoriferous substances (Essential oils) themselves are formed in chloroplasts of leaves where they combine with glucose to form glucides and are then circulated around plant in this form. At certain times of day or year they are stored in particular parts of plant.

In some plants, essential oils are produced by secretory tissues, and in others they are combined with glycosides, and are therefore not detectable until plant is dried or crushed, e.g.: Valerian

Essential oils are considered to be an important part of plant's metabolism: some have hormonal activity and others are a stage in some other process, e.g.: oil found in rind of orange is a stage in Vitamin A synthesis.

Essential oils can be found in almost any part of plant, in differing concentrations, depending on plant itself, time of day and year. They may be found in roots (e.g.: Calamus and Valerian), flowers (e.g. Lavender, Rose,), bark (e.g. Sandalwood, Cedarwood), fruits (e.g.: Lemon, Cardamom, Orange), berries (e.g. Juniper), leaves (e.g. Thyme, Rosemary, Sage).

Plants which contain essences must be picked at correct time of day and in correct season, and in particular weather conditions in order that a maximum yield of essential oils can be obtained, and of course, as with all medicinal or nutritional plants, soil conditions, and climatic conditions will also dictate quality of oils obtained.

Heavy, concentrated oils are called ABSOLUTES e.g.: Rose, Jasmine, Oils which are solid at room temperature and which must be warmed before use are called BALSAMS, e.g.: Benzoin and Camphor.

HOW DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK?

Essential oils are known to have an effect on us in three different, but overlapping, ways.

a) On physical body, both locally and systemically, via lymphatic and blood circulation. b) On mind and emotions via Sense of Smell and Limbic System. c) On “Etheric Energy System” of body via energy vibration of individual oils themselves.

The Way Essential Oils Effect Physical Body When Essential oils are applied to surface of body, either via Massage, Baths, Compresses, Creams or Lotions, they will have an effect locally (i.e. site at which they are applied), and Systemically (i.e. throughout body). The Systemic effect occurs when essential oils are absorbed through skin into Lymphatic Circulation, and they are then dumped from Lymphatic circulation into blood stream.

b) The Way Essential Oils Effect Mind and Emotions The Mind and Emotions, or rather way we think and feel, are effected by essential oils via our sense of smell, as are all odors we consciously and UNCONSCIOUSLY detect.

The Sense of Smell forms greater part of our Sense of Taste (note how your sense of taste and smell is affected when you have a head cold or blocked up nose. The sense of smell is also affected by pollution, smoking, trauma to nose itself and a mucous forming diet).

The sense of smell of our ancient ancestors was far superior to ours. They identified one another by smell as well as sight, and could even detect usefulness of a plant by its smell. They also tracked animals by smell. The sense of smell helps us to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' odors, which tell us if food is fit to be eaten or if there is disease or hygiene present.

ODOURS & DISEASE A couple of hundred years ago, physicians would use sense of smell as a diagnostic aid. Arthritis and rheumatism have an acid smell, a good midwife could tell a post-partum haemorrhage by smell of blood passed, diabetes gives an acetone smell to breathe and urine, perspiration can give us clues as to health of kidneys and lymphatic system, smell of faeces also can tell us type of disease in digestive tract. Natural medicine still uses this method of diagnosis.

The human nose has ability to distinguish many thousands of different odors, and memory of these odors is stored deep in our sub-conscious minds. (See R. Tisserand 'The Art of Aromatherapy" pages 60-73).

When we inhale air molecules which, are carrying ‘odoriferous’ molecules of an essential oil, these molecules adhere to our Olfactory nerve endings in back of nose, producing stimulation of these nerve endings.

Sensory stimulation of Olfactory centre is by a relay of nerve impulses from sensory nerve endings in nose to brain.

This is a very rapid and direct pathway to part of Brain which directs, controls, interprets and responds to sensory input.

This pathway is very different to sensory stimulation of sensory nerves in skin which is more complex, being transmitted from a sensory nerve ending to spinal cord, to brain, back down spinal cord, down a motor nerve ending and then to appropriate organ. For example when we touch a hot object, heat affects sensory nerve ending in say finger. This nerve relays a message along sensory nerve fiber to its root in spinal cord. The impulse is carried to brain. The brain says “ouch !!! that’s hot, take finger off now”.