An essential oil can be described as a hydrophobic liquid of high concentration that consists of unstable aroma compounds obtained from plants. The three most common methods of extraction include the expression, distillation using steam and solvent extraction. They are used as a raw material in making soap, perfumes, cleaning agents and flavouring of food and drinks. Organic essential oils are therefore gotten from natural sources.
In the healthcare community, the use of these extracts is not common but they are of very big importance to people who believe in alternative medicine. For this reason, it is difficult to get helpful references concerning their medicinal advantages. Studies have shown that some essential oils can be used to prevent the transmission of some drug-resistant strains of pathogen which is more than the some of the modern medication can do.
Most of the essential oils are known to cause the feeling of burning or excess saliva production if taken in large quantities by the mouth. This is what leads to belching which can be attributed to the relaxation of the gastric sphincter which is also known as the carminative effect. A few of all these extracts contain beneficial properties including eucalyptus, anise, camphor, menthol and capcaisin.
Many of these oils cannot be used on the skin as they cause dermatitis as well as negatively affecting mucous membranes. There are those that are known to bring a cold feeling proceeded by a burning sensation as a result of their effect on heat-sensing nerve endings such as the menthol. The clove oil was very important to dentist in the past for its anaesthetic and antiseptic properties.
Some of these extracts are claimed to possess an uplifting effect on the mind. However, such claims are not necessarily false but are difficult to quantify. The main solvents for these extracts are pure ethanol and polyethylene glycol due to the fact that they are immiscible with water. The danger of an essential oil is generally associated with its level or grade of purity and not the effect it has on the body.
A majority of the extracts are only meant to be used for their aroma therapeutic ability and should not be directly applied on the skin in their raw form. Some of them are known to bring about allergic reactions, become hepatotoxic over time and cause severe irritation. Those that are sourced from citrus plant are photo sensitizers which increase the skins exposure to sun rays.
Industries that deal with essential oils are expected to consult the safety data sheets in order to identify its hazards and how to handle them. The grade oils meant for therapy do have a negative effect on pregnant women and individuals who are epileptic. They are known to react with some material such as rubber and plastic hence the correct equipment should be selected.
Therapeutic essential oils have been known to have traces of pesticides and are the reason why these products are sought by practitioners. For the ingestible ones, they should be taken in their correct dosage which is usually safe for consumption in small quantities. Government standards should be used in the case of concerns of pesticide traces.
In the healthcare community, the use of these extracts is not common but they are of very big importance to people who believe in alternative medicine. For this reason, it is difficult to get helpful references concerning their medicinal advantages. Studies have shown that some essential oils can be used to prevent the transmission of some drug-resistant strains of pathogen which is more than the some of the modern medication can do.
Most of the essential oils are known to cause the feeling of burning or excess saliva production if taken in large quantities by the mouth. This is what leads to belching which can be attributed to the relaxation of the gastric sphincter which is also known as the carminative effect. A few of all these extracts contain beneficial properties including eucalyptus, anise, camphor, menthol and capcaisin.
Many of these oils cannot be used on the skin as they cause dermatitis as well as negatively affecting mucous membranes. There are those that are known to bring a cold feeling proceeded by a burning sensation as a result of their effect on heat-sensing nerve endings such as the menthol. The clove oil was very important to dentist in the past for its anaesthetic and antiseptic properties.
Some of these extracts are claimed to possess an uplifting effect on the mind. However, such claims are not necessarily false but are difficult to quantify. The main solvents for these extracts are pure ethanol and polyethylene glycol due to the fact that they are immiscible with water. The danger of an essential oil is generally associated with its level or grade of purity and not the effect it has on the body.
A majority of the extracts are only meant to be used for their aroma therapeutic ability and should not be directly applied on the skin in their raw form. Some of them are known to bring about allergic reactions, become hepatotoxic over time and cause severe irritation. Those that are sourced from citrus plant are photo sensitizers which increase the skins exposure to sun rays.
Industries that deal with essential oils are expected to consult the safety data sheets in order to identify its hazards and how to handle them. The grade oils meant for therapy do have a negative effect on pregnant women and individuals who are epileptic. They are known to react with some material such as rubber and plastic hence the correct equipment should be selected.
Therapeutic essential oils have been known to have traces of pesticides and are the reason why these products are sought by practitioners. For the ingestible ones, they should be taken in their correct dosage which is usually safe for consumption in small quantities. Government standards should be used in the case of concerns of pesticide traces.