Posted by Dorine King on November 30th, 2016 in

What is an Essential Oil?

Essential oils are not cooking oils like olive oil, canola oil, or sesame oil. These are called fixed or base oils. They are different from essential oils. They feel oily to the touch and when they are exposed to air, they become rancid and do not evaporate. By contrast, essential oils are not oils, they do not leave an oily residue, they do not become rancid, and they evaporate readily. Essential oils are a volatile substance obtained from botanical raw material by either steam distillation or by cold pressing.

Essential Oils:

• Have the ability to diffuse freely into the atmosphere
• Are easily vaporized at low temperatures
• Are absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin and mucus membranes in the nose
• Are considered to be the spirit or life force of the plant and this is why the term “spirits” is used to describe alcoholic beverages such as brandy and whiskey