Chapter 1: An Introduction to Essential Oils
CHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO
ESSENTIAL OILS
1.1 WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential oils are called “essential” because they are the “essence”
of a plant. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that essential oils were
essential for life, giving them the moniker that has stuck even to the
present day. Modern references define an essential oil as the essence,
or extract, that is the source of a plant’s aroma and flavor. For example,
peppermint plants smell like peppermint because of the essential
oil contained in their leaves and stems. Oranges smell like oranges
because of the essential oil contained in the peel.
Why do plants produce essential oils? Essential oils are a critical part
of a plant’s immune system. Plants produce essential oils to protect
themselves against environmental threats. The parts of a plant with the
greatest amount of essential oil are usually the parts with the greatest
risk for invasion by microorganisms: the bark, sap, leaves, seeds, and
fruit rinds. The compounds found in essential oils have all sorts of
biological activities. They are known to protect against environmental
threats, soothe the body, and even calm the mind.
1.2 OBTAINING ESSENTIAL OILS FROM PLANT PARTS
While it is important to note that essential oil extraction is unique
to every plant, in general, dōTERRA essential oils are extracted
using one of three methods: steam distillation, cold press, or solvent
extraction.
Steam Distillation is the most common method for collecting
essential oils. In steam distillation, water is boiled and the resulting
steam passes through the plant material. The steam carries the
essential oil from the plant into a collecting tube, where the steam
is cooled and condensed back into water. Because essential oils are
lipid soluble (meaning that they mix readily with other oils), they are
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