Essential

Oils are the highly concentrated aromatic portion of a plant and like dried plant material can contain more than one bioactive ingredient with diverse effects from antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to clinically calming, stimulating or antidepressant. Always source a pure essential oil from a reputable company because oils can be adulterated with other cheaper oils or chemicals. Although some essential oils are toxic and must not be taken internally, many are given “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) status for internal use in food products. Always use sparingly at 1 to 2 drops, diluting to 1 to 2% for daily skin application. Legally, if you make a skin product to sell or give as a gift, it must contain no more than 1% essential oil. Some essential oils can cause allergic reaction and some are phototoxic and can cause reactions when exposed to sunlight. Consult reputable aromatherapy sources for information.


Applied to volatile oils of plants, marked by characteristic odor; also applied to fatty acids believed by nutritionists to be necessary for health.


Organs of the flower, those absolutely necessary to fertilization, i. e., the stamens and pistils.


In nutrition, a substance that the body requires for growth and maintenance and cannot synthesize in sufficient amounts.


Describing a disorder that is not apparently attributable to an outside cause; for example, essential hypertension.


 

 

 

 


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