Post by Rhiannon on Oct 5, 2006 14:05:50 GMT -5
Below is a list I have compiled of many commons terms used when speaking of aromatherapy.
aromatherapy: The use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.
absolutes: Products, not strictly essential oils, obtained through chemical solvent extraction.
blends: different essential oils and carrier oils combined for balance, safety, and effectiveness.
carrier oil: A vegetable oil base in which essential oils are diluted to create massage blends and body care products. Also known as a "base oil" or "fixed oil" (because it is non-volitile, or does not evaporate). Examples of carrier oils include almond, apricot kernel, grapeseed, jojoba, olive, sesame, wheat germ, and canola oil. Used to dilute essential oils so that they may be used safely. Many carrier oils have their own valuable, unique therapeutic properties.
diffuser: An aromatherapy accessory used to gently disperse essential oils into the air for olfactory benefit.
Dilution: Reducing the strength of an essential oil by using a few drops in a larger volume of carrier oil or other diluting substance. It is important to dilute essential oils before applying them, as they can be irritating when used neat, or undiluted.
essential oil: The main material used in aromatherapy, volatile aromatic oils aquired through extraction of organic matter, such as flowers, bark, resin, leaves, and fuit peels. The highly concentrated, volatile, aromatic essences of plants.
folded oil: The term folded refers to oils that have been redistilled several times to remove constituents, with the aim of changing the scent of the oil for use in the food and drug industry. However, therapeutic qualities are important, and folded oils are unsuitable for use in aromatherapy.
food grade: Considered safe for use in food by the Food and Drug Administration.
fragrance: Aroma. Products labeled as fragrances are not pure essential oils. They are derived by synthetic means.
hydrosols/floral water: Water phase coproduct produced through steam distillation. Sometimes referred to as "floral water" or "hydrolat." Many hydrosols have their own unique therapeutic properties, but there is little information about using hydrosols in aromatherapy. Hydrosol is the name for the water left after a steam or water distillation of an essential oil. It is mainly water with only a very small amount of water soluable plant constiutents.
incense: a combination of resin, gums or woods either in solid or powder form. Incense is burned to produce a pleasant smelling smoke.
infused oil: a remedy primed by steeping or maceration of plant material in oil, may or may not involve heat.
neat: A "neat" drop refers to a drop of liquid that is unmixed, or undiluted. When referencing an aromatherapy recipe for example, a neat drop of lavender essential oil is a drop of oil taken directly from the bottle, and added to the recipe.
patch test: A test, usually performed on a small area of skin on the inside of the elbow, to ensure that essential oils to be therapeutically will not cause any adverse reaction. Some people have reactions to certain oils and cannot use them. To test an essential oil you have not used before, do a patch test by adding 1 drop of oil to 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil and apply to the inside of the arm. Leave on for 24 hours, and if any redness or itching develops, don't use the oil.
perfume note: Aspects that make up a scent.
-----top notes:[/i] The initial hint of each fragrance - the fresh, light quality that you senses first pick up on. The top notes evaporate fairly quickly and can fade after 5 to 20 minutes of being in contact with the skin. The top notes can be described as light volatile notes that burst on your skin and serves as the first impression of the fragrance.
-----middle notes:[/i] As the tope notes fade the middle or 'heart' notes form. The middle or 'heart' notes form the actual fragrance character of the perfume and can last for up to 4 or 5 hours.
-----base notes:[/i] Base notes emerge slowly but usually are richly scented and are usually the lasting notes of the fragrance. Base notes serve as the foundation upon which the perfume is based. Base notes are intended to pleasantly underscore the fading scent and can last 7 - 8 hours.
resins: Any one of a class of clear, yellowish brown solid, or semisolid substances which are vegetable in origin - derived from plants and trees. They are soluble in ether, alcohol, and other solvents. Not soluble in water. A hard, brittle substance.
single note: A pure, 100% natural essential oil: no additives; no adulterations.
synergistic: A characteristic in which the total effect is more effective than the individual parts.
volatile: Describes a substance that evaporates. Essential oils consist of mostly volatile molecules, so bottles should be kept tightly closed.[/color]
aromatherapy: The use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.
absolutes: Products, not strictly essential oils, obtained through chemical solvent extraction.
blends: different essential oils and carrier oils combined for balance, safety, and effectiveness.
carrier oil: A vegetable oil base in which essential oils are diluted to create massage blends and body care products. Also known as a "base oil" or "fixed oil" (because it is non-volitile, or does not evaporate). Examples of carrier oils include almond, apricot kernel, grapeseed, jojoba, olive, sesame, wheat germ, and canola oil. Used to dilute essential oils so that they may be used safely. Many carrier oils have their own valuable, unique therapeutic properties.
diffuser: An aromatherapy accessory used to gently disperse essential oils into the air for olfactory benefit.
Dilution: Reducing the strength of an essential oil by using a few drops in a larger volume of carrier oil or other diluting substance. It is important to dilute essential oils before applying them, as they can be irritating when used neat, or undiluted.
essential oil: The main material used in aromatherapy, volatile aromatic oils aquired through extraction of organic matter, such as flowers, bark, resin, leaves, and fuit peels. The highly concentrated, volatile, aromatic essences of plants.
folded oil: The term folded refers to oils that have been redistilled several times to remove constituents, with the aim of changing the scent of the oil for use in the food and drug industry. However, therapeutic qualities are important, and folded oils are unsuitable for use in aromatherapy.
food grade: Considered safe for use in food by the Food and Drug Administration.
fragrance: Aroma. Products labeled as fragrances are not pure essential oils. They are derived by synthetic means.
hydrosols/floral water: Water phase coproduct produced through steam distillation. Sometimes referred to as "floral water" or "hydrolat." Many hydrosols have their own unique therapeutic properties, but there is little information about using hydrosols in aromatherapy. Hydrosol is the name for the water left after a steam or water distillation of an essential oil. It is mainly water with only a very small amount of water soluable plant constiutents.
incense: a combination of resin, gums or woods either in solid or powder form. Incense is burned to produce a pleasant smelling smoke.
infused oil: a remedy primed by steeping or maceration of plant material in oil, may or may not involve heat.
neat: A "neat" drop refers to a drop of liquid that is unmixed, or undiluted. When referencing an aromatherapy recipe for example, a neat drop of lavender essential oil is a drop of oil taken directly from the bottle, and added to the recipe.
patch test: A test, usually performed on a small area of skin on the inside of the elbow, to ensure that essential oils to be therapeutically will not cause any adverse reaction. Some people have reactions to certain oils and cannot use them. To test an essential oil you have not used before, do a patch test by adding 1 drop of oil to 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil and apply to the inside of the arm. Leave on for 24 hours, and if any redness or itching develops, don't use the oil.
perfume note: Aspects that make up a scent.
-----top notes:[/i] The initial hint of each fragrance - the fresh, light quality that you senses first pick up on. The top notes evaporate fairly quickly and can fade after 5 to 20 minutes of being in contact with the skin. The top notes can be described as light volatile notes that burst on your skin and serves as the first impression of the fragrance.
-----middle notes:[/i] As the tope notes fade the middle or 'heart' notes form. The middle or 'heart' notes form the actual fragrance character of the perfume and can last for up to 4 or 5 hours.
-----base notes:[/i] Base notes emerge slowly but usually are richly scented and are usually the lasting notes of the fragrance. Base notes serve as the foundation upon which the perfume is based. Base notes are intended to pleasantly underscore the fading scent and can last 7 - 8 hours.
resins: Any one of a class of clear, yellowish brown solid, or semisolid substances which are vegetable in origin - derived from plants and trees. They are soluble in ether, alcohol, and other solvents. Not soluble in water. A hard, brittle substance.
single note: A pure, 100% natural essential oil: no additives; no adulterations.
synergistic: A characteristic in which the total effect is more effective than the individual parts.
volatile: Describes a substance that evaporates. Essential oils consist of mostly volatile molecules, so bottles should be kept tightly closed.[/color]
