Hydrosols are another type of product commonly used in aromatherapy. They’re frequently combined with essential oils and carrier oils as a way to enhance the base product. The steam and water distillation processes used for extracting essential oils from plants, roots, flowers and fruits produces another byproduct: water. This leftover water retains the scent of the plant from which it was extracted and the fragrant liquid is what’s referred to as the hydrosols. Hydrosols are known by other names including hydrolytes and hydrolates.

Hydrosols are much lighter than essential oils. They maintain many of the same attributes of essential oils and the addition of water simply makes a milder product. There are times when a milder version of an essential oil is preferred. For example, hydrosols are perfect for using as a toner for skin. Hydrosols, because they are milder, are also safer to use on children’s skin and sensitive skin.
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Carrier oils are an important part of aromatherapy. Carrier oils are mainly used to dilute essential oils. Dilution is especially important when the essential oils are being massaged into the skin. If you know anything about essential oils, you know that they are highly concentrated and some can be pricy. Besides the fact that you’d consume a considerable amount if you used an essential oil for massage without first diluting it, essential oils are usually too much for the body to tolerate in an undiluted form.

Use of carrier oils during a massage session also makes the essential oils easier to handle. Carrier oils act as lubricants, helping the hands to move freely about the body, which produces a more soothing and comfortable result. Without carrier oils, the hands would tend to stick to the skin and drag along the top rather than glide.
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Aromatherapy is all about essential oils. Essential oils are naturally-occurring oils that have been extracted from the various parts of different plants including the leaves, the bark, the stem, the flowers, the fruits and even the roots. Essential oils are not to be confused with perfumes which frequently are manufactured using a variety of ingredients, many of which are synthetic and do not provide the same types of mind and body benefits.

There are several commonly used methods of extracting the essential oils from plant matter. The oldest method and the one that is still the most commonly used is distillation. In this process, the plant material is heated. The volatile components are then able to be condensed and collected from the vapors that result. Maceration, enfleurage, solvent extraction and expression are other methods used to extract essential oils from plant matter.
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What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a technique that utilizes the body’s sense of smell to help boost moods, relieve stress and encourage better health. Various fragrant substances are used during aromatherapy sessions and each produces a different result. For example, peppermint and eucalyptus scents are often used to help stimulate the body. Lavender and chamomile can help a person relax. Lemon and rosemary are effective at revitalizing a tired body.

The sense of smell is powerful. In fact, the body can distinguish around 10,000 different scents! As scents are inhaled, the smell travels across the olfactory nerves located inside the nose and then up into the part of the brain that controls our moods, our memories and our ability to learn. This area is called the Limbic System and when stimulated it releases endorphins, neurotransmitters and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals.
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