They can be classified based on their notes of fragrance or based on their chemical composition. These Aromatherapy plants grow in different soils, climatic conditions and in different seasons. They vary widely in terms of fragrances and medicinal values.
The following examples of Aromatherapy plants are grown in tropical and sub tropical climates. Almond oil has a base note and it is extracted from seeds or kernel of Almond by cold expression. It is yellow to golden colour oil. It is immiscible in water, but soluble in ethyl alcohol. The sweet Almond fragrance stimulates one’s olfactory senses and gives a memorable experience. It is used in Aromatherapy massage oil formulations.
Aniseed oil, is derived from Ani seed, by steam distillation. It is a very popular essential oil, with a top note. They are widely used in Aromatherapy, to treat cold and flu. They are used in the formulation of Aromatherapy massage oils, and Aromatherapy bath oils.
Lemongrass oil, is made from lemongrass by steam distillation. They are widely grown in India and Java. They are applied to treat various ailments, and they are used as a repellent, against certain insects.
Geranium oil, is made from leaves of Geranium plant, by steam distillation. It has a middle note. Its fragrance is useful in the treatment of certain skin problems, and helps treat people with anxiety. It is used to make ‘Rose perfumes’ replicates.
Examples of common essential oils derived, from plants in Europe, are, Garden Angelica oil, Caraway oil, Coriander oil, Sweet basil oil, Damask Rose oil, Garden sage oil, Clary sage oil, Garden Thyme oil, Lemon Balm oil, Lavender oil, Milfoil, Common fennel oil and Peppermint oil.
Many essential oils, are volatile in nature, and such oils are recovered using steam distillation. By passing a saturated steam into leaves, flowers and barks of some plants, the essentials oil are evolved into a condensing vapour. They are condensed and separated, into an insoluble essential oil and purified. They are to be used in the preparation of various Aromatherapy compoundes. Some essentials are not steaming volatile, but soluble in selected solvents. Such components are extracted using Petroleum solvents .In some applications, inert solvents, which do not affect the olfactory properties of the oil, are used to extract such oils.
Few oils such as Lemon oil and Orange oils, are obtained by expression of peels of citrus fruits.
These Aromatherapy plants are cultivated commercially, to extract essential oils, which have a good market potential. The essential oil contents, and their chemical structures are evaluated, using analytical instruments, to check their maturity and percentage, before harvesting. Some very expensive plant leaves, are freezing dried and stored, for later extraction. By this method, these oils can be made available, even during off-seasons. Aromatherapy business has grown so much; there is a constant demand, for certain products, throughout the year, irrespective of seasonal changes, and climatic conditions.
I had the opportunity to visit the distillery of essential oil of cedar (Cedar Leaf Oil) in Canada, where as the raw material for distillation are used the trimmed garden cedar twigs. Hundreds of property owners cut trees in their gardens. What to do with trimmed branches? – Hand over to the distillery to “Recycle of cedar.”
Cedar oil from the North America
This company uses its own transport to pick up cropped twigs. In a small distillery, built on the outskirts of Ottawa twigs are processed to essential oils. Two tanks with a capacity of 500 m3, the cooling system and the wood-peelers, that’s all equipment of this factory. They processed about 30 tonnes of green cedar oil every year. Water vapor is acquired in the furnace gas. The waste raw material after distillation from the plant is deprived of essential oils and is an excellent manure, reaching for gardeners and gardening, who may receive it back.
In this way everyone are satisfied: producer of the oil and the local inhabitants, which facilitate in the disposal of waste, which they really did not know what to do.
Oil with notes of cedar forest is used in perfumery, cosmetics and household chemicals. In aromatherapy was not used yet due to lack of research in this area. Due to the wonderful smell of the forest, cedar oil can be applied indoors as the air refresher. Cedar oil is also insect repellent – deters mosquitoes.
Maple syrup
Maple trees are Canada’s national landscape decorations, saturating pure red aura of autumn leaves, one of which is part of the country’s flag. Canadian maples are also a valuable source of maple juice. Maple Juice is 100% natural secretion of maple trees, primarily obtain from varieties of Acer saccharum trees, by drilling holes in the trunk, from which it drips by gravity to the tanks.
The syrup factory, which I’ve seen, consisted of the 4000 aluminum containers with a capacity of two litters each. The harvested maple sap was credited to the special containers and heated in steel tanks, where was thickened to the consistency of syrup. Prior to fill to the commercial packaging, syrup was filtered through the filters tissues-which helped to remove any impurities.
Depending on the season, in which maple sap is produced and the maple species, there are distinguished 6 types of syrup differ in color from clear yellow to dark brown. The most precious is the brightest.
Maple syrup is used as a natural sweetener, with a slightly bitter flavor for beverages and foods like ice cream, pancakes, cakes, tea, coffee. It is also used for meat dishes (roast meat rub) and aromatic addition to salads, sauces, etc. Canadian cuisine. Maple syrup is a rich source of sugars, mineral salts and vitamins of group B. It applies also, in addition to the food industry, cosmetic industry, mainly in cosmetics moisturizer, holding the water loss from the epidermis.
Assigning plants mystical meanings of health exist from the oldest ages, and was the basis of modern pharmaceutical knowledge about medicinal properties of herbs. Medieval alchemists were forming bouquets of flowers by color. Red flowers were associated with life and passion, were recommended to people in pain and after medical treatment. Yellow flowers were recommended for passive and apathetic people. Symbolized the sun, energy and joy. White color of flowers meant the grandeur and perfection. Bouquets were giving to a person pursuing excellence. Bouquets of blue were intended for spiritual people, dreamers and philosophers, but also sleepers.
The below example is taken from “The Language of Flowers” – Pierre Joseph Redoute book. He based his book on an elegant, Victorian and old English tradition. I chose plants who want to tell us something. The author was a botanist, of Belgian origin, educated in Paris and London. Assigns to the following plants are only symbolic significance, but maybe there lies the truth about the world, about us, and we can try to assign to essential oils and their smell additional therapeutic power.
Garden Angelica (garden angelica oil) – PROWESS
Basil (basil oil) – GOOD WISHES
Cedar (cedar oil) – POWER
Cupressus (cypress oil) – SADNESS, SORROW
Viola (violet oil) – MODESTY
Geranium (oil of Geranium) – COURTESY
Clove (clove oil) – AVAILABILITY
Iris (iridescent oil) – MESSAGE
Juniper (juniper oil) – PROTECTION
Jasmine (jasmine absolute) – GRACE, ELEGANCE
Laurel (laurel oil) – GLORY, AMBITION
Lavender (lavender oil) – DISTRUST, DISBELIEF
Magnolia (Magnolia oil) – DIGNITY
Marjoram (marjoram oil) – SHAME
Peppermint (peppermint oil) – WARM FEELINGS
Mint (Mint Oil) – INTEGRITY
Marigold (marigold oil) – FAILURE
Rosemary (Rosemary oil) – MEMORY
Pine (pine oil) – GRIEF
Salvia (sage oil) – ESTEEM
Thyme (thyme oil) – ACTIVITY
