Alternative medicines

Posts Tagged ‘nutrition’

The predictability of ubiquitous raisins can be replaced by cranberries in cakes or muffins. It is well known that fresh strawberries are high in Vitamin C. Besides this there are various other berry types! Numerous types are edible, from blue-staining blueberries (that are blue-purple in colour) to raspberries, cranberries, mulberries and other juicy sweet berries.

Not all berries are sweet, some are harmful and fatal. Whenever anyone is in the wild and comes across wild berries, mushrooms and other unknown varieties it is worth not even trying them for taste. The knowledge of what is poisonous is helpful before taking a wild trial and trying out the foods we assume are safe. Generally mushrooms look appealing, they are a fungus and can be dangerous.

Small button mushrooms are most common in stores and safe. All mushrooms are mostly moisture, while shitake mushrooms are known to be very health supporting. For a nutritious snake we can rely on berries, which also supply various levels of protective antioxidants. We wish to reduce our rate of ageing and ward away the development of disease and we have blueberries to indulge in to assist us to do that. Then therapeutically for urinary tract infections we have cranberries. Tendency to kidney stones is reduced by taking cranberry juice. It is known that medications for urinary and bladder problems can incorporate cranberries.

Various medical studies display the potency of cranberry juice to protect against some forms of kidney stones. Do not neglect the beneficial blueberries that have also been shown to effectively protect and treat urinary tract infections. These blueberries and cranberries prevent the harmful bacteria from latching onto the urinary walls. Consequently the harmful bacteria are unsupported to create a flourishing family to grow and cause ill health. In certain countries berries tend to grow and are more popular and available. Access to fresh berries at our nearby grocery stores is not general but rather to frozen and canned berries. Being fragile, berries are not suitable for mass transport and storage in fresh form.

We may love the mulberries, which not only feed us but the leaves of that mulberry tree feed silk worms. We have used berries to make juice, which is an old practice and we can always find berry flavoured juices or concentrated berry juices.

It is known that bakery products of pies and tarts often include berry ingredients. Often we have the cherries on ice-cream or cakes. Another decorative piece that is nutritious and a colourful appeal! Usually preserved, red cherries are available in packages in grocery stores. Valuable iron levels are in loganberries, blackberries, black currents and raspberries. The gooseberries may be more common and have a yellow tinge. Vitamin E levels in useful levels are found in the blackberries!

Berries all around and together are generally high in fibre, minerals and vitamins relative to various other fruits. Indeed berries may be minor juicy fragile ball-like fruits; nonetheless they do pack a punch for nutritional health.

For those looking for cystic acne treatments in any way, shape, or form will tell you that it is embarrassing and often painful to go through. This type of cystic acne can and will affect many parts of the persons body as it is not limited to only the face.

This skin condition also attacks your chest, back, arms, and stomach, making it hard for any individual to deal with. Although you could try a homeopathic acne cure, some of us try various ointments and over the counter medicines first without the skin getting any better.

A lot of people are now striving to look for current cystic acne treatments to confront their problem since they are afraid of taking drugs. Many people are concluding that to take care of the difficulty at hand, using a usual acne cure remedy is the most excellent option for them.

While it is not something you will often hear doctors suggesting for treatment, the steps that are taken for natural cystic acne treatments are good for you no matter if it solves the cyst problem or not. Making a few changes in your life to try the natural cystic acne cure is not as hard as one may think when first learning about what needs to be done.

Any kind of acne is believed to be a poison and that the poisons come from inside you and spread through your pores. By evading poisons such as soda, caffeine, dairy, rice, sweets, and too much meat, you are on right track of having the natural cystic acne cures working for you.

Other than cutting down on the “bad stuff” you should increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, nuts and fish. Another part of a homeopathic acne cure is to become more physically active.

Working out not only helps your body get rid of toxins effectively, but it also helps reduce stress – another acne culprit. To aid any natural acne cure remedy, some light walking, jogging and stretching on a daily basis will really help.

And finally, always remember to drink a lot of water on a daily basis – at least 8 glasses – the more the better. Water will not only help the cystic acne treatments flush toxins out of your body, but it can also help you lose weight.

Acne is one of the most common skin problems afflicting the human race and it affects people irrespective of age, caste, colour or gender. Acne is a tremendously embarrassing and troublesome problem, because it is so obvious and off-putting. Acne can be defined as red eruptions on the skin, sometimes filled with a white substance, causing itchiness and pain. The most common form of acne is called acne vulgaris or puberty spots.

Acne vulgaris can be defined as: an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland) . Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits – [source: Wikipedia]. It is a problem over which we do not have complete control. There are different ways to treat acne; one can go for medication from a skin specialist or one can also try home or natural remedies.

Home treatments are less time consuming, less costly and have no side effects. However, they do take a bit more patience, because certain routines have to be followed rigorously in order to get rid of the problem for good. A natural cure for acne is just as effective as medication. Here are a few home cures to eradicate your acne. To start with, your daily consumption of water ought to be a minimum of eight to ten glasses. This helps you to detoxify your body and destroy the harmful bacteria that cause acne.

An over-balance of oily food also leads to acne, therefore fried, oily and spicy food should be religiously avoided. A near complete abstinence of fried and fatty food will have a marked, beneficial effect on any acne outbreak. Moreover, if you eat more chromium and zinc in your diet, it will help to eradicate acne. There has to be the correct balance of diet and skin care.

A mixture of nutmeg powder with unboiled milk regularly applied on the affected area also helps to cure acne. Cinnamon powder mixed with honey is equally effective in treating. Boiled Neem tree leaves applied to acne acts as a disinfectant. ['Neem': A tall, usually evergreen East Indian tree (Azadirachta indica) widely cultivated in tropical Asia for its timber, resin, bitter bark, and aromatic seed oil, which is used medicinally and as an insecticide (source = 'Free Online Dictionary')].

The infected area must be washed with special anti-acne soap a minimum of three or four times a day. Make-up must be religiously avoided when afflicted by acne. Make-up makes acne worse. Acne must never be squeezed as it may cause infection or / and make it worse. Squeezing your acne can also lead to permanent scars on your skin, which results in your skin looking rough. Avoid letting your hair fall onto the acne-infected area either.

Your hair should be kept tied back to prevent touching the acne. Pillow cases should be washed on a daily basis to prevent the germ spreading. The regular cleansing of your skin should be done to keep it free from bacteria. Apart from this, a healthy lifestyle should be followed with a balanced diet, exercise and sleep. Remember, if you take good care of yourself, illnesses will have less chance of affecting you, especially such a small thing as acne!

RoC cellulite creams are some of the more popular cellulite treatment products out in the market today, and for good reason — they’ve had a good track record in giving cellulite sufferers what they want. It’s one of the few cellulite cream brands that seemingly have more good things said about it than bad things. RoC cellulite cream may be just the thing you need to get rid of your cellulite.

Before getting too excited about a cellulite product, it is important to note that what works for one person may not work for someone else. So it’s always best to try different brands and decide which one you like, according to cost and performance. Just remember to put the better brands, which includes RoC, in your list. You may be surprised.

What makes RoC’s cream so effective? It’s two active ingredients retinol and caffeine. Retinol helps to stimulate the growth of collagen, which in turn improves the skin’s elasticity. The lack of collagen makes cellulite appear worse than it actually may be. It’s important to maintain the elasticity of the skin.

While retinol improves the skin’s appearance, the caffeine helps to melt the fat underneath the skin. Caffeine has been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite beneath the skin. Regular use of a RoC cellulite cream may help you see a definite improvement in your stomach, waist, and buttocks area — and has also been reported to tone the legs.

Massaging the skin with a cellulite cream is the recommended method of applying RoC cellulite cream. By massaging the affected area, you will spread the skin out and redistributes the fat underneath. This gives the affected area a much smoother, healthier look. It is also important to apply cellulite creams several times a day for a certain period of time – usually 4 to 6 weeks.

The cost of Roc creams may be important to take into consideration before you start using them. This is an important thing to consider, especially if you’re on a tight budget and would like to keep cellulite treatment costs at a minimum. Try to see how many or how much of a container of cellulite cream you use in a month, and decide whether the expense is easy enough to live with.

One negative thing about RoC cellulite creams is the fact that they don’t smell as good as some of the other brands of cellulite cream. It doesn’t smell terrible, but if you want a cellulite cream that smells great than you might want to consider a different cream such as Nivea’s cellulite cream.

For women who have been maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but still have cellulite, RoC cellulite creams can give you the extra boost you need to deal with your problem. Remember that getting rid of cellulite often involves a change in lifestyle. Cellulite is not easily fixed by just applying a cream everyday.

Reishi is frequently prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a panacea. It is widely used by both laymen and professionals in the Orient as a treatment for things as innocuous as stress or weight loss to more serious conditions such as arthritis and even cancer.

Working with cancer research at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science & Medicine is Dr. Fukumi Morishige, a strong proponent for the use of reishi in cancer treatment.

The following case reports were given by Dr. Morishige in a speech re-printed in the periodical, Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III.

Growing up in Japan as Dr. Morishige did, it was impossible not to have heard of reishi. But he dismissed it as a mild herbal remedy to be used with limited results for non-terminal illnesses, not as a viable option for treating terminal conditions such as cancer. His curiosity arose when two of his cancer patients showed signs of remission, which they themselves claimed were due to their use of reishi.

The first case he encountered was a woman in her late 30’s with lung cancer. A number of hospitals had told her the cancer was too advanced to be treatable. There had also been secondary complications in the form of edema of the chest. However, when she came to see Dr. Morishige half a year later, all those symptoms had disappeared. The woman insisted her recovery had come as a result of 4 gm of reishi administered daily by her husband.

Next was a young boy with congenital liver cancer. At five years of age, his doctor had told his parents the cancer was terminal and subsequently discontinued treatment. Four years later, the parents took their son to see Dr. Morishige, who was no longer able to find any traces of the cancer. The boy’s parents told Dr. Morishige they’d been administering reishi to their son via his naso-gastric feeding tube. It was after this that Dr. Morishige decided to take a closer look at reishi’s effect on cancer.

The following are five of his case studies using reishi and Vitamin C (for prevention of side effects):

Case 1: A patient with a 5 cm (2 in.) brain tumor who had lost consciousness was placed on 6 gm of reishi per day in June of ‘86. By September, this 70-year-old-male patient had emerged from his comatose state. The reishi was decreased to 3 gm per day. Another three months later, December of 1986, scans showed diminishing size of the tumor. After it shrunk to 1 cm (0.4 in.), the hospital released the man to return home and live with his family.

Case 2: A 50+ female with metastatic lung cancer and hemoptysis (coughing up blood) began a regimen of 6 gm/day of reishi. Six months later, the tumor had disappeared. And whereas before she had experienced severe shortness of breath, she could now effortlessly climb stairs.

Case 3: Patient with breast cancer that had spread to the bones was in unbearable pain and immobilized below the head. An initial dose of 9 grams of reishi daily was increased to 20 grams per day. Two months later, the woman was pain free and released after demonstrating improvement in her ability to walk.

Case 4: A man with rectal cancer metastasized to the liver was placed on 6 grams per day of reishi. Six months later, CT scans revealed that the tumor had shrunk. The patient showed improved health.

Case 5: A patient with pancreatic cancer and short life prognosis was put on 9 grams of reishi per day, orally, and 30 grams of Vitamin C, intravenously. Twelve months later, he reported that he longer experienced any symptoms and was back to work. He said he’d continued taking 5 grams per day of reishi after leaving the hospital.

Note: This article is provided for scientific and informational purposes only. This product has not been tested by the FDA and should not be used for self-treatment of tumors. Never use any herb for medicinal purposes without consulting a licensed medical doctor.

Reference: Morishige, Fukumi, 1987. Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III, Page 12 – 23, ISBN4-88580-053-6 C-0077

Spending time looking for a cellulite solution? With so much emphasis on youthful beauty in the media today, people are looking for ways to get perfect skin. New technologies coupled with old remedies can be your ticket to smooth, cellulite free skin. Heres a look at the latest cellulite treatments ” you might need to try one of these if nothing else seems to be working!

Cellulite and Diet – A healthy diet is one of the first steps to improved skin. Our bodies were not designed to handle the large amounts of processed foods that are so readily available. What is often best for us is the stuff right from nature. This means eating plenty of fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains. Dont discount the power of a proper diet when looking for a cellulite solution!

Cellulite and Exercise – Another key component in the search for a cellulite cure is exercise. Exercise not only helps improve your bodys metabolism, but can firm up your muscles as well. Toned muscles will give the skin cells a smooth place to rest – this will help hide your cellulite. Toned muscles burn more calories than fat cells which means exercising can help you lose weight.

Massage for Cellulite – You may think a massage is just for relaxing, but it can also be a way to improve the appearance of your skin. A deep tissue massage can help get rid of unwanted toxins and waste that are stuck near the skin cells. These toxins can contribute to an unhealthy body which in turn leads to sickly looking skin.

Natural Cures for Cellulite – There are many natural remedies for sickly looking skin. Apart from a healthy diet and regular exercise, supplements such as essential oils can be used. Coffee grounds are another potential remedy, as it has been shown that caffeine can help eliminate cellulite. A little thought of cellulite solution – the regular practice of dry brushing which involves a special massage technique.

Cellulite Treatment Creams – There are many new products on the market aimed at reducing cellulite. Murad, Nivea, and Clarins are all brands that come to mind. These creams contain ingredients such as seaweed and caffenine which have been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite. Many women are finding these treatment to be a cost effective way of dealing with cellulite.

Mesotherapy for Cellulite – One of the hottest trends in cellulite treatment is mesotherapy. Mesotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a special blend of minerals and amino acids into the affected area. It may take a few treatment sessions to see results. However many women find the wait to be well worth it. Mesotherapy helps to release the toxins that contribute to cellulite.

Velasmooth for Cellulite – VelaSmooth is a non-invasive device that utilizes a combination of bi-polar RF and light energy. VelaSmooth has the unique title of being the only treatment approved by the FDA for cellulite reduction. Many women have had good success with VelaSmooth treatments. However it is important to still maintain a healthy lifestyle after the treatment is complete.

Ionithermie for Cellulite – Inoithermie is another great procedure to help you get rid of cellulite. Ionithermie works by provoking an intense detoxification of the affected area through the use of herbal ingredients and minerals infused in a body wrap. Then the treatment area is stimulated with a high-energy electrical device.

Proellixe for Cellulite – You may not have heard of a Proellixe machine. However, this vibrating exercise machine is one of the newest ways to treat cellulite. The constant vibration of the Proellixe machine is thought to help break up fat deposits and tone the muscles. The effects of this movement that you can lose weight and reduce cellulite. Proellixe machines are a great way to get toned and healthy overall.

A cellulite solution can be a hard thing to find. As you can see however, there are plenty of treatment options to pick from. With the right treatment plan, you can effectively control this frustrating skin condition.

Often the unfortunate consequence of having stood far too close to the speakers at one too many rock concerts during your youth; is tinnitus. Better known as “ringing in the ears”, tinnitus is an annoying, pain in one or both ears! To make matters even worse, you may have caused some permanent damage to your hearing as well because you just had to listen up nice and close without even thinking about your poor ears. Luckily for you, there is some tinnitus relief available to help with the symptoms.

Unfortunately there is no known cure for those suffering from tinnitus. This means that you will have a permanent souvenir of all of those thunderous concerts. The good news though, is that there are several options for gaining tinnitus relief which will help alleviate some of the symptoms.

Did you know that effective tinnitus relief can be some thing as effortless as leaving a radio or air conditioner on? Simply known as the white noise method, the noise emanating from the appliance masks the constant ringing sound that resonates in your ears. A hearing aid can some times also be effective.

Retraining therapies work in a similar way to the White Noise method, and are designed to retrain your brain to switch off or ignore the noise, which is often easier said than done. Some people find that a hearing aid helps alleviate the noise some what. Any tinnitus relief is most welcome, even if it is only temporary!

A popular treatment for tinnitus relief is the use of herbs such as Ginko Biloba and other natural therapies. An Asian Alternative Medicine that is mostly used to treat cardio and lung disorders, but it is also believed to increase blood circulation and oxygen to the brain making is believed to be beneficial. Because this treatment does thin the blood, it is vital that extra care is exercised to ensure that it doesn’t cause other health problems.

Everyone knows that smoking and too much caffeine in the diet definitely do you a great deal of harm, so cutting down on coffee and quitting the cigarettes are another beneficial tinnitus relief strategy. Other lifestyle changes that you could implement regularly include a high fibre diet, getting outdoors more to exercise and even meditation can help alleviate some of the symptoms.

Make no mistake; prevention is much better than trying to alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus. Next time you go to a rock concert, stand at the back or wear earplugs! Or better still; the best type of tinnitus relief is to bid a final farewell to loud rock concerts once and for all!

Some children see doctors for every sniffle and cough yet are never really well. Have you ever wondered why that is?

Simply put, medications are suppressants that dull symptoms without getting to the root cause of a problem. They also compromise the body’s ability to digest foods and ward off the next illness or infection because the intestinal flora is also destroyed, the good body bacteria, everytime medications go in.

These small children will see life as a series of doctors visits, yes but more than that. They will never get well. Intermittently they will be well enough and then the next round of sniffles will come and off they may be rushed for more meds. Their reality will be a life of sore throats, runny noses, diarrhea that goes into constipation, inability to enjoy food, allergies, headaches, lethargy, apathy, maybe early onset arthritis, and on the list goes. So what is the answer?

First of all colds and influenzas, bacterial or viral, are messages that the body needs rest and is out of balance. That will never be corrected by medication. Medication is a suppressor of the symptoms only. In a tough spot, and on occasion, they are needed. A childs life should not be endangered; however, a parent must be equipped with the internal fortitude, enough fresh juice, Vitamin C and Homeopathic Remedies to carry through the most ordinary of situations: colds, influenza, and allergies.

I’ve raised three children, and it is a tough call between letting a fever break and calling the doctor; however, a fever is how the body burns out infection. That is its Internal and Higher Intelligence. When parents study the healing capabilites of the body and support that function, they will weather the tide of simple colds and influenzas much better equipped.

Parents should be vigilant when a child is ill with severe fever to see how high the temperature actually is. Cool compresses and cool baths are better than continual aspirins which dull the fever’s ability to burn the infection.

Vitamin C, maybe Ginger, Chamomile or Dandelion & Echinacea tea with stevia or honey will soothe and assist the body to do its job. Sometimes recurring symptoms are a cry for love and attention so give it when a child is sick and again when theyre well. Fresh, hand squeezed, or organic bottled juices are the best thing for sick children. Rest is imperative, and if I can go on record, even from computers and televisions at close range. Those transmissions at close range are detrimental to the immune system.

Try to get the fever under control a bit even if youve decided to take the trip to the doctors office. Now that weve covered some warm and cozy alternatives to the habitual running to a doctors office, lets go back to reminders why we want to have the courage to teach children how great their body is designed.

You want to try everything you can to get well with healthy alternatives and a healthy ongoing lifestyle first because your child will be full of wonder at life. Make your home a fortress of health, from water to herbal teas and fresh juices, echinacea, goldenseal, dandelion, vitamin C (always) herbal teas for children, tuck away organic bottled juice (if you don’t juice yourself) and make homemade soups. They will be bright minded and not dull witted. They will have courage and find their own inner strength. They will have faith in life and lifes processes. They will be a success in life. They will be spiritual BEINGS with a healthy intestinal tract.

Every child is different. Some have more energy, others inquisitive, creative, inventive, and then some may be ill. Building the system with fresh fruits and vegetables, getting the mineral and enzyme count up, will help immeasurably. Remember that medication destroys the integrity of the intestinal tract to absorb nutrients and after continued use the child is more depleted and now has candida yeast overgrowth and compromised gut or leaky bowel syndrome. So, if they must be on medication to live, continue your quest for their recovery naturally also.

As every child is unique, every instance is different. If you have a child that needs medications to stay alive then make sure they get probiotics, vitamins and minerals. So often it is the letting go of harmful habits which make the biggest difference. Help your child stay addiction free from: sugars, soda, simpe carbohydrates with no nutritional value, like chips, fries, etc. Remember that everything in nature is colorful, not white. Anything white is dead. So throw out all your white sugars, flours, breads. You’ll feel great about it! And, you’ll raise a family of champions.

I am a Nutritionist and Naturopath but I have taken my children and myself to the doctor, only when necessary and not that often. Being balanced is the key. Doctors are necessary and so is thoughtful self care.

Stay healthy. Ellen Valentine, NC http://www.valentinewellness.com http://www.babynurserybeddingonline.com

There is an amazing little berry from the Brazilian rain forest which is making scientists sit up and take notice. The acai berry (ah-sigh-ee). Perhaps the biggest discovery is the apparent ability of this fruit to combat cancer! In laboratory tests the juice of this berry has even knocked out leukemia cells.

It is fact that scientists are failed to claim any effective cure. They found that cancer cells are releasing specific substances called enzymes on their death. When extract of acai is introduced in the cancer cells, they die immediately with presence of enzymes.

Next, the product must be tested on humans by organizing a clinical study. As a matter of fact, one is in progress, but its results will not be known for a while. Additional claims have been made about acai berry juice as a beneficial supplement. Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels are just a couple of many feats that this interesting fruit could accomplish.

For sure, Brazilians have traditionally used the acai berry in their every day diets. It is well known for use against skin conditions and anything to do with digestive tract disorders. One of the biggest plusses for this juice is the energy giving properties which in turn will help to lower weight or at least to maintain a steady weight. Although scientists will not confirm or deny these apparent benefits, anecdotal information can only suggest that there are many benefits to be had from taking acai berry in any one of the several forms that it is now available in.

You are going to loose nothing after taking this delicous food. We are always being advised to take more fruits and vegetables by physician. The acai berry is can be eat in many forms like tablets, pills, powder, juice etc. All there products contain acai berry in various concentration, so try them before buying in large amount.

New methods of essential oil extraction are entering the mainstream of aromatherapy, offering new choices in oils never before available. With the new labels of ‘CO2′ and ‘SCO2′, along with the traditional ’steam’ and ‘hydro’ distillations, ‘absolutes’, and ‘cold pressing’, a little education for the aromatherapy enthusiast can go a long way in essential oil selection. Is one process better than another? Does one produce a nicer smelling oil, or one with greater aromatherapeutic value? It turns out that essential oil production, like winemaking, is an art form as well as a science. The value of the newer processing methods depends greatly on the experience of the distiller, as well as the intended application of the final product. Each method is important, and has it’s place in the making of aromatherapy-grade essential oils.

Steam and Hydro-Distillation

Steam distillation, the most common method of essential oil production, involves the flow of steam into a chamber holding the raw plant material. The steam causes small sacs containing essential oil to burst. The oil is then carried by the steam out of the chamber and into a chilled condenser, where the steam once again becomes water. (Hydro-distillation is a similar process where the plant material is boiled, with the resultant steam being captured and condensed). The oil and water are then separated; the water, referred to as a hydrosol, can be retained as it will have some of the plant essence. Rose hydrosol, for example, is commonly used for it’s mild antiseptic and soothing properties, as well as it’s pleasing floral aroma.

A number of factors determine the final quality of a steam distilled essential oil. Aside from the plant material itself, most important are time, temperature and pressure, and the quality of the distillation equipment. Essential oils are very complex products; each is made up of many, sometimes hundreds, of distinct molecules which come together to form the oil’s aroma and therapeutic properties. Some of these molecules are fairly delicate structures which can be altered or destroyed by adverse environmental conditions. So, much like a fine meal is more flavorful when made with patience, most oils benefit from a long, slow ‘cooking’ process.

The temperature of the extraction chamber should be maintained within a reasonable range, lest some components of the oil be altered or destroyed. This also applies to the chamber pressure. The essential oil of Lavender flowers, for example, should not be processed at over 245 degrees and three pounds per square inch. Tougher conditions will result in a harsh scent – more chemical than floral.

High temperatures and pressures are often used to produces large quantities of oil in a short period of time. The oils are often destined for use in cosmetic and food products, but can sold as essential oils for use in aromatherapy. These oils will be less expensive, though they are of limited therapeutic value.

What are Absolutes?

Some plants, and particularly flowers, do not lend themselves to steam distilling. They are too delicate, or their fragrance and therapeutic essences cannot be completely released by water alone. These oils will be produced as ‘absolutes’ – and while not technically considered essential oils they can still be of therapeutic value. Jasmine oil and Rose oil in particular are delicate flowers who’s oils are often found in ‘absolute’ form. Jasmine oil, in fact, is only found as an absolute, whereas rose is available in both an ‘otto’ (an expensive steam distilled form) and an absolute.

The processing of an absolute first involves the hydrocarbon solvent extraction of a ‘concrete’ from the plant material, a semi-solid mixture of typically 50% wax and 50% volatile oil. The concrete is again processed using ethyl alcohol (the same alcohol found in beer, wine, etc.) in which the wax is only slightly soluble. The volatile plant oil separates into the alcohol and this mixture is removed. The alcohol is then evaporated and the result is an almost pure plant extract – depending on the care taken in the evaporation process, sometimes 2% or less of the ethyl alcohol may remain. The use of solvents in the extraction process notwithstanding, absolutes can have incredibly deep and complex aromas.

CO2’s and SCO2’s – Using Carbon Dioxide as a Solvent

The most modern technologies are Carbon Dioxide and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide distillation. Both methods involve the use of carbon dioxide as the solvent which carries the essential oil away from the raw plant material – though the gas essentially acts as the steam in steam distillation. The only difference between the two are the temperatures and pressures used – though neither uses a temperature greater than 87 degrees. With release of the pressure in either process, the carbon dioxide escapes in its gaseous form, leaving the essential oil behind.

Carbon dioxide methods have significant advantages. There are no solvent residues left behind, and the resultant product is perfectly pure. There is no heat applied to the plant material or essential oil to alter it in any way. The oil produced is very accurate with respect to the original state of the plant. The CO2 methods also are the most efficient, producing the most oil per amount of plant (one of the reasons for the high cost of essential oils is the low yield of oil from most plants – one ton of Rose petals produces less than 1 pound of oil, for example). The efficiency of CO2 extraction is particularly important when rare species are involved, such as Indian Sandalwood – less of the plant is needed to produce an equivalent amount of oil.

Cold Pressing

Finally, there is the ‘cold pressing’ of citrus oils from the peels of fruit, as is done with Bergamot oil, Orange oil, Lemon oil, and the like. This method involves the simple pressing of the rind at about 120 degrees F to extract the oil. Little, if any, alteration from the oil’s original state occurs – these citrus oils retain their bright, fresh, uplifting aromas like that of smelling a wonderfully ripe fruit.

Is there a Best Method?

CO2’s, with some obvious advantages, are not always the best choice for a particular need. They still are the most expensive, despite their higher yields. The resultant product differs slightly compared to one produced another way – the oils produced by steam distillation of some plants may sometimes be found to have a more agreeable aroma. Patchouli oil, for example, seems to benefit from the steam distillation process by becoming a little warmer and richer. Many other essential oils are quite effectively produced via steam distillation, with little alteration from the original plant state. Oils from other plant species do seem more ‘complete’ with CO2 processing, with Frankincense oil and most of the ’spice’ oils being good examples where a little something special is present in the aroma. This likely translates to greater therapeautic properties.

Producing essential oils of aromatherapeutic grade is skill requiring years of experience. It takes the work of a dedicated artesian at every step, from growing and harvesting to fine-tuning the distillation process, to produce a truly fine oil. The making of a fine essential oil relies far more on knowledge and experience than it does on the particular extraction method. There are, however, legitimate reasons to select one distillation method over another – some plants simply require a particular process to produce a fine oil, and the oil needed for a particular application may only be made by one process. In the end, as is often the case in aromatherapy, your own sense of smell can tell you which oil will work best for you.