If you have landed on this article and are looking for a quick and somewhat scientific answer to the question, allow us to deliver on the promise so we can carry on with some other interesting - and much less explored - answers to the question:
“Essential oils are highly concentrated hydrophobic [float on water] liquids which showcase the unique chemical compounds of the wide variety of plants from which they are extracted which are used in aromatherapy [where essential oil specialists improve your life with nice aromas], and in [many other ways](link to other Talash “What are Essential Oils For” article).
Voila! A data-loaded definition for the analyst in us.
Now let’s dig deeper shall we?
Essential Oils Are Deeply Historical
What are essential oils? Essential oils are not just a variety of interesting chemical compounds, but have been around for a really long time. For example, they were [used quite widely in ancient Egypt dating back to the 4500 BC range. Another famous account of oils is found in the Bible where the wise men bring gifts around the the birth of Jesus in the account of Matthew 2 verse 11: “Gold, frankincense, and myrrh”. Both frankincense and myrrh are extracted from trees and at least the myrrh would have been in the form of oil. Talash sells the top grade [frankincense](link) and if you’d like to learn more about both of these, this is a great video which further expounds on the history and the plants and processes. Oils were also used in the Roman empire for therapy and otherwise, with pine, juniper, and fir as example sources. In the middle ages even Hildegard Von Bingen (a Gregorian chant billboard chart-topper...) is noted for her detailed use of plants and their extracts for medicinal purposes. Essential oils did not miss Asia either where a notable book entitled, ‘The Yellow Emperors Classic Of Internal Medicine’ expounds on plant-based solutions to help with overall health. You can read an English-translated version of here.
Essential Oils Are Medicinal Products
Although essential oils have enjoyed being part of such and long and rich history, and believed to be a key healing product in the earth throughout that history, it seems the modern culture (specifically “modern western”) and its physicians have not yet fully embraced oils as something they would ‘prescribe’ and might more likely turn first to a pain-killer pill to relieve a headache rather than a diffuser with some nice peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, chamomile or rosemary oil (we sell all those by the way). Although this situation seem to be improving a little each year with more of the general public doing their own research and getting good results (naturally), there still seems to be a line drawn between mainline ‘medicine’ and ‘fringe practices’ of other areas of expertise such as Aromatherapy. Even the wikipedia page for Aromatherapy in the tone of the writing shows this clear line where on the one hand there are stories of medicinal and proven benefits, yet continually the sentence ‘there is no good evidence’ is scattered throughout. The great news is that our generation is now empowered to journey down the path of pure wellness, access the best oils on earth, and make better decisions. In conclusion, there is enough of a history and body of testimonies to at least declare with boldness that essential oils are medicinal and should be treated seriously so as to remove those annoying ‘no good evidence’ comments. There is no better testimony than that of word-of-mouth so as always we encourage the sharing of your stories in the comments below.
Essential Oils Are Therapeutic Tools
What is a ‘therapeutic tool’? We may or may not have made up the term, but one thing is for sure: Essential oils are hteseFor those who struggle to accept the objective measurable health benefits of essential oils, that’s ok. We’re all on our own journey to pure wellness at different times and different stages. The good news is that it is impossible to deny that essential oils are therapeutic to our general well being. Whether you know it or not, the aromas of essential oils can and will bring you a greater level of relaxation, even if it’s in the subconscious ‘background’ rather than the measurable foreground. But if you are still hyper-objective, and if you want to test it, it’s simple with the following experiment: Try taking your favourite book, favourite drink and sitting down in your favourite room. Now, read that book. Ok, now go turn on the diffuser, put a nice essential oil in there (we’d recommend a solid 5 drops for this test) and fire it up. Next, while reading the same book, in the same room and that same favourite drink, ask yourself if you feel better or worse now that you have this rich, fresh, and likely invigorating aroma surrounding you with the gentle bubbling of the diffuser in the background? Better? Good answer! You passed the test. Case closed: Essential oils are therapeutic tools.
Essential Oils Are Social-Engagement Tools
What are essential oils? Essential oils are social engagement tools. Social? Yes, indeed. Diffusers, for example, have become an important part of our interior furnishings and designs have moved from ‘basic and functional’ to classy, modern, and just plain gorgeous in some cases. The diffuser itself can be a talking piece when you have guests and is an excellent extension of you. On your journey, don’t forget to explore our [diffusers page](link) to get an idea. The essential oils themselves are also social. Every day there are dedicated social gatherings happening around the world where people get together, share their favourite oils, discuss the benefits and more. The very nature of the sensual stimulation from a quality oil seems almost designed for social enhancement. Wise business owners have started to realize this well kept secret and some have started putting diffusers in strategic places to create specific atmospheres and environments, near the guest check-in at a hotel for example. We will expound on this in the next section to show how this hotel can help create lasting memories for their guests.
Essential Oils are Memory-Forming Tools
What are essential oils? Stating that essential oils are memory-forming tools may sound like something new or nebulous, but travel agencies, for example, are constantly selling the idea of ‘creating memories’ so the concept is not new nor innovative. Memories are a snapshot of experiences that occur in time and space: sometimes a single picture, other times a short movie. Memories are formed when our five senses perform as the input devices to ’snap and save’ the sounds, sights, feelings, tastes and smells from the environment around us. The famous example you may have heard in movies and elsewhere goes something like this, “I can just remember like it was yesterday the smell of grandma’s kitchen when she was baking those cinnamon raisin cookies”. Smell is connected to taste, too, making it even more powerful than we like to give credit. To prove it, try plugging your nose and eating your favourite food and see how enjoyable it is. Therefore, essential oils are a fantastic memory-forming tool for both personal and commercial purposes giving you the power to shape the atmosphere and thus the memory of those who share the space. That said, caution should be taken before assuming your oil will be loved by your guests or customers because everyone is unique. We recommend speaking to both an Aromatherapist as well as making sure to conduct a test environment beforehand. In either case, essential oils are a great tool for shaping memories in the minds of others.
Conclusion
As we’ve discovered in this article, the answer to the “What are essential oils?” question is more involved than one might initially think. No doubt, essential oils are very scientifically interesting hydrophobic compounds (just wanted to use those exciting terms again...) but they are also much more. They have stood strong the test of time over a great many years of human history. During that long history they have been identified as not only therapeutic providing mental and psychological improvements, but also medicinal whereby real physical health improvements have been reported. We also pointed out that essential oils are tools: tools that can create new social interactions as well as a tool to help consciously create atmospheres and shape the desired outcome in time and place for lasting memories. This is the beginning of understand what essential oils are, and a part of your journey to pure wellness.
