Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to enhance mood and well-being. Essential oils are the naturally-occurring chemicals which can be described as the essence of a plant and are extracted from the plant's leaves, roots, flowers, fruit or stems.

Aromatherapy's roots lie in ancient herbalism and essential oils are still widely used in modern medicines such as digestive aids with Peppermint, muscle-warming ointments containing Camphor and the use of Eucalyptus in cold and flu treatments. Essential oils, particularly from citrus fruits, herbs and spices, are also used extensively as flavourings in food - the most popular example being Bergamot, the fragrant addition to Earl Grey tea. Their use in toiletries and cosmetics is also commonly accepted - Peppermint and Myrrh in toothpaste or mouthwash, Lavender in washing powder, Lemon in household cleaning products, etc.

Aromatherapy works on three levels: physical - for example, all essential oils have strong anti-bacterial properties; emotional - the pleasant aroma has an effect on our mood; and, on a subtle level, essential oils seem to work in conjunction with our bodies to enhance our natural well-being.

A visit to an aromatherapist usually involves a soothing full-body massage using a blend of essential oils in a carrier oil. However, essential oils can be used to great effect at home - as natural room fragrances, in baths or in home-made massage or moisturising blends.

Essential oils are the naturally-occurring chemicals which can be described as the essence of a plant and are extracted from the plant's leaves, flowers, fruit, stems or roots. It is not known exactly what purpose essential oils serve in the plant itself but they create an aromatic aura around the plant and probably play a part in protecting the plant from disease and attracting insects involved in pollination. The essential oil content and make-up in a plant varies according to the seasons, time of day, climate and methods of cultivation. This is why the aroma, chemical content and therefore the action of essential oils varies significantly according to the country of origin and the producer. Absolute Aromas sources its essential oils from recognised and established producers in countries where the plants grow indigenously so that the essential oil produced is of the highest possible therapeutic quality. Essential oils are mostly colourless, pungent, concentrated and volatile liquids which only blend with fixed oils (carrier oils) or alcohol; they cannot be mixed with water. The essential oil content varies from plant to plant - whilst Orange essential oil seeps out of the fruit's skin when squeezed, Rose petals contain only a minute amount of oil and a large quantity of flowers is therefore required to produce a small amount of essential oil. This accounts for the vast differences in the price of essential oils and why the quantities required vary.

Essential oils are mostly extracted from the plants by steam distillation. This involves steam being passed through a vat containing the plant material and then cooled, leaving water (distillate) and essential oil. Some plant material (in particular, citrus fruits) are simply pressed to release juice and essential oil, others are too delicate to be subjected to either process (such as Rose and Jasmine) and these are extracted using a solvent and applying heat. The solvent evaporates leaving an extract known as an absolute - not strictly an essential oil although commonly called one.

Essential oils are affected by extremes of temperature, daylight, air and damp. They can also corrode materials such as plastic and rubber. This is why Absolute Aromas packages their essential oils in sealed, dark-glass bottles with integral droppers so that the chance of spillage is reduced. After purchase, they should be stored upright, at a steady temperature, away from sunlight. Absolute Aromas stocks a range of wooden boxes, which are ideal for storing your essential oils at home, as well as carry cases for therapists and those on the move.

Essential oils, used correctly, are a safe and pleasant way to enhance well-being. A lot of fear has been generated by reports of the 'dangers' of essential oils and it is true that they are very concentrated and potent natural substances. They should only be used in the ways and quantities described. We give below some general guidelines for safe use but if you have any doubts, please consult a qualified aromatherapist or your health practitioner or contact us for advice. Some essential oils require specific safety advice - click on in the listings for more details.

• Never take essential oils internally (even if advised to do so).
• Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes.
• Do not use essential oils undiluted on the skin (or in the bath if you have sensitive skin).
• Consult a qualified aromatherapist or your health practitioner before using essential oils if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a medical condition such as epilepsy or high/low blood pressure.
• Halve the quantity of essential oils used for the elderly, convalescent and young.

Essential oils can be used singly or as a mixture. It is usually overkill to use more than say 4 or 5 in a blend - the average is 2 or 3. Essential oils each have different perfume 'notes' - top, middle and base - as well as different actions. Some essential oils have all three notes. The top notes are the light aroma which 'hits' the nose first, the base notes are the heavier, underlying aroma which remains longer - the middle notes are in-between. Choosing from essential oils with a range of notes creates a more balanced blend. Generally speaking, citrus oils are top notes, herbs and some flowers are middle and woods, resins and other flowers are base notes. The potency, and therefore quantity required, of essential oils varies from oil to oil. As a general rule, the lighter oils such as citruses are used in greater quantities than the heavier oils such as woods and resins. Blending requires practice and experimentation but here are some suggestions:

• Ylang Ylang (base) + Orange (top)
• Geranium (middle) + Mandarin (top)
• Lavender (middle), Geranium (middle) + Bergamot (top-middle)
• Cedarwood (base) + Rosemary (middle) + Lemon (top)
• Sandalwood (base) + Jasmine (base-middle)
• Rose (base) + Frankincense (middle-base) + Bergamot (top)

For individual recipes and suggestions for each essential oil - click on in the listings.

• Massage: Blend a total of 3 to 5 drops of essential oils in 10ml (two teaspoons) of carrier oil. Use as a natural body or face moisturiser or in massage. Store your blend in a dark glass bottle away from sunlight to prolong its life. Adding a small amount of Wheatgerm carrier oil acts as a natural preservative. The Exceptional Range is Absolute Aromas' range of pre-blended therapeutic massage oils.
• Bath: Dilute up to 8 drops of essential oils in a carrier oil, bath oil or bubble bath and stir well into warm bath water. Up to 6 drops of essential oils may be added directly to running bath water but this is not recommended with those essential oils that are irritants (see in listings) or for those people with sensitive skin. Remember that hot bath water acts as a stimulant in itself and will increase the action of the essential oils.
• Diffusion: Use up to 6 drops of essential oils in a traditional candle-burner or electric diffuser. Remember that you can become accustomed to the aroma in a room and no longer perceive it - this does not mean the diffuser has 'run out'. There is generally no need to top up diffusers more than hourly or two-hourly.
• Steam inhalation: With a towel over your head, lean over a bowl of just-boiled water with up to 4 drops of essential oils added - breathe normally for ten minutes. Remember: heat is a stimulant in itself - stop if you feel unsure of the effects and use less essential oils for delicate people, such as children.
• Room spray: Add several drops of essential oils to a plant spray filled with water, shake well. Avoid polished surfaces and plants!
• Other: Try 2 drops of a relaxing essential oil such as Lavender on your pillow; add 10 drops of your favourite essential oil to your washing machine soap tray; a tissue with 2 drops of a reviving essential oils such as Rosemary will help when driving late at night or studying.

A carrier product is the medium most commonly used to create a blend with essential oils for application to the skin - in massage or in bodycare. Essential oils should not be used undiluted on the skin and are best not added directly to bath water for those with sensitive skin.

Carrier oils are also known as vegetable, fixed, massage or base oils. Carrier oils are extracted (usually by cold-pression) from nuts and seeds and each has its own properties - click on in the listings - but they are generally chosen for their 'slip' (their lubricating action on the skin) as well as their moisturising and vitamin content.

Carrier oils can be used singly or as a mixture. The most popular single body massage oils are: Sweet Almond, Grapeseed and Coconut. For facial blends, try the following single oils: Jojoba, Peach Kernel or Apricot Kernel. To boost vitamin/mineral content, mixtures of carrier oils are often created using, say 10%, of any or a combination of the following specialist carrier oils: Avocado, Borage, Rose Hip, Evening Primrose and Wheatgerm. A few drops of Wheatgerm oil added to a blend will also act as a natural preservative because of its high vitamin E content.

Some carrier oils consist of an infusion of plant material in a carrier oil itself, for example, Carrot, St. John's Wort and Calendula. These infused oils have their own particular properties in addition to their characteristics as carrier oils.

For the specific properties of each carrier oil, click on next to each product in the listings.

• Massage: Blend a total of 3 to 5 drops of essential oils in 10ml (two teaspoons) of carrier oil. Use as a natural body or face moisturiser or in massage. Store your blend in a dark glass bottle away from sunlight to prolong its life. Adding a small amount of Wheatgerm carrier oil acts as a natural preservative. The Exceptional Range is Absolute Aromas' range of pre-blended therapeutic massage oils.
• Bath: For an extra moisturising bath, blend up to 8 drops of essential oils in 10ml (two teaspoons) of carrier oil. Try using the lighter oils - Peach Kernel, Apricot Kernel, Coconut or Jojoba.

Bodycare products are mostly water-based and as a result less essential oils are needed to create an aromatic beauty experience. All products should be shaken or mixed well after adding essential oils.

• Shower gel, bubble bath, liquid soap, shampoo & conditioner: Add 15 to 20 drops of essential oils per 100ml of product. It is usual for some marbling effect to appear - this will settle.
• Bath dispersing oil: This product is oil-based so larger quantities of essential oils may be used. Experiment with between 5 and 10 drops of essential oils per 20ml of product (the usual quantity for a luxurious bath).
• Body lotion: Add 10 to 15 drops per 100ml of product.
• Creams & gels: Stir in 1 or 2 drops per 10ml or 10g of product. If using gels around the eye area, no more than 1 or 2 drops per 50ml of product should be used.