Amy Vanderveer has used essential oils for years, and uses them to keep healthy. “I have experienced a lot of respiratory relief with the oils. I tend to get those effects the most. Usually we diffuse the oils in my room or in our fancy aroma dome tent,” Vanderveer said.

For some, essential oils are essential to their everyday function, even being used as a branch of alternative medicine in recent decades, due to the revival in popularity of aromatherapy. While the concept of essential oils and their uses is not a new concept, there has been a marked increase in their popularity due to the health trends and the push towards healthier living.

Throughout history, essential oils have been used medicinally, and the earliest recorded methods used to produce essential oils date back to Ibn al-Baitar (1188-1248), an Al-Andalusian (Muslim controlled Spain) scientist, pharmacist and chemist, according to Wikipedia.                

The production of essential oils is a multi-step process, involving different processes depending on the desired end product. Many of the most common essential oils are derived through a process called distillation.  This process involves heating plant products over water and allowing steam to pass through them. As steam passes though, vapors are released from the plant products, at which point they pass through a coil, re-condense, and are contained as a liquid in a receiving vessel. Essential oils that are produced through this process include: lavender, tea tree, patchouli, eucalyptus and peppermint.

Another form of essential oil production is called expression. Expression is the process of expressing (either mechanically or cold pressing) the natural oils out of the plant product. This is the cheapest and quickest form of producing essential oils.

Most flowers are too delicate to extract oils from using expression or distillation. They are made by using a process called solvent extraction. This process involves using a solvent, such as hexane or super-critical carbon dioxide to extract the oils. Oils extracted through this process are not as pure as oils extracted through other methods, and are called ‘compound oils’, due to the fact that they are a combination of oils and other natural plant products, such as resins and waxes.

There are a variety of reasons that people value essential oils the way that they do, and that is due to the variety of medicinal and airborne uses. Ellen Vanderveer, a distributor and marketer for YoungLiving, a multi-tier marketing company for essential oils, gave insight into what they are most commonly used for and what she uses them for.

“EO can be used to support every body system we have. They are safe for all ages, safe for pregnant women, and safe for pets. Oils have a very high frequency to them that helps us keep our bodies frequency up. When our frequency dips low, that is when illness sets in.  The molecules are so small, when applied topically, they are in the bloodstream within 9 minutes, (which is why it’s so important to understand what you are actually putting on your skin,)” Vanderveer said.

“The oils can also be ingested very safely in capsule form, for example, Wintergreen in capsules can totally take the place of Ibuprofen, with no liver toxicity! Peppermint can be used for nausea, and many others can be used for common ailments, such as lavender which is like a first aid kit in a bottle.  Peppermint can be used for headaches, lavender for burns, scars, emotional support, eucalyptus oils for respiratory support, myrrh for AMAZING facial skin softening and wrinkle support.”

There are many establishments in the area that sell essential oils. For example, the CVS in Rowley has a four foot section full of essential oils that they sell. They sell the brand ‘Lotus Light’, and have scents ranging from citronella, to bergamont, to basil, to peppermint. BC Essentials also sells various essential oils, and is a local small business owned by a Triton mom.

If you are looking to get an essential oil massage, there is Elements Massage in Newburyport, where they specialize in massages, including aromatherapy massages. An aromatherapy element can be added to any massage for a slight up-charge, however there are also massages that are based solely on using different essential oils to aid in relaxation and general well-being.  

A spokesperson for Elements Massage said “Our essential oil offerings are concentrated extracts taken from roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms of plants. While some essential oils can provide physical benefits, such as pain reduction, improved blood circulation and lower blood pressure, other essential oils can be helpful for emotional therapy, such as de-stressing, fighting depression and just simply providing a deeper sense of calm. We aim to deliver an even greater sense of relaxation vitality and calm with our essential oil massages.”