Essential Oil Terminology

When working with essential oils, you will encounter a few definitions that will impact your selection and purchasing decisions. As essential oil usage became mainstream in the last decade, the market responded by producing synthetic options. While affordable and readily available, reproductions are not authentic oils. It becomes important to have an understanding of terminology to ensure you make informed decisions. This is critical when working with oils to experience therapeutic effects. Here is a basic list of terminology to get you started.

Essential oils: Essential oils are volatile and aromatic liquids that occur naturally in plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, woods, or spices. Harvesting of the plants occurs at peak times, ideally in the plant’s country of origin. Plant extracts are distilled using specific methods to produce essential oils. Essential oils are 40-70 times more concentrated than they were in the plant.

Certified Organic: Oils designated as Certified Organic are strictly regulated to ensure chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides were not used during the planting or harvesting process.

Organic: Organic oils have not used chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides but the farmer does not belong to a governing organization that oversees and verifies the certification process.

Wildcrafted: These oils come from wild growing plants and do not undergo chemical treatment or any other interference from humans up to the harvesting stage.

Cultivated Variety: These oils are produced from plants that do not occur in nature but are created by humans.

Selected Farming: Countries that lack governing bodies for the certification process produce selected farming oils. They may be organic but lack the designation.  

Homeostasis: Like all vibrational healing entities, essential oils strive for balance and harmony. The degree to how an oil effects you, will be related to your degree of balance. For example, an oil with a property that lowers blood pressure will have less impact on someone with optimal and stable blood pressure than someone who has high blood pressure. Be mindful of your state of balance compared to the homeostatic state the oil wants to achieve.  

Properties: Essential oils contain molecules that have specific effects on the body called properties. An oil may be composed of several different molecules and have multiple properties. A few examples of properties are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, or antimicrobial. When choosing an oil for a specific action it is important to research the oil’s properties.  

Taxonomy:  Taxonomy is a system of grouping similar things together. Botanical taxonomy is the grouping of plants with similar characteristics or properties.

Nomenclature: This is the term for the naming of things grouped together.  Nomenclature distinguishes between things with similarities and helps to avoid confusion.  For example, there are a few varieties of Chamomile so it is important to specify which one you are working with.

Botanical Name: The two-part botanical name of a plant is in Latin and written in italics. It is composed of the genus and the species.  The genus is the first word and is the name of the plant. It is a noun and is always capitalized. The species is the second part and refers to a characteristic of the species. It is an adjective and it is not capitalized. The botanical name may also be called the binomial name. Authentic essential oils will contain the botanical name on the bottle. The lack of the botanical name indicates the oil is artificially or synthetically created. The bottle should also say 100% pure essential oil to ensure the oil is authentic.

Steam Distillation: Plants are heated with steam in a still, causing the extracts to evaporate into the steam. The extract is cooled and condensed back into liquid form and drawn off. This is a common and economical distillation process for heat tolerant plants. 

Water Distillation: Heat sensitive plants are covered in water and distilled at lower pressures and temperatures.

Rectification: Impurities are redistilled and are called rectified oils.

Expression: Plants or fruits are pressed to extract the oil.

Carbon Dioxide Extraction: An expensive method that uses low temperatures and carbon dioxide but produces a usable oil similar to the original oil found in the plant.

Hydro-Diffusion: Steam is produced above the plant and percolates down through it.

Hydrosols: Also called flower waters, hydrosols are a by-product of distillation. The water from the distillation process contains micro drops of oils and bits of the plant. The oil component provides an aroma and the plant component provides the therapeutic effect. Hydrosols are mild versions of an essential oil and are generally safe and gentle enough to be used on children.

Volatility: The rate which an oil evaporates at normal temperatures.

Synergy or Blend: Oils may be blended together based on aroma or properties. When blended together the oils enhance each other and combine to create an effect greater than its individual parts. Up to five oils may be combined effectively in a blend or synergy.

Notes: Oils are categorized by notes based on their chemical classifications. Top notes generally come from citrus and herb sources and provide the first scent impression. Top notes tend to be uplifting, stimulating, and penetrating. Top notes are highly volatile and evaporate quickly. Middle notes provide the body of an oil and last longer than top notes. Base notes generally come from woods, resins, and spices. They have a lasting effect as they evaporate more slowly than top and middle notes. When creating a synergy, consider top, middle, and base notes to influence longevity and effectiveness of a blend.

Concentration of a Blend: Essential oils are concentrated versions of their original states within a plant. As such, they typically require dilution in a carrier oil. Some oils like Lavender, do not require dilution. Dilution reduces the risk of irritation or reaction to an oil. Dilution in a carrier oil also extends the usage of an oil. Depending on application of the oil, varying concentrations are recommended. Up to 5% concentration is common but some applications may require a higher concentration. As a general concentration formula, 20 drops equals 1 ml. Multiply 20 by the ml size of the bottle you are diluting into. Multiply that number by the desired concentration percentage, then divide by 100. The resulting number is the required amount of drops of essential oil to add to the bottle. Top up the bottle with your carrier oil of choice. The following is an example of the steps to create a 2.5% concentration in a 60 ml bottle based on the above formula. 1) 20 x 60=1200. 2) 2.5 x 1200=3000. 3) 3000 ÷ 100= 30. Add 30 drops of an essential oil into a 60 ml bottle then top up the bottle with a carrier oil to create 2.5% concentration.

These definitions are basic and intended as an introduction. With even a slight grasp of the terminology related to essential oils, you can begin to understand the importance of selecting high quality and therapeutic grade oils to work with.