Essential oils are botanical extracts obtained from living plant and fruit material such as leaves, berries, flowers, seeds, wood, bark, peel and roots.

An essential oil is a concentrated, hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. They are also known as volatile or ethereal oils, or simply as the "oil of" the plant material from which they were extracted. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant.

Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes include expression, or solvent extraction. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics and bath products, for flavoring food and drink, and for scenting incense products. Oils are volatilized or diluted in a carrier oil and used in massage, or burned as incense, for example.

Essential oils are potent natural remedies and represent the life force of the plant. Therapeutic use of essential oils in aromatherapy aims to enhance our entire well-being. Each essential oil has its own characteristic and healing capabilities. Look up our list of aroma profiles to learn more.

Do not apply directly to the skin and do not ingest.