Not only do Essentials smell incredible and have a great influence on our senses, the properties and benefits of different oils also make them versatile and can help improve an abundance of health issues.

The use of Essential oils is very popular, but they also have legitimate therapeutic use - and the science to back it up.  The exact benefit depends on the oil used; some have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects, whilst others can affect cognitive function, mood, and memory. Some can even help alleviate stiff, sore muscles and joints.

Kirstie Garrett founder of the amazing brand EBO

Kirstie explains the extraction process; this insight makes us really appreciate how precious these incredible oils are - as the amount of oil present in plants is minute.

“Huge quantities of plants are needed for viable amounts of oil: 200kg (440lb) of fresh lavender flowers, between two and five metric tonnes of rose petals - and 3,000 lemons are needed to produce 1kg of essential oils of lavender, rose and lemon respectively.  This is what makes essential oils so expensive.  Steam Distillation has been used as a method of extracting essential oils from plant material for thousands of years.  The Ancient Egyptians are known to have placed their raw materials such as cotton and muslin and water in large clay pots. Heat was then applied and the essential oil was trapped in the material; this basic method is still used today but obviously more refined.”

Of course, in our modern, profit driven society, many producers are turning to more economical methods of extraction, often using solvents.  Oils extracted this way are in effect adulterated and not pure essential oils and should therefore not be used in aromatherapy. Kirstie believes it’s important to understand the grade and quality of your pure Essential oils before using.