Glossary of Terms

Adulterant: A substance which was not originally present in the oil at the time of distillation added to an essential oil. An adulterant can be artificial or natural.

Base Oil (Carrier Oil): Vegetable or nut oils such as Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, and Jojoba.

Diffuser : A device that disperses essential oils into an area. The three basic types are clay, candle and electric.

Dilute: Adding a small amount of essential oil to a larger amount of base oil to make it safe for use on the skin.

Distillation: Method used to extract essential oil from the plant. Steam distillation is the most common form of distillation.

GC/MS (Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer): A device used by analytic chemists to determine the precise make-up of a given substance. Used in aromatherapy to determine the precise chemical constituents of an essential oil, and whether the oil is pure or adulterated with synthetic chemicals or other products.

Essential Oil: Highly aromatic substance found in specialized cells of certain plants. Technically, when this substance is in the plant, it is called an "essence." After distillation of a single type of plant, the aromatic substance is referred to as an essential oil.

Herbally Infused Oil: These are oils that carry the medicinal properties of certain herbs. Carrier oil is infused with the medicinal herb, the plant is strained off, and the remaining oil can be used directly on the skin.

Neat: Use of an undiluted essential oil on the skin.

Notes: As in top, middle, and base notes. A type of classification system based on aroma, to identify certain oils. Generally, essential oils from citrus peels are top notes, essential oils from flowers, leaves and stems are middle notes, and essential oils from roots are base notes.

Orifice Reducer: A device used to reduce the size of the opening of a bottle, making dispensing the essential oil easier and more accurate.

Volatile: Describes how quickly a substance disperses itself into the air. In aromatherapy, top note essential oils may be referred to as "highly volatile," meaning that they disperse quickly out of the bottle and into the air.

Glossary of Therapeutic Properties

Alterative: Tending to restore normal health; cleans and purifies the blood; alters existing nutritive and excretory processes, gradually restoring normal body function.

Analgesic: Numbs pain.

Antibacterial: Destructive to bacteria.

Antifungal: Inhibits growth of fungus.

Anti-infectious: Helps the body strengthen its own resistance to infective organisms and rid the body of illness.

Anti-inflammatory: Alleviates inflammation.

Antipyretic: Dispels heat, fire and fever (from the Greek word pyre, meaning fire).

Antiseptic: Assists in fighting germs/infections.

Antispasmodic: Relieves spasms of voluntary and involuntary muscles.

Antirheumatic: Prevents and/or relieves rheumatic pain and swelling.

Antiviral : Inhibits growth of viruses.

Astringent: Firms tissue and organs; reduces discharges and secretions.

Carminative: Relieves intestinal gas pain and distention; promotes peristalsis.

Cephalic: Remedy for the head, generally clearing and stimulating.

Cicatrisant: Cell-regenerative for skin, healing for scars.

Decongestant: Reduces nasal mucus production and swelling.

Diaphoretic: Causes perspiration and increased elimination through the skin.

Diuretic: Promotes activity of kidney and bladder and increases urination.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue: Helps promote and regulate menstruation.

Emollient: Smoothes, softens and protects the skin.

Expectorant: Promotes discharge of phlegm and mucous from the lungs and throat.

Haemostatic: Stops the flow of blood. An astringent that stops internal bleeding or hemorrhaging.

Hypotensive: Lowers high blood pressure.

Immune stimulant: Stimulates functioning of the immune system.

Laxative: Promotes bowel movements.

Mucolytic: Breaks down mucus (pulmonary).

Nervine: Strengthens the functional activity of the nervous system; may be either a stimulant or sedative.

Rubifacient: Increases local blood circulation, can cause minor skin irritation, vasodilation and local analgesic effect.

Sedative: Calms and tranquilizes by lowering the functional activity of the organ or body part.

Stimulant: Increases functional activity of specific organ or system.

Stomachic: Increases functional activity of specific organ or system.

Tonic: Strengthens and restores vitality.

Sudorific: Increases sweating.

Vasodilator: Helps to dilate blood vessels.