What are essential oils?

Drops of Light, concentrated and always available

Essential oils are concentrated, highly volatile (they evaporate easily), lipophilic (they bind together in fats and oils), aromatic (strongly scented) chemicals which can be found in plants in the tiniest amounts and are then extracted from the bark, leaves, fruit, roots, seeds, petals etc.

They are formed from several different types of organic compounds, but primarily terpene molecules. They are the soul of plants! These complex substances contain aromatic molecules which affect an individual’s well-being – this practice is called Holistic Aromatherapy. Essential oils are considered to be substances with pleasant fragrances in a group made up of a range of different chemical constituents (phenols, aldehydes, ketones, oxides, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, alcohols etc.). These concentrated substances are rich in energy, with important pharmacological properties, but also a certain level of toxicity. True essential oils are often confused with cheaper “essences” which are easy to find and of dubious origin, probably synthetic. Their only resemblance to true essential oils is their fragrance, which is a poor imitation. Since 1989, FLORA have been researching and developing, alongside our partners, ways of cultivating aromatic plants in Italy and worldwide in order to extract 100% pure essential oils. We only work with certified farms (DEMETER or Organic) or wild herbs, so that we can get the very best essential oils.

What do 100% pure essential oils consist of?

Essential oils have a complex polymolecular composition, and many of their functions are still unknown. Every 100% pure essential oil contains on average 50–60 distinct recognised organic molecules. Such a large number of molecules will certainly interact with each other within the complex, although it has not yet been possible to prove this through scientific studies. This explains their multifunctionality and their use in a wide range of situations. Aromatic medicinal herbs have always played a preventive role, by nourishing the immune system with incredibly precious molecules which are present in our DNA memory. For example, essential oil of true lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is a multipurpose oil, a panacea: it is made up of more than 200 molecules, it has a soothing, relaxing and anti-reddening action, producing safe and effective results for everyday life. Essential oils are the most concentrated extracts that exist in nature. They are fragrant, volatile substances which originate in different parts of plants, in varying quantities, in the form of the tiniest droplets of oil. Their strength is incredible. Different essential oils can have a range of effects, both physical and mental, including:

  • Activating bodily functions
  • Restoring energy and vitality
  • Rebalancing the mood
  • Stimulating the body

How do essential oils work?

Essential oils affect our bodies in several different ways:

  • Through smell
  • Through the respiratory system
  • Through the skin
  • Through the digestive system

How are essential oils extracted?

In the Pharmacopoeia, essential oils are defined as the derivatives of plant drugs, obtained through steam distillation or mechanical procedures, such as cold pressing of the outer skin of the fruit, in the case of citrus.

For 1 litre of essential oil, it takes:

•    1 ton of rose petals (Rosa damascena)
•    7 tons of fresh lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
•    150 kg of true lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
•    50 kg of hybrid lavender (Lavandula hybrida)

PRIMAVERA DI FLORA ESSENTIAL OILS

Quality without compromises

Our whole range of products is not “simply” certificated BIO 100%. What makes it unique is the scrupulous selection of the best ingredients that represent the purest part of the plant.

An authentic and intense fragrance

What drives us to do all this is our passion: to seek out excellent extracts to create certified products of unparalleled concentration that are filled with fragrances sending messages of well-being, in the way that only aromatic and medicinal plants can.

Guaranteed by in-house production

Because we process all of our products within our own laboratories, we can guarantee that the plants’ original characteristics remain unchanged, ensuring that their beneficial properties can be enjoyed to their fullest. This also means that they have the strongest effects on our health and well-being.

Energy classifications of Essential Oils: HEAD, HEART and BASE NOTES

Essential oils can be separated into different categories according to how we intend to use them. One of the most interesting classifications for selecting the most suitable 100% pure essential oil for your needs is one based on the scent notes – the aromas that our olfactory nerves perceive over time.

Essential oils – HEAD notes

Head notes are usually known for having a light, fresh fragrance. Although initially intense, the perfume dissipates over time. Head notes therefore have a faster vibration. These include all the highly volatile citrus essential oils.

(Evaporate in around 2 hours) – Volatile, Refreshing, Stimulating – primarily citrus and conifers

Essential oils – HEART notes

Heart notes last for longer and go straight to our hearts.  They represent the real character, the heart of the perfume, which develops and pleasantly wraps itself around our noses and our souls. These are usually floral fragrances, such as 100% pure essential oil of rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang, combined with other fragrances that seduce the nose and heart.

(Evaporate in around 3–4 hours) – Harmonising, Develop their bouquet slowly – primarily essential oils from spices or flowers and flowering herbs

Essential oils – BASE notes

The perfume’s warmth and depth come from its base notes. They bring a sense of long-lasting pleasure. Most of these essential oils have a stabilising effect on our mental state and cleanse the air, like the trees in the forest. These essential oils include those derived from the wood, resin and roots of plants.

(Evaporate in around 5–8 hours) – Much less volatile – Harmonising and Calming – primarily derived from bark, roots and resin

Essential oils – Head-Heart notes
(Evaporate in around 2–3 hours)
Stimulating, Emotional, Calming
Essential oils – Heart-Base notes
(Evaporate in around 4–5 hours)
Harmonising – Strengthening

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