When is a smell not a fragrance?
mid-morning of September 3rd, 2007I make it my business to read a great deal of articles and books on the subject of health and beauty and to stay informed. I’m dismayed to see professionals in the industry blur the line between Essential Oils and Fragrance.
Because there’s a vast difference between essential oils and fragrances, my aim is to clear up any misconceptions so that you can discover the facts and make informed choices for yourself. The term fragrance is widely misused. Don’t be fooled by experts who may label all aromatics under the term ‘Fragrance’.
According to archeologists, Neanderthal man was the first user of plant based medications. Since the beginning of time, plants and their fragrances have been used for not only their medicinal properties but for ceremonial occasions and to enhance daily life.
Centuries ago, the Egyptians initiated the art of extracting the essence or life force from plants by heating them in clay containers, but it was the Greek alchemists who invented distillation.
Essential Oils
The term oil is actually misleading, as these costly volatile essences are not oily at all, and will evaporate quickly if left exposed to the air. The chemical composition of these life giving Elixir’s allow them to penetrate the skin effectively. Essential Oils are renowned for their antiseptic properties. It has been proven that many Essential Oils neutralise bacteria and viruses.
Natural Fragrances
A natural fragrance is defined where the chemical fragrance is a blending of an essence extracted from the plant, as in an essential oil, fruit extracts which are 100% pure and natural and contain all the original nutrients of the fruit or other naturally occuring substances.
Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are considerably cheaper than a natural alternative and are manufactured in a laboratory. In excess of 3000 chemicals are needed to produce a fragrance. Not only do artificial fragrances have no medicinal benefit apart from being pleasing to the nose, they can actually be quite harmful.
Testing of Calvin Klein’s Eternity by an independent lab, commissioned by Environmental Health Network (EHN), revealed that the perfume contained over 800 compounds.
Among the chemicals of concern in Eternity perfume was Diethyl Phthalate (DEP), an irritant and suspected hormone disrupter that is absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in human fat tissue. The lab, Scientific Instrument Services, found that DEP made up just over 10% of the perfume.
Studies have shown that phthalates can damage the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the reproductive system, especially the developing testes.
Demand change for things you care about!
