“To beautify the Earth is the supreme Art.”
― Pietros Maneos
A botanical is a plant or plant derivative used for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, or scent. Several parts of a plant may be used, such as the root, rhizome, bark, stem, leaves, seeds, flowers, and fruit, each of which can vary in their therapeutic action which can be attributed to a wide variety of the chemical constituents found in the plant.
Archaeological excavations dated as early as 60,000 years ago have found remains of medicinal plants, such as opium poppies, ephedra, and cannabis.
Here are a few ways to use botanicals:
Essential Oil: An essential oil is a highly aromatic substance made by special cells in the plant that help with infection control, humidity control, hormonal effects, wound healing, and attracting or repelling insects, birds, and animals. Not all plants produce essential oils, and in the plants that do, the essential oil may be found in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, bark/wood or fruit. Oils are extracted from the plant primarily by distillation; the oil from citrus fruit is extracted by expression. The word "oil" refers to the oil-soluble chemicals in the plant. Their complex chemistry (100 to 200 chemicals) give the essential oil its therapeutic properties and explains why different essential oils may have overlapping effects. Note: Oral ingestion of essential oils is NOT recommended.
Absolute: An absolute is a highly concentrated aromatic oil extracted from a plant using a solvent or enfleurage method. Absolutes contain not only essential oil, but also a higher density of coloring, waxes and other constituents from the plant. In addition, they usually contain a small percentage, 2 -3 % of alcohol remaining from the second phase of the extraction process.
Carrier Oil: Carrier oil, also known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin. Diluting essential oils is a critical safety practice when using essential oils.
Hydrosol: A hydrosol, also known as hydrolate, is aromatic and non-aromatic plant material produced as a byproduct in the steam distillation process of essential oil. Hydrosols are mostly water, containing less than 0.1% of the essential oil and only 1-2% of the same chemical constituents found in the essential oil. Hydrosols also contain the nonvolatile organic components from the plant that was distilled. The scent or aroma of a hydrosol may not be fragrant and may vary from that of the essential oil. Hydrosols are a great alternative to essential oils for use with moms-to-be, babies, children, and the elderly, due to their water-based therapeutic properties.
Aromatic Water: Aromatic water, sometimes referred to as flower water, is produced by water distillation which released the water soluble volatile components of the plant material..
.
Floral Water or Flower Water: Floral/flower water is made by adding an essential oil to distilled water, typically alcohol is added as a preservative. Note: Sometimes the aromatic component is synthetic rather than botanical, various emulsifiers, preservative, flavor enhancers and other materials which are not suitable for therapeutic or internal use..
Plant/Flower Essence: A plant essence is a bio-energetic imprint of that plant matter that has been transferred and stabilized in water. Plant essences work on the subtle energy body in the same energy pathways and fields as the acupuncture meridians to restore balance to the mind, body, emotions, and spirit.
Herbs: A medicinal herb is a plant that is used in herbal medicine for its therapeutic properties. A culinary herb and spice is used in food preparation and seasoning.
Check out the Botanical Apothecary to learn how to use each of these types of botanicals.
Want to learn more, check out these free virtual classes:
Sources:
Comments