Marta Tarallo - The Little Book of Essential Oils: An Introduction to Choosing, Using and Blending Oils

Absolute: very concentrated aromatic oil extracted from plants by solvent extraction

Antioxidant: inhibiting oxidation which can make oils go rancid

Antiseptic: inhibiting the growth of bacteria

Aromachemical: chemical substance that imparts odour

Blend: the mix of two or more essential oils

Carrier oil: an oil used to dilute essential oils in order to carry them on the skin

Chemotype: different chemical type; two plants of the same species might have different chemotypes, affecting their essential oil

CO2 extraction: a method of extracting essential oils using carbon dioxide

Cold pressing: a method of extraction commonly used with citrus fruits, by applying pressure to extract essential oils

Concrete: a mix of waxes and oil obtained from a plant extract using a solvent; the concrete can be processed to obtain an absolute oil

Diluting: action of dispersing essential oils within an oil- or water-based solution to reduce concentration

Enfleurage: a method to extract essential oils using animal or vegetable fats

Ethanol: liquid alcohol produced by the natural fermentation of sugar, also known as ethyl alcohol

Fixative: essential oil used to stabilise the volatile components of a blend

Fractionated coconut oil: a lighter, processed coconut oil that always stays liquid and has a longer shelf life

Grounding: emotionally stabilising

Hexane: liquid solvent used to extract certain plant materials such as carrier oils, oleoresins or absolutes

Hydrosol: water-based flower water, the by-product of the essential oils distillation

Isopropanol: liquid alcohol, also known as Isopropyl alcohol

Leave-on products: cosmetic products to be left on the skin and not rinsed off

Maceration: technique of infusing plant material to obtain a fragrant oil

Oleoresin: a thick, semi-solid extract made up of resin and oil, obtained by evaporation of the solvents used for its production

Perfumery note: the rate at which an oil evaporates

Rinse-off products: cosmetic products that are meant to be washed off with water

Safety threshold: the level at which something might not be safe if surpassed

Solvent: liquid used to dissolve other substances

Solvent extraction: method of extracting essential oils with the help of solvents

Steam distillation: extraction method of vaporising and condensing plant material to extract essential oils

Tincture: a concentrated herbal extract dissolved within an ethanol solution

Viscosity: a state which describes a thick, semi-fluid consistency

Volatile: a state of essential oils when they easily evaporate

It was the spring of 2018, and I was standing in my kitchen in front of my first batch of handmade soap, about to pour it into the moulds. I had decided to try to make my own soap in the attempt to reduce waste from my life. It was a very simple coconut and olive oil soap, yet the most exciting part of the process came when I had to choose what essential oils to use to scent the soap. This was my very first encounter with essential oils.

The scent I had chosen was lavender. One tiny 10-ml bottle filled the entire kitchen with the most delicious aroma I have ever smelled. As well as my soap, I was able to use that same lavender essential oil for so many other projects: a natural deodorant, a jar of bath salts, a body balm.

What fascinates me about essential oils is how simple and natural they are, yet they have so many different, effective skincare and aromatherapeutic applications. The essential oils added to a natural deodorant certainly have an antibacterial action that stops odours forming, but can also instil a feeling of wellbeing through their aroma.

In a fast-moving world we may be drawn to buying ready-made bathroom and skincare products as a quick and easy solution. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but making your own products using essential oils can be a great way to slow down, feel empowered and reconnect to nature.

Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from plants. These precious plant oils are called essential for a good reason: they carry the very essence of the plant they have been extracted from, that is the plants flavour, aroma and healing compounds. For this reason, they are often referred to as the essence of a plant.

Volatile yet powerful, essential oils are very concentrated. A very small amount of essential oil can be highly effective, just like a larger amount can be very damaging. For this reason, essential oils should be handled with extreme care, following very specific usage .

Aromas are strictly embedded into our daily lives, so much so that they are a way for us to connect with the world around us. Every time we detect a scent, it triggers an emotion or a memory. We live in an era where we are so used to and almost addicted to technology, and this might make us feel, paradoxically, disconnected. As a result, many of us are craving a return to the origins to feel more connected to nature. When we are feeling trapped within the hustle and bustle of our lives, the use of essential oils makes us feel grounded, almost as suspended in time.

The book is divided into three sections.

Section 1 - History and origins: This section walks you through the key information you need to know about essential oils. We will explore some of the history of essential oils, how they are made, as well as important safety information to follow when using essential oils.

Section 2 - Essential oils directory: This is the core of this little book: a directory of some of the most common essential oils. Each entry offers a snapshot of that essential oil, as well as how to incorporate it into your DIY recipes. You can decide to read the essential oils directory in order, or simply jump to a particular essential oil you want to learn more about.

Section 3 - Recipes: This is a collection of simple yet satisfying recipes featuring some of the essential oils in the directory. Each recipe has step-by-step instructions as well as substitution ideas, in case you would like to swap an ingredient or essential oil. You will also learn about scent families, notes and how to make scent blends.

At the end of the book, you will also find a small glossary section explaining some of the jargon used in this book.

My wish for you is that you will gain the confidence to use and enjoy essential oils, so you can incorporate them into your skincare routine and your home, at your own pace, and according to your needs. Lets start this journey together, one drop at a time.

The use of aromatic oils has been documented in the literature of many cultures and civilisations over thousands of years. Essential oils have been valued for more than just their aroma, being used in cooking, cosmetic use and for therapeutic and religious purposes. In fact, not only are many of their applications from centuries ago still valid today, but also their properties remain unchanged through time.

Ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants in the mummification process, as well as in medicines and skincare. The Romans used aromatic herbs to create scented oils to anoint the hair and body after a bath. During the Crusades of the Middle Ages, aromatic essences and distillation made their way from the East to Europe, with rose water becoming the most popular scent. During the Great Plague of the 17th century, aromatic herbs were used inside masks as they were thought to offer protection from disease. The perfumery industry burgeoned at the end of the 17th century, and in the 18th century the first eau de Cologne was created, containing a blend of rosemary, bergamot, neroli and lavender essential oils.