Nature's Essential Oils

They say that beauty is only skin deep, but true beauty begins from within, nurturing and caring for our bodies and that, in itself, results in a beautiful, glowing skin. Skin, after all, is the largest organ in the body. We don't often think of our skin as such, but what incredible properties it has. Being such a large organ, it is capable of eliminating the waste products of our bodily functions through its pores. Just as the skin can safely allow certain substances to pass out of our bodies, equally it can also absorb certain substances in to our bodies. In more technical terms, this is known as being semi-permeable. Determining what will pass in to our body and what will not is based upon the molecular structure of what we put on our skin. This brings me to the topic of essential oils and how they can have such an integral part in our skin care.

Looking back through history to the Ancient Egyptians, they knew well the significance of essential oils for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Archaeological findings will testify to the fact that essential oils were an integral part of their culture. Ointment, cosmetic jars and oil bottles have been found in the pyramids will traces of the original content still intact. A very well known essential oil and one that is familiar to many is Frankincense. Frankincense is produced by a process of distillation in which the bark of the Boswellia Carteria tree, when damaged, produces a resin. The essential oil is then extracted from the resin by steam distillation. This oil has incredible benefits, including among many its positive effect in skin care. It has a defining tonic effect on an older skin with the ability to restore tone to facial skin and slowing down the appearance of wrinkles. Frankincense can blend well with many other aromatic oils. In summary, this oil has all round beneficial effects for us including its calming effect on our emotions, aiding in the treatment of breathing problems such as asthma, urinogenital tract issues such as infections and as a uterine tonic. Frankincense was very much sought after as a perfume and was held in high regard as a prized oil. To this day, its incredible qualities can be enjoyed and utilised as part of a skin care regime.