herbal and aromatherapy study guide

What are essential oils?

Oily fluid distilled from elements of a plant. ie. leaves, plants, roots, & stems.

How should essential oils be stored?

Dark glass containers

Can you name at least 5 different parts of a plant used to extract essential oils? (written)

Root, flowering head, citrus rind, stem, leaves, petals, & resins

What are the main 8 categories of essential oils aroma? (written)

Woody, herbaceous, earthy, camphorus, spicy, citrus, floral, & resinous

What does "neat" mean?

Undiluted with anything

This is an aromatic water that remains after producing an essential oils with steam?

Hydrosol is produced by steam distillation

This is an essence after flowers are soaked in a spirit solvent?

Absolute

There are 8 main prominent chemical groups, name 4? (written)

Esters, ketones, phenol methyl Esthers, oxides, alcohol, phenols, & mono terpenes

What are fragrance saturated fats?

Pomade

This is when they are dipped in hot wax?

Maceration

What are carrier oils used for? (written)

To dilute essential, act as a base, & give therapeutic benefits

How do you make a sun infusion? (written)

Put herbs & carrier oil, leave for 2 weeks, strain with cheese cloth, then left with infused oil.

What happens when you place plant matter in a jar then put that in a crock pot to simmer for 4 hours?

Crock pot infusion

When you pour over boiling water and a herb to simmer?

Tea infusion

When you simmer for 20 minutes?

Decoction

What is a salve?

Beeswax & oil combination for external application

Why is it important that you know the plant families?

Cross reaction and allergies

What do you do if you don't know how to use an herb?

Know/ research it or don't use

Why is labeling herbs important?

They can look & smell the same

What is the most common distillation method?

Steam distillation

Please write out 6 safety precautions? (written)

Allergies, overexposure, do not ingest, do not put in your eyes, do not have around kids, animals & elderly. Take caution on pregnant/ nursing people. Keep lids tightly closed. Never use undiluted oils on skin. Check for photosensitivity oils. Keep away from open flame. Have in a well ventilated area and read label warnings.

Plants can have external secretion when you touch them

T

Most essential oils should not be applied "neat" to the skin

F

Use the same essential oil everyday if you like it

F

You don't need to keep essential oils away from kids

F

Essential oils are not resolute you can use a lot of it

F

Carrier oils do not have therapeutic properties

F

Unlike essential oils carrier oils can go rancid

T

You should always keep you herbs in a brightly lit window

F