The general opinion is that these oils are natural essences produced from naturally growing plant life; however like most things in life things are not as simple as that. Many websites and a lot of literature on the subject contains information about Aromatherapy Oils but behind this accepted and catch-all title we will often find references to Essential Oils, Absolutes, Carrier Oils, Vegetable Oils, Base Oils, Fixed Oils, Fragrance Oils, and Extended Oils. Aromatherapy Oils are thought of by most people as the oils that are usually fragrant and bought in screw top, dark glass bottles from Aromatherapy Suppliers, Aromatherapists or Herbalists. Aromatherapy Oils - What Exactly Are They. Even these terms overlap in meaning and even have disputed definitions.

To try and define Aromatherapy Oils it will be necessary to explain some of these other terms (many of the oils and processes described below may also be relevant to the perfume , soap making, household cleaning products and food production industries but in general I have tried to describe what these terms mean in the production of Aromatherapy oils) This is.