Essential oils are derived from steam distillation of natural plants, roots, barks, etc. Perfume oils are man-made chemicals used simply for the fragrance, but, some MAY (on occasion) contain real essential oils in the basic makeup. Essential oils are what are used in aromatherapy treatments.

Perfume/Fragrance oils have no aromatherapy value.

The majority of Green Pergola products are fragranced with real, plant-derived essential oils. All Green Pergola soaps are scented with only essential oils.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years and were the primary source of perfumes for the ancient civilizations of Egypt, India, Greece, and Rome. Essential oils have been found in 3,000 year old tombs in the Pyramids, and early Greek physicians, including Hippocrates, mentioned aromatic plant essences and oil massages for their healing and mood-enhancing qualities. The Romans associated essential oils and their fine aromas with wealth and success. Ayurvedic medicine, the world's oldest healing system, has long recommended essential oil massage as a health treatment for many conditions.

Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, meaning, they evaporate quickly when exposed to air. Most essential oils smell true to the plant they originate from. Essential oils are the aromatic oils obtained by steam or hydrodistillation of botanicals. Most essential oils are primarily composed of terpenes and their oxygenated derivatives. Different parts of the plants can be used to obtain essential oils, including the flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, stems, bark, wood, etc. Certain cold-pressed oils, such as the oils from various citrus peels, are also considered to be essential oils but these are not to be confused with cold-pressed fixed or carrier oils such as olive, grapeseed, coconut etc. which are non-volatile oils composed mainly of fatty acid triglycerides.

Essential oils are extremely concentrated. It would take roughly thirty cups of herbal tea to equal the concentration of plant essence in one drop of essential oil. Some essential oils made from rose plants require 4,000 pounds of rose petals to make one pound of essential oil, and are thus very expensive.

Lavender is one of the easiest essential oils to produce, because it only takes one hundred pounds of plant material to produce one pound of essential oil. Essential oils are generally very complex chemically, containing many different substances and compounds. Some experts have theorized that essential oils are the lifeblood of a plant, and contain compounds that the plant uses to fight infections and drive away germs and parasites. Scientific research has isolated hundreds of chemicals in essential oils, and has shown many essential oils to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties. Some essential oils contain over 200 identified natural chemical substances.

Green Pergola orders essential oils from reputable, leading suppliers and distillers of pure, aromatherapy-grade essential oils. They are re-bottled into ½ ounce bottles and labeled in the Green Pergola Tennessee workshop. Both owners of the Green Pergola have training in aromatherapy and are recognized as certified aromatherapists.

Green Pergola offers a large variety of the most widely used essential oils along with our own Green Pergola Essential Oil Blends. Prices vary greatly due to the fact that essential oils come from nature; each plant uniquely different in chemical composition and how much essential oil can be extracted from a pound of plant matter.

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GUIDE TO USING ESSENTIAL OILS - article, reference

One of the greatest treats in soap making is experimenting with combinations of essential oils. Unlike fragrance oils, which are usually chemically manufactured scents, essential oils are very potent. Each oil, like the plants they are derived from, are different in their basic makeup which is why there is such a difference in price among the oils. Essential oils can begin (at wholesale pricing) from the neighborhood of $12 per pound all the way up to $1300 per pound (and more).

Many people have asked whether the aromatherapy benefits survive the soap making process. To my knowledge, as of this writing, that research has not been done. Chemically, many of them most likely do, to a degree.

I do believe the emotional benefits of the oils come through in soap. Smelling them activates the olfactory system and can bring about a shift in emotions. Mints have the ability to wake you up, Citrus oils are cheering, Lavender seems to relax you, etc.

You will have to decide for yourself, which oils you would like to use according to their safety precautions. Using essential oils in soap is definitely a manner of “diluting” an oil. Furthermore, the soap is rinsed off in the bath or shower -- unlike a massage where the essential oils are rubbed into the skin via a carrier oil and left on the skin until the next bath time.

The essential oil list below is for information purposes regarding the way essential oils are currently being used. If you have any concerns, feel free to consult a physician before using a specific oil. It is probably always a good idea to listen to the advice of the pregnancy precautions. The information is not meant to be medical advise or to replace the advise of a doctor. Never take essential oils internally.

Anise essential oil – (pimpinella anisum)
Sweet, licorice like scent often used during the hunting season to mask the human scent. Also applied to bait to attract fish. Cheering, euphoric, energizing, sense enhancing, antibacterical, coughs, deodorant, menopause. Parts used: seed pod. Dilute well before use. Do not use during pregnancy.

Bergamot essential oil – (citrus bergamia)
Citrusy, fresh, woodsy scent. Cheering, concentration, aggression, confidence, grief, nervous tension and stress. Said to help with the stress of Parkinson’s Disease and PMS moodiness. Good for withdrawals. Parts used: peel of fruit. Phototoxic. Do not expose applied area of skin to direct sunlight or tanning bed for 24 hours.

Cedarwood essential oil – (cedrus atlantica)
Dry, sweet, woodsy balsamic scent. Balancing, grounding and strengthening. Often used to promote self-control and to balance spirituality. Possible uses: acne, dry hair, rheumatism, oily skin, immunity booster. Parts used: wood. Avoid during pregnancy. May irritate extra sensitive skin.

Cinnamon Leaf essential oil – (cinnamomum zeylancium)
Hot, spicy scent — richer in aroma than ground cinnamon. Invigorating, refreshing, warming, aphrodisiac properties. Often used by those with low blood pressure. Good for exhaustion & fatigue. Antifungal. Parts used: leaf. Avoid if you have high blood pressure. Dilute well before use.

Citronella essential oil – (cymbopogon nardus)
Slightly fruity, fresh, lemony scent. An oil that is known to be refreshing, stimulating, soothing & vitalizing. Most popular for being a powerful insect repellent. Antiseptic properties, good when you have a cold. Parts used: grass. Avoid during pregnancy.

Clary Sage essential oil – (salvia sclarea)
Earthy, herbaceous & slightly fruity scent. Known as the “woman’s oil.” Good for use as an antidepressant, for PMS and Menopause. Also good for fatigue, fear & stress. Is often used to help promote vivid dreaming. Parts used: flowering tops, herb. Avoid with a history of breast or ovarian cysts or estrogen-dependent cancer. Do not overuse while drinking alcohol.

Clove Bud essential oil – (eugenia caryophyllata)
Spicy, warming, rich but slightly bitter scent. Possible uses: memory loss, stimulating, energizing, warming. Also known for use as an antiseptic, for sprains, strains and is often used (in part) by dentists for toothache. Parts used: flower buds. A possible mucous membrane irritant. Not to be used by alcoholics, haemophiliacs or those with prostate cancer.

Eucalyptus essential oil – (eucalyptus globulus)
Clean, fresh, medicinal scent. A balancing, cooling & stimulating oil often used with colds, coughs, muscular fatigue & sinusitis. Also helpful when you have bronchitis, the flu or slight fever. Parts used: leaves & twigs. Avoid with a history of epilepsy or if you have using homeopathic remedies. Do NOT take internally — toxic.

Fir Needle essential oil – (Abies alba)
Woody, earthy, fresh scent. Known for stimulating circulation. Often used for muscle pain, arthritis & rheumatism as well as elevating the emotions and helping with stress. Parts used: leaves (needles), twigs. Dilute well before use.

Frankincense essential oil – (Boswellia carterii)
Spicy, woody, fruity & fresh smell. For the mind, frankincense is often used for anxiety, exhaustion and for focus. Reported to help with scars and wrinkles. Has been used in history for blessing and consecration. Parts used: resin. Avoid during pregnancy. Regarded as generally safe.

Geranium essential oil – (Pelargonium graveolens)
Floral but sweet smell with fruity undertones. Often used for nerves, stress and for relaxed, intense focus (such as self-hypnosis). Has been known to calm those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and Muscular Dystrophy. Parts used: flowers, leaves, stalks. Avoid if a history of estrogen-dependant cancer or hypoglycemia.

Ginger essential oil – (Zingiber officinale)
Smoky, spicy, woody scent. For the mind, used for memory loss and to anchor the emotions. Good for nausea, motion sickness, aches & sprains and the nausea associated with migraine headaches. Parts used: roots (stems). May irritate extra-sensitive skin. Dilute well before use.

Jasmine Absolute essential oil – (Jasminum officinalis)
Exotic, floral, rich, sweet scent. Used often in the perfume industry. Has relaxing, sedative properties and is said to be an aphrodisiac. Also good as an antidepressant, for PMS & Menopause. Parts used: flowers Avoid during pregnancy. Extended use has narcotic-like properties.

Juniper Berry essential oil – (juniperus communis)
Crisp, sweet & herbaceous with a fruity note. Often used for gout, jet lag and hangovers as well as for memory loss, clearing the mind and exhaustion. Said to have detoxifying and toning properties. Parts used: berries Avoid during pregnancy. Avoid if a history of kidney disease or high blood pressure.

Lavender essential oil – (lavandula officinalis)
Floral, fresh, light, herbaceous scent. Is said to bring about love and peace. Good for insect bites, to calm the nerves, help with sleeping — soothing & relaxing. Also good for burns, bruises, itching and headaches. Parts used: flowering tops. Avoid during first trimester of pregnancy.

Lemon essential oil – (citrus limonum)
Rich, fresh smell similar to fresh lemon rinds. Used to uplift the spirits as it is balancing, cheering and refreshing. Often used to reduce warts, for fainting and hayfever. Good ingredient in cleaning and dish washing. Parts used: peel of fruit. Phototoxic. Do not expose applied area of skin to direct sunlight or tanning bed for 24 hours.

Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil – (eucalyptus citriodora)
Sweet, lemony smell with a woody note. Known to be calming and purifying. Reported by the CDC to be a good, natural substitution for DEET in combating mosquitoes. Contains some of the same properties as regular eucalyptus. Parts used: leaves, twigs. Dilute before use.

Lemongrass essential oil – (cymbopogon citratus)
Fresh, lemony, grassy scent. For the mind, used for irritability, mental fatigue, stress & nervous exhaustion. Often used as a mild insect repellent, for light cases of athlete’s foot and reported to be good for cellulite. Parts used: grass, leaves. Avoid during pregnancy or a history of high blood pressure.

Lime essential oil – (citrus aurantifolia)
Green, fresh, citrusy, sweet scent. Stimulating, uplifting & cheering, lime is know for helping raise the spirits and makes a good antidepressant. Good for skin toning as an astringent and is said to help with dandruff. Parts used: peel of fruit. Mildly phototoxic. Try to avoid direct exposure to sunlight where lime has been used on the skin.

Palmarosa essential oil – (cymbopogon martini)
A floral, grassy, rose-like scent. Good for creativity, aggression & anxiety. Said to work quite well for wrinkles, dermatitis, hair loss & PMS symptoms. Associated with healing and love. Parts used: whole plant Avoid with a history of high blood pressure.

Patchouli essential oil – (pogostemon cablin)
Rich, earthy, woody aroma. Known as a general aphrodisiac. Good for relaxation as well as concentration. Said to be good for wrinkles, acne, dandruff and athlete’s foot. Best known as the incense commonly used in the 1960’s. Parts used: leaves Generally regarded as safe. Do not take internally.

Peppermint essential oil – (mentha piperita)
Minty, strong peppermint candy smell. Cooling, refreshing, revitalizing and stimulating. Is good for headaches, nausea & jet lag. Mixed in base oils or lotions, is good for muscular aches and rheumatoid arthritis. Parts used: whole plant Avoid during pregnancy or a history of high blood pressure. Use in small amounts. Avoid contact with eyes.

Pink Grapefruit essential oil – (citrus paradisi)
Citrusy scent, similar to a grapefruit rind. A good uplifting oil — good for concentration and to promote happy thoughts. Reported to be good for migraines, hangovers, PMS symptoms & hair loss as well as being antibacterial. Parts used: peel of fruit. Phototoxic. Avoid contact with the sun or tanning beds after using oil on skin.

Rosemary essential oil – (rosmarinus officinalis)
Sweet, fresh, herb-like, medicinal scent. Good for grief and fatigue as well as clearing out the mind. Often used as an antiviral, a decongestant and for muscular aches. Also known as an immunity stimulant. Parts used: leaves. Avoid during pregnancy or a history of high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Rosewood essential oil – (aniba rosaeodora)
Sweet, woody and fruity with a floral scent. Good for mild cases of depression and clearing out confusion. Often used for headaches, PMS, scars, sensitive skin and stretch marks. Parts used: wood, twigs. Generally regarded as safe. Do not take internally.

Sandalwood essential oil – (santalum album)
Woodsy, balsamic, deep perfume-like scent. Used to center the thoughts and also used in meditation and as an aphrodisiac. Known for being used for wrinkles, chapped skin, dry hair and dandruff. Parts used: wood. Do not take internally.

Spearmint essential oil – (mentha spicata)
Fresh, minty, sweet smell — less potent than peppermint. Often used for sniffing during times of morning sickness. Also good for stimulating and reviving as well as asthma, headache and nausea. Parts used: leaves. Use in small amounts. Large amounts may irritate mucous membranes.

Sweet Orange essential oil – (citrus sinensis)
Citrusy, sweet, strong scent like orange peels. Good antidepressant and uplifting oil. Has been used for drug withdrawal symptoms, stress and for its slight sedative properties. Often associated with joy, luck and money. Parts used: peel of fruit. Avoid use in sun. May irritate sensitive skin if not diluted properly.

Tangerine essential oil – (citrus reticulata)
Bright, deep citrusy smell like tangerine peels. Relaxing, cheering & soothing. Astringent, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antidepressant. Parts used: peel of fruit. Avoid use in sun. May irritate sensitive skin if not diluted properly.

Tea Tree essential oil – (melaleuca alternifolia)
An herbaceous, green, earthy scent — slightly medicinal. The scent has cleansing and cooling properties. Has been used for centuries for burns, bug bites, scrapes and cuts. Also good for athlete’s foot, blisters, boils and sunburns. Parts used: leaves, twigs. Do not take internally. Can be used neat (undiluted) in small amounts on many people. Test patch first.

Ylang-Ylang essential oil – (cananga odorata)
Floral, slightly fruity, delicate, perfume-like scent. Promotes euphoria, relaxation and is often thought of as an aphrodisiac. Lowers blood pressure. Good for its sedative properties and for shock. Parts used: flowers. Avoid if a history of apnea or low blood pressure.