A n A r o m a t i c G l o s s a r y

AT = Aromatherapy EO = Essential Oil PEO = Pure Essential Oil

G - Z

Glucose - A type of sugar from Grape or Corn and used in cosmetics and medicine. Soothes irritated or burnt skin.

Grape Seed Oil - An ultra-fine oil expressed from the seeds of Grapes and used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. Nonallergenic.

Grapefruit Seed Extract - An extract derived from Grapefruit seeds that has preservative and anti-bacterial qualities. A good stabilizer for aromatherapy products.

Gum - A sticky substance secreted by some trees and shrubs.

Gum Arabic - A gum from Acacia senegal that is slowly soluble in water and provides a gelatinous acid base for nonoily cosmetics. Makes a demulcent and emollient base and is very soothing to all skin surfaces. Has been known to cause allergic or irritant reactions. See also Jeanne Rose Herbs & Things, Chapter 3: Acacia, gum.

Gum Tragacanth - An emollient and demulcent, yields a thick mucilage that when combined with water is useful in lotions and creams.

Herb - (1) A seed-producing annual, biannual or herbaceous perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of the growing season - this is a botanist's definition; (2) A plant or plant part valued for it's medicinal, savory, cosmetic or aromatic qualities - this is the definition that was used by the ancients as well as by modern herbalists and which includes any part of any shrub, tree, flower, seed, fern, algae, lichen, etc., and plant; (3) The leafy top of an herbaceous plant considered separately from it's root - generally a cook's definition. Compare Celery, Celery root, Celery seed, Celery oil.

Honey - A delicious food produced by bees, it tests on the acid side but is soothing and is used as an emollient or preservative in some bodycare products. Sometimes causes allergic reactions.

Hormone Creams - Contain synthetic estrogens and are used as firming creams. Only temporarily firms, smoothes and plumps up the skin.

Humectant - Added to creams and lotions to help the skin retain moisture. Draws moisture from the air. Glycerin is a good example. Sometimes causes allergic reaction depending upon the specific ingredients.

Hydrate - The ability to restore or maintain the normal fluid proportion in the skin or body. Hydrating agents are used in cosmetics to keep the skin natural, moist, firm and young-looking.

Infused Oil - Results when an herb or plant part is soaked or macerated in oil, then heated gently and the oil strained out. The resulting oil is called infused. This process is used for Calendula-infused oil and others, which are generally used as carrier oils in aromatherapy products.

Infusion - Boiling water is poured over an herb and the herb is soaked or "infused" for a period of time and then strained. The resultant liquid is the infusion and the herb leftovers can be used in poulticing. Essential oils can be added to the infusion for increased efficacy in facial steams, lung lubrications, hair steams, etc.

An example for a Healing Facial Steam: Bring 1 quart of water to a boil, turn off the heat, and add 1 ounce of mixed herbs (for normal skin use a mixture of Peppermint, Camomile and Rose). Steep, soak, infuse for 5 minutes. Add 2 drops of PEO of Rose or Chamomile. Put your face over pot, cover with towel, inhale the steam and let steam play about the face for 5-10 minutes. Now you may strain out the herbs and use them to poultice or to make a facial or hair pack, and the infusion can be poured into your bath for a fragrant, healing bath.

Inhalation - A method of treating mental and physical problems through the inhalation of the volatile, essential oils of aromatic and medicinal plants rather than the drinking of the herbal tea or the injection of the oils. Inhalations can be used to stimulate the brain. The inhaled essential oils reach the body through the lungs and bloodstream or through the nose - then to the limbic system of the brain - with a release of hormones and neurochemicals to create mental/emotional effects. Example: Use 3 drops of PEO in a diffusor.

Irritant - A substance that irritates, such as Poison Oak or Nettles or some essential oils such as Clove oil when used on open sores.

Jojoba Oil - A vegetable wax that is extracted from Simmondsia chinensis. We call this an oil because it comes in a liquid form from the plant, but chemists have determined that the beans actually product a wax. This is now a substitute for the banned whale oil and spermaceti that was once used to produce sparkling white, smooth cosmetics and fine-grade machine oil. Jojoba oil does not go rancid and is used to dissolve the sebum in plugged hair pores. This encourages fresh new hair growth. Jojoba is an excellent carrier "oil" for aromatherapy products.

Kaolin - A type of clay. When used in products it aids the absorption of excess oil secreted by the skin. Best for oily or problem skin. This is a very fine particle powder that is often applied to draining wounds and fistulas to absorb the moisture from these secretions.

Kukui Nut Oil - From a Hawaiian plant considered to be very soothing, emollient and good for damaged or slow-growing hair. Considered a scalp and hair restorative.

Lanolin - A wax that is produced by oil glands in sheep to waterproof their wool. After the sheep is sheared the lanolin is extracted or separated from the wool and used in cosmetics and ointments to smooth and soothe. Lanolin is yellow, sticky and unctuous and is easily absorbed by human and pet skin. Can cause allergies in those who are sensitive (see also anhydrous lanolin)

Lecithin - Derived from a phospho-lipid that makes up 30% of egg yolks, lecithin is an excellent emulsifier and is used in creams and lotions as an anti-oxidant to prevent rancidity.

Lotion - A smooth liquid applied externally to hands or body for softening, soothing. Made as a medicinal, cosmetic, cleanser or astringent depending on the herbs or essential oils used. Some lotions in addition are oily. A creamy liquid used as a cosmetic is also called a lotion.

Maceration - A process of extracting fragrant oils from the plant material. It is similar to enfleurage but uses hot fat rather than cold fat to immerse the petals and achieve the goal. To macerate is to soften or soak in warm fluid for a time to separate the solid matter from its elements.

Medicinal - A remedy used in treating physical or mental ailments.

Menthol - A naturally occurring substance in certain kinds of Mints, usually M. arvensis or Peppermint herb. An essential oil used in drug and cosmetic products because it is a counter-irritant, is cooling and has soothing properties.

Mineral Oil - A heavy oil derived from petroleum. Not recommended for use in body-care products because it leaves a nasty residue on skin and hair and if used internally has the ability to be absorbed and drag along oil-soluble vitamins and minerals from the body that are then excreted in the feces. Not recommended for babies or children.

Moisturizer - Something that helps the skin retain its natural moisture or adds moisture. Some herbs have moisturizing capabilities, and certain essential oils such as Jasmine oil and Rose oil when added to lotions and creams can increase the moisturizing capability of these products.

Mucilage - A substance that swells up in water and dissolves in the process. Forms a sticky, slimy, gelatinous mass that can be used as an emollient in cosmetics.

Odor Description - How do you describe the 10,000 odors? We do not really have a vocabulary of odoriferous words. What is "sweet" to me may be "cloying and heavy" for you. Get a few bottles of different essential oils. Smell them! Write down your reactions. Start with the easy oils such as Clove oil, Peppermint oil, Sandalwood oil and a flower oil such as Rose oil or Tuberose oil. Describe the scent with color, with sound, with taste, with as many adjectives as seem to fit. In other words, develop your own odor vocabulary. Write this down and compare with my descriptions. Then as you read along you will more or less know what I am describing. (For more information, see: "Words That Smell & Words That Stink" The Aromatherapy Book)

PEO - When you see these initials it means Pure Essential Oil. This is usually identical with EO or Essential Oil.

pH - This is a scale of number from 0 to 14 that is used to measure the alkalinity or acidity of a substance. Neutral is 7.0, and below that is acid such as vinegar or honey. Above 7.0 is alkaline such as soap. Human skin and hair is about 4.0 to 6.0.

Pommade or Pomade - These are prepared perfume materials obtained by enfleurage. The fat that is saturated with the essence of the flower after the enfleurage process is termed the pommade or pomade.

Resin - A hard, brittle substance (Mastic, Amber, Copal) that is transparent or translucent and usually yellow to

brown. Formed as a plant secretion and obtained as an exudate (recent or fossilized) or as an extract of plants. Often obtained from Firs and Pines. Resins have antibacterial properties and are used in industry, medicine, incense and cosmetics.

Rosin - Like a resin but usually darker, a bitter, friable resin obtained from the oleoresin or dead wood of Pine trees by the removal of the volatile Turpentine oil, etc. Used in varnish, lacquer, soap and industry.

Salve - A soothing or healing medicinal or cosmetic ointment generally made with healing substances such as herbs infused in oil, strained, and the herbal oil then solidified with wax.

Shellac - A natural resin that is secreted by the Lac insect and deposited on trees. It is collected, purified and used for industrial purposes and for body care or as hair spray. In the '40s and '50s one could always tell who used a hair spray with shellac in it because their hair-dos formed perfect hard shapes unflappable in the wind and sent out little dandruff puffs of flakes throughout the evening. I read that now in the '90s shellac-based hair sprays do not flake (which I sincerely doubt). Also, if your hair does not move in the wind, maybe you are using the wrong spray?

Skin - The stuff that covers all creatures and forms the first line of defense against bacterial, alien, fungal or other substance invasion. Read a good physiology text for a scientific description of skin - ideally you already know the basics: Several layers of cells with glands and follicles that

accomplish wondrous healthful benefits. Creams and lotions can soften the external layer, and face-lifts can change your perspective.

Soap - Combine a fat or oil with a base like lye [potassium carbonate (from wood ashes) or calcium hydroxide] and use the appropriate measurements and temperature gradients, and a wondrous chemical change will occur that turns fat and lye into soap. This is called saponification. Generally a well-made soap will be slightly alkaline, which when applied to the skin temporarily changes the pH of the skin - the soap combines with the dirt, strips it off the skin, you rinse with water - dirt gone and the skin quickly reverts to it's normal, slightly acid pH.

Spice - A spice is generally described as the dried parts of those very aromatic plants that make their home in the tropics: the hard parts of plants such as berries (Allspice or Black Pepper), flower buds (Cloves), roots or rhizomes (Ginger or Vetivert) or bark (Cinnamon). Spices have their essence in these hard parts of plants, while the herbs have their essence in the soft parts. Herbs usually are at home in the temperate climates and these include leaves (Rosemary), flowers (Rose), stems and leaves (Angelica).

Still - The equipment used in distillation to separate the plant material from its delicate essential or volatile oils usually comprised of (1) a RETORT, which is the chamber that holds the plant material and takes the heat; (2) the HEAD, which collects the steam; (3) the TUBE, which sends the steam to the condensor; and (4) the CONDENSOR, which is where the steam separates into hot water and volatile oils. Aristotle described the use of stills in 350 B.C. (See The Aromatherapy Book for a diagram.

Synergist - A substance that when combined with another increases the effectiveness of both.

Talc - Mostly magnesium silicate, it is a substance that occurs naturally and is used in baby powders, makeup, creams, etc. Unfortunately, most talc occurs in conjunction with arsenic. Talc is a lung irritant. Use other powders such as Cornstarch or baking soda as your absorbant powder and for your baby. Herbal powders are also very effective and can be made from equal quantities of powders of Orris root, Orange peel, Lemon peel and Sandalwood.

Tea - This means two things: (1) the liquid that is made from the Tea plant, Camellia senensis (contains theophylline and is the best bronchodilator known, and (2) the liquid that is made when you combine water and herbs, strain and drink it. This is another confusing herbal term. A tea is an infusion that is used cosmetically or medicinally - when lots of herb to water is used and infused for a long time it is generally called an infusion; when a little bit of herb is steeped in lots of water for 3-5 minutes, the resulting beverage is generally considered a tea. Did I confuse you further?

Terpeneless Oil - Terpeneless essential oils are processed perfume or flavor materials from which all monoterpenes have been removed (C10H16). This is usually done to improve the solubility of the essential oil and to concentrate the active aromatic scent and to increase stability. Gattefosse considered terpeneless essential oils to be superior because they were more easily absorbed when used in subcutaneous or intra-muscular injections and were less irritating when used externally. Also the fragrance was more "gentle." He conceived the use of terpeneless Lavender oil for all sorts of deep wounds and sores.

Tincture - An alcoholic solution containing medicinals or aromatics; about 50% alcohol. To make a tincture at home, infuse 1-4 oz of herbs or plant materials directly into 1 cup of 100 percent alcohol such as vodka or brandy. Shake daily for 10 days, strain and use.

Tisane - Historically a nourishing decoction having a slight medicinal quality. It was originally made form Barley and called a ptisane. We could consider the Chinese herbal soup a modern-day tisane. However, most people would define a tisane as a beverage tea made from flowers and drunk simply for pleasure and taste delight.

Unguent - A preparation made from fat or oil, usually with a medicinal or cosmetic purpose. It liquefies upon application to the body.

Volatile oil - An oil that vaporizes quickly and easily; an oil that easily evaporates. It is also called an essential oil and contains the plant hormones and delicate chemical constituents of the plant. Antonym=Fixed Oil or Fatty Oil. Example: Peppermint oil is an essential or volatile oil that is obtained by steam distillation from Peppermint leaf and is easily evaporated, while Olive oil is a fixed or fatty oil that is obtained by pressing the Olive fruit and does not evaporate.

Water - When this term is used in cosmetics or body care it usually means the waters in which significant amounts of essential oils have been dissolved. This happens during distillation of many essential oils such as Peppermint leaf water, Orange flower water and Rosewater. An herb water can also be a 2% solution (2 ml essential oil steeped in 4 oz distilled water, shake vigorously, shake regularly and use). This can be either a medicinal or cosmetic substance.

Recently when my dog was hit by a car and needed twice-daily disinfectant soaks as well as wet bandaging and then dry bandaging, I used an herb infusion for the soaks, then Tea Tree oil water (2% solution) for the wet dressings. The vet said it was just short of miraculous how quickly the wounds healed and closed up. Cosmetically, Lavender or Orange flower waters are used therapeutically on the skin as well as to "set" makeup.

Water Bath -Also known as a bain-marie. A pot containing water in which is placed another pot containing the substance being cooked or heated; used for cooking delicate or sensitive ingredients such as Chocolate foods or fragile cosmetic products.

Wax - An organic compound that melts at low temperature, is solid at room temperature (except for Jojoba), is water-repellent and gives solidity to creams and salves.

Click here to see -An Aromatic Glossary A-F

This glossary is from "Jeanne Rose - The Aromatherapy Book". Please visit

Jeanne Rose's Web Site for more information and to see her many books and products. You may call her at (415) 564-6785.