Elenatura Essential Oils and Fragrance Lamps

Some researchers assume that our ancestors already knew about medicinal plants 50,000 years ago. In every Stone Age tribal community of hunters and gatherers, there were healers or shamans who knew which roots and herbs helped against cramps and indigestion. Various mushes made from chewed leaves could prevent the infection of small wounds. Knowledge of the healing power of plants has been passed down orally for thousands of years. That only changed when the first advanced cultures emerged in the ancient Orient. In many places, Medicine and drug production were now taken over by the priests. As a rule, they belonged to the educated upper class and were able to record their knowledge in writing.

In early antiquity, numerous writings on medicinal plants were already in circulation. And even then, the scholars were contemplating how to increase their effectiveness. Since people believed that the power of plants resided within them, they began to squeeze out leaves, seeds and fruit peels. About 5,000 years ago, a new method was established in Mesopotamia: distillation. The essential oils were dissolved from the crushed parts of the plant by means of steam. The priests interpret their intense scent as a divine sign of special effectiveness. Because they smelled so wonderful, essential oils were not only used for the production of medicines, but also for perfumes, cosmetics or to scent rooms. While cedar oil was popular in Ancient Egypt, the Romans perfumed not only themselves, but also their houses, food, and even wine with rose oil.

The ancient distillation process was pretty straightforward; all that was needed was a fire-proof vessel with a lid. It was filled with water and parts of plants and then heated on the fireplace. To prevent the evaporated water (i.e. the distillate) from dripping back from the lid, a sponge was clamped into the lid, which was squeezed out into a separate vessel at regular intervals. This method wasn't particularly efficient, but it lasted for a very long time. It was not until the early Middle Ages that Persian and Arab scholars began the further development of steam distillation. In order to improve the control of the distillation process, they constructed devices with glass round-bottom flasks and tubes. Today's stills are still based on the same basic principle.

Naturally pure essential oils can be obtained by pressing, steam distillation or extraction. However, not every plant and not every part of the plant can be used for this. Because essential oils are contained in less than 1% of all known plant species. Depending on the type, the essential oils are stored in leaves, flowers, seeds or fruit peels. Sometimes they can also be found in the bark, the roots, in the wood or in the resin. As diverse as the origin of the essential oils is their fragrance profile. In addition to woody, floral, fruity or earthy aromas, there are also sweet, bitter, tart, fresh or balsamic fragrances. Due to their versatility, essential oils are wonderfully suitable for refining care oils or creams. In the fragrance lamp or on a fragrance stone, they ensure a pleasant room climate. In the assortment of the brand Elenatura from the Swabian Ostallgäu you will find over 50 high-quality essential oils from wild collection or controlled organic cultivation.

The essential oils from blood orange, citronella, tangerine, grapefruit or lemon stimulate the senses with fruity-fresh fragrances. Their vitalizing aromas let you start your day with verve and also help to overcome the midday low. With the spicy scents of spruce needles, mountain pines, silver fir or cedar you can bring the atmosphere of a forest walks into your home. With the oriental scents of ginger, myrrh or frankincense you can create wonderfully exotic scent mixtures - wanderlust guaranteed. Roses are a symbol of life, love and passion and the essential oil of the rose is the classic for home-made soaps, fragrance mixtures and care oils. Close your eyes and leave everyday life behind. With Elenatura you will discover the sensual world and the vigour of high-quality essential organic oils.