Aromatherapy Glossary
Aromatherapy language should help you make informed choices. This ProSeed Wellness glossary explains botanical, extraction, perfumery, and safety terms.
How to use this guide: Medical and historical terms describe vocabulary, not proven benefits of our products or recommendations for self-treatment. Evidence and risks depend on the substance and application. This guide does not replace product directions or professional advice. Natural does not automatically mean safe.
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1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)
An aromatic compound found in some eucalyptus, rosemary, and other oils. It contributes a fresh, penetrating scent. Its amount varies by species, chemotype, and batch. Oils rich in this compound require particular care around young children, especially near the face and nose. Follow oil-specific precautions.
A
Abortifacient
A substance capable of inducing an abortion. Historical descriptions do not establish safe or effective use. Do not use essential oils to attempt to end a pregnancy; seek qualified medical care.
Absolute
A concentrated aromatic extract typically produced through solvent extraction and subsequent processing, often from delicate flowers such as jasmine, rose, or tuberose. Its composition and aroma differ from a distilled oil. Do not ingest aromatic extracts.
Absorption
The entry of a substance into tissues or the body, including through skin. It depends on the substance, formulation, and route of exposure.
Adaptogen
A term for certain substances studied or traditionally used for supporting adaptation to stress. It is not a general property of essential oils; evidence varies.
Adulterant
An undisclosed addition or substitute used to misrepresent a product’s identity or composition. See adulteration; a transparently labeled carrier is not automatically an adulterant.
Adulterated
Describing a product altered or misrepresented through adulteration.
Adulteration
Undisclosed alteration or misrepresentation of an oil, such as adding cheaper oils, synthetic compounds, or fillers, or substituting species. Clearly labeled dilution and transparently disclosed processing differ from adulteration. GC/MS can help investigate composition, but additional testing may be needed.
Aerobic
Requiring oxygen to survive or function.
Alpha-pinene (α-pinene)
A volatile monoterpene found in pine oils, rosemary oil, and other aromatic plants. It contributes a fresh, pine-like scent. Its proportion varies with the plant, chemotype, and batch. Its presence does not by itself establish hair-growth or other medical benefits; follow the precautions for the particular oil.
Anaerobic
Describing an organism or biological process that does not require oxygen.
Anaesthetic
A substance that reduces or blocks sensation. This is different from simply having a soothing aroma.
Analgesic
A substance or treatment that relieves pain. The term does not establish that an essential oil provides clinically effective pain relief.
Anaphrodisiac
A substance described as reducing sexual desire. Historical use does not establish effectiveness.
Anosmic
Having no sense of smell. Partial reduction is called hyposmia.
Anthelmintic
A medicine or substance used to treat parasitic worm infections. Essential oils are not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment.
Anti-allergenic
A term describing reduced allergic responses. It does not mean allergy-proof; essential oils can themselves cause allergic reactions.
Anti-arthritic
Describing activity directed at arthritis or its symptoms. Traditional use does not establish that an oil treats arthritis.
Antibacterial
Capable of inhibiting or killing bacteria under specified conditions. Laboratory activity alone does not establish infection treatment or household disinfectant performance.
Antibiotic
A medicine used against bacterial infections. Essential oils are not substitutes for prescribed antibiotics.
Anticonvulsive
Describing activity that prevents or reduces seizures, not simply muscle relaxation. Some oils pose seizure risks; seizure disorders require medical care.
Antidepressant
A medicine or treatment for depression. An uplifting aroma is not equivalent to antidepressant treatment.
Anti-emetic
Describing activity that prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting.
Antifungal
Capable of inhibiting or destroying fungi under specified conditions. Laboratory findings do not establish safe treatment of fungal infections.
Anti-inflammatory
Describing reduced inflammation. Evidence depends on the substance, preparation, dose, and application.
Antimicrobial
Capable of inhibiting or destroying microorganisms under specified conditions. This does not automatically imply clinical effectiveness or disinfectant performance.
Antineuralgic
A historical term for relieving neuralgia, or nerve pain. It is not a recommendation to self-treat nerve pain with oils.
Anti-oxidant (antioxidant)
A substance that inhibits oxidation under particular conditions. Laboratory activity alone does not establish health benefits.
Antiphlogistic
An older term meaning anti-inflammatory.
Antipruritic
Describing activity that relieves itching.
Antipyretic
A substance or treatment that reduces fever. This does not establish oils as safe fever treatments.
Antirheumatic
A historical or medical term for addressing rheumatic conditions or symptoms. Traditional descriptions are not proof of effectiveness.
Antiseborrheic
A term for addressing seborrhea, involving excessive sebum production, or related symptoms. Effects depend on the formulation and condition.
Antiseptic
A substance used on living tissue to reduce microorganisms. Laboratory antimicrobial activity does not establish an oil as a suitable antiseptic.
Antispasmodic
Describing activity that reduces muscle spasms. Effects depend on the substance and type of muscle.
Antisudorific
Describing reduced perspiration, rather than masking odor.
Antiviral
Describing activity against viruses under specified conditions. Laboratory findings do not establish prevention or treatment of viral illness.
Aperitif
A drink traditionally served before meals to stimulate appetite. This is not a recommendation to ingest essential oils.
Aphrodisiac
A substance traditionally associated with increased sexual desire. Historical descriptions do not establish effectiveness.
Aroma molecule
A chemical compound contributing to smell. Aroma compounds may occur naturally or be made synthetically.
Aromatherapy
The use of essential oils and aromatic plant preparations to support well-being, often through inhalation or appropriately diluted skin application. It complements rather than replaces medical care. Bath use requires a suitable formulation that safely disperses the oil, not simply water, salts, or carrier oil.
Aromatic
Having a noticeable aroma, which need not be strong or pleasant. In chemistry, the word also has a specific structural meaning that is different from simply smelling fragrant.
Aromatic water
A broad term for scented water. Water collected during aromatic plant distillation is a hydrosol; not every aromatic water is a hydrosol.
Arrhythmia
An irregularity in heart rhythm. It is a medical condition, not an indication for aromatherapy self-treatment.
Arthritis
A group of conditions affecting joints, commonly involving pain, swelling, or stiffness. Diagnosis and treatment depend on the type; the term is not an essential-oil use recommendation.
Astringent
Describing contraction of surface tissues or a tightening sensation, often referenced in skincare.
B
Bactericide
A substance that kills bacteria under specified conditions, rather than merely slowing growth.
Balsam
An aromatic resinous plant material, not the same as a finished skincare balm.
Base note
A relatively slow-evaporating aroma contributing depth and persistence. Examples often include sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, frankincense, and cedarwood. Persistence varies by oil and formulation; note categories are not fixed hourly schedules.
Base oil
Another name for a carrier oil. A base may have its own aroma and is not necessarily neutral or suitable for every user.
Bergaptene (bergapten)
A furanocoumarin found in some plant extracts, including certain expressed citrus oils. It can contribute to phototoxicity following skin exposure and UV light. Check the specific oil’s composition and directions.
Blend
A mixture of ingredients, such as several aromatic oils or oils combined with a carrier. The word alone does not tell you whether it is a concentrate or a finished product ready for use.
Botanical name
A scientific plant name, usually genus and species. For example, Lavandula angustifolia identifies true lavender, while Lavandula × intermedia identifies lavandin. Check species and plant part when comparing oils.
C
Carnosic acid
A phenolic diterpene found in rosemary and sage, studied for its antioxidant activity. It is associated with non-volatile plant extracts, such as certain solvent or CO2 extracts, rather than being a characteristic constituent of steam-distilled rosemary essential oil. Research on carnosic acid or a rosemary extract should not be treated as proof that a distilled oil has the same composition or effects. Laboratory findings do not establish hair-growth or other medical benefits in people.
Carrier oil
A fatty oil or liquid wax used to dilute oils for appropriate skin application. Examples include coconut, sesame, jojoba, sweet almond, and rosehip. Jojoba is technically a liquid wax. Choose for your skin and allergies; a carrier does not eliminate oil-specific risks.
Cellulite
Common skin dimpling influenced by the arrangement of fat and connective tissue. It is not evidence of a toxin buildup or a condition essential oils are proven to remove.
Chemotype (CT)
A chemically distinct form within the same plant species, not necessarily a separate botanical variety. Rosemary chemotypes may be described by camphor, cineole, or verbenone. Composition affects aroma and safety considerations. Confirm supplier identification rather than assuming from the common name.
Chemovar
A chemically distinguishable variety or grouping within a plant species. Usage overlaps with chemotype in some contexts.
Cholesterol
A waxy lipid involved in cell membranes and the production of certain hormones and other substances. Blood cholesterol concerns require healthcare guidance, not essential-oil self-treatment.
CO2 extraction
Extraction using pressurized carbon dioxide, under supercritical or subcritical conditions. It can extract constituents that differ from those in distilled oils. Neither method is universally superior; suitability depends on the plant and intended product.
Cold expression
Mechanical extraction commonly used for citrus peel oils. Also called expression or cold pressing.
Cold pressing (expression)
Mechanical extraction without deliberately applied high heat. Friction may still generate heat. Some expressed citrus oils are phototoxic; others are not. Risk depends on the specific oil, composition, and concentration, not simply whether it is citrus or cold-pressed.
Compress
A cloth applied to an area of the body, often moistened with warm or cool water. Adding essential oil directly to water can leave concentrated droplets against skin; the term is not a recipe for an oil-infused compress.
Constituent
An individual component of a mixture. Essential oils contain many chemical constituents whose proportions influence aroma, stability, and precautions.
D
Decongestant
A medicine or substance used to reduce congestion. A cooling aroma or sensation of clearer breathing does not by itself demonstrate reduced airway obstruction.
Dermal sensitisation
The development of an immune-mediated skin allergy to a substance. Once sensitised, later exposure can trigger allergic contact dermatitis. This differs from direct irritation. Dilution reduces some risks but cannot guarantee that an allergy will not occur.
Dermatitis
Skin inflammation that can involve itching, redness, scaling, or blisters. Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis have different mechanisms. Persistent or significant symptoms need medical assessment.
Diffuser
A device dispersing aromatic compounds into the air, by methods such as evaporation, ultrasonic mist, or nebulization.
Diffusion
The dispersal of aromatic compounds into the air. Follow device and oil directions, use ventilation, and allow breaks rather than assuming one duration suits everyone. Consider children, respiratory sensitivities, and species-specific pet risks. Do not confine animals with diffused oils.
Digestive
Relating to digestion. In traditional herbal writing it may describe a proposed use, but it does not establish that an essential oil treats digestive symptoms or is safe to swallow.
Dilute
To reduce concentration using a suitable base. See dilution.
Dilution
Reducing concentration in a suitable base. A 1% blend contains 1% essential oil in the finished blend, measured consistently. No universal percentage suits all oils, people, body areas, or purposes. Some oils have much lower limits.
Drop sizes vary, so drop-count recipes are approximate. Oils do not dissolve in water. Bath salts and salt-water rinses do not safely disperse them. Carrier oil dilutes an essential oil but does not make it dissolve in bathwater.
Disinfectant
A product intended to inactivate specified microorganisms on nonliving surfaces under defined use conditions. It is different from an antiseptic for living tissue. A homemade essential-oil blend is not automatically an effective disinfectant.
Dispersant
An ingredient that helps distribute one material through another. Dispersion is not necessarily dissolution or permanent stability. A suitable finished formulation is needed; salts and carrier oils do not safely disperse essential oils in bathwater.
Distillate
Liquid collected when vapor is cooled and condensed during distillation. In aromatic plant distillation, the collected material may separate into essential oil and an aqueous phase. A hydrosol is the aqueous distillate, not simply essential oil stirred into water.
Distillation
Separation using vaporization followed by condensation. Aromatic plant methods include steam distillation and hydrodistillation.
Dry down
The later stage of fragrance as faster-evaporating components fade and persistent notes become more prominent.
E
Emollient
A substance that softens and smooths skin, often improving surface feel and helping reduce moisture loss.
Endometriosis
A condition involving tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus. It can cause pain and other complications and requires medical assessment, not aromatherapy self-treatment.
Enfleurage
A traditional extraction method in which flower aromas are absorbed into fat, often spread on glass plates, then may be further extracted. It is labor-intensive and less common today.
Enzyme
A biological catalyst that speeds up a chemical reaction. Most enzymes are proteins; the term does not describe a general action of essential oils.
Essential fatty acids
Fatty acids the body needs from the diet because it cannot make enough of them itself. They are different from volatile essential oils; “essential” has a different meaning in the two names.
Essential oil
A concentrated mixture of volatile aromatic plant compounds obtained through distillation or, commonly for citrus peel, mechanical expression. “Essential” refers to aromatic essence, not a nutrient the body needs. Aroma and composition do not automatically establish medical benefits.
Expectorant
A medicine or substance that helps bring up respiratory mucus. The term is not proof that an aromatic oil safely treats cough or respiratory illness.
Expression
Mechanical extraction commonly used for aromatic citrus peel oils.
Extraction method
The process used to obtain material from a plant. Distillation, expression, solvent extraction, and CO2 extraction can produce different types of extracts; they do not all yield products classified as essential oils.
F
FCF (furanocoumarin-free)
A designation used for oils, particularly bergamot, processed to remove or substantially reduce furanocoumarins associated with phototoxicity. Check supplier specifications and product limits. FCF is not a blanket guarantee against irritation, allergy, or every light-related risk.
Febrifuge
An older word for a fever-reducing substance. See antipyretic. It is not a recommendation to treat fever with essential oils.
Fixative
A perfumery ingredient influencing evaporation and helping fragrance character persist.
Fixed oil
A non-volatile fatty oil, commonly from seeds, nuts, or fruit. Many serve as carriers. Jojoba, often grouped with carriers, is a liquid wax.
Flatulence
The passing of intestinal gas. Persistent, painful, or changing digestive symptoms warrant appropriate healthcare advice rather than improvised essential-oil remedies.
Floral water
A name sometimes used for a flower-derived hydrosol, but also used for other scented waters. Check the ingredients and production method; not every floral water is a distilled hydrosol.
Fragrance oil
An aromatic formulation that may contain synthetic ingredients, natural ingredients, or both. It is not equivalent to a single essential oil. The label alone establishes neither therapeutic benefit nor safety; intended use and formulation matter.
Fungicidal
Capable of killing fungi under specified conditions. Merely slowing fungal growth is fungistatic activity. Neither laboratory description establishes an oil as a safe treatment for fungal infection.
G
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining, with several possible causes. It requires appropriate assessment; essential oils should not be swallowed as a home treatment.
GC/MS testing
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry helps separate and identify compounds in a sample. It supports chemical profiling and investigation of some adulteration when interpreted appropriately.
It does not alone prove complete purity, authenticity, organic certification, clinical effectiveness, or safety. Some questions require additional analytical methods. Batch testing should relate to the relevant production batch.
Gout
An inflammatory arthritis associated with urate crystals in joints. A painful swollen joint needs medical assessment; essential oils are not a substitute for gout treatment.
H
Haemorrhoids (hemorrhoids)
Enlarged vascular cushions in or around the anus that may cause discomfort or bleeding. Do not apply concentrated oils to this sensitive area; bleeding or persistent symptoms need medical advice.
Herbally infused oil
See infused oil. This is different from a distilled essential oil.
Herpes
An infection caused by herpes simplex viruses, which can produce recurrent sores. Diagnosis and treatment belong with a healthcare professional; essential oils are not substitutes for antiviral care.
Hormone
A chemical messenger involved in regulating body processes. Describing an oil as “hormone balancing” does not establish a demonstrated effect or safe treatment.
Hydrodistillation
Distillation with plant material immersed in heated water. The aromatic vapor is condensed and oil separated. Suitable methods vary by plant material.
Hydrosol
The aqueous distillate collected during aromatic plant distillation, also called hydrolat. It contains water-soluble constituents and small amounts of volatile compounds, rather than simply oil mixed with water. Follow formulation, storage, and use directions; gentle aroma does not guarantee suitability for every skin or user.
Hypertension
Persistently elevated blood pressure. It may have no obvious symptoms and requires professional monitoring and management, not essential-oil self-treatment.
I
Infused oil
A fatty oil in which botanical material has been steeped to extract some oil-soluble components. Also called a macerated or herbally infused oil. It differs from an essential oil, and its suitability and stability depend on its ingredients and preparation.
Infusion
Steeping material in a liquid to extract some of its components. Water and oil extract different substances; the resulting preparations have different storage and preservation needs.
Ingestion
Taking a substance into the body by swallowing. Do not ingest essential oils or add them to drinking water; this glossary does not provide oral-use instructions.
Inhalation
Breathing substances present in the air. Aromatic exposure depends on concentration, duration, ventilation, and the user. Avoid concentrated exposure near the face and stop if uncomfortable.
Insecticide
A substance or product intended to kill insects. A repellent deters them and is not necessarily insecticidal. An aromatic oil is not automatically an effective or suitable pest-control product.
Insoluble
Not dissolving to an appreciable extent in a specified liquid under given conditions. Essential oils do not dissolve evenly in plain water; shaking does not turn them into a stable solution.
Insomnia
Persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining restorative sleep. Enjoying a bedtime aroma is not equivalent to treating a sleep disorder.
L
Latin name
A common way of referring to a plant’s botanical name, which uses a Latinized scientific naming system.
Lavandin
Lavandula × intermedia, a hybrid of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia. Its oil commonly contains more camphor than true lavender and has a distinct aroma. It is different, not inherently lower quality. Suitability depends on composition and intended use.
Laxative
A medicine or substance that promotes bowel movements. Essential oils should not be swallowed as improvised laxatives.
Lymphatic
Relating to the network of vessels, nodes, and tissues involved in fluid balance and immune function. The term does not establish that a product “detoxifies” the body or treats swelling.
M
Massage therapy
Manipulation of soft tissues by a trained practitioner for purposes such as comfort and relaxation. Essential oils are optional, not an essential part of massage, and add their own precautions.
Microbe
A general term for microscopic organisms; in everyday health language it may also include viruses. Many microbes are harmless or beneficial, so the term does not mean “pathogen.”
Middle note
A fragrance component forming the heart of a blend as top notes fade. Examples often include lavender and geranium. Evaporation varies; fixed time ranges are only rough descriptions.
MSDS / SDS
Material Safety Data Sheet / Safety Data Sheet: a document describing substance hazards, handling, storage, and emergency measures. SDS is the current term commonly used. Documentation requirements depend on jurisdiction, classification, and use; it is not a consumer therapeutic-quality certificate.
N
Neat application
Applying undiluted essential oil to skin. This describes a method, not a recommendation. Undiluted use increases irritation and sensitization concerns; lavender and tea tree are not blanket exceptions.
Nebulizer diffuser
A diffuser using airflow to disperse oil without added water. Output can be concentrated; follow device and oil precautions.
An aromatherapy nebulizing diffuser is not a medical nebulizer. Never put essential oils in a medical nebulizer or use a room diffuser to deliver respiratory treatment.
Nervine
A traditional herbal term for substances described as affecting or supporting the nervous system. It is not a standardized clinical effect or evidence that an oil treats anxiety.
Notes
See perfumery note and the entries for top, middle, and base notes.
O
Oestrogen (estrogen)
A group of hormones present in people of all sexes, with roles in reproduction, bone health, and other processes. Aromatherapy descriptions do not establish an oil as a hormone treatment.
Oleoresin
A plant material or extract containing resinous and volatile components. Its composition and uses depend on the plant and extraction process; it is not interchangeable with a distilled essential oil.
Oxidation
Chemical reactions with oxygen or other oxidizing agents that change composition. Heat and light can accelerate degradation. Store according to supplier guidance, usually tightly capped and protected from heat and light.
Oxidative stability
Resistance to oxidative changes during storage and use.
Oxidized oil
An oil whose constituents have undergone oxidation. Some resulting compounds increase sensitization risk. Changes are not always apparent from smell or appearance.
P
Patch test
Informally, a small-area skin check with a diluted product. A home check cannot guarantee safety or exclude delayed allergy. Medical patch testing is a different, clinician-supervised procedure investigating contact allergy.
Perfume oil
A broad label for an oil-based fragrance or fragrance concentrate. Check whether it is intended for direct skin use or needs further formulation; the name alone does not establish concentration, natural origin, or safety.
Perfumery note
A description of aroma character or its stage in a fragrance, often grouped into top, middle, and base notes by relative evaporation and persistence.
Photosensitisation
Increased susceptibility to a skin reaction from light following exposure to a substance. It can include phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. It is not interchangeable with ordinary skin irritation. For oil-related UV precautions, see phototoxicity.
Phototoxicity
A skin reaction caused when certain substances on skin are exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet light. It can cause redness, burns, blistering, or pigmentation changes. Furanocoumarins in some expressed citrus oils can contribute.
Risk depends on the oil, extraction method, concentration, and UV exposure. Not all citrus oils have the same risk. Follow product-specific dilution and sun-exposure precautions rather than one universal waiting time. Evening application does not automatically eliminate risk. “Phototoxic” means capable of causing this reaction; it differs from fragrance allergy.
Phytotherapy
The use of plant preparations in herbal medicine. Evidence, interactions, and risks depend on the preparation and intended use; it is broader than essential-oil aromatherapy.
Pipette
A tool for transferring liquid. Only suitably calibrated equipment used correctly provides a known measurement; ordinary droppers and drop counts are not precise substitutes for formulation equipment.
Potpourri
A mixture of dried botanical materials used to scent a space. Keep added fragrance concentrates and scented materials away from children and pets; they are not for eating.
Psoriasis
A chronic immune-mediated condition that commonly causes inflamed, scaly skin patches. It requires appropriate care; fragranced products may irritate affected skin and are not substitutes for treatment.
R
Rectification
Redistillation or fractionation to remove or concentrate constituents. It changes the chemical profile and can be legitimate when transparently disclosed. Misrepresenting a processed oil as unmodified can be adulteration or mislabeling.
Resin (natural)
A plant secretion that may be sticky when fresh and harden over time. Some resins contain aromatic compounds and are used to produce perfumery extracts or incense. Raw resin, resinoid, and distilled oil are different materials.
Resinoid
An aromatic extract commonly obtained by solvent extraction of resinous material, especially for perfumery.
Resolvent
An older, loosely used herbal term associated with dispersing swellings or other accumulations. It has no single reliable modern clinical meaning and should not be read as a “detox” claim or treatment instruction.
Restorative
A broad descriptive word suggesting renewed comfort or well-being. Without a defined outcome and supporting evidence, it is not a specific medical effect.
S
Sciatica
Pain and sometimes tingling, numbness, or weakness associated with irritation of nerve roots contributing to the sciatic nerve. Persistent or worsening symptoms need medical assessment, not essential-oil self-treatment.
Sedative
A substance reducing central nervous system activity and potentially causing drowsiness. A relaxing aroma is not equivalent to a demonstrated sedative drug effect.
Shelf life
The estimated period a product maintains acceptable quality under specified storage conditions. It varies by composition, packaging, opening, and storage. Do not assume every citrus oil or base-note oil shares a fixed lifespan; follow batch-specific supplier guidance.
Sillage
The fragrance trail left as a wearer moves, related to but distinct from projection around the wearer.
Single oil
An oil sold as one identified botanical oil rather than a blend of different oils. It still contains many chemical constituents. Check species, plant part, processing, and whether a carrier has been added.
Soluble
Capable of dissolving in a specified solvent under given conditions. Solubility depends on the material, solvent, temperature, and concentration; being soluble in one liquid does not mean soluble in water.
Solvent
A substance in which another material dissolves. Dissolving is different from temporarily dispersing droplets. A solvent’s suitability depends on the formulation and intended use.
Solvent extraction
Extraction of aromatic and other plant constituents with a solvent, followed by processing to remove it. Common for delicate flowers and resinous materials.
Steam distillation
Steam carries volatile aromatic compounds from plant material into a condenser. The vapor cools and essential oil is separated from condensed water. It is widely used, but does not guarantee quality or suit every plant better than other methods.
Synergy blend
A blend intended to combine complementary aromas or properties. A pleasant combination does not by itself demonstrate a greater-than-additive therapeutic effect.
Synthetic
Produced through chemical synthesis rather than obtained directly as a natural extract. Synthetic origin alone establishes neither danger nor safety; identity, purity, exposure, and intended use matter.
T
Terpene
A member of a large family of compounds built from isoprene units. Many occur in essential oils and contribute aroma; related oxygen-containing compounds are often called terpenoids.
Therapeutic grade
A marketing description, not a universally recognized independent essential-oil grading standard. Ask what a supplier means by it. Botanical identity, extraction method, batch documentation, appropriate testing, and transparent sourcing are more informative than the phrase alone.
Therapeutic profile
A summary of constituents, studied or traditional uses, and safety considerations. It is not standardized certification or proof of clinical effectiveness.
Top note
A relatively fast-evaporating aroma contributing a blend’s first impression. Citrus oils often serve this role. Exact persistence depends on the oil and formulation.
U
Ultrasonic diffuser
A device using ultrasonic vibrations to create a fine mist from water and added oil. It does not make oil dissolve in water. Follow device guidance and ventilate appropriately.
V
Volatile
Readily evaporating under ordinary conditions. Essential oils contain volatile compounds, unlike fatty carrier oils, which do not readily evaporate.
Vulnerary
A historical herbal term associated with wound care. It does not establish an oil as safe or effective on open wounds.
A final note on safe use
Keep concentrated oils out of reach of children. Do not ingest them or apply to eyes or mucous membranes. Seek individualized guidance for pregnancy, nursing, children, medical conditions, medications, and use around pets. Follow the directions for the particular product.
Keep learning
Start with the Essential Oils Beginner Guide and Essential Oil Safety Guide. Compare skin-blend bases in the Carrier Oils Guide, then explore scent trials in the Essential Oil Blending Guide. The Fragrance Notes Guide explains aroma development, while the Perfume Making Guide introduces fragrance formats and formulation considerations.