Parent essential oils are those which are obtained from a single plant that has not been crossbred - a plant in its natural state, and not a hybrid. Parent essential oils are also completely natural, unlike fragrance oils that a created in a lab.

As the popularity of aromatherapy grows, so do the varieties of products on the market. In recent years, there has been a trend towards grafting different plant together in order to make new scents. This results in secondary, or hybrid products, and not parent essential oils. These may or may not have similar properties to each of the parent material when mixed together.

So why should you use parent essential oils? Despite all the work that has gone into creating new scents, little research has yet been done on the properties of the hybrid mixtures. However, there is much information about parent essential oils available, including their properties, applications and which ones mix best together.

While it is unlikely that any of the new hybrid products will be harmful, using cheaper synthetic ones, instead of parent essential oils, can be dangerous. Aromatherapy has a basis in healing through inhalation and direct skin contact. Products based on fragrance, rather that therapeutic bases provide no health benefits, and there is an increased risk of allergic reaction.

Parent essential oils can be gathered from many sources, including wood, flowers, seeds, roots and stems. As long as the oils produced come from a plant in its natural state, then they are considered to be parent essential oils, no matter which part of the plant they were extracted from.

When buying these products, it is important that you only purchase ones that are considered therapeutic grade. This means that as well as being completely natural and undiluted, they will provide the health benefits associated with each particular oil. It is important to note that because of their potency, parent essential oils, with few exceptions, should not be used undiluted on the skin.

If a retailer is unable to tell you whether their parent essential oils are of a therapeutic grade, then look elsewhere. There are plenty of retailers online that can supply you with therapeutic grade bases, as can many health food stores, and stores that follow alternative, holistic or natural avenues. Find a reputable retailer who is trusted in the world of aromatherapy items, and you can guarantee that you are buying quality stuff.

When used correctly, they can provide dramatic health benefits with little effort required. Investing in a good aromatherapy book is a great way to find out more details about the different base materials, and recipes that use them.

Once you begin to have a better understanding of each of the parent essential oils, you can begin creating your own recipes, based on your scent preferences, and tailored to your needs. This flexibility of aromatherapy is part of the reason for it's growing popularity.