How Essential Oils are Produced
The extraction process of essential oils has a long and interesting history, believed to have started in ancient Egypt and further discovered in the days of the Alchemist. Here we will take a deeper look into how essential oils are extracted today and how these various methods shape the resulting oils effectiveness, quality and usability. One thing that should be pointed out from the start, is essential Aromatherapy grade oils are extracted from once living botanical sources including flowers, fruits, barks and even resins from trees. Many commercial institutions wishing to jump on what they see as a craze for Aromatherapy "like" products, blur the lines as to what essential oil use really is and would like you to believe that fragrance oils may be used in the essential oils place, being just as effective. The truth of the matter is, there are actually two branches which have become intertwined, mainly by the perfume industry. The art of Aromatherapy is not simply inhaling pleasing essential oils for mood enhancement, an aphrodisiac effect, etc., this falls more into the realm of Aromacology, which is the study of scents and fragrances on the human psyche and mind. Aromatherapy on the other hand is the use of highly concentrated essential oils which not only have an effect on the psyche from it's aroma but also medicinal qualities which can be used in a variety of applications including inhalation, massaging on the skin, cold and hot compresses, etc. Aromacology may use non-real alcohol based perfumes while Aromatherapy can only use pure, real essential oils.
Here is a look at the various ways of extraction which is used today.
Infused oil AKA Maceration: Base oils such as vegetable or sweet almond are mixed with aromatic plants, the mixture is heated over a fire or placed in the sun.
Distillation: Plant material is placed inside a still like contraption. Steam is forced passed through the botanicals like an espresso maker. The essential oil filled pockets in the botanical burst open and the essential oil is carried away as the steam travels to the top of the still. The steam is forced into a water-cooled pipe (condenser) where the vapors return to a liquefied state. Essential oils float to the top of the water and are spined off. The water that remains is used as floral waters.
Enfleurage: Lard is smoothed over a large glass plate. Flower petals (such as rose) is then spread on top of the lard. This is done over and over until the lard has absorbed the oils and scent of the flowers. Alcohol is used to remove the essence of the
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