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Essential
oils can be extracted using a variety of methods, although some are not
commonly used today. Currently, the most popular method for extraction
is steam distillation, but as technological advances are made more efficient
and economical methods being developed.
Steam
Distillation:
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To extract the essential oil, the plant material is placed
into a still (very similar to a pressure cooker) where pressurized
steam passes through the plant material.
The heat from the steam causes globules of oil in the
plant to burst and the oil then evaporates. The essential oil vapor
and the steam then pass out the top of the still into a water cooled
pipe where the vapors are condensed back to liquids. At this point, the essential oil separates from the water
and floats to the top.
Now, this doesn't sound like a particularly complicated
process but did you know that it takes more than 8 million Jasmine
flowers to produce just 2 pounds of jasmine oil? No wonder pure essential
oils are expensive!
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Maceration:
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Maceration actually creates more of an "infused oil" rather than an
"essential oil". The plant matter is soaked in vegetable oil, heated
and strained at which point it can be used for massage.
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Cold Pressing:
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Cold pressing is used to extract the essential oils from citrus rinds
such as orange, lemon, grapefruit and bergamot. The rinds are separated
from the fruit, are ground or chopped and are then pressed. The result
is a watery mixture of essential oil and liquid which will separate
given time.
It is
important to note that oils extracted using this method have a relatively
short shelf life, so make or purchase only what you will be using within
the next six months.
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Solvent Extraction:
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A hydrocarbon solvent
is added to the plant material to help dissolve the essential oil.
When the solution is filtered and concentrated by distillation, a substance
containing resin (resinoid), or a combination of wax and essential
oil (known as concrete) remains.
From the concentrate,
pure alcohol is used to extract the oil. When
the alcohol evaporates, the oil is left behind.
This is not considered
the best method for extraction as the solvents can leave a small amount
of residue behind which could cause allergies and effect the immune
system.
Solvent Extraction:
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Only recently developed, this method uses Carbon Dioxide to extract
the essential oil from the plant when liquefied under pressure.
Once
the liquid depressurizes, the carbon dioxide returns to a gaseous
state, and only pure essential oil remains.
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The information
provided on this site is provided for educational purposes only, and
is not intended as medical advice. Should you have any serious health
concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner
before self-administering any natural remedy.
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