Essential Oil Extraction Methods

 

“Fragrance makes us dream.”

– Francois Nars

The first thing you need to know about how essential oils are made.

When I first started learning about aromatherapy and essential oils I had so many questions. Where do they come from, how are they made, who makes the best oils, why do they work? These are all important questions to ask on your essential oil journey.

So how are essential oils made? They are extracted from plant material using a variety of ways- steam distillation, expression, CO2 extracts, and enfleurage. Before we explore these methods, let me begin by explaining why it is important to understand how an oil is made. It is important because different plants require different methods of extraction. Each essential oil has unique chemical components, that are responsible for its “mode of action”. For example, Linalool is one of the reasons that lavender is so relaxing. Depending on the plant and the material used, these unique components, like Linalool, will be isolated in the extraction process. Lavender is usually steam distilled. If you tried to express it, it would not yield the same profile of components.

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Lavender loaded into a vat, waiting to be distilled.

 

Factors that are important in Essential Oil Extraction

 Part of the Plant

Oils can come from many different parts of the plant and is specific to the particular oil. For example, rose essential oil comes from rose petals. Lemon is expressed from the peel. Juniper is steam distilled from the berries, valerian from a root, and cinnamon from the leaf or bark.

Time of Day

The time of day that plants are harvested.  Whether it is in the morning, afternoon, or evening.  This can influence the quality and chemical make-up of the oil.

Time of Year

Depending on the oil, there is typically a harvest season.  A time of year that it is best to harvest the plant for the maximum amount of oil and best chemical profile.

Geographic Location

If you have ever noticed, certain oils are often made in specific regions.  This is due to climate, temperature and weather conditions.  These factors also effect an oils composition.

Extraction Methods

Steam Distillation

This is one of the most common methods of producing essential oils. Steam is used to pull the oil from the plant material.  See my cool video below.

Expression

This method is also known as cold-pressing.  A roller, often with spikes, pierces and presses the outside of the fruit rind. This is done without heat.  Citrus oils are usually pressed.  In some cases they can be distilled, but this often yields an inferior oil and a slightly different chemical makeup.

CO2

Carbon dioxide gas is used.  The gas turns to liquid  under high pressure and can then be used as a solvent to extract the oil.  No heat is used.  This is said to be the truest form of an oil since there is no heat used and the CO2 changes to back to gas once the pressure drops, leaving no solvent.  

Enfleurage

Also known as an absolute. A solvent is used to extract the oil. Oil extracted from this process is considered to be very similar to the composition of the essential oil. TA drawback of this method is the residual solvents that are left behind in the oil.

 

See Video Below to Learn How Steam Distillation Works.

I hope this will add knowledge and insight into your journey with essential oils. I always enjoy fun information on how to use my essential oils safely, hopefully, you will too!
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