Extraction of Essential Oils

Extraction of Essential Oils

Essential oils are basically extracts of various different plants, fruits, flowers, bark roots or resin. There are two main ways that one this is achieved:

1) Simple expression or pressure
2) Steam, water or dry distillation

The majority of essential oils are distilled by the second process, for example lavender, myrrh, sandalwood and cinnamon. The process retains water-soluble and volatile parts of the plant whilst others are removed. The liquid is then distilled one more time in order to remove any remaining non-volatile matter.

"Absolutes are usually highly concentrated viscous liquids, but they can in some cases be solid or semi-solid (clary sage absolute). In recent years, much research h as been devoted to the extraction of essential oils and aromatic materials using liquid carbon dioxide, oils produced in this manner are of excellent odour quality and are entirely free of unwanted solvent residues or non-volatile matter."

View our selection of Essential Oils.

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