Essential oils are one of nature’s gifts. They can be used in a myriad of ways.
In the world of perfumery essential oils are the components to the world’s best and most beloved perfumes. Ylang Ylang, for instance, gives Chanel no.5 its distinctive scent. In aromatherapy, essential oils are used for their healing, therapeutic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
Essential oils are made from bark, fruits, petals, leaves, roots and berries of plants. Depending on the plant material there are several methods to extract them.
One of the most common methods used is distillation. Most oils are distilled in a single process that involves putting the plant material (leaves, petals and so on) into distillation apparatus over water. As the water heats, the steam passes through the plant material vaporizing the volatile compounds. The vapors flow through the tube and are condensed back to a liquid form and collected.
Other popular methods include carbon dioxide extraction, cold pressing (commonly done on citrus peels), and solvent extraction.
It takes a huge amount of plant material to create a small amount of essential oil. In an article published on Aromatherapy for the Home, it takes 60,000 fresh roses (200 pounds) to make one ounce of rose essential oil. That’s almost 30 roses per drop or essential oil! This is why essential oils are much more expensive than regular fragrance oils.
Essential oils come from all over the world. Turkey provides about 75% of the world’s production of Rose Otto. Lavender essential oil is produced mainly in France, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Australia and in countries around the Mediterranean. Peppermint, spearmint, cedarwood, wintergreen and the some of the citrus oils are often produced in the United States.
Tea Tree and Eucalyptus are native to Australia, while Rosemary mainly comes from the Mediterranean region. Sandalwood comes from India and Australia, and Bergamot oranges (not edible) are grown mainly in southern Italy, France and the Ivory Coast.
Fragrance oils are blended oils that are either made synthetically or are a mixture of natural essential oils. Most Aroma oils are diluted with carrier oils like the vegetable oils mentioned previously. Fragrance oils are often used in cosmetics, flavoring, aromatherapy and perfumery.
Mixing fragrance oils is a common practice. Laboratories around the world are constantly working on finding new scents.
Once you have purchased your oils, remember to keep them in a cool and dark place so they don’t lose any of their potency. Keep them away from heat or direct sunlight and never store them in plastic containers (they can melt the plastic). When stored properly essential oils can last for many years. In some cases oils like patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh become more valued with age.
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