What Are Essential Oils Made Of?
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that capture the essence of a plant’s aroma and therapeutic properties. These complex mixtures of chemical compounds are extracted from various parts of the plant, including:
Roots: Ginger, vetiver, valerian
Seeds: Fennel, cumin, coriander
Fruit: Orange, lemon, grapefruit
Stems: Geranium, rose, peppermint
Petals: Rose, jasmine, lavender
Bark: Cinnamon, clove
Leaves: Eucalyptus, rosemary, mint
Essential Oil Extraction Methods
There are various methods to extract essential oils from plants. The method of extraction depends on the type of plant material and desired chemical compounds to be extracted. Some extraction methods used today include steam distillation, solvent extraction and cold pressed extraction.
The active ingredients and the properties of an essential oil are related to the extraction process.
Here are some common essential oil extraction techniques:
Steam Distillation:
- Most common method to extract essential oils
- Plant material is exposed to steam, which carries the volatile oils
- The resulting mixture is cooled, and the oil separates from the water
Solvent Extraction:
- Used for delicate flowers like jasmine and rose
- Plant material is soaked in a solvent like hexane to extract the oils
- The solvent is then evaporated, leaving behind the essential oil
Cold Pressing:
- The plant material is crushed to extract the essential oils
- No heat is used in this method
Plant Extract vs Essential Oil
While both essential oils and plant extracts are derived from plants, they differ in their concentration and method of processing:
Plant Extracts: Diluted forms of essential oils mixed with a carrier oil or solvent. They are generally milder and safer for topical use.
Essential Oils: Highly concentrated, undiluted extracts of plant compounds. They are potent and should be used with care.
Quality Matters When Choosing Essential oils
Not all essential oils are created equal. It’s important to choose high-quality, pure essential oils from reputable sources. Look for oils that are labeled as 100% pure and have undergone rigorous testing for quality and authenticity. Aromatherapy Clinic sources only the highest quality essential oils from reputable suppliers. We have an extensive list of individual oils available on our website. If you require a specific essential oil that is not on the list, please contact us to request your required oil.
Featured photo by MART PRODUCTION