How Essential Oils Are Extracted

HOW  ESSENTIAL OILS ARE EXTRACTED

 
This is important to know as the method used affects the quality of oil.

Enfleurage
This was the way extraction was originally done
It very labor and time intensive & made the end product extremely costly
Used for plants that  have low yields using distillation
Strips of pork fat are laid on glass sheets
Jasmine (or other petals) are laid on top of the fat
Another pork laden sheet was placed face down on the petals –like a sandwich
Fat strips replaced every  other day for a number of weeks until fat is saturated
Alcohol  used to extract oil.

Steam Distillation
Most common as it produces the highest quantity of oil but quality is compromised.
Rind is peeled & shredded and the oils extracted by pressure.

Chemical Solvent Method
Hexane, Petroleum-Benzine, Ether, Carbon Tetra chloride
A slave like solid is created and treated with alcohol to extract the oils
Solvents are removed by vacuum distillation but can never be completely eliminated
Avoid these at all costs.
if you must  use them, use with extreme caution and never inhale or digest.
Carbon Dioxide Method
Preferred method
Oils have a higher top note and a lower base note
Carbon dioxide or butane under pressure  extracts oils