Raw plant parts are chemically processed to extract characteristic fragrances or essence. These liquid compounds are similar in oil when it comes to being waterproof and flammable. Because the liquid compounds have characteristic scents and are oil-like, people reference them as essential oil. These scented compounds are often used to infuse aroma into food, perfume, cleaning products, pesticides, insecticides, aromatherapy and medicines. How essential oils are made often depends on the plant part used.
Plant sections that form the raw materials for essence include berries, leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, wood, resin, peel, rhizome and roots. Leaves produce an assortment of popular plant essences, among them are cinnamon, Eucalyptus, patchouli, wintergreen, peppermint, pine, rosemary, tea tree. Orange, the most popular essence being sweet orange, is derived along with grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangerine, from the fruit peel of plants.
Typically, aromatic liquids are compounds derived from hundreds of assorted aromatic plants. Fragrance extraction using distillation, solvent extraction or expression, cold press and other processes can yield a catalog of scented products. Wax content determines whether the yield is oil or something else like scented cream.
Distillation techniques are the most common fragrance yielding method. Distillation methods include standard distillation, steam distillation and dry distillation. During the process, raw plant material is placed into a distillation device and exposed to heated water. Relying on unique boiling points of plant components, the boiling separates plant components. The compound fragrance is then collected by condensing the scented vapor. Leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, peel and flowers are candidates for distillation. Orange blossoms and roses are typical plant candidates that undergo this process.
Fragrances derived from distillation include lavender, which is distilled from lavender flowers. Jasmine is likewise produced for its flowery scent. Lavender is a common ingredient in perfume or similar products, and in aromatherapy. Rose hip is distilled from seeds for medicinal purposes. Rosemary comes from flowers, and is applied topically in aromatherapy for muscle relaxation, and in medicines to fight bacteria and fungus. Tarragon and tea tree compounds yielded through distillation, and are used for medical application. Tea tree chemicals have antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral qualities. It is widely popular, especially for combatting infection.
Upon direct exposure to steam during steam distillation, plant components break down. Eucalyptus essence extraction is primarily produced by steam distillation. Its ability to combat insects and pests is why Eucalyptus is a primary ingredient in a variety of disinfectant and cleaning solutions. When produced using steam distillation, rose essence, which can also be a product of other fragrance extraction methods, or rose otto. When plants are not fresh, the dry distillation process is used.
Although not common as it was before the distillation process was discovered, cold pressing or maceration is still used for citrus plants. The high content of aromatic liquid released when peels are mechanically squeezed and the relatively inexpensive cost to harvest citrus fruit makes maceration economical. When citrus byproducts from other products are used, the costs are further lowered. Cold pressing produces lemon and orange scented compounds used in medicines, cleaners, antiseptics and cosmetics.
Distillation, expression or solvent extraction, cold press and extraction provide a variety of products with signature plant scents. Perfume, colognes and fragrances are often an aromatic infusion elixir. Cosmetics are also on the table for mixing in these special ingredients. Flavorful food products may not elicit the same response were it not for aromatic additives. Tea tree, camphor and Eucalyptus have made signature marks on numerous medical, homeopathic and aromatherapy products. Cleaning products and deodorizers continue to rely on the aromatic appeal of pine, citrus, and floral scents.
The Ananda Apothecary carries some profoundly therapeutic essential oils, including French helichrysum oil — with many diverse healing properties for the musculo-skeletal system — and geranium oil, having several important anti-fungal and anti-microbial therapeutic aspects.