Essential Oil Extraction

Essential Oil Extraction

Everyone is inquisitive to understand, what are Essential oils. These oils are extracted from plants through various methods, and the process requires skill and expertise to ensure high-quality oils.

 At Zesteq, we believe in adding some zest to people's daily lives with therapeutic-grade essential oils. In this article, we'll discuss the methods of essential oil extraction, the difference between extracts and essential oils, and provide some tips for extracting essential oils at home.

Methods of Essential Oil Extraction

There are three main methods of essential oil extraction: steam distillation, cold pressing, and solvent extraction. Each method has its pros and cons and is best suited for specific types of plants.

Steam Distillation

Steam distillation is the most common and traditional method of essential oil extraction. In this method, steam is used to vaporise the essential oil from the plant material. The steam is then condensed, and the essential oil separates from the water.

Steam distillation is best suited for plants that have a high concentration of essential oils, such as lavender and rosemary. It is a time-consuming method, and the quality of the essential oil depends on the skill of the distiller.

 

Cold Pressing

Cold pressing is the preferred method for extracting essential oils from citrus fruits such as lemon, lime, and orange. In this method, the fruit is first washed, and then the rind is mechanically pressed to extract the essential oil.

Cold pressing is a simple method, and the resulting essential oil is of high quality. However, it is not suitable for extracting essential oils from other plants.

 

Solvent Extraction

Solvent extraction is a method used for extracting essential oils from delicate flowers such as jasmine and rose. In this method, a solvent, such as hexane, is used to extract the essential oil from the plant material.

Solvent extraction is a quick method, and it yields a high amount of essential oil. However, the resulting oil may contain traces of the solvent, which can be harmful. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the solvent has been completely removed before using the oil.

 

 How Essential Oil is Made

The process of making essential oils starts with harvesting the plants at the right time. The plant material is then cleaned and dried to remove any dirt or debris.

Once the plant material is ready, it is put into a distillation apparatus. The apparatus is filled with water, and the plant material is subjected to steam distillation. The steam and essential oil vapors rise and are condensed in a separate container.

The resulting liquid contains a mixture of water and essential oil, which is then separated using a separatory funnel. The essential oil is stored in a dark glass bottle to protect it from light and air. Finally, the essential oil is tested for quality and purity before being sold.

Extract vs. Essential Oil

Extracts and essential oils are often confused, but they are not the same thing. Extracts are made by steeping plant material in a solvent, such as alcohol or glycerin, to extract its flavor and aroma. Extracts may also contain other compounds that are not volatile and therefore cannot be extracted through steam distillation or cold pressing.

Essential oils, on the other hand, are extracted using steam distillation, cold pressing, or solvent extraction. They are highly concentrated aromatic compounds and contain the essence of the plant, which makes them ideal for therapeutic use.

Which is Better, Essential Oil or Extract?

Whether essential oils or extracts are better depends on the intended use.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and potent, making them ideal for use in aromatherapy, perfumes, and other personal care products.

Extracts, on the other hand, are more diluted and may be better suited for use in food and beverage products, as well as topical products such as creams and lotions.

How Essential Oils are Used: 

We can suggest several options for using essential oils in daily life:

Aromatherapy: Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve mood. Simply add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to a diffuser or oil burner and enjoy the refreshing emerging aroma throughout the day in your home or office.

 

Massage: Essential oils can be used in massage to help relieve sore muscles and promote relaxation. Mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil and apply to the skin. Normally, Captivating Cinnamon Essential oil and Enticing Eucalyptus essential oil is the best for this purpose.

 

 

Skincare: Essential oils are the natural way of skin care. They help improve the appearance of the skin by nourishing the skin and removing various problems like dullness, wrinkles, stretch marks and pigmentation.

Mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil and apply to the skin, or add a few drops to your favourite daily moisturizer. You can also add in the face packs or face wash for ageless flawless skin.

 

Haircare: Essential oils can be used in haircare to promote healthy hair and scalp. Essential oils can help improve hair growth, reduce bald patches, get rid of dandruff and nourish the hairs.

Add a few drops of essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner, or mix a few drops with a carrier oil and massage to the scalp before wash. Rosemary, Tea tree and Ylang Ylang essential oils are the best ones for this purpose.

 

Cleaning: Essential oils can be used in cleaning to help disinfect and deodorize surfaces. Mix a few drops of essential oil with water and vinegar or your favorite cleaning solution. Tea tree essential oil is very useful for this purpose.

Bath: Essential oils can be added to a warm bath to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to the bathwater and soak for 15-20 minutes. You can add Jasmine, Clary sage, Vetiver or Ylang ylang for complete relaxation.

Insect repellent: Essential oils such as lemongrass, and peppermint can be used as natural insect repellents. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil and apply to exposed skin. To remove spiders, just add few drops to cotton swab and put it near area of cob webs.

Freshen the air: Essential oils can be used to freshen the air in your home or car. Simply add a few drops to a spray bottle filled with water and spritz around the room or inside the car.

These are just a few options for using essential oils in daily life. Always remember to use high-quality essential oils and follow safety guidelines when using essential oils.

 

 

Try Zesteq Essential Oils Today

At Zesteq, we believe that essential oils have the power to add zest to your daily life. That's why we offer a wide range of high-quality, 100% Pure and Natural non-diluted therapeutic grade essential oils. Our Catalog contains all the variety you require for your daily care.

 Our essential oils are extracted using the highest quality methods and solvents, ensuring that they are safe and effective for use in a variety of products.

 So why not try Zesteq essential oils today and move yourself to an energetic healthy life without any hard work. Visit Zesteq.com now and check out the entire catalogue.