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[D464]Distillation Of Essential Oils

by Marilyn Reid1, Mar

Essential oils, also known as volatile or ethereal oils are concentrated, hydrophobic liquids that contain volatile fragrant plant compounds. There are a number of essential oils that have been used as medicines many times to help people lead a fit and healthy life. Besides, they have been used for skin treatments, cancer remedies as well as several other uses. Essential oils are also used in perfumes and cosmetics, for adding the scent to incense and various household-cleaning products. Essential oils can be extracted through several methods such as distillation and others.

Different processes used for extracting essential oils are diverse. It basically depends upon the plant or flower, which is being considered.

Some of the many methods of extracting essential oils are as follows:

•Steam and hydro distillation: It is one of the most common methods used for extracting essential oils. It places the plant, from which essential oils is to be extracted in a huge chamber. The plant is put to steam and the whole chamber gets filled with steam. Once the steam is filled in the entire chamber, it goes through the interior of the plant and brings out the oil, from inside. The steam starts going upward till it reaches the condenser where the steam finally gets cooled and then turns back into water. In addition, the oil captured by the steam also returns to its previous state. Later oil is separated from water and can be used. It is known as ‘hydrosol'. The quality of oil extracted by hydro distillation depends upon a number of factors, which are identified through the processes such as temperature, pressure and time. These factors can increase or decrease the quality of the oil because a plant's essence is present in these essential oils. In order to extract essential oils, you need to follow the instructions properly or else you would not be able to get the desired result. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate the entire process of distillation at the right temperature, within the right amount of time and with an appropriate air pressure in the chamber.

•Solvent Extraction: Solvent extraction is another method of extracting essential oils. In this method, a hydrocarbon is added to the plant material so that it helps dissolve the essential oil. Once the solution gets filtered and concentrated by distillation, there remains a substance containing resin or a mixture of wax and essential oil. Pure alcohol is used to extract the oil. The oil is left behind once the alcohol evaporates. Though it is often used to extract essential oils, it is not considered to be the best method, as the solvents often leave a small amount of residue behind that may cause allergies and harm the immune system.

Cold Pressing: Cold pressing extracts essential oils from citrus rinds like orange, lemon, bergamot and grapefruit. The rinds are placed separately from the fruit and are chopped or ground. Finally, they are pressed and the watery mixture of the essential oils is obtained.

It also gives us the background of where they come from, and how we obtain them. All of this is important, and goes a long way in the therapeutic healing of aroma.

Many plants contain volatile compounds, i.e. essential oils, that we extract from the flowers, seeds, bark, roots, and even the peels.

It is in these oils, which we extract, where the healing properties are contained. Some of these properties are antiseptic, warming, soothing, calming, stimulating, and antispasmodic.

The quality of the oil depends on a few items. First, plant species ,i.e. the region, soil condition, and the climate in which the plant was grown. Second, the time of the day the plant material was harvested. And, third, the extraction method used and the storage.

It is believed that plants grown organically or collected in the wild yield the highest quality oils. Extracting the oils is done through various methods, but steam distillation and cold pressing are the best. Avoid any synthetic oils or those extracted with chemical solvents.

It takes a large amount of material for extraction, so this is a very labor intensive and expensive process. BUY from reputable places.

Applications

Steam inhalation: Add 5 drops of an essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Drape a towel over your head and hold your face over the bowl. Breathe in deeply. This is especially good for sinus conditions.

Dry inhalation: Put 1-3 drops of an essential oil on a cloth, and hold up to your nose. Breathe in deeply.

Healing Compress: Add 5 drops of essential oil to 1/2 cup of hot water or cold water. Dip a cloth in the water, wring it out and apply where necessary. The hot press is good for cramps and the cold press is good for fevers and headaches, or even sunburns.

Humidifiers: Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a humidifier or vaporizer. This will help fight symptoms of colds, bronchitis, and asthma.

Herbal Sauna: Use essential oils in the sauna to aid the lungs and help strengthen the immune system. Add 5 drops of essential oil, such as tea tree, to 1 cup of water and pour over the heated sauna stones. Just a suggestion - if the sauna uses lava rocks on an electric heater, it may not be a good idea to pour water in this situation.

Some Popular Oils

Peppermint - soothes respiratory infections, aids circulation, fights inflammation, relieves flatulence and indigestion.

Tea Tree - Acts as a, antiseptic, is antiviral, is antibacterial, is antifungal, helps heal acne, sunburns, and even infections.

Lavender - Is an antibiotic, soothes headaches, and helps heal wounds, and repels insects.

Storage Tip

Store essential oils in opaque glass bottles in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate citrus oils. Label clearly. Properly stored essential oils will keep well over a year. Please, just remember, keep all essential oils away from children. Using some of the above techniques and information, you can really use essential oils to have a more positive effect on your well-being.

Article Source : Benefits Of Fish Oils

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Both Marilyn Reid1 & Michael Russell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

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