How are essential oils extracted from plants?

Distillation – Water or Steam.

In water distillation, the plant material is submerged in water, brought to a boil and the vapour collected and liquified using a water-cooled condenser.

Steam distillation occurs when a jet of steam is passed through dry plant material in the still and the vapours are cooled using the same water-cooled condenser method.

Expression

Compression of the plant material to extract the oil from the plant. This is the most usual method of extraction for citrus oils.

Solvent extraction

This extraction method uses volatile solvents to dissolve the oils into. Especially used for more delicate raw materials that may be heat damaged by the distillation process. It is also a good way of creating a higher yield of oils such as jasmine and rose. Solvents used are hexane or alcohol.

Enfleurage

This is where delicate fragrant flowers are collected early in the morning and placed onto a thin layer of vegetable fat or solid lard. The flowers are left for 24 – 48 hours and during this time the essential oil has moved out of the flower and into the fat.

The old flowers are replaced by new flowers until the fat is saturated with the fragrant essential oil. This is now called a Pomade and the essential oil is usually then extracted by solvent extraction to leave an absolute behind.

CO2 Extraction under high pressure and very low temperatures

Under very high pressure and extremely low temperatures carbon dioxide liquifies, and when past through the raw materials acts as a solvent and dissolves the essential oil into it.

When the temperature and pressure returns to normal, the liquid CO2 reverts back to a gas and leaves the extract behind. These extracts have a larger amount of extracted plant materials including volatile or aromatic material, fatty acids, Phytosterols, and other important plant extracts.

The advantage of this method is that there is no contamination of the pure extract, no heat degradation and the most yield that the plant can give. It is however an expensive route as the machines are large and very expensive.

How to use aromatherapy in your everyday life?

For massage

Dilute your essential oils of choice by in a carrier oil to make your own bespoke massage oil. Apply the blend in a rhythmical motion to relax and revive mind, body and spirit.

Massage blends for the body must not exceed 3% in dilution, blends for the face must not exceed 1%. When creating massage oils for babies, toddlers and elderly people, don’t add more than 1% of essential oils to your carrier oil.

Breathe in the aromatherapeutic fragrance

The best way to experience the therapeutic properties of essential oils is to inhale them. The all-natural scent go straight into bloodstream through the mucosa in the nasal passages.

Use a diffuser to create the right atmosphere to live, work or play in.

You can also apply 3-4 drops on a tissue and inhale as often as required.

Steam inhalation is a very pleasant way of using the oils, not only do you inhale them, but you give your skin a deep cleanse too.

Apply 5-10 drops of oil to a bowl of steaming hot water, place a towel over your head and inhale the steam for a few minutes. Great method to ease congestion in the nose, throat and chest. Helps to ease headaches and uplift your spirits after a hard day at work.

Add to create your own beauty products

We offer several un-fragranced base products to which you can add any essential oils of your choice. Depending on which base you use, add 10-15 drops of oil to 25ml of base. Stir it thoroughly and enjoy the experience of using it. If you have sensitive skin, halve the quantity of oils. We also offer a selection a range of pre-blended products for ease.

Create a bespoke bath oil

Adding essential oils to a bath is a relaxing way of using aromatherapy, allowing for skin absorption and inhalation. Add a mixture of essential oils and vegetable carrier oils at no more than 3% ratio.

You can add the oils to a dispersant to allow the oils to dissolve into the hot water.

Foot baths are another way to experience the oils, by adding 5 drops of oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil and added to a bowl of warm water. Place both feet in the bowl and soak for about 10-15 minutes.

Add to hot or cold compresses

Depending on the issue, use the oils on a hot or cold compress. The usual dilution is about 4-5 drops in 200ml of water.

Create an aromatherapeutic sprays

Create a room spray to ward away germs or to refresh a room. Add 10% essential oil single note or blend to a mixture of alcohol and water. You can use absolute vodka in a 50:40 mixture with water. Place this in a bottle with a spray top and keep in the fridge to make this last longer.

This is for a room spray not for the face or body. If making a face spritz, use the distillate rather than the essential oil as it is safer on the face and kinder to the eyes.

Add to a vaporizer or diffuser

Place 5- 10 drops of the essential blend or single oil of your choice into the water compartment of your diffuser. Allow the oils to diffuse into atmosphere and remember to top up whenever you need to refresh the water. Absolute Aromas has a lovely range of Essential Blends that are all blended and ready for use.

Add to handy roller balls

Create a skin perfume or pulse point fragrance to soothe the senses and smooth the way through a stressful day or, create your own bespoke perfume oil.

Why not add 0.3 ml of essential oils to 9.7ml of carrier oil such as coconut. Apply as often as required to pulse points at wrists, temples, behind your ears, in the nape of your neck.

Create themed roller ball blends to use on the face, temples forehead and other areas of the body. Use Lavender(3 drops),Vetiver(1 drop) and Roman Chamomile(2 drops) and Ylang Ylang (1 drop) for a restful sleep.

Or… try one of the Absolute Aromas pre-blended roller balls.

Add to all-natural nasal inhalers

We sell blank nasal inhalers for customers to load with the oils of their choice. Buy the inhalers in bulk and then use for all the family.

Create a coughs and colds inhaler using oils such as Lavender, Eucalyptus, Manuka and Tea Tree.

We also offer pre-blended nasal inhalers which are ready to be used instantly.