Extraction of Essential Oils?
The majority of essential oils are produced by steam distillation. Through steam distillation, the oily components of the plant are separated from the watery ones. The oily, volatile components are the basis of the plants scent. Through steam distillation, the essential oils are extracted from special glands or ducts of the plant. During the process of steam distillation, plant material is heated with water and brought to a boil. The steam, which contains the volatile essential oil runs through a cooler, it condenses and the oil is separated from the water and collected. Other methods of extracting essential oils are sometimes used. Enfleurage, an old method of extraction involves immersing the flower petals in a fat so that the fat pulls the essential oil from the petal and becomes saturated with it. Then the fat and essential oils are separated. Maceration, a similar method of extraction involves heating the fat to about 60 degree Fahrenheit, which breaks down the plants cells contai
