Essential oils
contain the essence of the plant from which they are harvested. This comprises
the plant's aroma as well as its therapeutic qualities and traits unique to
medicinal plants. Essential oils have healing properties that are taken in by
the body through the nose's olfactory system. When essential oils are applied
to the skin, their healing properties are absorbed through the pores and hair
follicles and into the bloodstream. Essential oils should always be stored in
aluminum or glass bottles that are airtight and dark amber in color, and kept
out of direct sunlight and at room temperature.
Natural aromatic chemicals called essential oils are taken from
plants. Since they contain the essence of the plant from which they were
harvested, the oils are called to as essential. This comprises the plant's
aroma as well as its therapeutic qualities and other traits unique to medicinal
plants.
Methods of essential oil extraction
Steam Distillation
The most popular technique for extracting essential oils from
plants is steam distillation. In this procedure, steam is used to extract
aromatic, volatile constituents from the plant.
Solvent Extraction
In this procedure, chemical solvents like hexane or benzene are
combined with plant material. The solvent is then heated to a high temperature
and evaporated, preserving only the components with the strongest fragrance.
The essential oils obtained via this method are also referred to as
"absolutes."
Expression
The essential oil is collected from minute pores in the fruit's
skin using this method of extraction, which is usually employed for citrus
fruits like lemons and oranges. The most volatile essential oils, which
evaporate quickly when exposed to air, are produced via the cold-press process.
CO2 Extraction
The most recent technique for obtaining essential oils is CO2
extraction, which makes it possible to extract oils from plant material (using
carbon dioxide as a solvent). It is the cleanest extraction method and yields
essential oils of superior quality, but it is also the most expensive one.
Enfleurage
It is currently one of the most traditional and uncommon
techniques to obtain essential oils. Using this technique, a heap of rose
petals is spread out on trays that have been coated in tallow or vegetable fat.
To allow the rose oil and vegetable fat to mix, the dish is then set outside in
the sun. Then, this procedure is repeated to gradually incorporate more oil
into the fat.
How essential oils functionWhen applied topically or aromatically, essential oils have the
power to alter our state of health on all levels: physical, mental, and
emotional. Essential oils have healing properties that are taken in by the body
through the nose's olfactory system and through the skin.
When Inhaled
When essential oils are inhaled through the nose, chemical
messengers in the nasal cavity interact directly with the brain. This
stimulates the parts of our bodies and brains that control how we feel and act.
When applied topically
When
essential oils are applied to the skin, their healing properties are absorbed
through the pores and hair follicles and into the bloodstream. Once in the
bloodstream, these substances are distributed to the particular organs and
systems that they support.
Ways to use essential oils
There are four main ways to use essential oils, and they are:
Messages
Massage is among the greatest ways to apply essential oils.
However, essential oils must always be diluted with carrier oil prior to
topical application. Here, the carrier oil serves only as a vehicle for the
dilution of the oil to pass through the epidermis.
Inhalation
The easiest and most direct way to enjoy the medicinal
advantages of essential oils is by inhalation. Always base your choice of
essential oils on the advice of a healthcare specialist.
Baths
The use of essential oils in a warm, comforting bath can not
only be therapeutically beneficial but also a calming experience in and of
itself.
Diffusers
When used in an aroma diffuser, different essential oils can
clean the air, protect against diseases, and get rid of bad smells.
Hot/Cold Compress
When essential oils are administered directly to the troubled
regions where they are most needed, compresses can produce immediate relief.
Storing essential oils
The two main elements that impact the quality of essential oils
are air and light. As a result, the oils should always be stored in aluminum or glass bottles that are
airtight and dark amber in color. Additionally, it is advised that oils be kept
out of direct sunlight and at room temperature, between 5 and 25 degrees
Celsius.
Essential oil shelf life
How long essential oils endure varies depending on the type of
oil, the date of extraction, how it is handled, and how it is stored while in
transit, to name a few factors. The COA report (Certificate of Analysis) for
each essential oil always includes the "best-before" dates.
The
following is a list of approximate shelf lives for several categories of
essential oils:
Citrus oils, 1-2 years
1-2 years: The majority of essential oils
3–4
years: CO2 extracts and absolutes
How to check the authenticity of essential oils
A COA report is the only way to confirm the validity of
essential oils. Therefore, you should always verify that the seller is including
all necessary test reports with the oils before making a purchase. Reports to
watch out for are.
Specific Gravity
Optical Rotation
GC/GCMS
Report
