How is essential oil extracted from the plant?

There are several methods used to extract essential oils from plants, but the most common and widely used techniques include:

1. Steam distillation:

- This is the most common method used for extracting essential oils.

- In steam distillation, steam is passed through the plant material, causing the essential oils to evaporate.

- The steam and essential oil vapors are then condensed back into a liquid, and the essential oil is separated from the water.

2. Hydro-distillation:

- Similar to steam distillation, hydro-distillation involves boiling plant material in water.

- The steam generated from the boiling water carries the essential oils, which are then condensed and collected.

- This method is particularly suitable for plants that are delicate or contain heat-sensitive components.

3. Pressing or Cold Pressing:

- This method is mainly used for citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.

- The essential oils are extracted by mechanically pressing the fruit's peel or rind without the use of heat.

- Cold pressing preserves the delicate aroma and flavor compounds of citrus essential oils.

4. Solvent Extraction:

- Solvent extraction involves using a solvent, such as alcohol or hexane, to dissolve the essential oils from the plant material.

- The mixture is then heated to evaporate the solvent, leaving behind the concentrated essential oil.

- This method is suitable for plants that are not suitable for steam distillation or cold pressing.

5. Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE):

- SFE utilizes carbon dioxide in a supercritical state (high pressure and temperature) to extract essential oils from plants.

- The supercritical carbon dioxide acts as a solvent, dissolving the essential oils and leaving behind non-volatile plant compounds.

- SFE produces high-quality essential oils with minimal thermal degradation.

After extraction, the essential oils are further processed to remove impurities, moisture, and unwanted compounds. This may involve filtration, centrifugation, and purification techniques. The resulting essential oils are then bottled and stored in dark, cool conditions to preserve their quality and potency.