4. MAIN METHODS OF ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACTING
It is important to point out that we can not extract essences from every plant since not all of them render strong perfumes.
If the gland of the plant is further from its surface, it will render a stronger perfume. However, we must point out that there is no single method of extraction.
There are 4 classified methods:
Distillation, maceration, expression and extraction with their volatile substances.
Distillation: It is one of the most common methods of extracting essences. Distillation can be done in two ways: using water or steam (vapour) current; these methods are generally used for scented wood, herbs and several flowers.
For distillation with water:
-Fill a cauldron with water and plants.
-Heat the water.
For distillation with steam (vapour):
-Place the plants in a cask (barrel).
-Place the cask over steam (vapour).
In both cases:
-We wait for the oils to become volatile.
-We collect the obtained product in conduits surrounded with cold water. This way, oils will condense.
Maceration: This method is used on very delicate flowers. With this method, we make the most out of one of the best characteristics of these flowers; they continue releasing essential oils for one or two days later.
We spray frames with grease and we put in the flowers. Slowly, they will impregnate their aroma. The flowers must be changed constantly. When this step is finished, we will get a scented pomade or ointment. We will thin it with alcohol to get the oil.
Extraction:
-We place the flowers at room temperature.
-We superimpose dissolvent.
-We wait for evaporation until we obtain a semi-solid paste.
-We use alcohol.
This is the slowest method and as a result, it is very expensive. Thus, it is only used to extract nard oil (not used in aromatherapy).
Expression: It is also known as the Press Technique. It is used to get essential oils from citric from their barks and shells. We could mention oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, lemons, etc. Nowadays, there are special pressing machines to do this task.
Some time ago, there were two known methods for extraction: fuming and lathering. On the first one, you would hold the fruit between your fingers, crush the bark with a big dented spoon which would gather the juice. The process would be repeated until all the juice is gotten. On the lathering method, you would press the bark of the citric against a sponge. When the sponge is impregnated, you would simply gather the juices into a container.
