How are Essential oils produced?
Answer: There are three methods of distillation: water distillation, water and steam distillation, and direct steam distillation. The other methods of Essential oil production are cold pressing, carbon dioxide extraction, enfleurage, solvent extraction, phytonic process, and butane extraction. The type of distillation process used to extract the Essential oil from the plant material is dependent on the part and type of the plant material. The water distillation process is used on plant material that can’t be damaged by boiling it in water. The plant material is boiled in water. The steam carries the oil droplets to another chamber where the steam is cooled thus changing it to water. The oil separates from the water. The oil is usually lighter than water so it surfaces to the top of the chamber where it can be siphoned off. The water and steam distillation process is used for plant material that could be damaged by boiling it in water. In this process the plant material is suspended over the water on a type of grate. Low pressure steam passes through the plant material. The steam carries the oil droplets to a condensing chamber. Again the steam is cooled, changing it to water. The oil and water separate with the oil rising to the top. The oil can be removed from the water. The direct steam method is used for fresh plant material that has too high a boiling point such as seeds, roots, or wood. High pressure steam is passed through the plant material.