An Easy Definition of Essential Oil Water Distillation

Essential oils are concentrated liquids enclosing fickle aroma amalgam from plants, which are known as fragrant herbs. They can also be related to the plant they are extracted from and hence get their names like lavender oil etc.

This oil takes the name of essential oil as it distinctively carries the pure quintessence of that plant. The most common way of extracting oil from plants is through water distillation commonly called essential oil distillation. Several other techniques like cold pressed method or steam distillation are also utilized for some plants but the process is gauged by the nature of the plant itself. In this article we shall learn about the process of essential oil distillation.

To understand the process of essential oil distillation, we should first get familiar with the procedure called distillation. This procedure is exercised to separate chemical substances distinguished on their tempers in a hot liquid blend. Generally it is part of large compound processing but for the purpose of herbal distillation this measure is not utilized as a refining method. Perhaps it is used to relocate all erratic contents of the blend from its basis to distillate.

The majority of the essential oils are distilled and in this process the plant sections, including flower, seeds, leaves and roots, are placed in distillation equipment called alembic on top of water. As the water is frenzied the vapor distributes through the plant material, vaporizing the unstable composite. The vapors gush through a loop where they compress flipside to fluid that is then composed in the receiving container. This plant distillate developed is then marketed as essential oils.

This process is most suited for herbs that cannot withstand heat and hence have fewer chances of getting burnt in this process. This measure works as the plant is completely immersed in water like rose petals and neroli. Their parts move around freely in the distillation equipment. Close observation is most essential in this processing because over exposure to heat can also burn the therapeutic benefits of your herb oil. Lots of caution is required in essential oil distillation - for example the process has to be operated at low pressures with purpose of keeping the boiling temperatures at minimal point. This method is extensively beneficial for essential oils that are sensitive to heat.

This process has an edge over other distillation processes as here we get all condensed vapors back in shape of highly concentrated oil where as in other ways only the steamed oil is being collected as distillate. The basic goal of water distillation for obtaining essential oils is to attain maximum oil with the distilled blend. Apart from essential oil there is a recollected water by-product, and this is also very useful, normally marketed as hydrosols such as rose water, lavender water, and orange blossom. These hydrosols are used largely in cosmetics and perfumes or sold separately - for example you might have come across rose water for healthy eyes and as an addend to face packs.

Although it is not very difficult to obtain essential oil through water distillation yourself it is difficult to obtain a good product and hygienity maintenance in your processing.

We also have some guides to this process in our aromatherapy bookshop if you would like further information.

Related references and links
www.essentialoils.co.za
www.aromaworld4u.com
www.floregeneics.com