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essential oil
Jan 2nd
essential oil
Essential oils are used in perfume, aromatherapy, creams and lotions and for many other purposes where pleasant aromas are needed. Various methods are used to extract essential oils from flowers and other plant material. Essential oil makes up only a very small percentage of the plant or flower for a large amount of plant material needed to produce a small amount of oil. More than one hundred pounds may be needed to produce one ounce of oil. Some flowers are too delicate to use methods easier and more time consuming and more expensive than the methods used. Essential oils can be expensive but are highly concentrated. Most recipes only need a few drops for a small bottle will last a long time.
Steam distillation
Steam distillation is used for most of the essential oil production. Pressure steam passes through the flowers or other plant propagating material on the screens in a still. The oils are absorbed by the steam which is then passed to another chamber and cooled. In the condensation of oil floats on water surface and is skimmed. The rest water is not wasted, as it contains small amounts of oil and can be used for toner and facial mists. Since it is not as concentrated as the essential oils floral water can be used by people who are sensitive to essential oils.
Solvent Extraction
For flowers or plants too delicate for the use of extracting solvent vapor extraction is often used. A solvent, usually hexane, passed several times on plant material in trays mesh. The oils, along with other soluble substances are absorbed by the solvent which is then filtered and the resulting solution distilled at low pressure to remove solvent. The material on the left, called concrete, is a solid wax containing essential oils and waxes and pigments of plants. Further treatment is then carried out to extract the oils and waxes from the concrete. The concrete itself can also be used as a perfume and waxes are used in lotions, creams and in the manufacture of candles.
Maceration
For flowers or plants that have very low levels of essential oils, jasmine, for example, a different method should be used. The flowers are placed in the vegetable oil, toilet and left for a few days before being replaced by new material. Fresh flowers are placed on several occasions the oil plant until it is saturated with oil from the flowers. Alcohol is used to extract essential oil from vegetable oil. When the alcohol evaporates pure essential oil is left. This process takes a long time and a lot of plant material and the resulting oil is very expensive.
Cold Pressure
For citrus oils, where the oil is extracted from the fruit instead of cold pressed flowers used. This implies permanent fruit skewers between projections which pierce the skin and then squeeze to extract fruit juices that contain the oil. The resulting juice was centrifuged to separate the oil.
Removing carbon dioxide
In this method carbon dioxide is used to extract the oil. High pressure is achieved by pumping gas into a chamber containing the plant material. When pressure increases the gas liquefies and acts as a solvent. Essential oils are extracted to the liquefied carbon dioxide that is then passed to another room where the pressure is released. The carbon dioxide vaporizes, leaving behind the essential oil.
No residues remain behind and the extract is pure, with a clean, fresh scent. As the temperature used is much smaller than that used for steam distillation, the oil can be extracted from the delicate flowers that are destroyed by steam distillation.
Diffusion of vapor extraction
This method is similar to the extraction of steam, but steam is introduced into a chamber with plant material in the atmosphere pressure instead of high pressure. It is a gentler method and can be used for more delicate flowers and plants.
Experiment #1: Making an essential oil
 Tea Tree 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10 ml Sale Price: $5.20 DescriptionTea Tree oil is a very powerful immune stimulant, helping to fight infections and promote clear skin. Its scent is described as fresh, warm, spicy, medicinal and pungent. Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic, bactericide, fungicide and anti-viral with anesthetic qualities. Unlike most other antiseptic preparations, Tea Tree Oil can be used daily without causing an imbalance in the natural bacterial flora on the skin. It has been used by the Australian Aborigines since the beginning of time for acne, oily skin, rashes, various infections, fungal diseases, dandruff, and itchy scalp. In World War II Tea Tree oil was issued to each soldier and sailor as part of their field kit to treat tropical infections and infected wounds. A must have for your first aid kit! Features
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Eligible for free shipping!  Peppermint 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10 ml Sale Price: $5.10 DescriptionPeppermint oil has been cultivated since ancient times, having been found in Egyptian tombs as far back as 1000 BC. Peppermint oil can assist in nervous disorders, the respiratory tract, for muscle aches and pains and for skin problems. Its cool, minty, fresh, sweet scent is not only refreshing, but stimulating as well. Aroma therapists use Peppermint in treating asthma, nausea, colic, cramps, colds, fevers, fainting, headaches, mental fatigue, flatulence and nausea. Peppermint oil may also help to lessen or eliminate apathy, shock, migraines, nervous stress, vertigo and faintness. It is useful in general respiratory disorders as well as dry coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and cholera. It is known to relieve pain from toothaches, aching feet, rheumatism, neuralgia, muscular pains and painful menstrual cycles. Note: May cause irritation on sensitive skin. Features
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 Eucalyptus 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10 ml Sale Price: $2.95 DescriptionThe qualities found in Eucalyptus oil comprise of cleansing, invigorating, balancing, cheering, and purifying. It is great for facial steam, clears congested or blemished skin. It has a cooling and deodorizing effect on the body, helping with fevers, migraines and malaria. Eucalyptus oil is very helpful when used for headaches, the respiratory tract, muscular aches and pains and in skin care. It has a soothing and calming effect on the whole body and helps with the immune system. Its scent is described as clear, sharp, herbaceous, and camphorous. Aroma therapists use it to aid respiratory system ailments by enhancing deep breathing. It is recommended for muscle aches, pains, or sprains. For the respiratory tract, it helps with coughs, asthma, throat infections, sinusitis and catarrhal conditions. It soothes inflammation and eases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever. Features
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 Rosemary 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10 ml Sale Price: $3.55 DescriptionThe Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans considered Rosemary sacred. The leaves were traditionally burned in hospitals to purify the air, and the oil has a similar effect on the body. Its strong, clear, refreshing herbal scent is both clarifying and invigorating. Rosemary oil can be an effective treatment for mental fatigue, circulation problems, as a pain reliever for the muscular system, and as support for the circulatory system. It aids in prevention of mental exhaustion, stress and stimulates circulation to skin and scalp, providing great toning and astringent properties. It also stimulates hair follicles. Rosemary oil has a pronounced action on the brain, clearing the mind and aids the memory. It also helps with headaches and migraines. Aromatherapists use it to relieve suffering from poor circulation, muscle aches, rheumatic joint pains, water retention, cellulite, respiratory problems, colds, and flu. It is believed to act as a nerve tonic, energizing the central nervous system. Features
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 Lemon 100% Pure Essential Oil -10 ml Sale Price: $3.95 DescriptionDerived from the peel of the lemon, has a fresh, clean scent that activates the body, dispelling sluggishness and stimulating the central nervous system. Takes about 3,000 lemons to produce a kilo of the essence. Features
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 Eucalyptus 100% Pure essential Oil -30ml List Price: DescriptionThe qualities found in Eucalyptus oil comprise of cleansing, invigorating, balancing, cheering, and purifying. It is great for facial steam, clears congested or blemished skin. It has a cooling and deodorizing effect on the body, helping with fevers, migraines and malaria. Eucalyptus oil is very helpful when used for headaches, the respiratory tract, muscular aches and pains and in skin care. It has a soothing and calming effect on the whole body and helps with the immune system. Its scent is described as clear, sharp, herbaceous, and camphorous. Aroma therapists use it to aid respiratory system ailments by enhancing deep breathing. It is recommended for muscle aches, pains, or sprains. For the respiratory tract, it helps with coughs, asthma, throat infections, sinusitis and catarrhal conditions. It soothes inflammation and eases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever. Features
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 Top 6 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Basic Sampler Essential Oil Gift Set- 6/10 ml (Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Tea Tree) List Price: DescriptionA wonderful sample of the top 6 essential oils. For you…or to give as a gift. Features
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 Lemongrass 100% Pure Essential Oil – 10 ml Sale Price: $3.45 DescriptionLemongrass is best known for its fresh lemon scent. It acts as a deodarant, skin tonic for oily skin (diluted) and insect repellant. Features
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 Plantlife Lavender 100% Pure Essential Oil – Bulgarian – 10 ml Sale Price: $4.25 DescriptionBalancing, soothing, clarifying, normalizing are the qualities of this wonderful oil. Lavender essential oil has a light fresh aroma, its scent being described as floral-herbaceous, light, clear, balsamic, with woody undertones, and a camphor note. The name Lavender is derived from the Latin word ‘lavera,’ to wash. The most popular Essential Oil, it has a long list of applications, ranging from cosmetics to well-being remedies. It is suitable for all skin types and is considered a cell regenerator that is used in folk remedies to prevent scarring, stretch marks, and to slow the development of wrinkles. It is also known to moisturize dry scalp and hair. Aroma therapists use it to treat rheumatism, sprains, respiratory problems, abdominal cramps, depression, insomnia, tension-related problems, burns, sun-damaged skin, and various types of skin infections. It is effective in treating headaches, and migraines. Lavender tones the skin and is useful for all types of skin problems., Features
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