Natural essential oils exhibit various medicinal attributes and properties; therefore, the majority of them used for the treatment of various health ailments. However, the striking question that comes to mind is how to make essential oils? 

Pure essential oils are the natural extracts of plants and its parts having characteristic aroma comprises powerful chemical composition. There are almost hundreds of essential oils such as lavender, lemongrass, bergamot, frankincense, etc. They maintain the mental and physical well-being of the people and are widely used for relieving stress and depression.  We know that their fragrance has the efficacy to make a difference. Therefore these are used in making soap, perfumes, and personal care products. Worldwide essential oils are being used by consumers due to their excellent therapeutic properties & associated benefits.

In simple terms, essential oils are highly concentrated volatile liquids obtained from the leaves, twigs, peels of fruit, seeds, flowers, stems, bark, or any part of the plant. Essential oils are enriched with vital minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and certain vital aromatic compounds such as – limonene, menthone, citronellal, iso menthone, along with different types of aldehydes, ketones, and other organic compounds. Every essential oil has its own aroma, which further affects the psychological feelings. Moreover, its therapeutic properties, such as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, diuretic, antioxidant, etc. make it fit for different types of health concerns and industry applications.

Brain stimulating tendencies of essential oils make them good to bring positive changes in health status. A few essential oils are used to flavor candies, chocolates, desserts, and other food items. Where the list includes- peppermint, orange, thyme, marjoram,  lemon, etc, these essential oils not only add flavors but also help in providing a good digestive system.

Cosmetic products have numerous benefits along with enhancing the beauty by rejuvenating skin and also provide shining and strong hair. Essential oils are added as an ingredient to add value to personal care products. Organic essential oils manufacturers and suppliers in India, use different extraction methods to make pure and natural oils.

How to Make Essential Oils

In fact, essential oils are extracted from natural products by different extraction methods, where natural essential oils manufacturers use such as steam distillation, cold-pressed, solvent extraction, co2 extraction, etc. Choosing an appropriate extraction process entirely depends on several factors. Here we are going to discuss a few extraction processes to make you clear how to make essential oils. 

It’s worth knowing that while preparing these essential oils, it’s kept in mind the original chemical composition should not be distorted, else it would not be of no-use.  These aromatic compounds are considered as the life force, and good for various applications. Essential oil’s macromolecules mixed with bloodstream, therefore, provide instant results by influencing the limbic system of the brain. Let’s discuss the various types of extraction process.

Steam Distillation

It’s one of the most popular essential oil extraction techniques adopted by the essential oil industry. In this process, the raw material passes through the different stages of condensation and collection. It’s the most prevailing extraction process among the natural essential oils manufacturers in India & across the world.

First of all, the raw material is collected and filled into a large container, which is generally made up of copper or stainless steel. While going through this process, pressurized steam is supplied to raw material which further releases the plant’s aromatic compounds, and converts it into the vapor form. It’s worth noting that a controlled temperature should be applied, so as it could easily separate the molecules instead of distorting them. 

Now the vaporized content travels to the condensation chamber, where the condensation process takes place. Two pipes are provided one for hot water exit and another one for cold water from entering. In this stage, the vapor cools down and converts into the liquid form. In the final stage, the aromatic liquid (By Product) is collected inside a container – so-called separator. Due to different relative density, both water and oil do not mix, and essential oil floats on the top. Now it’s quite easy to siphon off essential oils from the water. However, there is an exception, where a few essential oils such as clove are heavier than water, so collected at the bottom of the separator.

Cold Pressed

Not every essential oil is extracted by means of steam distillation; a few ones are obtained by the process of cold-pressed technique. It’s another best natural essential oil extraction process for citrus fruits such as bergamot, lime, lemon, grapefruit, etc. The cold-pressed technique is quite beneficial as it doesn’t involve any of the excessive heating mechanisms; it only utilizes a mechanical pressing approach. Therefore, the chances of distortion of natural compounds are almost negligible. The cold-pressed technique is quite effective in preserving the essence of plant material.

In general terms, cold-pressed is a mechanical compression process where the centrifugal force comes into the picture to separate oil from the plant pulp. While carrying out the cold-pressed, the whole fruit is placed under a device where it’s mechanically pierced to obtain the oil sacs, which is found under the peel of the fruit. After mechanical piercing, the oil and pigments are collected in the collector chamber. Now, it further goes for squeezing to separate juice and oil. Now the mixture has three compositions including – juice, oil and solid of fruit material which is further separated by the centrifugal force. Afterward, the oil and juice layers are formed in the receiver, as both have different relative density so it’s easy to siphoned off.

Co2 Extraction

Co2 Extraction process is much better than the steam distillation process as it does not involve higher temperatures. Steam distillation is operated between 140 to 212 degrees F while Co2 Extraction is done at 95 to 100 degrees F, which is comparatively very low. The co2 extraction process is quite helpful in retaining the original aromatic composition. In the Co2 extraction process “Supercritical,” co2 means a higher pressurized liquid form of Co2 is used to separate the aromatic molecules from the plant’s raw material. Liquid Co2 works as the solvent and pulls out the oil. In the next stage, Co2 returns back to its natural gaseous state after reducing the pressure. The Co2 & Oils are now separated, where oil is collected in a collection vessel. The oil obtained by this process is much thicker as compared to steam distillation. 

Solvent Extraction

Solvent Extraction used hexane and ethanol for extracting the pure essential oils, which has a low amount of oil and delicate aromatic compounds that are incapable of tolerating excessive heat and pressure. Nonvolatile compounds such as waxes and pigments are also obtained during the Solvent extraction process, and the oil obtained is of finer fragrance.  In this process, alcohol is mixed with concrete to separate the oil from the concrete, which further goes for the condensation process where oil is collected in the collection vessel. Mainly the oil obtained by this process is used in perfumery or in aromatherapy oil. Solvent extraction processes also include – Maceration and Enfleurage.

Hopefully, the above processes are good enough to put a break on your curiosity about how to make essential oils. Worldwide, organic essential oils manufacturers and suppliers used these techniques for extracting the essential oils.