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| Here's a drawing of how a still for essential oils is constructed. |
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| The seperator, where oil and hydrosol are seperated for collection. |
Photos are courtesy of HeartMagic.com.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Exactly what is an essential oil?
I thought I'd post up some information on how essential oil, and hydrosols, are produced. Of course they are from plants, and each oil is from a particular plant, or plant part. For instance, ginger oil is from the root of the ginger, and mints are made from typically the entire plant. Some oils are from trees, like pine oil. And Tea Tree oil is from the leaves of the tree. Sandalwood is from just the center heartwood of the tree's trunk. But one thing is for sure, you need a way to get just the essential oil, "the essence" of the plant seperated out to be stronger and more useful. True essential oils are made from a process called distillation. It's a method by which water or steam is used as a solvent to literally rinse the oils from the plant material.
Actually, the terms hydrosol, floral water, or flower water, and lately essence water, are all different ways of saying the same thing. Hydrosols are one of two things produced during the distillation process. The other is essential oil. Organic material the flowers, cuttings, etc.as mentioned are placed in the still and penetrated with steam inorder to release the essential oils. The steam, now carrying the oils from the organic material, is cooled back down in a special part of the still, called a condenser,and then seperated into 2 components in the last part of the still, called the seperation funnel. One of these components is essential oil. The other one is hydrosol. And although hydrosol consists of mostly water, it still contains many of the essential properties found in the essential oil, but in a very small amount, usually 2-4%. Therefore, the hydrosol will have the same fragrance or floral qualities, aromatherapy qualities (medicinal/healing), and in some cases, even the same flavor (ginger comes to mind), as the essential oil. Because hydrosol contains only a small amount of the essential components, it is an extremely safe product to use.
Photos are courtesy of HeartMagic.com.
Photos are courtesy of HeartMagic.com.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Aloha and Welcome!
Please bookmark this blog for your easy access to essential oil uses and information! I've included about 100 or so oils here, and I'll be posting more as they become available. They are in alphabetical order, almost, except for a few at the beginning. There's also a "blog archive" list at the right side of the page if you scroll down a bit, and you can click on the one you would like to see.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Ravensara essential oil or Ravensara oil
Ravensara essential oil, ravensara aromatica, is referred to as "the oil that heals". It is used for respiratory problems, cuts, wounds, liver and lung infections, rhinopharyngitis, flu, sinusitis, viral hepatitis, cholera, herpes, mononucleosis, insomnia, muscle fatigue, frigidity, headaches, nausea, nervous tension, colds, coughs, fever, cold sores, shingles and burns. Ravensara essential oil has been used in Madagascar for generations for its tonic and anti-viral properties, and its essential oil, has moreover proved to be a great anti-stress remedy. It is well known as an active virus and retrovirus fighter and for recovering healthy breathing . Ravensara is ideal for use in an aerosol: to disinfect a room which might have been contaminated. Its aroma is slightly medicinal, eucalyptus-like, and slightly sweet with a fruity hint.
The Ravensara tree, ravensara aromatica, is 20 meters high with several buttress roots at the base. It has reddish bark and strongly aromatic, simple, elliptical leaves. It is easily distinguished by its small green flowers (of 2mm length). It is an endemic plant of Madagascar, and is referred to as "the oil that heals". Ravensara is abundant in the humid central eastern rain forest of Madagascar between 700 and 1000 meters altitude. The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the leaf.
Ravensara essential oil blends well with the following essential oils: bay, bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, clary sage, cedarwood, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium frankincense, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, marjoram, pine, rosemary sandalwood, tea tree, thyme and lemon.
Ravensara oil cautions - No known contraindications. Do not use during pregnancy.
Ravensara oil properties - Expectorant, neurotonic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, antiseptic.
The Ravensara tree, ravensara aromatica, is 20 meters high with several buttress roots at the base. It has reddish bark and strongly aromatic, simple, elliptical leaves. It is easily distinguished by its small green flowers (of 2mm length). It is an endemic plant of Madagascar, and is referred to as "the oil that heals". Ravensara is abundant in the humid central eastern rain forest of Madagascar between 700 and 1000 meters altitude. The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the leaf.
Ravensara essential oil blends well with the following essential oils: bay, bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, clary sage, cedarwood, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium frankincense, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, marjoram, pine, rosemary sandalwood, tea tree, thyme and lemon.
Ravensara oil cautions - No known contraindications. Do not use during pregnancy.
Ravensara oil properties - Expectorant, neurotonic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, antiseptic.
Rosa Damascena rose oil absolute
Rose Absolute, rosa damascena, also refered to as essential rose oil, is known best for its sensuous and intense sweet and floral rose fragrance. Rose oil absolute is an oil suitable for all skin types and is a cell rejuvenator, an antiseptic, and a anti-inflammatory. Rose oil is used in skin creams and lotions to soothe and heal various skin conditions, cuts, burns and to reduce swelling. Rose oil can be inhaled by asthmatics, and it relieves a variety of female problems including menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms. Sniffing the oil or using rose as a massage oil has been suggested to reverse impotency, but it's more likely to be used by women to lessen moodiness during menopause. The rose scent is definitely an aphrodisiac and is used to relieve stress and depression.
Some of you might be wondering if this is the same as an essential rose oil, and no, it's not. Rose absolute is produced by an entirely different process, that in the old days, was called enfleurage. Rose petals were placed directly into a glass tray, called a chassis, that was full of greasy fats. They soaked until the fat absorbed the rose oil. Then alcohol was used to remove the solids from the fat. What was left is called a concrete. Then the alcohol was removed by evaporation, and this material was the absolute. It could be mixed with other oils to produce perfumes, medicinals, etc. Today, the process is very similiar, but with modern equipment using CO2 to extract the rose oil. The process is alot like making decaffienated coffee. Rose petals can't be distilled with steam, as the rose oil is too delicate to withstand the heat and steam pressure, and would be destroyed. So the term essential rose oil, is not really accurate, as the term "essential" basically means "from distillation".
Rose oil absolute, rosa damascena, blends well with the following essential oils: geranium, patchouli, chamomile, ylang-ylang and vanilla essential oils.
Cautions - Non-toxic, non-irritant, nonsensitizing.
Rose oil properties - Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, cicatrizant, emmenagogue, haemostatic, laxative, regulator of appetite, sedative (nervous), stomachic, tonic (heart, liver, stomach, uterus).
Some of you might be wondering if this is the same as an essential rose oil, and no, it's not. Rose absolute is produced by an entirely different process, that in the old days, was called enfleurage. Rose petals were placed directly into a glass tray, called a chassis, that was full of greasy fats. They soaked until the fat absorbed the rose oil. Then alcohol was used to remove the solids from the fat. What was left is called a concrete. Then the alcohol was removed by evaporation, and this material was the absolute. It could be mixed with other oils to produce perfumes, medicinals, etc. Today, the process is very similiar, but with modern equipment using CO2 to extract the rose oil. The process is alot like making decaffienated coffee. Rose petals can't be distilled with steam, as the rose oil is too delicate to withstand the heat and steam pressure, and would be destroyed. So the term essential rose oil, is not really accurate, as the term "essential" basically means "from distillation".
Rose oil absolute, rosa damascena, blends well with the following essential oils: geranium, patchouli, chamomile, ylang-ylang and vanilla essential oils.
Cautions - Non-toxic, non-irritant, nonsensitizing.
Rose oil properties - Antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, cicatrizant, emmenagogue, haemostatic, laxative, regulator of appetite, sedative (nervous), stomachic, tonic (heart, liver, stomach, uterus).
Sandalwood essential oil
Sandalwood essential oil, or santalum album, has a soft, warm, woody, earthy, balsamic scent, and is said to have aphrodisiac qualities. Sandalwood essential oil has calming and soothing effects that help reduce stress and alleviate anxiety. Sandalwood oil is often used to enhance meditation. and is renowned best for its balancing effect on the nervous system, gently soothing away anxiety and tension. It brings peace and tranquility to the troubled soul. Sandalwood oil is commonly used in perfumes. Exotic and seductive, Sandalwood is known for its ability to relax and soothe the mind, is an aphrodisiac and is commonly used by aromatherapists as treatment for problems of frigidity and impotence.
Sandalwood is a small evergreen, parasitic tree up to 9m high with brown-grey trunk and many smooth, slender branches. It has leathery leaves and small pinky-purple flowers. The tree must be over 30 years old before it is ready for the production of sandalwood oil. The essential oil is obtained by water or steam distillation from the roots and heartwood, powdered and dried.
Sandalwood is one of the oldest known perfume materials, with at least 4,000 years of use. It is used as a traditional incense, as a cosmetic, perfume and embalming material all over the East.
Sandalwood essential oil, santalum album, blends well with the following essential oils: benzoin, black pepper, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, lemon, myrrh, neroli (orange blossom), and ylang ylang.
Sandalwood cautions - Non toxic, non irritant, non-sensitizing.
Sandalwood properties - Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic (urinary and pulmonary), antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, tonic.
Sandalwood is a small evergreen, parasitic tree up to 9m high with brown-grey trunk and many smooth, slender branches. It has leathery leaves and small pinky-purple flowers. The tree must be over 30 years old before it is ready for the production of sandalwood oil. The essential oil is obtained by water or steam distillation from the roots and heartwood, powdered and dried.
Sandalwood is one of the oldest known perfume materials, with at least 4,000 years of use. It is used as a traditional incense, as a cosmetic, perfume and embalming material all over the East.
Sandalwood essential oil, santalum album, blends well with the following essential oils: benzoin, black pepper, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, lemon, myrrh, neroli (orange blossom), and ylang ylang.
Sandalwood cautions - Non toxic, non irritant, non-sensitizing.
Sandalwood properties - Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic (urinary and pulmonary), antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, tonic.
Sandalwood essential oil
Sandalwood essential oil, or santalum album, has a soft, warm, woody, earthy, balsamic scent, and is said to have aphrodisiac qualities. Sandalwood essential oil has calming and soothing effects that help reduce stress and alleviate anxiety. Sandalwood oil is often used to enhance meditation. and is renowned best for its balancing effect on the nervous system, gently soothing away anxiety and tension. It brings peace and tranquility to the troubled soul. Sandalwood oil is commonly used in perfumes. Exotic and seductive, Sandalwood is known for its ability to relax and soothe the mind, is an aphrodisiac and is commonly used by aromatherapists as treatment for problems of frigidity and impotence.
Sandalwood is a small evergreen, parasitic tree up to 9m high with brown-grey trunk and many smooth, slender branches. It has leathery leaves and small pinky-purple flowers. The tree must be over 30 years old before it is ready for the production of sandalwood oil. The essential oil is obtained by water or steam distillation from the roots and heartwood, powdered and dried.
Sandalwood is one of the oldest known perfume materials, with at least 4,000 years of use. It is used as a traditional incense, as a cosmetic, perfume and embalming material all over the East.
Sandalwood essential oil, santalum album, blends well with the following essential oils: benzoin, black pepper, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, lemon, myrrh, neroli (orange blossom), and ylang ylang.
Sandalwood cautions - Non toxic, non irritant, non-sensitizing.
Sandalwood properties - Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic (urinary and pulmonary), antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, tonic.
Sandalwood is a small evergreen, parasitic tree up to 9m high with brown-grey trunk and many smooth, slender branches. It has leathery leaves and small pinky-purple flowers. The tree must be over 30 years old before it is ready for the production of sandalwood oil. The essential oil is obtained by water or steam distillation from the roots and heartwood, powdered and dried.
Sandalwood is one of the oldest known perfume materials, with at least 4,000 years of use. It is used as a traditional incense, as a cosmetic, perfume and embalming material all over the East.
Sandalwood essential oil, santalum album, blends well with the following essential oils: benzoin, black pepper, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, lemon, myrrh, neroli (orange blossom), and ylang ylang.
Sandalwood cautions - Non toxic, non irritant, non-sensitizing.
Sandalwood properties - Antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic (urinary and pulmonary), antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, tonic.
Lemon essential oil
Lemon essential oil, citrus limonum, has a clean, sharp , refreshing and uplifting scent. Used in a diffuser, lemon will purify stale air and act as a disinfectant. It also stimulates the white corpuscles in the body which help to fight infection. Used in massage oil to relieve lymph glands congested from infection and reduces bloating, some say even will promote weight loss. Use in cosmetics on oily complexions and skin blemishes. Regulates oily hair. Aroma will also help slightly reduce blood pressure and can be used as an antidepressant.
Lemon is a small, straggling tree about 11 feet high, irregularly branched, the bark varying in color from clear grey on the trunk, green on the younger branches to a purplish color on the twigs. The evergreen leaves are ovate-oval. The well-known fruit is an ovoid berry, about three inches long, nipple-shaped at the end, smooth, bright yellow, indented over the oil-glands, having an acid, paleyellow pulp. About forty-seven varieties are said to have been developed during the centuries of cultivation.
Lemon essential oil, citrus limonum, blends well with the following essential oils: benzoin, chamomile, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, geranium, juniperberry, neroli (orange blossom), and ylang ylang.
Cautions - Non toxic, phototoxic - do not use on skin exposed direct to sunlight
Properties - Anti-anemic, antimicrobal, antirheumatic, antisclerotic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hemostatic, hypotensive, insecticide, rubefacient, stimulates white corpuscles, tonic, vermifuge.
Lemon is a small, straggling tree about 11 feet high, irregularly branched, the bark varying in color from clear grey on the trunk, green on the younger branches to a purplish color on the twigs. The evergreen leaves are ovate-oval. The well-known fruit is an ovoid berry, about three inches long, nipple-shaped at the end, smooth, bright yellow, indented over the oil-glands, having an acid, paleyellow pulp. About forty-seven varieties are said to have been developed during the centuries of cultivation.
Lemon essential oil, citrus limonum, blends well with the following essential oils: benzoin, chamomile, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, geranium, juniperberry, neroli (orange blossom), and ylang ylang.
Cautions - Non toxic, phototoxic - do not use on skin exposed direct to sunlight
Properties - Anti-anemic, antimicrobal, antirheumatic, antisclerotic, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrizant, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hemostatic, hypotensive, insecticide, rubefacient, stimulates white corpuscles, tonic, vermifuge.
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