How to extract essential oils
1.Steam distillation method
Steam distillation is the most major method and is often used for aroma oil. In this method, the compounds are fragile, so the quality is better if the distillation is done at low temperature and low pressure.
The remaining water contains a small amount of essential oils and is sold as floral water.
2. Compression method
The citrus peel is crushed by a machine to extract the essential oil found in the peel.
Since citrus essential oil is sensitive to heat, the pressing method is mostly used.
3. Supercritical extraction method
The method of extracting carbon dioxide gas in a critical state allows for extraction in a state close to nature.
When returned to normal pressure and temperature, the carbon dioxide is naturally released and the extracted components are obtained without solvent residue.
4. Solvent extraction method
This method is used for delicate flowers that are difficult to extract by steam distillation.The plant is placed in a volatile solvent and allowed to soak for a certain amount of time, after which the solvent is removed.
A solid product is obtained. This is then dissolved in alcohol and the essential oils inside are extracted.
5. Carbon dioxide extraction method
This method involves injecting carbon dioxide into a pack containing plants to extract the plant components.It is more costly, but produces essential oils that are closer to the natural scent and have denser components.
6. Lipid adsorption method (Enfleurage)
It is used for delicate flowers such as jasmine, which fragrance component is easily lost by heat.Fresh picked flowers are placed on top of the fat to absorb the essential oil. The essential oil is then extracted by methyl alcohol washing and separating the fragrant components.
References
・kabosugokugoku (blog site)https://kabosugokugoku.com/myperfume/ (In Japanese)
・JMC CO., LTD web site
https://jmc-co.com/chorinkai.html?newwindow=true (In Japanese)
・Aromatherapy Shop Yumekoubou web site
https://www.natural-life.net/clm_aroma006/ (In Japanese)
・ナチュラルハーモニー＆サイエンス アロマタッチテクニック（書籍）
・ナチュラルハーモニー＆サイエンス エッセンシャルオイル家庭医学事典（書籍）
