What are essential oils and how are they made?

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that are obtained through a process of distillation or cold pressing. They are called "essential" oils because they contain the essence, or characteristic fragrance and flavor, of the plant from which they are derived.

The distillation process involves steaming the plant material, such as flowers, leaves, bark, or roots, to release its volatile compounds. The steam is then condensed back into a liquid, which separates the essential oil from the water. This method is commonly used for producing essential oils from flowers and leaves.

Cold pressing, on the other hand, is used for citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, or grapefruit. The peel is mechanically pressed to release the essential oil, which is then collected and bottled.

Some other methods of extracting essential oils include solvent extraction, which uses a chemical solvent to extract the oil from the plant material, and CO2 extraction, which uses carbon dioxide under high pressure to extract the oil.

The resulting essential oil is a highly concentrated liquid that contains the aromatic compounds, as well as other beneficial properties of the plant. Essential oils are used in a variety of ways, including aromatherapy, topical application, and ingestion. However, it's important to use them with caution and under the guidance of a qualified aroma therapist or healthcare professional.