Since the scientific composition of each plant differs, several methods for extracting oils from their plants have been developed. Below is a list of the different processes.
Steam Distillation: This is the most common method. In this process, a plant is placed in a receptacle over heated water. As steam forms, it passes through the plant and the “essential compounds” vaporize and condense back into a liquid.
Hydrosols: These are the by-products of the distillation process. They contain the water-soluble constituents of the plant and retain a small amount of essential oil.
Expression/Cold Pressed: A method of extraction specific to citrus essential oils. The process involves a prodding, pricking, sticking action to release the oil.
Solvent: Used for plants that are too fragile to be distilled. Solvent extraction is the use of solvents, such as petroleum ether, methanol or ethanol, to extract the scented material from the plant. The solvent will also pull out the chlorophyll and other plant tissue, resulting in a highly colored or thick extract. The first product made via solvent extraction is known as concrete. A concrete is then mixed with alcohol, which serves to extract the aromatic principle of the material. The final product is known as an absolute.
CO2: Oils are extracted by pressurizing carbon dioxide until it becomes a liquid. The liquid carbon dioxide acts as a solvent on the natural plant matter and the essential oil content dissolves into the liquid CO2. After the CO2 is brought back to natural pressurization, it evaporates back into gas and only the resulting oil remains.
All of our oils are either steam distilled or cold pressed. Some oils like Sweet Orange or Lime can only be extracted from the peel instead of the leaves or flowers, which is why they’re cold pressed. Vanilla is a little different in that there’s no way to steam distill or express the oil. It’s made more like an infusion using natural coconut oil, but is still a pure oil.
*For informational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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3 comments
Your product description for vanilla says it is a CO2. In this blog post it says that it is processed as an infusion. I’m just wondering which it is?
Hi Natalie. First I want to say how much I appreciate you looking closely at the profiles for essential oils– it’s so important! The short answer to your question is that both descriptions are correct. CO2 oils are extracted by pressurizing carbon dioxide until it becomes a liquid. The liquid carbon dioxide acts as a solvent on the natural plant matter and the essential oil content dissolves into the liquid CO2. After the CO2 is brought back to natural pressurization, it evaporates back into gas and only the resulting oil remains. In the case of our Vanilla Essential Oil, natural coconut oil is used during the CO2 process leaving the end product as an infused oil. However, it is still considered a PURE essential oil.
Unfortunately essential oils are not FDA relguated and Young Living consistently claims therapeutic grade . This is a Young Living marketing term and has no bearing on EO quality.