Have you wondered, “What Are Essential Oils?” Find out that and more below. Discover what an herbal distillate is and the difference in SOLVENT EXTRACTION and STEAM DISTILLATION. Did you know citrus oils like bergamot essential oil, lemon oil, lime oil, and grapefruit oil are produced in a different way than rose essential oil, tea tree essential oil, vetiver oil, and citronella oil? Oils like geranium essential oil, lavender oil, rose oil, and Bergamot oil are used not only in aromatherapy recipes, but also in the perfume industry. Try making your own perfume and refreshing Summer Oil spray with pure essential oils.

What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are easily vaporizable concentrations of plants extracted from various plant parts. In vetiver oil, essential oils are found in the roots, whereas oils are found in the leaves of tea tree essential oil, flowers of rose essential oil, citrus fruit peels as in bergamot essential oil, and in the seeds of cumin.

How are Essential Oils Produced?
Different methods are used to extract these precious oils from the wide variety of plants from which they come. Oils are extracted from the plant parts that contain the highest concentration of oils for that particular plant.

Citrus oils result from squeezing pressure of the citrus peel to express the oils. Bergamot essential oil, lemon oil, lime oil, sweet orange, and grapefruit oil  are produced using the EXPRESSION METHOD.

STEAM DISTILLATION is the method by which most oils are extracted. This process involves exposing steam to heat-sensitive plant material. By adding water or steam, boiling points of the compounds are decreased, allowing evaporation at lower temperatures, preferably below the temperatures at which the deterioration of the material is appreciable. The plant tissues break down, producing a vapor mixture that is cooled and condensed. This mixture is composed of essential oils and a watery herbal distillate. The essential oils like rose essential oil and bergamot essential oil are used in the perfume industry and for aromatherapy. The watery distillates are used in aromatherapy, food processing, and skin care products.

SOLVENT EXTRACTION is used when fragrant properties would otherwise be altered or destroyed by steam or when it would be impractical due to so little oil present. This solvent extraction process involves the plant being slowly saturated with a solvent, dissolving the essential oils, fatty acids, and waxes. Once the solvent is distilled off, a solid called concrete is left behind that is then refined into an absolute. Using alcohol, the essential oil is extracted, leaving behind the fatty acids and waxes that are not alcohol soluble. A second distillation is then necessary to remove the alcohol from the absolute oil. Many aromatherapists believe trace amounts of solvent may remain that compromise aromatherapy benefits. Hope for Health does not carry any absolutes or solvent extracted products for this reason.

Summer Oil
Bergamot oil is cold pressed from the fruit peel of the bitter green citrus tree Citrus bergamia. Bergamot has many benefits. It is praised by aromatherapists for its uplifting, relaxing, and refreshing effects. It is relied upon by perfumists for its ability to modify and harmonize blends. The delicate, clean and citrusy-fruity scent with fresh spicy-floral tones inspires joy and self confidence.

Summertime Room Spray
Freshen the air with the aroma of a beautiful summer day.

* 10 drops of bergamot essential oil 
* 5 drops of lavender oil
* 2 drops of chamomile
* 2 drops of geranium essential oil
* 2 drops of citronella oil

Combine oils in a cup of warm not water and pour into a plant sprayer. Mist rooms liberally.

Note: Citrus oils such as bergamot can make the skin sensitive to ultraviolet light. Avoid using citrus oils when exposed to sunlight.

To learn more about aromatherapy, click Learn and view topics under Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, & Lavender. Click to view other Aromatherapy Articles.

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