How are aromatherapy essential oils made? Aromatherapy essential oils can be made through steam distillation, cold pressing, or CO2 extraction. The majority of essential oils are steam-distilled. For example,...
The majority of essential oils are steam-distilled. For example, a field of peppermint may be cut down, dried for a day, and then packed into a big vat where steam goes through from the bottom. As the steam goes through, it breaks up the little oil glands in the plant and releases the oil. The oil is very light weight, which is what makes it volatile when we smell it. The steam carries the molecules of oil into a condensing unit. When the temperature is lowered, the steam turns back into water, and the oil that floats on the top is separated out.
In some cases, like with fruits, we use what is called the cold-pressed method. That involves a centrifugal force that is usually a part of the juicing process. The oil is separated, decanted, and sold.
Another method uses a solvent for flowers that can't be steam-distilled without degrading. It is referred to as absolute rather than essential oil. This process uses a solvent like hexane or ethanol and runs the solvent through the paddles that pick up waxes, colors, and fragrances. It is distilled with alcohol, separating the oil, and is then bottled up. It is very potent, smells closer to the original plant than an essential oil, and is very expensive.
There are a few other modern methods like CO2 extraction which are not readily available. Those oils have not had any safety testing so I don't recommend them to the public.
