Essential oils: Difference between revisions
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An '''essential oil''' - [[liquid]] [[extraction|extracts]] from [[plant]]s, which are called aromatic herbs or aromatic [[plant]]s and from some other materials (as lichens, honey etc.). This pressed, [[Distillation|distilled]] or extracted substances containing volatile [[aroma compound]]s, mainly [[hydrophobic]] ([[terpene]]s, [[terpeniod]]s, [[benzene]] derivates (aromatic compounds), [[aldehyde]]s, [[organic acids]] etc.). | An '''essential oil''' - [[liquid]] [[extraction|extracts]] from [[plant]]s, which are called aromatic herbs or aromatic [[plant]]s and from some other materials (as lichens, honey etc.). This pressed, [[Distillation|distilled]] or extracted substances containing [[Volatile (chemistry)|volatile]] [[aroma compound]]s, mainly [[hydrophobic]] ([[terpene]]s, [[terpeniod]]s, [[benzene]] derivates (aromatic compounds), [[aldehyde]]s, [[organic acids]] etc.). | ||
*Essential oils also known as '''volatile''' or '''ethereal''' oils, or simply as the "oil of" the plant material from which they were extracted, such as ''oil of clove''. The traditional name '''essential oil''' indicates that the oil carries distinctive [[scent]] (essence) of the [[plant]], not that it is an especially important or fundamental substance. | *Essential oils also known as '''volatile''' or '''ethereal''' oils, or simply as the "oil of" the plant material from which they were extracted, such as ''oil of clove''. The traditional name '''essential oil''' indicates that the oil carries distinctive [[scent]] (essence) of the [[plant]], not that it is an especially important or fundamental substance. | ||
<!--Essential oils do not as a group need to have any specific chemical properties in common, beyond conveying characteristic fragrances. They are not to be confused with [[essential fatty acid]]s. | <!--Essential oils do not as a group need to have any specific chemical properties in common, beyond conveying characteristic fragrances. They are not to be confused with [[essential fatty acid]]s. | ||
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Various essential oils have been used medicinally at different periods in history. [[Medicinal properties|Medical applications]] proposed by those who sell medicinal oils vary from skin treatments to remedies for cancer, and are often based on historical use of these oils for these purposes. Such claims are now subject to regulation in most countries, and have grown correspondingly more vague, to stay within these regulations. | Various essential oils have been used medicinally at different periods in history. [[Medicinal properties|Medical applications]] proposed by those who sell medicinal oils vary from skin treatments to remedies for cancer, and are often based on historical use of these oils for these purposes. Such claims are now subject to regulation in most countries, and have grown correspondingly more vague, to stay within these regulations. | ||
Interest in essential oils has revived in recent decades, with the popularity of [[aromatherapy]], a branch of [[alternative medicine]] which claims that the specific aromas carried by essential oils have curative effects. Oils are volatilized or diluted in a carrier oil and used in massage, or burned as incense, for example. | Interest in essential oils has revived in recent decades, with the popularity of [[aromatherapy]], a branch of [[alternative medicine]] which claims that the specific aromas carried by essential oils have curative effects. Oils are volatilized or diluted in a carrier oil and used in massage, or burned as incense, for example.--> | ||
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== Production == | == Production == | ||
{{main|Extraction (fragrance)}} | {{main|Extraction (fragrance)}} | ||
===Distillation=== | ===Distillation=== | ||
{{see also| | {{see also|Distillation}} | ||
Some common essential oils, such as [[lavender]], [[peppermint]], [[tea-tree]] and [[eucalyptus]], are distilled. Raw plant material, consisting of the [[flower]]s, [[leaf|leaves]], [[wood]], [[bark]], [[root]]s, [[seed]]s, or [[peel (fruit)|peel]], is put into an [[alembic]] (distillation apparatus) over [[water]]. As the water is heated the steam passes through the plant material, vaporizing the volatile compounds. The vapors flow through a coil where they condense back to liquid, which is then collected in the receiving vessel. | Some common essential oils, such as [[lavender]], [[peppermint]], [[tea-tree]] and [[eucalyptus]], are distilled. Raw plant material, consisting of the [[flower]]s, [[leaf|leaves]], [[wood]], [[bark]], [[root]]s, [[seed]]s, or [[peel (fruit)|peel]], is put into an [[alembic]] (distillation apparatus) over [[water]]. As the water is heated the steam passes through the plant material, vaporizing the volatile compounds. The vapors flow through a coil where they condense back to liquid, which is then collected in the receiving vessel. | ||
Revision as of 20:28, 20 September 2010
An essential oil - liquid extracts from plants, which are called aromatic herbs or aromatic plants and from some other materials (as lichens, honey etc.). This pressed, distilled or extracted substances containing volatile aroma compounds, mainly hydrophobic (terpenes, terpeniods, benzene derivates (aromatic compounds), aldehydes, organic acids etc.).
- Essential oils also known as volatile or ethereal oils, or simply as the "oil of" the plant material from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. The traditional name essential oil indicates that the oil carries distinctive scent (essence) of the plant, not that it is an especially important or fundamental substance.
Production
Distillation
- See also: Distillation
Some common essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, tea-tree and eucalyptus, are distilled. Raw plant material, consisting of the flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, or peel, is put into an alembic (distillation apparatus) over water. As the water is heated the steam passes through the plant material, vaporizing the volatile compounds. The vapors flow through a coil where they condense back to liquid, which is then collected in the receiving vessel.
Aromatherapy
Raw Materials