Once there were a time people used to read books and biographies just to answer their quest. I am not saying that people don’t read nowadays but the frequency of reading has diminished over time. With the advent of technology, spending time on laptops and computer screen is more frequent. The answers of the questions are most of the time searched on Google and luckily Google responds it in quick span of time.
I just tried to compile some of the frequently asked questions about essential oils that might help new beginners to comprehend essential oils precisely. So let us check out the questions and you might get answers to some of your questions too.
Questions and Answers related to Essential oils:
- What are essential oils?
In simple language, essential oils are botanical extracts which are derived from plants. In chemistry, they are also referred as ‘volatile organic compounds’. Volatility simply means essential oils convert from liquid to vapor form at room temperature. - Which parts of plant contribute in producing essential oils?
Almost all parts of plant contribute in producing essential oils. Essential oil can be extracted from bark, leaves, flower, bud, roots, leaves or other parts of plant.
For instance: Clove leaf oil and clove bud oil. - Which process is used for extraction of essential oils?
You may find different techniques for oil extraction. The oldest method by which essential oils are extracted is distillation usually using steam or water from different parts of plant. Some essential oils are also obtained using mechanical pressing or cold pressing method. Novel techniques of essential oil extraction involve super-critical fluid extraction and solvent extraction. - Why essential oils are called “essential”?
Some person misunderstands essential oil thinking that it is “essential” to the plant. But rather it is bit of a misnomer. In professional terms, essential oil is referred as volatile oil which simply reflects the characteristic the oil possess. - Which countries are top producers of essential oils?
United States (U.S), India, China, France and Brazil are world’s top producers of essential oils. But still there are some specific essential oils which can be found in only handful of countries. This entirely depends on plant species and its growth parameters. - Are essential oils same as fragrance oil?
This is a common misconception that people think essential oils and fragrance oils are same but they are not. Fragrance oils are oils that are synthetically produced in laboratory using chemical compounds whereas essential oils are natural oils which are derived from plants.
- Is direct usage of essential oil is okay?
The answer to this question is NO! Essential oils are natural oils which are extracted from plants and are highly concentrated in nature. It is always necessary to dilute them before usage and even in dilution very small amount of oil is used.
- Do essential oils get expire?
Off course yes, they do get expire but when and how is a question that need to be answered. Most of the essential oils are good for 3years if stored properly. They need to be kept in a cool place away from sunlight and the lid should be tightly sealed. Still some citrus family oils may have shelf life of 1 or 2 years. - What causes deterioration of essential oils?
Essential oils deteriorate over time if not stored properly due to a process called oxidation. Oxidation is caused by moisture and oxygen. So if you are irresponsible in keeping essential oil safe you might have to waste your precious essential oil.
These are some generalized question that usually pops in mind when dealing with essential oils. We will surely cover another level of questionnaire that involves answers on its usage and dilution. Till then keep reading and keep sharing.
I hope all the beginners found it easy to understand general concept of essential oils.
Thank you.