About Essential Oils: Storage, Bottles & Quality

An essential oil is a liquid that is generally distilled (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word "oil" are not really oily-feeling at all. Most essential oils are clear, but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in color.

Steam distillation
Hydrolytes are by-products which contain soluble in water plant components and about 0.5-1% of the oil essence.

Cold pressed peel (e.g. citrus fruit)
Not only oils but also wax is obtained. These types of oils are called essences.

Extraction with a solvent
is used in case of resins and flowers that can't be distilled. The resin is mixed with a solvent, extracted in high temperature and filtered. The final product is distilled to remove the solvent. Sometimes traces of the solvent are left and the substance is called a resinoid.

A similar process is used in case of flowers that are put into a solvent and then extracted and distilled. Colored and fragrant paste is obtained and it is called concrete. Next, it is blended with alcohol, heated and filtered. In the process of second distillation alcohol is removed and an absolute is obtained.

Another method is called enfleurage
It is the most time and labor-consuming. Glass panels coated with a thin layer of fat (beef or pork) are covered with flowers which are replaced with fresh ones after 12 hours. This activity is repeated 36 times. A thick substance is produced that is later mixed with alcohol. Finally, the alcohol evaporates and only aromatic substances are left. However, this type of oil is rare and rather expensive as it is wholly hand-made.

In home conditions it is practically impossible to control the quality of the oil. And the oil of unknown origin might be of poor or no quality. It can be even dangerous so it's best to get the oils from safe and reliable places like herbal shops or chemists.

A label and its contents are extremely important. Essential oils branded as natural or 100% natural must have the botanical name on their labels. Some expensive oils are branded natural but sold with botanical oils or alcohol.

Labeling some products as "aroma oils", "fragrance" or "perfumed" oils is often confusing and overused by dishonest merchants. In such cases it often means a poor quality product, half-synthetic or synthetic that can be used only in a diffuser to scent the room and not to inhale, bath or for body care.

As a rule, high quality oils are expensive. Purely natural essential oils can sometimes vary in their quality. This might depend on the time of harvesting the herb, the way it was stored before the distillation or the climate.

Proper essential oil bottle should have:

• Name (also botanical name of the herb),
• Country of origin,
• Where to keep it (keep away from children),
• The exact quantity,
• Expiry date, when it was filled,
• What process has been used to obtain it

The bottle must be made of dark, opaque glass. Some producers also put the name of the solvent on it (if it's the essence) Reading a label we should be informed whether the distillation leftovers were controlled or not. The origin of the oil must be identified; whether it comes from an organic farm or from the wild.

In case of expensive oils blended with the less expensive ones proportions should be given as well as the note of the oil, the type of fragrance and its application.