Friday, December 18, 2009

How can i extract the oil from a patchouli plant?

Method of Extraction


This oil is extracted from the young leaves that are dried and fermented prior to steam distillation. This type of distillation is very effective, not expensive and provides with the best essential oil qualities.





Patchouli oil improves with age and gives a fuller odor.





There are many methods of extracting essential oils and it depending on the source from where the oil is extracted. Here we will see how clove oil extracted. This oil is extracted from the leaves, stem and buds via steam distillation, yet it is only the clove bud oil which is used in aromatherapy, since it contains the least Eugenol.





Steam distillation is very simple and cost effective method of extracting essential oils. Lets see how it works, when hot steam is forced in through the plant material, it forces and opens the pores where the oil resides. Now we got the steam, which contains essential oil, this potion is now passed through cooling system to condense the steam, which then forms a liquid from which essential oil and water is separated.





One thing has to be taken care, the temperature, should be just suitable to allow the essential oil flow through plant material. However, if the temperature is high it can burn of the essential oil.





Some oils are very heat sensitive and this method is good for these oils, which protects there healing qualities.





Precautions


The oil is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing but the smell of Patchouli oil may be a little persistent for some people and it may cause loss of appetite in some individuals.





A few drops may seem very little but all oils are extremely potent and concentrated. Using more than the recommended amount may result in an adverse response, e.g. too much relaxant may produce irritation and anxiety.

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