Skip to main content

What is Essential Oil and Absolute?


 “Essential oil” derived from the word “quintessence”. Based on Aristotelian idea, matter is composed of four elements: fire, air, earth, water; the fifth element, or quintessence, is the soul and spirit of the aromatic plants. Some even said it is the life force of the plants.

Of course, nowadays, we know that, essential oils are the aromatic essences extracted (distillation, cold pressing…) from roots, flowers, fruits, herbs or trees. It is the plant’s second metabolism developed over the centuries for survival, defense against microbial pathogens, adapting to the ever-changing environment and used for attracting pollinating insect.

This is why essential oils have therapeutic properties such antiseptic, anti-virus, anti-fungal, immune stimulating which is beneficial to our mankind.

Essential oils are highly concentration, volatile and fat-soluble. It differs from fixed oils which contain glycerides or fatty acids which will not leave a permanent stain on filter paper.

Nowadays, essential oils are used as raw materials in many industries, including aromatherapy, perfumes, toiletry and cosmetics, phytotherapy, spices and nutrition, insecticides. 

What is Absolute?

Absolute is essences obtained by using chemical solvents. The solvents used are usually ethanol, methanol, benzene or hexane. All but the first of these are toxic chemicals. Compared with steam distillation essential oil, absolute is richer in fragrance and it also contains some non-volatile constituents such as waxes and plant dyes. 

Absolutes are usually used as raw materials in fragrances rather than in aromatherapy.  

Why Solvent Extraction?

This is because some of the aromatic essences of the plants cannot survive under the heat and hydration of distillation. Besides, for the aromatic plants such as jasmine and tuberose yield very low concentration of essential oils, to extract them as absolute and carbon dioxide extraction is alternative way to obtain them. But CO2 extraction is not economically feasible. 

Rose Essential Oils Vs Rose Absolute


To produce 1 drop of the rose essential oil, it took about 2,000 petals to yield the oil, whereas, the yield of oil from a solvent extraction method is approximately 24% of the weight of the flowers. Comparison, solvent extraction method is more efficient. 

However, the extraction method can impact the active constituents found in the final product. The main constituent in rose absolute is Phenylethyl alcohol (>60%), while citronellol and geraniol were the major compounds (>55%) of rose essential oil. 

According to Opdyke (2013), phenylethyl alcohol was reported to be slightly irritating to the skin of guinea-pigs but when tested on human, it didn’t show any irritation reaction.

Reference

Baser, K. H. C & Buchbauer, G. (2010). Handbook of Essential Oil:  Science, Technology and Applications. CRC Press
Battaglia, S. (2002). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (second edition). Brisbane: The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy
Petersen, P. (2014). A Rose by another Name. American College of Healthcare Sciences.
Opdyke D. L. J. (2013). Monographs on Fragrance Raw Materials: A Collection of Monographs Originally Appearing in Food and Cosmetics Toxicology, Elsevier.
Hamid, A.A., Aiyelaagbe, O.O. & Usman, L.A. (2011). Essential Oils: Its Medicinal and Pharmacological Uses. Vol. 33, Issue, 2, pp.086-098, International Journal of Current Research.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Essential Oils Should be Avoided by Persons with G6PD Deficiency?

It is now very common to hear people say about G6PD deficiency, such as  “My child has G6PD deficiency… what foods to avoid?” Yes, G6PD deficiency is prevalence in worldwide, affecting 10% of the world population with approximately 400 million people. In Malaysia, around 1 in 10 children are G6PD deficiency. What is G6PD deficiency? 6-phosphate dehydrogenase  (G6PD) deficiency is a common genetic enzyme deficiency.  This enzyme deficiency will increase the vulnerability of red blood cells to oxidative stress . If the G6PD deficiency person is infected or expoused to oxidative stimuli drugs or chemical agents,  the red blood cells will damaged in large scale and it will lead to acute haemolysis.  Excessive bilirubin produced during acute haemolysis will cause liver overloaded and resulted in jaundice. G6PD deficiency has another name called  favism , I believe the name is derived from fava beans where acute heomolysis can be triggered by consumpti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Aromatherapy Course Malaysia

BASIC AROMATHERAPY HANDS ON WORKSHOP MALAYSIA DESCRIPTION Essential oil is natural, so it must be safe? Can essential oil use directly on skin? How many drops of essential oils I should use? This course will answer the above questions by providing you the basic information and knowledge about the world of aromatherapy. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN? What is Aromatherapy? Basic Principles of Aromatherapy What is Essential Oils and Why its Works? 10 Essential Oils Profile Essential Oil Safety Methods of Application Practical Blending and Creating with Oils WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE? 1 x Lunch 1 x Manual 1 x Certificate of Attendance 1 x Basic Aromatherapy Kits Worth RM248 10 x Essential Oils (2ml) each 1 x Carrier Oil 1 x Beaker 1 x Roller Bottle (10ml) 1 x Amber Glass Bottle (10ml) 1 x Amber Glass Bottle (30ml) 1 x Spray Bottle SPEAKER Ms. Jamie Pong The Professional Aromatherapy Diploma, The International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA), UK Diplo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lavender Essential Oil Profile

Lavender ( Lavendula angustifolia ) comes from  lavare , meaning  “to wash”  in Latin. From ancient Greece, it is use to ease anger and purify the body and mind. Lavender essential oil is a  MUST HAVE  essential oils in your cabinet. Lavender is used for many conditions, it is like  an archetype of a mother who take care and nurture us . It is a practical essential oil every family should have at least a bottle of lavender essential oil. Profile Common Name Lavender Botanical Latin Name Lavandula angustifolia/ Lavandula officinalis Botanical Family Lamiaceae Place of Origin Mediterranean area Part of plant used Flowering tops Extraction Method Distillation Precaution/ Contra-indication None in therapeutic doses, but the oil must be diluted well for asthma suffers as it can create problems in some individuals. Uses: Very effective for burn and scald Can balance the central nervous system and emotional system Ease anxiety, sleep disorder...
Post a Comment
Read more