A bit of history
The use of essential oils began well before our era, in Ancient Egypt. Their use was sacred, with medicine tied to a belief in magic and symbols. Essential oils were used at this time in several fields: medicine, perfumery, cosmetics, and embalming.
The Egyptians practiced a rudimentary form of distillation, using maceration and wringing. The Egyptian civilization is today considered the creator of essential oils. It has influenced many cultures and civilizations, bringing its medical expertise to Greece, the Roman Empire, and throughout the Mediterranean basin.
How are essential oils produced today?
Essential oils are aromatic substances extracted from plants through a steam distillation process or cold pressing (citrus). Both methods can be used to produce oils, but steam distillation is more commonly used. The plants are hand-picked and harvested at the time when their essential oil concentration is highest. The chosen method depends on the plant used and the desired quality of the essential oil.
Cold Pressing
Cold pressing involves pressing fruits or leaves to mechanically extract essential oils, referred to in this case as "essences". Pressing does not produce hydrosol.
Steam Distillation
For steam distillation, plants are packed into a still. Steam passes through them and carries the volatile aromatic compounds into a gaseous state. The steam, now laden with these compounds, passes through the swan neck into a cooling coil submerged in cold water.
The distillation then produces a distillate which settles by density difference and separates into essential oil and hydrosol (or floral water). The hydrosol contains a small amount of essential oil.