Essential oils possess plenty of health and skincare benefits. These pristine components are yield from natural sources like plants and trees. But, did you know these oils are often confused as extracts? You might also have said extracts while purchasing one of these essentials. However, there is a huge gap between their meanings.
The basic and the foremost distinction between them is their extraction process. Each has a distinct source of extraction, which means both are reaped from different parts of the plants.
Moreover, the procedure of gleaning the essential oil is a bit complex as it involves distillation. On the other hand, the extracts are first soaked in a liquid to isolate the quality flavor out.
THE PROCESS
Oils collected from the aromatic parts of a sapling like leaves, roots, flowers, etc. are considered essential. And when the parts of plants are soaked into water or aqueous solutions for a longer duration to infuse their flavors, medicinal properties, aroma, they are called extracts. Despite both being squeezed out of plants, only essential oils play a medicinal role. Whereas, extracts are used in cooking or preparing perfumes.
MAJOR DIFFERENCES
1) The fragrance of oils is stronger than that of extracts. The latter is usually avoided when making a homemade perfume and the former is used instead for the sake of preparing a product filled with a significant scent or aroma.
2) Some plants don’t give out oils, that’s why their extracts are used for aromatherapy.
3) Extracts are easy to prepare but essentials require a proper environment, equipment, and machinery.
4) The complicated process of drawing out only a little oil requires a lot of plant materials.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Upon proper steam distillation of the aromatic parts of plants, one can collect these concentrated solutions. Aromatic parts are placed inside a steam chamber, wherein, steam is released over those parts. Finally, the essence is collected by squeezing those parts. Thereafter, these oily and spray-like substances are cooled down, so the condenser can create water and keeps the oil separated.
For Example- Rose
The steam distillation process is used to glean and develop rose essential oil. Along with the major aromatic component, Rosa Damascene, ethanol, farnesol, citronellol, eugenol, citral, phenyl geraniol, nonanol, and phenylacetaldehyde contribute a big time in the preparation process. This particular species of rose has proved to have the strongest scent and the highest oil content.
Health Benefits of Rose Essential Oil
1) It has proven to be an amazing healer of inflammation marks, under-eye dark circles, and stretch marks. It also reduces the left-out marks of acne, chickenpox, scars, and pimples.
2) It successfully prevents the development of infection and heals the wound.
3) Due to its analgesic properties, it is also able to calm down fever, gout, and arthritis pain.
4) It has the potential to reduce or sedate common stomach disorders like excessive gas, digestive disorder, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome.
EXTRACT
After straining off the plant materials from the water, concentrate the final product. Or simply, leave the herbs to dry and grind them in mortar and pestle. One can get these scents in many other ways. For example, the herbal tea is processed by putting the leaves or fresh gingers in boiling water for 15-20 minutes. And, the process of soaking the plant materials in 50 percent alcohol for a week to eliminate its active compounds and drawing extracts is called tinctures.
Health Benefits of Rose Extract
1) Its intense hydrating properties are leveraged for keeping the skin hydrated.
2) It possesses anti-oxidants, minerals, and vitamins, which provide smoothness to dry and sensitive skin by reducing skin inflammation and redness.
3) Rose extract reverses the signs of wrinkles on skin with its antioxidant properties against skin’s cellular oxidation.
THE FINAL THOUGHT
Both serve similar purposes as the main ingredient is the same. But they differ based on their usage. Regardless, get the best of each from Young Living and witness the difference yourself.
