| MadSci Network: Chemistry |
The techniques that the Egyptians used to produce essential oils centuries ago are pretty much the same two major techniques that we use to make essential oils today; steam distillation and cold pressing/expression. I will also caution you not to assume that because that the Egyptians used essential oils centuries ago that the process that they developed was simplistic. Quite to the contrary, they were extremely knowledgeable and technologically advanced in the field of producing essential oils. Descriptions of these methods can be found at the following website: http://www.oneplanetnatural.com/distillation.htm There is another technique developed by the French Perfume Industry to remove the fragrant oil from flower petals, called enfleurage. A description of this method can be found at the following website: http://www.allsands.com/Health/Alternative/extractessentia_ybq_gn.htm Lots of Luck!! Mad Scientist Dave
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