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Obtention
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Obtention
Essence is mainly situated in the flowers and leaves but is also found in the wood, fruit, bark, roots, seeds and seedlings. It is contained in small pockets that burst when pressed. It is by using this method that we recognise what is known as an aromatic plant.
Essential Oil is obtained by steam distillation of the plant, which must be carried out according to well-established rules. The important points to observe for optimal distillation and the obtention of an Essential Oil of medical quality include principally :
The time of harvesting :
Harvesting must take place at the best time according to the substances in the Essential Oil one wishes to obtain.
Temperature and pressure :
The temperature and pressure of the steam used for distillation must be regulated in order to avoid oxidation phenomena.
Distillation time :
Distillation must be long in order to obtain a maximum amount of different molecules in the Essential Oils. In effect, some molecules appear only at the end of distillation.
The table below shows some of the yield values for different plants.
| For 100 kilos of fresh plants : | Quantity of Essential Oil obtained by distillation : |
| Eucalyptus globulus | 2 to 3 kilos |
| Lavande officinale | around 1 kilo |
| Marjolaine à coquilles | 300 to 400 grams |
| Géranium rosat | 100 to 300 grams |
| Mélisse officinale | 15 to 20 grams |
| Rose de Damas | 3 to 8 grams |
Extraction time varies between 1 hour and over 24 hours.