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Distillation
Each drop of flower water contains the essence of the whole plant. The essential oil molecules are all dissolved in the water. It is rich in natural vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and superoxide anion scavenging activity. It is a very excellent deep moisturizing Liquid. Flower water is very mild, but it has a very effective function. It can moisturize and soften the skin, refine and reduce dry lines. It quenches and regenerates skin.
Distillation is the main method of extracting essential oils from plants. In fact, according to many medical books, distillation is the only method for extracting essential oils, and those obtained by other methods are called essence or original essence.
Distillation is the main method of extracting essential oils from plants. In fact, according to many medical books, distillation is the only method for extracting essential oils, and those obtained by other methods are called essence or original essence.
In the distillation method, the plant tissue must be heated. There are two heating methods: put the plant tissue in water and then heat the water to a boil,
or put the plant tissue on a shelf or a net and heat the water under the plant. The steam passes through the plant tissue.
Leaves, branches, berries, petals and other plant tissues can all be distilled.
The method of putting plant tissues in water is called direct distillation ; and the other method, letting steam pass through the plant tissues on the grid, is
called steam distillation .
closely related to the quality of essential oils.
or put the plant tissue on a shelf or a net and heat the water under the plant. The steam passes through the plant tissue.
Leaves, branches, berries, petals and other plant tissues can all be distilled.
The method of putting plant tissues in water is called direct distillation ; and the other method, letting steam pass through the plant tissues on the grid, is
called steam distillation .
Both of these distillation methods can rupture the cell walls of plant cells and release the essence stored in the cells in the form of steam. This refined steam will mix with water vapor, enter a cooling tube together, then return to a liquid state, and finally be collected in a larger bottle. Water vapor will condense into water, and essence will condense into essential oils. Essential oils are lighter than water, so they can be easily separated and collected from the water layer. Some water layers also have high value and can be sold under the name "pure dew" or "herbal water". The French call these distilled liquids "hydrosols."
For one or two plants, the essential oil extracted by the distillation method is not obvious, but turns into rose hydrosol or orange blossom hydrosol, which is called by-product. At this time, adsorption or solvent extraction can be used to extract the essence in these by-products, and it can also be used to extract the essence contained in the delicate petal tissue.
At the latest in the tenth century, the technology of distillation has been very sophisticated, and people already know the use of distillation to extract essential oils. The birthplace of distillation technology may be Persia; people used these essential oils as perfumes (Arabic Shakespeare perfume). However, recently archaeologists have dug up some stills in Italy. These antiquities prove that the Romans have long known the technique of distillation, and the Persians improved their technique.
In areas with relatively backward technology, as well as in the small-scale production of essential oils in the European countryside, the distillation equipment used now is similar to before. In areas where essential oils are produced on a large scale, people have made distillation devices larger and more complex, but the basic principles are still the same. Modern instruments are mostly made of stainless steel in order to avoid contamination of the pure substances distilled out and to obtain better quality of essential oils
(although this has not been confirmed).
The ability to produce high-quality essential oils suitable for aromatherapy has a very close relationship with distillation technology: factors such as distillation temperature and distillation time are(although this has not been confirmed).
closely related to the quality of essential oils.