Page 8 - Essential Oils Origins

DISTILLATION

Identifying the correct plant part for distillation
Once the plant part has been harvested, it is important to
start the distillation process quickly before the plant loses any
of the aromatic compounds or potency. In addition to quick
transportation to the distillery, it is crucial that distillers use the
correct part of the plant to get the desired essential oil. Because
essential oils can be found in several areas of a single plant, it is
important to use the correct plant part when preparing for plant
distillation to ensure the proper aromatic compounds are distilled.

For example, the Coriandrum sativum plant produces two kinds of
essential oils: Cilantro and Coriander. Cilantro oil is derived from
the leaves of the plant, while Coriander oil is taken from the seeds.
Cilantro and Coriander oil have a completely different chemical
makeup, different properties, and varying benefits. For some
plants, it will require the distillation of the entire plant to produce
an essential oil, while other essential oils simply come from a
smaller part of the plant, like the leaves, roots, bark, or flowers.

Essential Oil Plant name Plant part used for essential oil

Basil Ocimum basilicum Leaf

Bergamot Citrus bergamia Peel

Cinnamon Bark Cinnamomum zeylanicum Bark

Frankincense Boswellia Resin

Ginger Zingiber officinale Root

Peppermint Mentha piperita Whole plant

Ylang Ylang Cananga odorata Flower