A Guide to Plant and Essential Oil Products

Solvents play an integral role in the extraction of essential oils, perfumes, and other botanical extracts. Solvents are used to pull out active ingredients from plants in order to make them more usable in products that vary from perfumes and cosmetics to nutritional supplements. While there are various methods of botanical extraction, solvents remain an integral ingredient in ensuring the process is efficient and in preserving the integrity of the plant material. Types of Solvents Used in Botanical Extraction Different solvents are used in the extraction of essential oils and plant-based compounds, based on the material to be extracted and the final outcome. It is very common to use organic solvents like ethanol, hexane and acetone as they are extremely good at mixing with components in plants, without any damage to them. There are characteristics that every solvent has, and the right choice depends on the solubility of the target compounds and the efficiency of the extraction. So...