Guest guest Posted June 11, 2005 Report Share Posted June 11, 2005 Hi Butch Just wanted to shout out hello to you. Love your Rose otto, loved the explanation below and wanted to say about Rose and other floral waxes: They are a nice addition to solid perfumes, along with beeswax. Be well, Butch Sandi Thompson, R.A. Certified Integrative Aromatherapist Force of Nature Aromatherapy 541 953-8715 or toll free 877-550-3323 Custom Blends for Your Well Being www.forceofnaturearomatherapy.com On Jun 11, 2005, at 5:56 PM, Butch Owen wrote: > > Yep .. see below. ;-) > > > I've seen several different sites offer both products but there is > > never a definition of the difference. > > There are definitions out and about .. but generally one has to search > for them. > > Lemme start by saying that this post is protected by Copyright! > > There are around forty eleven ways to describe an Absolute .. and > afore > I'm through you might be sorry you asked. Most of the explanations > are > too short and create more questions .. but I'm not known for brevity. > > If its worth explaining its worth trying to answer questions afore > they > are asked .. so I'll use a combination of those ways and hope the > explanation is clear enough. If it appears that I'm rambling it is > probably because its true. > > ALL Essential Oil production is by either: > > 1. Steam Distillation .. means the plant material is placed in a > basket > or container and suspended over the water .. steam passes through the > plant material, etc. > > 2. Hydro-Diffusion .. which is similar to Steam Distillation except > the > steam is forced down from the top rather than passing through the > aromatic material from the bottom. Some say some aromatic oils are > better when Hydro-Diffused .. and I agree with them .. that's why I > offer a number of Hydro-Diffused EO. > > 3. Hydro-Distillation .. means the aromatic material comes into > direct > contact with the water .. similar to a washing machine where the > clothes > are in contact with the water. Rose Otto is manufactured in this > manner > because steam will not pass through the Rose Blossoms after they > become > heated and compacted. When using this method there is normally a 3 > or 4 > to 1 ratio of water to plant material. This is important to avoid > having the aromatic materials overheat .. or caramelize. > > Those are the only three ways I know of to produce Essential Oils .. > and Absolutes are not Essential Oils. They are Absolutes. I don't > consider Cold or Expeller Pressed Oils (like Citrus) as being > Essential > Oils either. CO2 extracted oils are also not Essential Oils. > > I don't argue the semantics of this with folks as it detracts from the > points I try to make .. there is enough misinformation about to cause > some folks to want to validate that misinformation or their > misinformed > teacher's instructions. We should use common language in this > industry. > If one wants to call turtles as terrapins or spiders as insects they > can > do it if they want to .. but they might consider talking only to folks > who are likewise wrong or they might be corrected/challenged. > > The Solvent used in the three forms of extraction above is .. Water. > Heated Water - Steam. I point this out because in this industry we > say > that Absolutes are Solvent Extracted .. and true it is .. but we > should > say which Solvent is used because Water is also a Solvent. > > Absolutes .. Some aromatics don't take well to distillation .. Jasmine > for example. Some can't be distilled .. Vanilla for example. Some > can > be distilled or extracted as Absolutes .. Rose Blossoms for example. > > Production of Absolutes requires less aromatic plant material, thus .. > Absolutes are not as costly as are Essential Oils made from the same > aromatic materials. Because some aromatic oils are produced both as > Essential Oils and Absolutes .. there will not always be a basis for > price comparison. > > Production of Absolutes is a multi-step process requiring both Hot > Processing and Cold Processing .. it starts with a Hot Process. > > I'll use the Rose Absolute made here in Turkey as a tool for > explaining > this process. The Rose Blossoms are literally washed in a hot process > of Hexane .. in a type of still, similar to the Hydro-Distillation > method described above. Except that the Solvent used in the initial > process to produce Rose Absolute is not Water .. its Hexane. > > Hexane is NOT dangerous as is commonly thought by some folks .. its > not > to be used as an after dinner cocktail - drinking it would be harmful. > > Hexane is used to make many common cooking oils found in the kitchen. > > Upon completion of this Hexane bathing process, the Hexane is drawn > off > and what remains is a very Waxy substance called Concrete. Concrete > is > thick and not really suitable for use in AT .. though some folks do > use > it in cosmetics .. I've heard. > > The still warm Concrete is then poured into containers (normally kilo > size) with a hole in the top of the container .. through this hole > will > escape the remaining Hexane in the Concrete. Hexane is one of the > most > volatile substances known to science so it does escape. Then later .. > sometimes weeks later or even longer, the remaining (now cold) > Concrete > is subjected to a Cold Process bath using another Solvent. > > This final Solvent used to produce Rose Absolute is normally Ethanol > .. > or C2H5OH .. something we find in every bar .. Grain Alcohol. > > The Absolute produced from the Concrete will have a few percentage > points of Ethanol remain in it .. and maybe a trace (6 ppm or so) of > Hexane. But it is NOT harmful .. I repeat .. it is NOT harmful. > > An extract from one of the many fine articles on Martin Watt's site .. > folks should visit it at http://www.aromamedical.com/ > > This portion is from his page entitled " Misinformation On Aromatherapy > Issues http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/misinfor.html > > Misinformation: " Absolutes should not to be used for therapeutic > purposes " . IN FACT several floral absolutes have been extensively > tested on humans for adverse effects and are passed as safe if used in > the appropriate amounts. Several absolutes are permitted food > additives > under EEC, FDA & WHO regulations. Solvent residues are subject to > International regulations, and these levels are only a few parts per > million if for food use. Therefore, the use on the skin in > aromatherapy > is perfectly safe, provided the maximum levels recommended by RIFM are > not exceeded. > > As absolutes are cold processed, they represent the perfume found in > the living plant much more closely than the equivalent distilled > essential oil. " UNQUOTE > > I'll comment on his last sentence .. in fact, the odor of an Absolute > will more closely resemble the aromatic source it was extracted from > than will an Essential Oil. The reason for this is likely to be the > destruction or chemical changes caused by heat in the distillation > process. Doesn't mean the oil loses its therapeutic properties .. if > that were the case there would be no AT .. but its likely that some of > the natural trace chemicals might be altered .. and the odor of an oil > is not always due to the major chemical components .. sometimes its > from > obscure trace chemicals. > > I'll comment on his point of safe .. " IF used in appropriate amounts " . > How do we learn the appropriate amount of a particular EO or Absolute? > Only source I know is Martin's Safety Manual, " Plant Aromatics " . This > reference publication has been around for a long time. It contains, > for > various EO, references on scientifically proven safe dilution for > dermal > application of EO and Absolutes. The old edition sold for years at > $75. > I published the new, revised edition and now offer it for $44.90. > > The revised edition came out in November 2001 and is now in the Fourth > Printing. I am exclusive dealer for North and South America. It can > be seen and ordered from me at the following URL .. folks in Europe > should contact Martin. http://www.av-at.com/plantaromaticsavnp.html > > Now .. I will caveat my recommendation that you visit Martin's web > site > with the following comments. I have to do this because though I agree > with maybe 99.44% of Martin's work .. I can't agree with all of his > positions and if I send folks to read things I don't agree with I need > to let them know that up front. > > 1. Martin is my good buddy and I have the utmost respect for him and > his knowledge. He has perhaps the most extensive research library of > any person in this industry .. having spent many, many years doing a > lot > of fine research. He has published and its good work. If I were to > measure his general knowledge of aromatic matters against my own .. I > would come out on the short end of the stick .. but I too know a thing > or three .. even a blind hawg finds an acorn now and then. > > 2. Martin is a fanatic on safety .. this is a good thing because his > extreme position provides good balance to the majority of the crap put > out by many others that totally disregards safe use of Essential Oils. > But I am not of the opinion that if an EO is not proven to be safe > then > it should not be used. Many EO commonly used in AT have not been > tested > for dermal use .. one of the many is Peppermint. > > 3. Martin is an honest man with a very low tolerance for the hype > that > is common in this industry .. and he's been around this industry long > enough to see a lot of such crap. That is why he often comes across > as > a Troll .. he's not really a Troll .. just acts like one sometimes. > ;-) > > 4. Martin is more of a tree hugger than I am but still I am a true > conservationist. I don't agree with his positions on Rosewood and > Sandalwood .. and I have presented my disagreement in debate with him > on > and off list. None of what I have written here today is written > behind > his back .. he is a member of this list .. likely will see this post > if > he has his ears on. We duke it out and still remain friends due to a > mutual respect .. even though he is a Social Democrat. ;-) > > 5. If someone wants to learn the CORRECT information about Essential > Oils and Aromatherapy .. rather than later having to weed through all > the humma-humma and unlearn the bad information .. I would recommend > they consider taking Martin's Aromatherapy Course .. its the best > around > and the least costly one around .. and you can get a 10% discount on > the > course by going through me. http://www.av-at.com/coursedetails.html > > In addition .. if you own or purchase Plant Aromatics prior to signing > for the AT Course .. you get an additional $13 rebate. > > Back at the farm: > > So .. we started with Rose Blossoms .. then obtained Rose Concrete .. > and finally we wind up with two products .. Rose Absolute .. and the > plant Waxes that are left behind after the final extraction process. > This wax is called .. Rose Wax. For the last couple of years this wax > has been highly sought after by folks in this industry .. for soaps or > whatever .. not sure. Prior to this fad the remaining Rose Wax was a > product we dumped in the garbage. > > And that is what an Absolute is and how it is produced. > > > Thanks! > > Michelle > > Welcome fer'shur .. and y'all keep smiling. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Hi Michelle, > Hi everyone!! > > Can some one tell me what is the difference between an essential > oil and an absolute? Yep .. see below. ;-) > I've seen several different sites offer both products but there is > never a definition of the difference. There are definitions out and about .. but generally one has to search for them. Lemme start by saying that this post is protected by Copyright! There are around forty eleven ways to describe an Absolute .. and afore I'm through you might be sorry you asked. Most of the explanations are too short and create more questions .. but I'm not known for brevity. If its worth explaining its worth trying to answer questions afore they are asked .. so I'll use a combination of those ways and hope the explanation is clear enough. If it appears that I'm rambling it is probably because its true. ALL Essential Oil production is by either: 1. Steam Distillation .. means the plant material is placed in a basket or container and suspended over the water .. steam passes through the plant material, etc. 2. Hydro-Diffusion .. which is similar to Steam Distillation except the steam is forced down from the top rather than passing through the aromatic material from the bottom. Some say some aromatic oils are better when Hydro-Diffused .. and I agree with them .. that's why I offer a number of Hydro-Diffused EO. 3. Hydro-Distillation .. means the aromatic material comes into direct contact with the water .. similar to a washing machine where the clothes are in contact with the water. Rose Otto is manufactured in this manner because steam will not pass through the Rose Blossoms after they become heated and compacted. When using this method there is normally a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio of water to plant material. This is important to avoid having the aromatic materials overheat .. or caramelize. Those are the only three ways I know of to produce Essential Oils .. and Absolutes are not Essential Oils. They are Absolutes. I don't consider Cold or Expeller Pressed Oils (like Citrus) as being Essential Oils either. CO2 extracted oils are also not Essential Oils. I don't argue the semantics of this with folks as it detracts from the points I try to make .. there is enough misinformation about to cause some folks to want to validate that misinformation or their misinformed teacher's instructions. We should use common language in this industry. If one wants to call turtles as terrapins or spiders as insects they can do it if they want to .. but they might consider talking only to folks who are likewise wrong or they might be corrected/challenged. The Solvent used in the three forms of extraction above is .. Water. Heated Water - Steam. I point this out because in this industry we say that Absolutes are Solvent Extracted .. and true it is .. but we should say which Solvent is used because Water is also a Solvent. Absolutes .. Some aromatics don't take well to distillation .. Jasmine for example. Some can't be distilled .. Vanilla for example. Some can be distilled or extracted as Absolutes .. Rose Blossoms for example. Production of Absolutes requires less aromatic plant material, thus .. Absolutes are not as costly as are Essential Oils made from the same aromatic materials. Because some aromatic oils are produced both as Essential Oils and Absolutes .. there will not always be a basis for price comparison. Production of Absolutes is a multi-step process requiring both Hot Processing and Cold Processing .. it starts with a Hot Process. I'll use the Rose Absolute made here in Turkey as a tool for explaining this process. The Rose Blossoms are literally washed in a hot process of Hexane .. in a type of still, similar to the Hydro-Distillation method described above. Except that the Solvent used in the initial process to produce Rose Absolute is not Water .. its Hexane. Hexane is NOT dangerous as is commonly thought by some folks .. its not to be used as an after dinner cocktail - drinking it would be harmful. Hexane is used to make many common cooking oils found in the kitchen. Upon completion of this Hexane bathing process, the Hexane is drawn off and what remains is a very Waxy substance called Concrete. Concrete is thick and not really suitable for use in AT .. though some folks do use it in cosmetics .. I've heard. The still warm Concrete is then poured into containers (normally kilo size) with a hole in the top of the container .. through this hole will escape the remaining Hexane in the Concrete. Hexane is one of the most volatile substances known to science so it does escape. Then later .. sometimes weeks later or even longer, the remaining (now cold) Concrete is subjected to a Cold Process bath using another Solvent. This final Solvent used to produce Rose Absolute is normally Ethanol .. or C2H5OH .. something we find in every bar .. Grain Alcohol. The Absolute produced from the Concrete will have a few percentage points of Ethanol remain in it .. and maybe a trace (6 ppm or so) of Hexane. But it is NOT harmful .. I repeat .. it is NOT harmful. An extract from one of the many fine articles on Martin Watt's site .. folks should visit it at http://www.aromamedical.com/ This portion is from his page entitled " Misinformation On Aromatherapy Issues http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/misinfor.html Misinformation: " Absolutes should not to be used for therapeutic purposes " . IN FACT several floral absolutes have been extensively tested on humans for adverse effects and are passed as safe if used in the appropriate amounts. Several absolutes are permitted food additives under EEC, FDA & WHO regulations. Solvent residues are subject to International regulations, and these levels are only a few parts per million if for food use. Therefore, the use on the skin in aromatherapy is perfectly safe, provided the maximum levels recommended by RIFM are not exceeded. As absolutes are cold processed, they represent the perfume found in the living plant much more closely than the equivalent distilled essential oil. " UNQUOTE I'll comment on his last sentence .. in fact, the odor of an Absolute will more closely resemble the aromatic source it was extracted from than will an Essential Oil. The reason for this is likely to be the destruction or chemical changes caused by heat in the distillation process. Doesn't mean the oil loses its therapeutic properties .. if that were the case there would be no AT .. but its likely that some of the natural trace chemicals might be altered .. and the odor of an oil is not always due to the major chemical components .. sometimes its from obscure trace chemicals. I'll comment on his point of safe .. " IF used in appropriate amounts " . How do we learn the appropriate amount of a particular EO or Absolute? Only source I know is Martin's Safety Manual, " Plant Aromatics " . This reference publication has been around for a long time. It contains, for various EO, references on scientifically proven safe dilution for dermal application of EO and Absolutes. The old edition sold for years at $75. I published the new, revised edition and now offer it for $44.90. The revised edition came out in November 2001 and is now in the Fourth Printing. I am exclusive dealer for North and South America. It can be seen and ordered from me at the following URL .. folks in Europe should contact Martin. http://www.av-at.com/plantaromaticsavnp.html Now .. I will caveat my recommendation that you visit Martin's web site with the following comments. I have to do this because though I agree with maybe 99.44% of Martin's work .. I can't agree with all of his positions and if I send folks to read things I don't agree with I need to let them know that up front. 1. Martin is my good buddy and I have the utmost respect for him and his knowledge. He has perhaps the most extensive research library of any person in this industry .. having spent many, many years doing a lot of fine research. He has published and its good work. If I were to measure his general knowledge of aromatic matters against my own .. I would come out on the short end of the stick .. but I too know a thing or three .. even a blind hawg finds an acorn now and then. 2. Martin is a fanatic on safety .. this is a good thing because his extreme position provides good balance to the majority of the crap put out by many others that totally disregards safe use of Essential Oils. But I am not of the opinion that if an EO is not proven to be safe then it should not be used. Many EO commonly used in AT have not been tested for dermal use .. one of the many is Peppermint. 3. Martin is an honest man with a very low tolerance for the hype that is common in this industry .. and he's been around this industry long enough to see a lot of such crap. That is why he often comes across as a Troll .. he's not really a Troll .. just acts like one sometimes. ;-) 4. Martin is more of a tree hugger than I am but still I am a true conservationist. I don't agree with his positions on Rosewood and Sandalwood .. and I have presented my disagreement in debate with him on and off list. None of what I have written here today is written behind his back .. he is a member of this list .. likely will see this post if he has his ears on. We duke it out and still remain friends due to a mutual respect .. even though he is a Social Democrat. ;-) 5. If someone wants to learn the CORRECT information about Essential Oils and Aromatherapy .. rather than later having to weed through all the humma-humma and unlearn the bad information .. I would recommend they consider taking Martin's Aromatherapy Course .. its the best around and the least costly one around .. and you can get a 10% discount on the course by going through me. http://www.av-at.com/coursedetails.html In addition .. if you own or purchase Plant Aromatics prior to signing for the AT Course .. you get an additional $13 rebate. Back at the farm: So .. we started with Rose Blossoms .. then obtained Rose Concrete .. and finally we wind up with two products .. Rose Absolute .. and the plant Waxes that are left behind after the final extraction process. This wax is called .. Rose Wax. For the last couple of years this wax has been highly sought after by folks in this industry .. for soaps or whatever .. not sure. Prior to this fad the remaining Rose Wax was a product we dumped in the garbage. And that is what an Absolute is and how it is produced. > Thanks! > Michelle Welcome fer'shur .. and y'all keep smiling. :-) Butch http://www.AV-AT.com .. Bulk/Wholesale/Retail GC Tested EO, Rose Products, Tested Hydrosols and other nice things shipped to you from our store in Downtown Friendsville, MD .. Pop: 597 .. ceptin' when I'm in town .. then its 598 but they refuse to change the sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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