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What are Absolutes?
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| An array
of bottled essential oils and absolutes stored in a padded traveling
case. |
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Like their essential oil counterparts,
absolutes are highly aromatic liquids extracted from plants. Absolutes,
however, are extracted in a complex manner that requires the use
of chemical solvents that are later removed during the final stages
of production.
Sometimes, the hot steam or water used to distill
an essential oil does not extract much natural oil from the plant
or harms the precious natural oil. The solvent extraction methods
are often used in these cases.
As a rule, absolutes are more concentrated than
their essential oil cousins. Where it is true that a little essential
oil goes a long way, a little absolute goes an even longer way.
A very trace amount of solvent can remain in the
final absolute. This indeed is a disadvantage to using absolutes
as aromatherapy focuses on the use of pure and natural plant matter.
Although the amount of remaining solvent is minimal, absolutes are
used in true aromatherapy with care, respect and knowledge. Essential
oils should never be taken internally by anyone that is not trained,
educated and experienced at doing so. Absolutes should never be
taken internally by anyone because of that small amount of trace
solvent that may remain.
AromaWeb's Business
Plaza provides a wonderful categorical directory of sellers
of essential oils, absolutes and aromatherapy products.
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