The Village of the Enchanted Forest | Forest Sustainable Development for Local Communities

Essential Oils

Owning a forested land property gives rise to opportunities regarding the picking of plant components suitable for many purposes, among which stands essential oil extracting. At The Village of the Enchanted Forest, we think that essential oil extracting should first consider waste material such as twigs and leaves from cut down trees as base material so we make sure that we are recycling and optimizing all the available resources of the land. Of course other factors should be considered for the choice of your production like the market situation, the fact that your production can be used in other activities such as soap making and the quantity and quality of the oils you can produce.

In all cases, you want to make sure that you will not collect your base material abusively so you will benefit of a sustainable supply year in year out. As an example, you should preserve half of an abundant Labrador tea colony when collecting your material for essential oil extraction and wait to see how the shrubs are recovering before harvesting the untouched area. If you are just starting in the business, you will have to make your own trials before knowing precisely the quantity of material needed to produce the oil. It is advisable to start with a small production so you can adapt your technique without any significant loss if things don't go your way. Moreover, supply will be a major problem if large markets are sought initially with the strong likelyhood of loosing the contract if the product cannot be supplied in full (source).

The anticipated yields vary greatly from one species to another. "Essential oil yield generally refers to the percentage of essential oil extracted from the plant. Plants generally yield between 0.01% and 2.0% essential oil, based on the weight of the plant distilled. Yield varies with growing conditions such as light, temperature, water, and nutrients as well as the state of maturity, the part of the plant harvested, and the time of the day the plant is harvested. The essential oil yield of a plant can also vary with the amount of stress it faces" (source). Here are examples of essential oil yields using hydrodistillation:

- Laggera aurita (0.008%)
- Hyptis spicigera (0.04%)
- Melissa officinalis (0.036%-0.067%)
- Pluchea ovalis (0.065%)
- Geranium (0.12%)
- Piper auritum (0.17%)
- Milfoil (0.1%-0.25% fresh) (0.24%-0.5% semi-dried)
- Davana (0.2%)
- Tarragon (0.1%-0.45% fresh) (0.25%-0.8% dried)
- Wormwood (0.35% semi-dried)
- lemon (0.355%)
- grapefruit (0.370%)
- Eastern Hemlock (0.4%-0.6%) - Risi and Brûlé (1945)
- Ninde (0.3%-0.8%)
- Thyme (0.32%-0.83%)
- orange (0.587%)
- Black Spruce (0.5%-0.7%) - Risi and Brûlé (1945)
- German Chamomile (0.65%)
- Eastern White Cedar (0.6%-1.0%) - Risi and Brûlé (1945)
- Eastern White Pine (0.6%-1.0%) - Risi and Brûlé (1945)
- Coriander (seeds) (0.74%-0.98%)
- Eucalyptus (0.8%-1%)
- High-geraniol Monarda (0.9%)
- Lavender (0.9%)
- Cajuput (1%)
- Citronella (1%)
- Mint (1.3%-2.26%)
- Balsam Fir (1.0%-1.4%) - Risi and Brûlé (1945)
- Patchouli (3%)
- Caraway (3.2%-3.9%)
- vanilla (3.73%)
- Clausena (4.32%)
- Cloves (11.217%)

"The primary markets for essential oils are the flavour and fragrance industries, wich includes soft drink, food, and cosmetic companies. Essential oils are beneficial to these industries, particularly the food and beverage industries, due to their uniform quality and lack of colour. The flavour and fragrance industries have grown recently for the following reasons: increased demand for ethnic foods, innovation in beverage products, growth in processed food consumption, and increasing demand for natural fragrances. In addition, niche markets also exist for essential oils by producing products for the aromatherapy industry. Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils to release odour molecules that can trigger impulses in the brain. The use of scents may be used for therapeutic purposes, to trigger emotions or memory, to promote relaxation, or to enhance energy. Part of the appeal in using essential oils for aromatherapy products is that there is no evidence that they cause adverse side effects" (source).

Wikipedia has a short basic text on essential oils. To know more on the subject, see the references and links below or better, get yourself complete reference books by ordering them from these quality bookstores:

REFERENCES AND LINKS:

Risi, J. and M. Brûlé. 1945. Études des huiles essentielles tirées des feuilles de quelques conifères du Québec. Province de Québec, Ministère des Terres et forêts, Services forestiers, Laboratoire des produits forestiers. 52 p.

Small Scale Study of Yield and Quality of Oils from Six Herbs Species
Introduction to Growing Herbs for Essential Oils, Medicinal and Culinary Purposes
Essential Oils and their Production
How to Produce Essential Oils?
How to Make an Essential Oil Distiller
Feasibility of the Therapeutic Essential Oil Industry in Alberta
Ethiopia's Essentials?! Export Potential of Ethiopian Essential Oils
Canada's Essential Oil Industry
Wikipedia
Cultivating Herbs and Medicinal Plants in Norway - Essential Oil Production and Quality Control
University of Vermont: Small Scale Production of Essential Oils
University of Vermont: Fragrant perennials
FAO: Minor Crop Oils
FAO: Flavours and fragances of plant origin
Steam Extraction of Essential Oil
Health Trends and Profiles of the Future Herbal Consumers
Aromatherapy

The Village Store

THE VILLAGE STORE

	The West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy offers you the chance to take aromatherapy courses at home, just like going to an aromatherapy school! Learn all you need to know about essential oils in the comfort of your own home at your own pace with ongoing support from Beverley Hawkins an expert in the field! West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy - #120, 5421 10th Ave - Delta, BC - V4M 3T9 Canada
	For nearly 30 years, Candlewic has been a family owned and operated business serving the candle industry worldwide. Candlewic provides an extensive line of wholesale products to candle producers of all sizes, from hobbyists to candle manufacturers. Candlewic's continued expansion and growth has been made possible by offering the very best products at the most competitive pricing available in the industry. In addition to candle making supplies and accessories, it is now possible to purchase all your soap making supplies from Candlewic.com. The Candlewic Company - 3765 Old Easton Road - Doylestown - Pennsylvania USA 18902
	The Essence of Life is an e-store offering a wide variety of pure essential oils among the most popular ones. We also supply essential oil diffusers and books on aromatherapy as handsome guides for a careful use. Click on any of the items appearing on the left to have access to the whole store. This electronic boutique was built by The Village of the Enchanted Forest using do it yourself Zlio stores. Click on this LINK to build one yoursel and start making business online!
	At Essential Wholesale, we know that everyone is different in mind and body, so we decided to give our customers several choices of Essential Oils, Exotic Butter & Waxes and various Botanical Oils from all over the world that they would like in their products. We are not just interested in producing quantity, so we make everything in small batches to ensure quality. You may be able to find cheaper "chemical" cosmetic bases on the market, but one cannot even begin to compare them to our naturally derived and all natural bases. We want our customers and their clients to be truly pleased with their purchases so our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee will ensure that you can always get a sample before you buy and always be able to return any unopened product we sell. - Essential Wholesale - 8850 SE Herbert Ct. - Clackamas - OR USA 97015
	Camden-Grey Essential Oils is your one-stop shop for ingredients for toiletries and aromatherapy, as well as for packaging and gift items. Our company was founded in October 1998 and thanks to the continued patronage of numerous repeat customers and also to new customers who discover our site daily, we have grown from a two-room office to an 8,500 sq. ft. warehouse. Our forté has always been essential oils, but now we are excited about all the new gift items we offer. If you’re searching for that special gift, you’re sure to find it among our new and extensive selection of unique and high quality gifts, diffusers, perfume bottles, baskets, ribbons, ceramics, tins, trinket boxes, pouches, and silver-plated products. As a family-owned business we strive to provide all our customers with prompt, courteous service and competitive pricing regardless of order size. - Camden-Grey Essential Oils - 3579 NW 82 Ave. - Doral - FL USA 33122