What are essential oils?

A variety of plants cover the Earth in different shapes, sizes, colors, and scents. Many of these plants contain compounds that typically can’t be seen with the naked eye—they hide within the roots, flowers, seeds, bark, or other areas of the plant.

These compounds are known as essential oils. They are highly concentrated, making them extremely potent. Also referred to as volatile aromatic compounds, essential oils give a plant its aroma, protect it from harsh environmental conditions and insects, and even play a part in plant pollination.

How are essential oils produced?

Now you know that essential oils are derived from plants, but you may be wondering, “How does it work?”

While there are several methods for producing essential oils, dōTERRA® focuses on steam distillation and expression in order to produce high-quality oils. Both of these processes are organic, and allow the aromatic compounds to retain their potent, powerful aroma.

It is important to remember that not all essential oils are created equal. The purity of an oil can change depending on geographic location, distillation methods, weather, and other factors.

Additionally, no matter how well a plant is selected, cared for, and harvested, the quality of an essential oil can either be preserved or destroyed during the distillation process. Because of the attention to detail and precision necessary in distillation, it is often less of a process and more of an art form.

Distillers must be precise and pay careful attention to harvesting, temperatures, time of distillation, the amount of pressure used, etc. To learn more about how a plant part becomes an essential oil, read about steam distillation and expression below. insects, and even play a part in plant pollination.