hello sir,
My name is Tengku Ismadi from University Technology of Malaysia, and i'm studying in Mechanical Eng.
I have several questions regarding essential oils. This is some literature study for one of my subject. Due to your expertise, I hope you can answer as many questions as you can. The questions are shown below.
For each of the following naturally occurring oils: Citronella ,eucalyptus,cinnamon leaf,nutmeg,clove,rose,jasmine,lavender
a.how easy is it to produce for each of them chemically as compared being extracted from natural sources?
b.how effective the chemically produced ones for each of them compared to the ones extracted naturally(i.e the medicinal/therapeutic/healing qualities).
c.Are there any harmful effects using the chemically produced ones?
d. in the market ,if one does not know the origin of a particular oil, how likely are each of them to be produced chemically as compared it to be the naturally?
e. apart from laboratory tests, are there any other way of distinguishing between the two? (Chemistry,aromatherapy)
Your question is of the differences between synthetic and natural essences. This is well outside the scope of our mission: Homework help
Thanks for considering us. Good luck in your review of the literature. It sounds very interesting.
Hello Tengku Ismadi! I'll be happy to help you with your questions about essential oils. Let's go through each of them one by one:
a. How easy is it to produce each of these oils chemically compared to extracting them from natural sources?
The ease of chemically producing an oil compared to extracting it from natural sources may vary depending on the specific oil. Generally, it is often easier to extract essential oils from natural sources because they already contain the desired compounds and can be easily obtained through methods such as steam distillation or cold pressing. On the other hand, chemical synthesis of essential oils requires complex processes and precise control of reaction conditions, making it more difficult and expensive.
b. How effective are chemically produced oils compared to those extracted naturally in terms of medicinal/therapeutic/healing qualities?
The effectiveness of chemically produced oils compared to those extracted naturally can also vary. While chemically produced oils may contain the same compounds as their natural counterparts, the processes used to create them may not always produce the exact same chemical composition. This can result in variations in aroma, flavor, and potential therapeutic effects. Natural essential oils often have a more complex chemical composition due to the synergy of compounds found in the plant, and this can contribute to their therapeutic properties.
c. Are there any harmful effects of using chemically produced oils?
The use of chemically produced oils can have potential harmful effects depending on the manufacturing process and the specific chemicals used. Some chemically produced oils may contain synthetic compounds or additives that could have adverse effects on human health. Additionally, certain chemical processes may result in the formation of impurities or harmful by-products. It is important to ensure the quality and safety of chemically produced oils through proper testing and regulation.
d. In the market, if one does not know the origin of a particular oil, how likely is it to be produced chemically compared to being extracted naturally?
Determining the origin of essential oils solely based on their presence in the market can be challenging. It is difficult to determine the production method without proper labeling or certification. However, certain factors may provide some clues. Chemically produced oils are generally cheaper and more readily available compared to their naturally extracted counterparts. If an oil is being sold at a significantly lower price than expected, it might be an indicator that it has been chemically produced. It is always recommended to purchase essential oils from reputable sources that clearly state their extraction methods and provide quality assurance.
e. Apart from laboratory tests, are there any other ways of distinguishing between chemically produced oils and those extracted naturally?
Chemical analysis in a laboratory setting is the most reliable method for distinguishing between chemically produced oils and those extracted naturally. Techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) can identify and quantify the individual compounds present in an oil, allowing for a comparison against known natural profiles.
In addition, factors like aroma and sensory evaluation can provide some indication. Natural essential oils often have a more complex and nuanced aroma due to the presence of various compounds, whereas chemically produced oils may have a more simplified or artificial scent. Aromatherapy practitioners and experienced individuals may be able to detect these differences through their senses. However, it is important to note that these methods are subjective and not as reliable as scientific analysis.
I hope this answers your questions! Let me know if you need any further clarification or have additional inquiries.