Extraction Techniques

Many essential oils, hydrosols and botanical extracts commonly used in Austin Molnar Organic skin care are obtained using the technique of water purification. The water purification process starts when botanical material is completely immersed in water and brought to a boil. This process shelters the oils as they are brought to a elevated temperature and the surrounding water takes action as a barricade to avoid overheating. When the concentrated extract cools down, the water and essential oil is separated and the product decanted. The water that is separated in this process is also used and known as "floral waters" (or hydrosol or sweet water) - such as rosewater, lavender water and orange water. Water distillation can be done at reduced pressure (under vacuum) to bring down the temperature to less than 100 degrees. This is beneficial in protecting the botanical material as well as the essential oils.

Botanical Extractions are made by means of an enclosed container where there is a reversed condenser positioned downward into the container from the top. Just below the condenser is the suspended revival container  The condenser has cold fluid flowing from side to side to keep the condenser cold. In the base of the main container, alcohol is positioned to smooth the progress of the extraction.  Plant substance is positioned in the revival container with pierced sides and bottom so fluid can move down through it. Mild heat is applied to the primary container permitting the solvent to dissipate allowing the condensation to reach the cold condenser at the crest of the container.  The re-condensed solvent on the walls of the condenser start to gracefully pour down the walls of the condenser and trickle off drip points on the end of the condenser. The solvent seeps into the crown of the revival container where it soaks the aromatic plant being extracted. The solvent pours through the cylinder and out the perforations in the base of the cylinder transporting the extract with it into the base of the container. The extract loaded solvent descending from the revival container is dark in nature and, as it turns out to be clearer, you see the plant matter filter out and the development is completed.  The next action is the division of the alcohol from the extract itself. This is performed by recondensing the fluid in the revival container.  The revival container is merely a beaker which is steady beneath the condenser. As solvent vapors re-condense and drip off  the tip of the condenser, they drip into the beaker and are detached from the extract itself.