Essential oils are oils from many herbs that are used in healing treatments and aroma therapy, but the plants do not give up their oils easily and there are many methods of extracting them. One method that has been used for ages is Expression.

Expressed essential oils are extracted from the plant without using heat. This is an ancient method and often involves squeezing by hand or using a press. It is a preferred method to use since it does not involve harsh chemicals.

One form of expression is called cold pressed. This is often used for nuts and citrus. While citrus rinds were cold pressed by hand in ancient times, today pressure is applied mechanically literally squeezing the oils out. While these oils do contain some water, over time it evaporates. Cold pressed essential oils do not last a long time however, so best to check expiration dates and buy only the amount you need to use.

Another form of expressed essential oils is called Ecuelle a Picuer and involves pricking the skins of the fruit with a gizmo that has pins for pricking and a container for collecting the oils that are realeased when the skin is pricked. The oils are then separated and decanted.

While ancient methods of Expression involved hard work and elbow grease, modern technology always has a way to make the job easier and today oils from fruit rinds can be extracted using centrifugal force. When an essential oil is produced in this manner it is called machine abrasion.

Expressed essential oils may be preferred by some over steam distilled oils and are certainly going to be more healthy for you than oils that are extracted using solvents and chemicals. Look on the labels of your oils to determine which method they were extracted by.