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Absolute:
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The aromatic material extracted from a plant using solvent
extraction. A highly concentrated, entirely alcohol-soluble
material. Absolutes are obtained by alcohol-extraction of
concretes. Most absolutes will contain traces of ethyl alcohol
(less than 2%). The final product may be liquid, solid or
semi-solid.
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Attar:
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Extracted through the distillation of flowers.
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Balsam:
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A natural raw material exuded from a tree or plant. Balsams
are resinous masses, semi-solid materials or viscous liquids
and are characterized by their high contents of benzoic
acid, benzoates, cinnamic acid or cinnamates.
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Chemotypes:
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Varieties of a species of aromatic plant which are of identical
appearance but which produce essential oils with significant
differences in chemical composition and hence toxicity.
The various chemotypes of a species will usually possess
quite different major components. See basil, oregano, and
thyme for examples of chemotypes. See botanical taxonomy
for a more detailed explanation.
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Concrete:
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A prepared perfume material extracted from non-resinous
or low resinous natural raw material (almost exclusively
of vegetable origin, e.g. bark, flower, herb, leaf, root,
etc.) Concretes are extracted from previously live tissue,
while resinoids are extracted from plant exudations (not
tissue). Concretes are usually solid, waxy, non-crystalline
masses.
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Essential Oil:
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A volatile material derived from aromatic plant materials.
EOs are either distilled (water, steam or dry) or expressed.
According to Daniel Penoel, MD, a properly distilled therapeutic
grade essential oil “is a fragrant liquid, acting immediately
on both the conscious and unconscious systems of the brain.
It easily penetrates the dermal layers, entering the blood
and lymph systems to be transported throughout the body.
Its therapeutic action is immediate, awe inspiring...Essential
oils do not heal, but rather enhance the body’s ability
to heal itself.”
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Extract:
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Prepared materials that can be used for perfume, flavoring,
and medicinal purposes. Extracts are usually concentrated
products obtained by treating a natural raw material with
a solvent.
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Fixative
(AKA fixed oil):
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In perfumery, a material that slows down the rate of evaporation
of the more volatile materials in a perfume composition.
So-called vegetable oils fall into this category.
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Oleo-resin:
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A natural or prepared material. Natural oleo-resins are
exudations from tree trunks, bark, etc.; prepared oleo-resins
are usually extracted using solvents.
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Resin:
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A natural or prepared product. Natural resins are solid
or semi-solid, almost odorless exudations from trees or
plants formed in Nature by the oxidation of terpenes. Prepared
resins are Oleo-resins from which the essential oil has
been removed.
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Tincture:
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A prepared perfumery material, flavor material or pharmaceutical
product. Tinctures can be considered alcoholic extracts
of natural raw materials; the solvent is left in the extract.
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Wild-crafted herbs:
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Plants gathered from their natural environment as opposed
to being cultivated, or grown or cloned by commercial growing
techniques.
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