Are CO2s Essential Oils?

Comment

Comment by IBN Member Joan Morais on November 4, 2009 at 12:38pm

Hi Sarah,
Just went to your blog, www.lilithsapothecary.wordpress.com. Great informative blog. I would be happy to be part of your blog post CO2's.

Comment by IBN Member Joan Morais on November 4, 2009 at 12:35pm

Hi Sarah,
Yes, CO2's are very viscous, especially Calendula CO2. I have tried to dissolve it in 190 proof alcohol and it didn't dissolve. It is soluble in oil and vegetable glycerin.

Comment by IBN Member Joan Morais on November 4, 2009 at 10:37am

Hi Maggie,
That is interesting what you are saying about the CO2's going off/rancid on you. I wonder if it is where you are purchasing them from and if other oils have been added to them without anyone's knowledge. I purchase mine from companies that I know have reputable sources. They do testing to make sure they have not been adulterated. I have never had a problem with my CO2's going off but then again I have not tried green tea CO2 as none of my suppliers carry it.

Comment by Maggie Mahboubian on October 8, 2009 at 8:59pm

I've used several CO2's over the past couple of years and have found them to be difficult to work with. From my understanding, they were initially developed for the flavor industry but have subsequently found their way into the aromatherapy/perfumery world. In general, I find CO2 extractions to be true to their botanical sources. However, some of my tinctured CO2's have gone "off". In fact, a couple have visibly spoiled such as the green tea CO2 that I have. It grew moldy. My thoughts are that a low temperature extraction will not eliminate pathogens the way steam distillation will. An essential oil is a potent anti-microbial so nothing can survive in that medium, but in some cases a CO2 is like a fresh extraction and subject to spoilage. There are some CO2's that are spectacular, like frankincense and some spices. However, there are no hard and fast rules as my nutmeg CO2 mutated quite early. It's been a process of trial and error finding out which CO2's are keepers.
Good luck!
Maggie
p.s. If what I've written has been helpful, please let me know lilith! You're welcome to use it and credit me in your blog.

Comment by Sarah Powell on October 7, 2009 at 10:57am

I do use CO2 extracts a lot but I find the viscous quality of many of them kind of frustrating...especially considering the considerable expense. Calendula CO2 (not a botanical that has an e.o.) is very thereapeutic but so thick, and dark, and viscous. Are these particularly heat sensitive? I'm always trying to figure out the best way to get them to be more fluid, and simply sitting them in scalding water is not enough. I also do not use the microwave for such precious ingredients, as the microwave changes the chemical nature of products (and even the food we eat). Any suggestions based on your experience?

I have also seen CO2s used in products such as bath salts, though the amount must be pretty minute. We know that the use of quality E.O.s can be thereapeutic, but that is based on the qualities of the volitile oils. Is it similar with CO2s? We're not dealing so much here with 'scent' as active properities of the plant (and an extract that is closer to the true properties of hte plant)

I would actually like to do a blog post based on your expertise here....would you be into that? (your quotes, credit to you, your business links, etc) (My blog: www.lilithsapothecary.wordpress.com)

Comment by Marge Clark on October 7, 2009 at 10:54am

My personal experience, the CO2 extracted German Chamomile is much more healing than the distilled oil. Also, there are CO2 extracts available for many botanicals that won't yield a distilled EO, the Calendula extracts, for example. Also, there are CO2 extracts available for many of the plants that normally yield a cold pressed fixed (carrier) oil - my favorite is the Pomegranate CO2 extract, a marvelous skin healer... really helpful for dealing psoriasis.

Comment by Gina Rafkind on October 7, 2009 at 10:48am

Thanks for sharing this Joan!