Carbon dioxide, which gives sparkling water its bubbles, is also used in extracting volatile
compounds ~ antioxidants, essential oils, and fatty oils ~ from plants. The
process is known as supercritical CO2 extraction. Because this
process subjects raw materials to high pressure instead of high temperatures,
these extracts more closely resemble the original plant material in smell,
taste, and constituents, lending the resulting oils the plant’s properties,
including in some cases antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits. The
sophistication of the supercritical extraction process means that extracts can
be standardized for quality. The process is gentle and leaves no chemical
solvent residues. Produced without oxygen, the resulting extracts are also
sterile and need no preservation.
CO2 extracts are categorized in two ways, as “select”
and “total”:
-
Extracted at lower pressures, Select
extracts contain only the volatile compounds that are CO2 soluble. Waxes, resins, and compounds that lend color remain in the plant material. Selects are often thick but pourable, with an appearance similar to steam-distilled essential oils, though some of the volatile compounds they contain will not be found in a steam-distilled version of the oil.
- A Total CO2 extract, on the other hand, does contain both volatile and non-volatile CO2
soluble compounds. This means total extracts tend to be thick like paste,
though they will solubilize in vegetable oils with little or no warming
necessary. More similar to the plant themselves, totals are extracted at higher
pressure and include some
of the plant waxes and resins.
by Marianne Griffeth ©2013
Lemongrass contains a healthy dose of vitamin A. It is used as an addition to tea and in preparations for a traditional herbal
'soup' used against coughs, colds, etc. 
Lemongrass might help prevent the growth
of some bacteria and yeast. It also contains substances that are
thought to relieve pain, reduce fever, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow,
and have antioxidant properties, as well as being a wonderful addition to skin care products for oily skin and hair.
Prima Fleur Lemongrass Essential Oil [No. 145] is from East India.
For information on our Premier
Products and pricing, please visit our website.
To place an order, please call (415) 455-0957. To
explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library
of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com
Designed for sensitive skin prone
to showing the effects of environmental and hormonal stress, Stress Relieving Crème Cleanser [No. 1201]
is Ecocert Greenlife certified. A delicate soothing
cleanser for sensitive skin, it features anti-irritant schisandra, anti-inflammatory
aloe gel, and potent antioxidant sea buckthorn. With the
inclusion of gentle botanicals like rose, neroli, lavender, and chamomile, this
cleanser helps to resist external stress factors and stabilize cell membranes.
For information on our Premier Products and pricing,
please visit
our website. For questions and to explore custom development with
exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please
contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or
call (415) 455-0957.
Prima Fleur Rhatany
(Krameria Lappacea) Essential Oil [No. 529], derived from the rain forests in South and Central
America, is known to have antioxidant, anti-microbial and
anti-inflammatory efficacy. Ideal for defense against aging and external
stress, rhatany supports skin repair and cell turnover. It is also effective as
an internal astringent, and is especially useful in relieving bleeding gums,
halting blood flow, and reducing bruising.
Experience the healing power of rhatany
in our Ecocert® organic Rhatany Heel-All Foot Crème [No. 1204].
Schisandra fruit extracts
act as anti-irritant, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents resisting
external stress factors and stabilizing cell membranes. Schisandra berry
extract produced by CO2 extraction has UV-protective and anti-inflammatory
properties that are based on COX-2 and prostaglandin inhibition.
Prima Fleur offers
Schisandra Essential Oil [No. 527] from Germany. Schisandra is a safe and
effective ingredient for the prevention and treatment of hyperproliferative and
inflammatory skin conditions. Used to resist infections, increase skin health,
and combat insomnia, coughing, and thirst.
For information on our Premier Products and pricing,
please visit
our website. For questions and to explore custom development with
exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please
contact sales@primafleur.com or call
(415) 455-0957.
Cardamom oil is one of the oldest essential oils
known. It was used by the Egyptians in perfumes and incense and its warming
properties make it useful for massage. Our Cardamom Essential Oil [Prima Fleur No. 516], Elettaria cardamom, is from Guatemala, and is deliciously
spicy, fruity, warm with a balsamic odor. It is a clear CO2 oil from the seed
of the cardamom, and is a perfect intensity for blends and spicy perfumes ~ the
scent thought to be an aphrodisiac.
Medicinally,
cardamom has been used to improve digestion and relieve flatulence. It is
widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat bronchitis, colds, and cough. When
used in skin care recipes it is included for its antioxidant, antiseptic and
cleansing properties. It is better tolerated on oilier skin types and should be
avoided in sensitive or allergic skin.
For information on our Premier Products and pricing,
please visit
our website. For questions and to explore custom development with
exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please
contact sales@primafleur.com or call
(415) 455-0957.
Raspberry
Seed extract, CO2 [Prima Fleur no. 531], has a subtle, fruity scent. It has
potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties, is very soothing and relaxing
for inflamed skin; it relieves irritation, and improves tissue firmness. The
anti-inflammatory properties of Raspberry Seed oil is very high.
For more information on products and ingredient lists,
please visit our website. To place an
order, please call (415) 455-0957.
Hemidesmus indicus,
organically grown and CO2 extracted in India is used for its antibiotic
properties and wonderful effects on skin conditions and to support healthy
skin. It has been reported as useful in respiratory disorders, skin diseases,
leucoderma, leucorrhoea, and itching. Several studies are being carried toward
its activities like analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and
helico-bactericidal properties. Further, it also protects against
radiation-induced DNA damage on the skin.
Prima Fleur Indian Sarsparilla Essential Oil [No. 379]
For information on our Premier Products and pricing,
please visit
our website. For questions and to explore custom development with
exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please
contact sales@primafleur.com or call
(415) 455-0957.
Carbon dioxide, which gives sparkling water its bubbles, is also used in extracting volatile
compounds ~ antioxidants, essential oils, and fatty oils ~ from plants. The
process is known as supercritical CO2 extraction. Because this
process subjects raw materials to high pressure instead of high temperatures,
these extracts more closely resemble the original plant material in smell,
taste, and constituents, lending the resulting oils the plant’s properties,
including in some cases antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits. The
sophistication of the supercritical extraction process means that extracts can
be standardized for quality. The process is gentle and leaves no chemical
solvent residues. Produced without oxygen, the resulting extracts are also
sterile and need no preservation.
