NEWS
ESSENTIAL OIL
FARMING
Interest in essential oils has been steadily increasing and the demand for these oils has never been higher . Essential oils are cultivated through the distillation or the mechanical processing ( cold pressing ) of plants or the rinds of citrus fruits .
Kefiloe Manthata Senwes Journalist
Once the distillation process is complete , the essential oils of the plant are physically separated from the water or steam used during distillation . This produces a true essential oil , used for a variety of reasons , including aromatherapy and to improve overall health .
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS
With demand so high for essential oils steadily growing , those interested in creating their own products will find a variety of oils easy to extract from its plant or rind source . Producing essential oils can be a lucrative business but one which will depend on the quality of bottling and the marketing of the product . Because the essential oil business has become highly competitive , it is critical to have the right packaging to attract consumer attention .
Most essential oil crops are suitable for many different uses , and fully adaptable for transformation even by small , local manufacturers .
There are many essential oil crops to choose from when deciding which to explore when diversifying your farming practices . The most popular , amongst other essential oil crops are lavender , rose geranium , rosemary , basil , thyme , peppermint , chamomile , eucalyptus , and buchu . Each of these is said to have homeopathic medicinal properties and they are versatile in that they are used across the holistic healing and aromatherapy industry for different purposes .
Getting started in the essential oils business is time-intensive and requires an initial investment of money for supplies and
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SENWES SCENARIO | WINTER � 2021