At De Groene Linde, we sell various types of base oil. The bottles also feature various terms, namely KP (cold-pressed), RF (refined) and Macerate. These terms relate to the way the oils are produced.
As well as being known by a different name, the oil also differs significantly in price. This, too, is down to the extraction process.
Cold-pressed
The term KP stands for cold-pressed. In this method, the oil is extracted using pressure and friction applied to the nuts and seeds. The temperature is kept constant throughout this process, at around 35 degrees, to ensure it does not become too high. When the oil is not heated, it retains its nutrients and vitamins. A cold-pressed oil also retains its flavour, aroma and colour, and can therefore often have a strong smell. A cold-pressed oil is pure and very rich in nutrients.
So this is always a good choice if you want to apply the oil to your skin and make the most of its pure properties.
The difference in colour is very clear to see between the KP and RF avocado oils, as you can see in the photo. The KP still has that pure, dark green colour.
Refined
Refined means that the oil has been processed in a factory. Often, after the cold-pressing process, the raw material is heated in order to extract a final residual product from it. The scent and colour of the oil are removed from the product through a process carried out in the factory. This can be very useful if you wish to use the oil but do not like its scent and/or colour. If you like to blend a carrier oil with essential oil, it is better for the olfactory experience to choose the RF grade, as the carrier oil is odourless.
The oil does retain its effectiveness, but it is true that certain vitamins are lost in the process.
Macerate
A macerate is also known as herbal oil. You can very easily make your own macerate by allowing herbs or flowers to infuse in oil. Over a period of 3 to 4 weeks, the plant parts release their fat-soluble compounds, resulting in a high-quality herbal oil. The active ingredients of, for example, Chamomile are released into the base oil in this way, allowing you to make use of them. At De Groene Linde, the macerates are made using soya oil.
So how do you know what you’ve got at home?
It’s actually very simple: just taste it! If you’ve got a jar of coconut oil and it doesn’t smell or taste of coconut, then you’ve got a processed oil. All cold-pressed oils have the smell and taste of the fruit, seed or nut from which they’re pressed.
What is the best choice?
The purer it is, the more expensive it is… That’s pretty much what it boils down to. But it’s still nicest to apply a product that’s as pure as possible to your skin. That said, if you really want to focus on the scent, a processed oil is easier to use. This brings out the scent of the essential oil more strongly. Do you give massages and are you looking for a lovely massage oil? Then it’s a good idea to try out a few different oils. Some oils are a bit oilier than others. You might find this pleasant, or you might not like it at all!
Fancy making your own macerate?
It’s so much fun to do this! And it’s easy too. You can make the macerate in two different ways.
𝙺𝚘𝚞𝚍𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚍𝚎 – You’ll need a sealable glass jar for this. Use dried flowers or herbs and place them in the glass jar. Do not use fresh herbs or flowers, as there is a high risk that your macerate will go mouldy whilst you’re making it. Cover the herbs with a base oil of your choice until they are just submerged, then seal the jar tightly. Place the jar in a warm spot, but not in direct sunlight. Leave the macerate to stand for 2–3 weeks. It’s a good idea to give the oil a quick shake every day. After this time, strain the plant matter out of the oil very thoroughly. This is easiest to do using a clean cheesecloth or a hydrophilic cloth. Make sure to squeeze out absolutely all the oil from the herbs or flowers. Pour into a dark bottle and store in a cool, dark place.
𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚍𝚎 – Don’t have the patience to wait 2–3 weeks for your macerate? Or do you have some fresh produce you’d like to use to make your macerate? Then this method is a really good option 😉! Fill a heatproof jar, as described in the cold method, with the herbs/flowers and a base oil of your choice. Heat the jar (without the lid) in a bain-marie over a very low heat. The oil should reach a temperature of around 70 degrees. Take great care to ensure the oil doesn’t get any hotter! Remove the pan from the heat once 70 degrees has been reached and allow the oil to cool gently. If necessary, place a clean cloth over the jar to ensure no dirt gets into your macerate. Repeat this process two more times. After the final cooling, strain out the plant residues in the same way as described above. It is also best to store the macerate in a dark bottle or jar.
Which plants and herbs are suitable for this?
In fact, you can make a macerate from any herb or flower. The most common flowers and herbs are, of course, those believed to have healing properties, such as chamomile and calendula. But arnica, eucalyptus and St John’s wort are also widely used flowers and herbs for making macerates.
You could also consider a lovely-smelling lavender oil – which is also good for the skin – or rose!
Are you making a macerate using fresh flowers or herbs? If so, do not seal the jar with the lid when using the cold method. Seal the jar by securing a piece of gauze or fine cloth over the opening with a rubber band. This allows any moisture to evaporate and ensures that your macerate doesn’t go rancid or spoil quickly.
Did you know that…
Did you know you can often find chamomile flowers on building sites? Wherever the ground has been dug up, this lovely little flower springs up to help heal the area… And that’s exactly how it works for your skin too. Pick chamomile flowers on or around 21 June; that’s when the flower is at its most potent and you’ll be able to ‘brew’ a healing macerate.
It’s great fun to give this a go! I always find it a lovely project to start with. And the end result is just so lovely!!
𝙻𝚒𝚎𝚏𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊
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