What is the best method to extract essential oils?

The best method to extract essential oils is distillation. This technique involves heating plant materials to produce steam, which carries the volatile compounds—essential oils—out of the plant. As the steam cools, it condenses back into liquid form, allowing for the separation of the essential oils from the water. This method is widely favored because it effectively preserves the delicate compounds in the essential oils while ensuring a high yield and purity.

Distillation is essential for capturing the aromatic and therapeutic properties of the oils, making it the most reliable and traditional method used in both commercial and artisanal settings.

The other methods mentioned do not serve the purpose of extracting essential oils. Disinfection and sterilization pertain to processes used to eliminate pathogens and bacteria, not to oil extraction. Sclerotherapy is a medical treatment primarily used to treat varicose veins and has no relevance to the extraction of essential oils. Hence, distillation stands out as the only appropriate technique among the options provided.