Folded Citrus Essential Oils Explained
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- What are Folded Citrus Essential Oils?
- The Difference Between 5-Fold, 10-Fold, and Other Folded Essential Oils
- What Citrus Essential Oils are Most Commonly Available as Folded Oils?
- Why Folding Is Used Almost Exclusively for Citrus Oils
- Where Are Folded Citrus Essential Oils Most Commonly Used?
- Key Characteristics of Folded Citrus Essential Oils
- Are Folded Essential Oils Widely Used in Aromatherapy?
- Why an Aromatherapist or Aromatherapy Enthusiast Might Choose to Use a Folded Essential Oil
- Where Should I Purchase Folded Essential Oils for Aromatherapy or Wellness Applications?
- References
- For More Information
Introduction
This guide explores the distinctive characteristics, advantages and drawbacks of folded citrus essential oils to help you determine if and when they're the best fit for your formulations.
What are Folded Citrus Essential Oils?
A folded essential oil is a type of essential oil that has been redistilled or fractionated to remove a portion of the monoterpenes.
The folding process is most commonly applied to citrus essential oils.
The process results in a more concentrated, longer-lasting aroma. It also improves the shelf-life and stability of the essential oil.
The Difference Between 5-Fold, 10-Fold, and Other Folded Essential Oils
Folded essential oils are labeled with terms like "5-Fold" or "10-Fold" to indicate the degree of fractionation or re-distillation achieved through the folding process.
For example, a 5-Fold citrus essential oil is roughly five times as concentrated and refined as the original oil. A 10-Fold oil undergoes even more distillation steps, producing an even more concentrated, intense aroma.
Generally speaking, the larger the number, the fewer monoterpenes remain in the folded oil.
Higher-fold essential oils generally have a more intense and more uniform aromatic profile. However, as the folding level increases, the natural chemical balance of the oil further changes.
What Citrus Essential Oils are Most Commonly Available as Folded Oils?
Why Folding Is Used Almost Exclusively for Citrus Oils
The folding process is used primarily with citrus essential oils because of their exceptionally high levels of volatile monoterpenes like limonene.
Monoterpenes are very lightweight aromatic molecules, causing them to evaporate quickly. They are also more prone to oxidation, which can cause instability in formulations.
Where Are Folded Citrus Essential Oils Most Commonly Used?
Folded essential oils are most widely used in these applications:
- Perfumery
- Flavoring*
- Cosmetics
- Soapmaking
- Candlemaking
*Essential oils should only be ingested by those that are adequately trained or are under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist.
Key Characteristics of Folded Citrus Essential Oils
Enhanced Scent
Removing terpenes intensifies the aroma of an essential oil, making it less sharp and more rounded. For example, a 5-fold lemon oil will have a stronger, more concentrated lemon scent compared to regular lemon essential oil.
Increased Stability
Removing terpenes reduces the likelihood of oxidation, which can make the oil last longer.
Reduced Sensitivity
Terpenes can be irritating to the skin; by reducing their presence, folded oils may be gentler for topical applications.
Strengthened Solubility
Folded oils are more soluble in alcohol, which is desirable for perfumery and flavoring applications.
Are Folded Essential Oils Widely Used in Aromatherapy?
Because folded essential oils have been rectified (altered), they are not considered whole essential oils.
Therefore, they are not as widely used within the scope of aromatherapy.
The folding process removes the terpenes, thus concentrating the remaining constituents. This can alter the natural chemical balance of an essential oil, which many aromatherapists consider important for holistic use.
Why an Aromatherapist or Aromatherapy Enthusiast Might Choose to Use a Folded Essential Oil
While many aromatherapists prefer unaltered essential oils due to their complete, naturally balanced chemical profile, there are times when using a folded essential oil can be practical and beneficial.
Folded essential oils offer a more concentrated, consistent aroma, making them especially useful when a strong, enduring scent is desired in an aromatherapy blend or product.
Some aromatherapists also choose folded oils when they want a lower-risk option for topical applications, since removing certain monoterpenes can reduce the risk of oxidation and make the oil more stable and potentially gentler on the skin.
Ultimately, while folded oils are not suitable for many therapeutic blends, aromatherapists sometimes include them for their enhanced aromatic strength, stability, and suitability in specific aromatherapy blends and products.
Where Should I Purchase Folded Essential Oils for Aromatherapy or Wellness Applications?
For aromatherapy and wellness applications, I recommend purchasing folded essential oils from companies that focus on the sale of therapeutic quality essential oils and that provide GC-MS or GC-FID reporting for the folded essential oils that you are considering purchasing.
References
Jennifer Peace Rhind, Essential Oils Fully Revised and Updated 3rd Edition (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers), Kindle Location: 12305.
For More Information
Steffen Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin (Reprint Edition. Elizabeth, NJ: Pathfinder., 2017).
Tony Burfield, Natural Aromatic Materials: Odours & Origins, Second Edition (Tampa, FL: The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, 2016).
General Safety Information
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
Shelf Life
Important Information About the Profiles
The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for basic educational purposes only. The references to safety information, test results, constituents and percentages is generalized information. Essential oils can vary greatly in composition. The data is not necessarily complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The essential oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, essential oil composition and color can vary based on harvesting, distillation, age of the essential oil and other factors. Profiles for several CO2 Extracts and absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.
