Difference Between Essential Oil and Normal Oil (With Table) 

When it comes to oil, it can be any nonpolar chemical substance chiefly composed of hydrocarbons and is both lipophilic and hydrophobic. They are generally surface-active and flammable. Most oils are mainly unsaturated lipids, and their room temperature is usually liquid.  

In some rituals and religious ceremonies, specially prepared oils are used as purifying agents. There is a range of oils available in the market like hair oil, synthetic oil, engine oil, crude oil, carrier oil, fragrance oil, and many more. In this article, the chief aim is on differentiating essential oil and normal oil. 

Essential Oil vs Normal Oil 

The main difference between essential oil and normal oil is that essential oil generally lasts longer and is full of natural medicinal benefits as well as aromatherapeutic benefits. On the other hand, the normal oil is full of monosaturated fats, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular and heart disease and also leads to good cholesterol levels. 

The essential oil is a compound mainly derived from a plant. The reason behind oil concentration is that they comprise the characteristics, fragrance, and essence of the plant. The essence of the plant obtained chemically are fail to consider as essential oils. Compared to other processes, the production process of essential oil is simple. 

A normal oil is mainly linked with cooking oil. It is a synthetic, plant, or animal liquid fat used in a range of cooking kinds. The user can also be done in food flavoring and preparation not involving heat like bread dips and salad dressings. It can be flavored with aromantic foodstuffs like garlic, herbs, and chilies. 

Comparison Table Between Essential Oil and Normal Oil 

Parameters of Comparison

Essential Oil

Normal Oil

Natural or synthetic

Natural

Can be both natural or synthetic

Alternative names

Ethereal or volatile oils

There is no alternative name

Usage

Vaporizers, soaps, aromatherapy, and detergents

Mainly used for cooking

Source

Aromatic plant parts

Generally edible plants

Scent

Highly scented

Lightly scented or unscented

What is Essential Oil? 

Essential oil is a hydrophobic liquid concentration comprising volatile chemical compounds mainly from plants. The term used here “essential” does not mean usable or indispensable by the human body. The terms essential fatty acid or essential amino acid are so-called due to their nutritional requirement by living Organism.  

Through distillation, the essential oil is commonly extracted often by using steam. Meanwhile, the other processes comprise solvent extraction, absolute oil extraction, expression, wax embedding, resin tapping, and cold pressing. For flavoring drinks and food essential oil can also be used.  

Much essential oil is taken by mouth can be in high concentrations be dangerous. The beginning effects typically are burning to feel and followed by salivation. Distinctive essential oils might have different pharmacology drastically. Some act as an anesthetic counter-irritant and thus exert an antitussive effect. 

Research has shown that as a natural pesticide, an essential oil also has potential. In the case of studies, this oil is shown to have a range of pet’s deterring effects, particularly select arthropods and insects. The effects might comprise inhibiting digestion, death, reproduction’s decreasing rate, or repelling of pest that consumes it. 

What is Normal Oil? 

Small amounts of saturated fats consumption are usual in diets. The meta-analysis found a correlation between blood LDL concentration and saturated fat’s high consumption. Normal oils are mainly composed of the various acid fraction. Oils high in saturated or monosaturated fats are commonly popular for frying food’s purpose.  

The normal oil’s refinement and extraction are distinctive processes. The extraction first removes the oil, particularly from a fruit, seed, or nut. Then refinement alters the stability, taste, smell, or texture of the oil mainly to meet the expectations of the buyer.   

Decenter centrifuge, chemical solvent extraction, and pressing are three of the broad oil extraction types. The normal oil can either be refined or unrefined through one or more refinement process usage like distilling, neutralization, degumming, dewaxing, bleaching, preservative addition, and deodorizing.  

The proper used normal oil disposal is a vital waste-management concern. The oil might congeal in pipes and leads to a sanitary sewer overflow. Thus, normal oil should never be dumped in the toilet bowl or the kitchen sink. The oil’s container placement in the refrigerator to harden lead disposal is less messy and easier. 

Main Differences Between Essential Oil and Normal Oil 

  1. The cons of using essential oil are that it can have negative side effects on whether babies or pets are commonly pricier. On the contrary, normal oil cons are due to its Omega 6 quantity which can accelerate blood clotting, cancer cell growth, and increased body inflammation.  
  2. There are several instances of essential oil scents are bergamot, peppermint, grapefruit, and lavender. On the other hand, the normal oil has an off odor which is perhaps like metal, crayon, or something sour.  
  3. Some of the famous brands that manufacture essential oil are Plant Therapy, Young Living, Edens Garden, Rocky Mountain Oils, and Jade Bloom. In contrast, Viva Naturals Organic, Colavita, Wagga, Fortune, and Nutrela Coking oil are some of the famous normal oil manufacturers.  
  4. When it comes to shelf life, the shelf life of essential oil is generally long-lasting because the period range is between 2- 15 years. On the flip side, only 1 – 2 years is a shelf life that can be considered normal oil.  
  5. The pros of using essential oil are that these kinds of oil are full of natural medicinal benefits as well as aromatherapeutic benefits which generally last long. Meanwhile, the pros of using normal oil are that it is full of monosaturated fats which leads to good cholesterol levels and also reduces the risk of cardiovascular and heart disease.   

Conclusion 

It can be concluded that both essential oil and normal oil are two of the popular oil among the oils range. The alternative names given to essential oil are ethereal or volatile oils. On the contrary, there is no alternative name given to normal oil. Essential oils are mainly natural. Meanwhile, normal oil can be both natural as well as synthetic.  

The source of essential oil is aromatic plant parts, whereas edible plants are the source of normal oil. When it comes to scent, an essential oil is highly scented, while normal oil is lightly scented or unscented. The essential oil can be used as vaporizers, soaps, aromatherapy, and detergents. In contrast, normal oil is mainly used for cooking. 

References  

  1. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Br-Rajeswara-Rao/post/can_we_consider_certain_temperature_as_optimum_to_produce_essential_oils/attachment/59d640dcc49f478072eaa87a/AS%3A273792041979904%401442288517691/download/Essential+oils+vol+1.pdf
  2. https://aocs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1007/BF02542581