Fennel extract vs Essential Oil?

[papillon]

I was in the process of making some boobie batter, but for the life of me I could NOT find fennel extract anywhere in town. Nowhere carried it, so I'd have to either make it myself or order it online.

But I did run into an aromatherapy shop where they carried Fennel essential oil. She'd said that an essential oil was many many more times powerful than an extract, but I was wondering if the chemical makeup would be the same. Not to mention it would need to be mixed with a carrier oil first.

Just wondering if I'd be okay with the oil instead.

[Wahaika]

How is their oil made? Cold Pressed? Heated? That makes a difference too. If it is cold pressed, just experiment with it to see what works best. Use the oil first (start with a couple of drops on the first day) then follow with olive or borage or EPO, then 20 to 30 minutes of low heat.

[papillon]

Not sure how it's made, I'll have to ask them next time I head in the store. Is there a huge difference between cold pressed and heated?

[Wahaika]

Yep, heated kills the enzymes. Others are made with solvents. Avoid those too. Cold pressed is the way to go for all oils.

[bug]

That's another useful thing to know
thanks Wahaika!