Patchouli oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the patchouli plant a type of aromatic herb. In order to produce patchouli oil the leaves and stems of the plant are harvested and allowed to dry out. They then undergo a distillation process to extract the essential oil. Neroli oil is an essential oil produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium subsp. Amara or Bigaradia). Its scent is sweet honeyed and somewhat metallic with green and spicy facets. Orange blossom is also extracted from the same blossom and both extracts are extensively used in perfumery. Orange blossom can be described as smelling sweeter warmer and more floral than neroli. The difference between how neroli and orange blossom smell and why they are referred to by different names is a result of the process of extraction that is used to obtain the oil from the blooms. Neroli is extracted by steam distillation and orange blossom is extracted via a process of enfleurage (rarely used nowadays due to prohibitive costs) or solvent extraction.The process of extracting jasmine oil from jasmine plants is different to the way most other essential oils are produced. This is because steam distillation which is one of the most common methods may damage the delicate jasmine flowers