While several methods exist for successfully extracting essential oil from a plant and preparing it for use, each method has one thing in common—it requires extreme caution and care. Because plants are so delicate, careful planning and precision are necessary to extract high-quality essential oils. Producing quality essential oils also requires a thorough knowledge of the plants being used and proper extraction methods. Most importantly, it requires substantial care and attention to detail at every stage of the process, as cutting corners at any phase in the process will result in a lower-quality essential oil. Several uncontrollable factors can influence the quality and composition of an essential oil, but many things can be done to preserve the potent aromatic compounds in the plant parts.