There are certain botanicals which cannot be offered as steam distilled essential oils and so are supplied in other forms. Solvent extraction techniques are used when the plant material is too delicate to undergo steam distillation, an example being jasmine petals.

Absolutes are produced using solvent extraction techniques. These are aromatic, oily mixtures, similar to essential oils although usually more concentrated, and are used extensively in perfumery applications. Other products formed, concretes and waxes, also find use in perfumery and cosmetic applications.

Solvent extraction is also used to produce oleoresins. These are concentrated forms of spices and consist of the volatile essential oil and the nonvolatile resinous fraction. Together they represent the flavour and taste of the spice.