Aromatic compounds are extracted from plant materials in a variety of ways. The choice of extraction method depends on the type of plant material and the target compounds to be extracted. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of efficiency and yield.

Steam distillation is a common method for extracting essential oils and other aromatic compounds from plant materials. It is a process that harnesses the power of steam to separate volatile components from the plant material and then condenses the steam back into a liquid form, resulting in the extraction of essential oils and aromatic compounds. 

Unlike steam distillation, dry distillation involves heating the plant material in the absence of water or steam. In this process, the solid material is subjected to high temperatures, causing its decomposition, but without the presence of oxygen to support combustion. It is a specialized and intensive process, often used for plant materials that do not release essential oils easily through steam distillation (including woods, barks, and resins). It's worth noting that dry distillation may produce a wider range of compounds compared to steam distillation, including tar-like substances, pyrolysis products, and other complex mixtures depending on the plant material and the specific conditions of the distillation process. 

Destructive distillation is a specific type of dry distillation that involves the thermal decomposition of complex organic materials in the absence of air to produce simpler chemical compounds. Destructive distillation and dry distillation are related processes, but they are not exactly the same.The main difference between the two processes lies in their goals and the nature of the materials used. Destructive distillation typically involves complex organic materials like wood or coal, and the aim is to break them down into simpler products. For example, in the case of wood, destructive distillation produces products like wood gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane), wood tar, and charcoal. Dry distillation is a broader term and can encompass various materials, including organic and inorganic substances, and its main goal is to produce volatile products without combustion.

Cold pressing is a method used to extract essential oils from various plant materials, especially citrus fruits, by using mechanical pressure. Unlike other extraction methods that involve heat or solvents, cold pressing is a natural and relatively simple process that preserves the aroma and integrity of the extracted essential oil. 

Unlike steam distillation, which relies on steam to carry volatile compounds away from the plant material, solvent extraction employs a solvent to dissolve and extract aromatic components. The plant material is soaked or macerated in the chosen solvent, allowing the solvent to dissolve the essential oils and other aromatic compounds - the result is a mixture known as a "concrete."

In addition to traditional solvent extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction is a modern and environmentally friendly variant of this technique. It uses carbon dioxide in a supercritical state—where it has properties of both a gas and a liquid—to extract essential oils.

Enfleurage is a historical technique which uses fat to capture the fragrant molecules from delicate flowers.  A glass or wooden frame, known as a "chassis," is covered with a layer of odorless, purified fat such as coconut oil. This fat serves as the capturing medium for the aromatic compounds. Freshly picked and highly fragrant flowers, such as jasmine, tuberose, or gardenia, are carefully placed onto the fat layer. Over time, new layers of fragrant flowers are placed on top of the existing layer of fat. This process is repeated several times, allowing the fat to become saturated with the aromatic compounds.The extracted aromatic compounds are separated from the fat, resulting in a concentrated substance that can be used as an absolute or essential oil in perfumery. This technique was used extensively before modern methods like steam distillation and solvent extraction became prevalent.

Oil maceration is a method used to extract aromatic compounds and flavors from plant materials by infusing them into a carrier oil. This process allows the volatile aromatic compounds present in the plant material to transfer their fragrance and flavor to the oil over a period of time. Oil maceration is commonly used to create infused oils for culinary and cosmetic purposes, as well as for producing aromatic oils for perfumery and aromatherapy. 

Chromatography is a versatile technique used for separating and isolating individual compounds from complex mixtures. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) are examples of chromatographic methods that can be used to isolate specific compounds. The mixture is passed through a stationary phase (solid or liquid) that separates the compounds based on their interactions with the stationary phase and the mobile phase (solvent).

Enzymes can be used to catalyze reactions that selectively modify certain compounds, making them easier to isolate.

Fractional crystallization involves repeatedly precipitating a compound from a solution by controlling the temperature and solvent conditions. As the compound crystallizes out of the solution, it can be separated and collected.