How To Make Essential Oils
Having the ability to make essential oils on your own is very rewarding. There are many ways to make essential oils but the most effective way is distillation. This method uses steam to capture the oil, condenses back into water, and then the water and oil are separated.
Distillation method produces pure natural oil. Chemicals are not used in any process of this method, just steam. Because only steam is used, there is no chance of chemical residue left in the essential oil.
There are three sequences in the distillation method and three pieces of equipment. Where the steam and the plant material come in contact is the retort or still. The steam and oil become liquid in the condenser and then are kept in the separator.
There are three ways that the steam and plant material can come in contact in the retort: hydrodistillation, wet steam, and dry steam. Hydrodistillation is where the plant is boiled in the water and wet steam has the plant on a screen above the water. Dry steam has the steam in a separate container that travels through a tube into the bottom of the retort.
Once the steam comes in contact with the plant, the heat opens the fibers and the water carries away the oil. The steam and oil then travel through the condenser. The condenser is a pipe or tube that allows the heat to escape turning the mixture into liquid.
The water and oil then are stored in the separator. Here the water and oil relax as the oil is sifted to the top. The separator is made out of glass and once the oil is on top, it is bottled and stored separate from the water.
The excess water in the separator, hydrosol, may still have some uses. The purposes of the water depend on which plant was used. In the example of lavender, the water still has the fragrance of its sweet perfume that can be used to freshen laundry, linens, or the air.
Being able to make essential oils in your own home is very rewarding. You can do it as a hobby or buy the essential oils from commercial companies. The method of distillation is very effective and produces pure oil.
Rainshadow Labs Specializes in Intuitive Essential Oilsaromatherapy essential oils, essential oils and wholesale soap making supplies. We are passionate about Oraganic Essential Oils and soap and candle making, and we love to help people feel and look young again. Come visit anytime.
