Distilling Essential Oils

Essential oils have been widely used for therapeutic purposes and in aromatherapy. Their fresh fragrance and their medicinal quality, make them a popular choice among several people who suffer from a variety of health problems, the most common one being stress. Instead of purchasing essential oils, why not try to make them yourself. It can be done by purchasing equipment for distilling essential oils and learning the procedure of essential oil distillation mentioned here. In fact, at home you will be able to create your own unique essential oils by combining different varieties.

How to Distill Essential Oils at Home

Essential oil distillation is a process that can be carried out at home, by using specific distillers, commonly known as stills. Take a look at how to carry out the distillation of essential oils at home. The process mentioned here is that of steam distillation and is popular for the extraction of essential oils, because they are more sensitive to direct heat.

Components of a Distiller
An essential oil distiller will have the following components.

• Retort: A retort is a container that holds the water that is boiled. Within the retort is a grate, upon which the plant material to be distilled is placed.
• Condenser: The condenser collects the steam produced by the boiling water, and then cools it. It should be filled with cool water so that the steam continues to cool in a smooth manner. The condenser is connected to the retort by a thin tube.
• Separator: The separator separates the essential oil from the steam. It is connected in the condenser by a tube.

Essential Oil Distillation
Ensure that the distillation kit that you have purchased contains all the necessary equipment, and assemble it as per the directions of the manufacturer. You can then begin the process of distillation.

1. After you have chosen the plant you wish to distill to create an essential oil, allow it some time to dry, preferably in a dark room away from direct sunlight. This is so that you can add more leaves in the distiller and increase the amount of essential oil that can be produced from them. As soon as the plant has dried, you should distill it. If it is a flower, you can directly use it for distillation after harvesting it.
2. To begin the process of distillation, take soft, clean and filtered water and add it to the beaker of your still, as per the directions of the manufacturer, and place it on the stove. The time required for the process of distillation depends on the type and the amount of the plant you are planning to distill. The time can then range from half an hour to almost six hours, after the water has started boiling. When you add the water to the tank, ensure that it is close enough to the false bottom of the beaker, that contains the plant material.
3. Now take the plant material, as it is, and place it in the still. Avoid cutting up the plant as you will lose valuable amounts of essential oils in this process. Ideally, the plant should not touch the sides of the still and should be placed on the grate or retort, above the water. The plant should be a couple of inches below the steam outlet, so the thickness of the plant layer can be determined on this basis.
4. Begin the boiling process by closing the still. Plants begin to release essential oils as soon as the water attains its boiling point at 212° F. As the process continues, you will notice that the oils are beginning to pass through the condenser and into the separator. So that the process continues smoothly, keep an eye on the water levels in the beaker. You may have to add some at regular intervals. Water may even have to be added to the condenser so that the steam cools continuously.
5. After the process of distillation has been completed, you can filter the essential oils using a clean, dry and thin cloth. Do remember that it should be very clean and any residue on it will damage the essential oil, rendering it useless. Pour the oil into a clean container and store it in a cool place, away from sunlight. This entire procedure should be carried out as soon as the distillation process has been completed.
6. In the process of distillation, a liquid known as a hydrosol is also extracted and that collects in the separator. This water is sometimes usable, when extracted from rose or lavender. This water can also be reused for the next distillation process, if it is immediate.

Carrying out the process of essential oil distillation at home is extremely time-consuming and requires some practice. Also, essential oils from certain plants cannot be extracted by this process. It is only by the process of trial and error that you will learn how to make your own essential oils. While the purity of the oils made at home is guaranteed, it is only if you have the patience will you be able to benefit from making it yourself.