Essential oils are derived from different fresh or dried plants and their characteristic is that they bear the flavor and aroma of these plants. They are not soluble in water, but can be easily soluble in some other organic solvent. They need to be kept in closed dark glass containers because they easily evaporate at room temperature. Here you can learn how to make homemade essential oils.
There are several ways for extracting oils from selected plants, but the most common ones are steam distillation, cold-pressing and extraction. Some of these techniques require special equipment, some are simpler. The quality of your final product may greatly depend on the particular technique used, and some are suitable only for particular plants.
Cold pressing is used for extracting olive oil, for example, but similar principle can be easily used for different citruses. Sliced or grated organically grown citruses' peels should be soaked in cold water for several days. After straining, they have to be exposed to constant high pressure to release the liquids within. You can use two wooden boards and place the mixture between them.
After exposing these boards to high pressure, the liquid will begin to drop out. This mixture of juices and essential oils will naturally separate after some time, and you will find oil on the top. You need to strain this oil through sterile gauze and to keep it in dark glass bottle. It will last six to nine months, kept in dry and dark environment.
Using carrier oil is the simplest method. Choose good quality low fragrance oil, and you can never make a mistake if you choose cold pressed virgin olive oil. One cup of carrier is enough for one quarter ounce dried flowers, herbs or petals, or for one quarter cup of fresh plants. Mix them together and cook for at least six hours, on very low temperature, approximately 140 degrees F. Strain the obtained oil through a gauze.
Sunlight method is simpler. Place the mixture in a mason jar and close tightly. Leave on full sun for at least two weeks. Strain the mixture using sterile gauze and hold it in dark glass bottle. You should label these bottles and keep them away from light and heat. The shelf life is usually around six months.
Steam distillation requires special equipment. Practical home distillation systems can be bought for maybe three to four hundred dollars, and they are really easy to use. This steam distillation device is called the still. You just need to add distilled water and herbs, and you will get pure essential oil. Similar equipment can also be home made.
When it comes to steam distillation, it is important to use stainless steel and glass parts only. Copper and similar materials can change the chemical structure of your oil. If you have the right equipment, this procedure is quite simple. Just keep in mind that you do need large quantity of high quality plant material to obtain only a small amount of good quality essential oil.
There are several ways for extracting oils from selected plants, but the most common ones are steam distillation, cold-pressing and extraction. Some of these techniques require special equipment, some are simpler. The quality of your final product may greatly depend on the particular technique used, and some are suitable only for particular plants.
Cold pressing is used for extracting olive oil, for example, but similar principle can be easily used for different citruses. Sliced or grated organically grown citruses' peels should be soaked in cold water for several days. After straining, they have to be exposed to constant high pressure to release the liquids within. You can use two wooden boards and place the mixture between them.
After exposing these boards to high pressure, the liquid will begin to drop out. This mixture of juices and essential oils will naturally separate after some time, and you will find oil on the top. You need to strain this oil through sterile gauze and to keep it in dark glass bottle. It will last six to nine months, kept in dry and dark environment.
Using carrier oil is the simplest method. Choose good quality low fragrance oil, and you can never make a mistake if you choose cold pressed virgin olive oil. One cup of carrier is enough for one quarter ounce dried flowers, herbs or petals, or for one quarter cup of fresh plants. Mix them together and cook for at least six hours, on very low temperature, approximately 140 degrees F. Strain the obtained oil through a gauze.
Sunlight method is simpler. Place the mixture in a mason jar and close tightly. Leave on full sun for at least two weeks. Strain the mixture using sterile gauze and hold it in dark glass bottle. You should label these bottles and keep them away from light and heat. The shelf life is usually around six months.
Steam distillation requires special equipment. Practical home distillation systems can be bought for maybe three to four hundred dollars, and they are really easy to use. This steam distillation device is called the still. You just need to add distilled water and herbs, and you will get pure essential oil. Similar equipment can also be home made.
When it comes to steam distillation, it is important to use stainless steel and glass parts only. Copper and similar materials can change the chemical structure of your oil. If you have the right equipment, this procedure is quite simple. Just keep in mind that you do need large quantity of high quality plant material to obtain only a small amount of good quality essential oil.
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