Aromatic essential oils have a long history of use in folk medicine and aromatherapy. Essentials are concentrated oils derived from certain plants believed to have some desired property. Because of the strong concentration, only small amounts of the oil are necessary whether it be for a bath or a scented candle. Aromatherapists will often combine different essential oils to produce different effects such as stress relief or relaxation. Raw materials necessary to make essential oils will vary by plant and upon the concentration of oils. Most essential oils are extracted by either distillation or expression.
Instructions
Extraction Methods
1. Research plants and raw materials needed. Determine what parts of the plant are necessary for harvest. Be aware that some plants such as roses require great quantities of raw materials. Also, some plants may be too fragile for distilling.
2. Gather raw plant materials. If gathering flowers, for example, seasonal growth patterns may determine when harvest can occur. Always research prior to starting the distillation process to obtain the greatest yield.
3. Set up a distillation apparatus, or still. Steam distillation extracts oils by vaporizing them from the raw materials. Small-batch distiller kits are available for essential oil extraction.
4. Add raw materials and begin the distilling process. Water will be heated until boiling, then the steam will be captured. As the steam works its way through the distiller and the coils, oils are condensed and gathered.
5. Collect essential oils. During the distillation process, water is separated from the essential oil. While not as concentrated, the water or hydrosol still has value and captures the plant scent. Common examples include rose water or orange water.
6. Use expression methods rather than distillation for citrus fruits such as oranges. Oils are concentrated in the peels of these fruits. With expression, plant raw materials are mechanically pressed to extract oils.
7. Prepare essential oils for storage. Small, dark-colored bottles are best for long-term storage. Many essential oils may have a short shelf life. Filter the collected oils and hydrosol, if using the distillation method, through cheesecloth to remove any impurities before storing.
8. Dilute essential oils in a carrier oil such as almond oil before use on your skin to prevent allergic reactions that may be caused by high concentrations. Using a carrier oil conserves the essential oils for other uses.
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