Steam Distillation Of Essential Oils

Essential oils are the concentrated extract oils made from plants and other organic materials. They are a natural product versus fragrance oils, which are man-made from artificial chemicals to mimic natural scents or create ones that can't be extracted. Some people who are scent-sensitive have problems only with fragrance oils.

Essential oils are used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, cleaning products and more. With steam distillation, the oils are produced by steaming the source material, which lifts out the oils and makes it possible to collect just this part. If you like to make your own perfumes or soaps, investing in your own steam distiller can allow you to insure the quality of the oils you use.

Here I'm going to try and explain steam distillation in the most basic terms and concepts. Obviously, if you decide you really want to do this, you should read up on the topic a lot more.

The way steam distillation works is that you take your plant matter (sometimes called biomass) and you put it in a container so that hot steam passes through. The hot steam lifts off the oils from the plant material and carries it away. This steam is then caught in a condenser (a tube) which allows it to cool back down into liquid form. When cooled, the oil and water then separates and you can drain the oil to keep just that part. And that's how an essential oil is created.  The water will still retain a hint of the oil it carried and this is called hydrosol.

Here are some of the most common things you can do with essential oils.

• Use in an oil warmer or diffuser to scent a room.
• Add to a carrier oil to make a scented massage oil.
• Add to unscented lotion to make your own custom moisturizer.
• Use to add fragrance to your own homemade soap.  This also works if you make homemade candles.
  
• Make an organic insect repellent.
• Use in aromatherapy.  Some smells are relaxing, others are energizing.
  
• A few drops can refresh potpourri.  Or make a sachet for scenting your drawers.