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mercredi 24 septembre 2014

How To Make Homemade Essential Oils

By Karina Frost


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.

Precious content of plants needs to be extracted. It is done in several different ways, and the most common one is called steam distillation. This method requires special equipment, but it provides very nice results. Cold pressing and using carrier oils are simpler methods you can easily try without any special expenses.

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.

Stills should be made of stainless steel, with steel and glass parts, without using plastic or copper. Although copper pots are still used, they can alter the chemical structure of your oils, and they aren't recommended. If you are interested in making larger quantities of oil, maybe you should invest in one of these practical steam distillation units. Using them is really simple. Besides, they make things so much easier, and you will get your product in just a few hours.




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