How to distill essential oils?
How to Distill Essential Oils: the 7 basic steps to steam distillation: Step 1 – Steam is created from boiling water Step 2 – Passing through plant biomass, the steam breaks up the plant micro particles. Step 3 – Separating the volatile from non-volatile organic compounds, both rise with the steam.
How is lavender essential oil distillation done?
Setup Lavender essential oil distillation happens through a process called steam distillation or sometimes wet steam distillation. Either way the process is very similar.
What is the difference between steam distillation and essential oils?
Essential oils derived from the supercritical CO2 extraction of herbs are similar to the oils produced through distillation in that they can be used in aromatherapy and natural perfumery. Oils derived from steam distillation vary in their qualities depending on the temperatures, pressures, and length of time applied for the process.
How long does it take to distill oil from hydrosol?
Once your distillation is complete allow the hydrosol and oil mixture to sit for at least 12 hours, then drain hydrosol into one container and oil into another. 7. Store the oil
How long does it take to make essential oils?
The process can take a few days to weeks, depending on the infused oil content of your plant. Some popular plants used to make infused oils include lavender, roses, peppermint, lemon balm, Calendula, citrus fruit rinds, rosemary, garlic and hot peppers. You can use dried plants or fresh plants for this process.
Is distilling essential oils profitable?
Producing essential oils can be a lucrative business but one which will depend on the quality of bottling and the marketing of the product. Because the essential oil business has become highly competitive, it is critical to have the right packaging to attract consumer attention.
How long does it take to distill lavender?
between 30 minutes to 6 hoursMake sure you add enough water to your still to complete the distillation. This process can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the plant and quantity.
What temperature do you distill essential oils?
between 140 to 212 degrees F.The supercritical extraction process operates at temperatures between 95 to 100 degrees F whereas steam distillation operates at temperatures between 140 to 212 degrees F. In steam distillation, the molecular composition of both the plant matter and the essential oil are changed due to the temperature applied.
How much money can you make selling essential oils?
In a nutshell, you earn a 25% commission on orders for the first 3 months (this is called the fast start bonus). After 3 months, you'll earn a 4-8% commission on orders, depending on where they are in your organization or downline.
Can I sell my own essential oil blends?
Selling Essential Oils Online Selling on already established platforms like Amazon and Etsy is a quick way to get started. Creating your own e-commerce site will help you avoid paying the sales commissions that other sites charge and will help provide a springboard for your marketing and sales efforts.
Do you dry lavender before distilling?
Lavender can be distilled fresh or dry and while we work the flower close to still time, sometimes it is more desirable to get the flower off at the right time and to dry it.
What can go wrong in steam distillation?
When using steam distillation, it is vital to pay careful attention to the heat source. The temperature of the system must remain within a strict range; too low and the essential oils will not be distilled, too high and there is risk of damaging the essential oils or collecting unwanted, non-aromatic compounds.
How many lavender plants Do I need to make essential oil?
Approximately three pounds of lavender flowers are required to produce just 15mL of lavender essential oil. It requires about 242,000 rose petals to distill approximately 5 mL of rose oil. It requires 6,000 pounds of melissa plant to distill just a single pound of melissa essential oil.
Can you use an alcohol still for essential oils?
Brewhaus moonshine stills are ideal for extracting essential oils because they are made from stainless steel, which will not react with your oils like a copper still would.
Does heat destroy essential oils?
Don't bring the heat—or sunlight. Too much heat or sunlight can impact the quality of the oil. Both heat and sunlight can change the chemical composition of the oil. Too much heat can cause the oil to evaporate more quickly, making it less effective. Too much sun can deteriorate the oil.
Is steam distilled better than cold pressed?
When topical use is necessary, the best choice would be steam-distilled citrus essential oils. While the scent is a higher note and not as citrusy/sweet compared to its cold-pressed counterpart, it is not phototoxic and thus safe to be used on the skin.
Is essential oil good business?
Essential oils have a great market globally. Additionally, the demand is increasing very fast. Essential oils ensure lucrative margins. Therefore starting an essential oil extraction business is a lucrative venture for entrepreneurs.
Can I use a moonshine still for essential oils?
Brewhaus moonshine stills are ideal for extracting essential oils because they are made from stainless steel, which will not react with your oils like a copper still would.
How do you make an essential oil distiller?
0:008:56How to Assemble an Essential Oil Distiller - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this video i'm going to show you how to assemble claw hammer supplies dual vessel essential oilsMoreIn this video i'm going to show you how to assemble claw hammer supplies dual vessel essential oils distiller i'm actually at the rabbit mountain lavender farm near boulder colorado.
How do you make distilled essential oils?
2:5418:42How to make essential oil using steam distillation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe hydrosol comes out right here and if you can see the hydrosol is dripping right here into theMoreThe hydrosol comes out right here and if you can see the hydrosol is dripping right here into the mason jar.
How much of the biomass of spearmint is essential oil?
To obtain the essential oils of spearmint, we’ve got a bit of a job because they only comprise about 1-2% of the biomass of the plant. Additionally, they are vaporizable, which means if you boil the plant in an open container, almost all of the essential oils leave with the water vapor.
What are some examples of essential oils?
One great example is spearmint, widely available and found in nearly every grocery store.
Where do plant oils rise in a separation funnel?
The plant oils rise to the top of the condensed liquid in the separation funnel. By not emptying the condensed liquid completely, the oils are retained and will accumulate over many emptying cycles.
Does essential oil evaporate in a condenser?
Any of the essential oil that may make its way to the boiling flask, will evaporate and find its way back up through the biomass and into the condenser.
Can you pressure cook spearmint mush?
You could try a closed container such as a pressure cooker, but I don’t even want to think about the mess this would make, nor how you’d separate the oils cleanly from the cooled spearmint mush.
Why distill your own essential oils?
If you have an ongoing condition or use a great deal of essential oil on a regular basis, you may find that it becomes expensive very quickly. Depending on the oil, it can cost you hundreds of dollars per gallon. It may be well worth it to purchase a still and make your own oils at home. If you can grow your own herbs and plants used in the distillation, you may save even more.
How to make essential oil from distilled water?
Place your still over the heat source, but do not begin heating yet. Using filtered or distilled water, fill your still’s pot to the recommended capacity for the oil you’re producing. Generally between 35% and 50%. Secure the column on the top of the pot, and pack your plant material into the column. Do not be shy about how much you use, and do not be surprised if a run of some essential oils yields as little as 1 millimeter of oil in your collection platform.
What are essential oils used for?
As far back as the ancient Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, people have been using essential oils when cooking, in cosmetics, and in medicines. Recently, they’ve become popular in aromatherapy and homeopathic remedies as well.
Why is copper important in distilling essential oils?
If you’re distilling essential oils, this is important because it means you will achieve the purest scent of the plant in your oil.
What is rose oil?
In other words, oil of rose is the rosiness of hundreds of roses in a single bottle; it is rosier than roses. Plants’ essential oils are harvested through three methods: distillation, expression, and extraction. Distillation of essential oils typically refers to steam distillation. Sometimes, one plant’s various parts (leaves, stems, flowers, ...
Why are essential oils used in beauty products?
Research over the last few decades shows an increase in the knowledge and use of essential oils to relieve gastrointestinal issues, skin disorders, and stress. You can find essential oils used in beauty products, household cleaners, perfumes, candles, foods, and almost anything that has a scent.
How much oil can you harvest from plants?
It can take a huge amount of plant material to harvest a substantial amount of essential oil. Don’t be surprised if you have as little as 1 millimeter of oil after a single run.
How to distill essential oils?
Turn the heat to high in the boiler and adjust as necessary once boiling temp is reached. As the still is heating up turn on the water for the condenser. It is recommended to turn the condensing water on at 150 Fahrenheit . Once the water is boiling and the condensing water is flowing the essential oils should begin to come through the drip-arm and into your collection vessel. The distillation process is pretty hands-off, but you will want to make sure that you do not run out of water in your still as this will damage the distillation equipment.
How long does distillate sit in a container?
Once your distillation is complete allow the hydrosol and oil mixture to sit for at least 12 hours, then drain hydrosol into one container and oil into another.
How many different types of plants contain essential oils?
About 700 different kinds of plants contain useful essential oils, and there are several methods employed to extract them, the most common of which are water and steam distillation. We'll focus on water distillation here. Essential oils can be costly to buy but they are relatively inexpensive to distill at home.
What is essential oil?
Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile oils that are extracted from aromatic plants. Essential have been used by many cultures around the world for centuries. Essential oils have been used for cosmetic purposes and for their spiritually and emotionally uplifting qualities.
How to store hydrosol oil?
Store the oil. Once the oil has been harvested, store the oil in an airtight, tinted glass container , leaving as little headroom as possible. Store hydrosol in a clear glass container. Keep both in a cool dry location to achieve maximum shelf life.
How to make a distillation still?
Prepare The Boiler. Clean the still before use if you haven't already done so (see step number 8 for more info). Next, one still with distilled water. This still will act as a boiler. Make sure you have enough water in the still to complete the distillation.
Where do you store essential oils?
Essential oils can be costly to buy but they are relatively inexpensive to distill at home. Some botanicals store their essential oil within their leaves or flowers while others may store the oil within their rinds, seeds or other plant parts.
How to release essential oils from plants?
Bring the pressure cooker to a boil. Seal the lid so that the only steam that escapes must travel through the pipe that’s attached to the steam valve. Most plants will release their essential oils at 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit — the normal boiling point of water.
What equipment is used to distill oil?
Distillation equipment, including at least a tank, a condenser, a furnace or other heat source and a separator. Glass tubing to connect distillation components. Plant materials from which to extract the oils. Containers made of dark glass or stainless steel in which to store the oils.
How to make hydrosol oil?
Pour the oil into a container for storage as quickly as possible. 1 Decide what to do with the hydrosol as well. The other material in the essencier is hydrosol — water that’s been distilled and infused with the scent of the plant. 2 Some hydrosols, like rose or lavender water are usable themselves. 3 If you don’t want to save the hydrosol, you can pour it into the still for the next batch if you will be distilling another batch immediately. Otherwise, throw it out.
What is essential oil?
Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from aromatic plants such as lavender and rosemary. About 700 different types of plants contain useful essential oils, and there are several methods used to extract them — the most common of which is distillation.
What are the components of a still?
The key components of a still are: A heat source — usually direct fire. A pressure cooker. A 10 mm glass pipe. A tub of cold water to cool down and condense the steam flowing through the pipe. An essencier, which separates out the essential oil from other materials you don’t want in your final product. ...
What is peppermint oil used for?
It is a great mood enhancer and can be applied topically to relieve muscle pain, headaches, itching, burning, or clogged sinuses.
How to separate oil from water?
Separating oil from water can be done by putting the batch in the fridge. This should harden the oil slightly, like butter, which will make it possible to separate it from the water.
How long does it take to distill tea tree oil?
The pressure in pounds must be 3 and the optimal distillation time and temperature is 218 degrees for 2-3 hours.
What is distilling essential oils?
Distilling essential oils is an art and a science ! And most essential oils distillers use methods of extracting essential oils that use solvents or attempt to adulterate the oil prior to distribution.
How many times can you re-extract essential oil?
Yes, some companies will repeat the distillation process up to four times or more! This produces very weak oil.
How is lavender essential oil distilled?
Distilling essential oils using the straight steam method involves pushing steam through the plant material and then picking up the essential oil. Lavender essential oil is distilled in this manner!
How long does lavender oil need to be in pressure?
Therapeutic grade lavender requires zero pounds of pressure for a minimum time of one hour and fifteen minutes! Add Solvents to the Oil – Companies will use a distillation method such as solvent extraction that will expand oil production tremendously.
How is clove oil collected?
The steam and oils are captured and then separated out to produce the essential oil. Clove essential oil is collected using water distillation.
What are the factors that affect the quality of oil?
They are other factors such as temperature and pressure that affect the quality of oil. For instance, if the pressure or temperature is too high than the oil is changed. It is like over cooking vegtables! Additionally, the chemical constituents of the oil when over heated become changed or adulterated.
How to distill lavender oil?
First, take a pot or kettle and you put a steam tray an inch or two above the bottom of the kettle (depending on the size of the still this could be many inches on a larger still). For our 60L still we sit our steam tray on 1 inch pieces of copper pipe. For our 300L still our steam stray sits about a 10 inches from the bottom of the still. Next, fill the kettle with water up to the steam tray line. All of the lavender will now sit on top of this steam tray, the tray will keep the lavender from touching the bottom of the pot and burning.
How much lavender should I use for a distiller?
Prior to setting up our still I will have cut the variety of lavender I am going to distill. For a 60L still I will need about 20-25 lbs of freshly cut lavender. For our 300L still I will need 100-120 lbs of lavender. 20-25 lbs of fresh lavender is anywhere from 6-12 full lavender plants depending on the variety, age, and health of the plant. We cut out lavender short to avoid packing in too much stem . We also cut our lavender much later in the year when the lavender is overly ripe and fully flowered. When the plant is fully flowered is when it has the most amount essential oil. We pack the lavender in the kettle of the still on top of the steaming tray trying to avoid pockets of air between the lavender. It is ok to pack the still tight, don’t worry about over stuffing the still. We fill the lavender all the way to the top of the pot. Once we have the pot filled up we put the lid of the kettle on and connect the swan neck from the pot to the condenser and turn the heat on under the kettle.
What is lavender hydrosol?
The lavender water that comes out with the oil is now referred to as Hydrosol . If you put the correct amount of water in your still (not too much so you don’t water down the hydrosol) you will get another desirable product, lavender hydrosol. You can learn more about hydrosol here.
What happens when steam passes through lavender?
As the steam passes through the lavender the pressure inside the sealed kettle along with the high temperature of the steam causes the bud of the lavender (the calyx) to release its essential oils. Did you know? The bud of the lavender not the actual flower is where most of the oil is held in lavender. . 5.
What is the bud of lavender?
The bud of the lavender not the actual flower is where most of the oil is held in lavender. . 5. Condensing the Steam. The smaller pot that the large kettle connects to is called the condenser. The condenser is where the the pipe holding the steam which contains the water and oil travels to cool off.
When to cut lavender for distillation?
A couple of notes We cut our lavender for distilling when the lavender buds have fully flowered which is when the lavender buds have the most oil. We cut the lavender with short stems to get as much of the lavender flower heads in the kettle as possible We distill all of our lavender in our 300 Liter or 60L copper still made by Copper Brothers.
Which species of lavender produces the most oil?
The species Lavandula X Intermedia, lavindins, produce the most oil. Grosso which is the most common variety of lavender, is one of the highest oil producers. We get about 225-300 ml of oil per batch for Grosso from 20-25 lbs in a 60L still.
Where is the essential oil located in a distiller?
From here, it is siphoned off. ( Some essential oils are heavier than water, such as clove essential oil, so they are found at the bottom of the Separator.)
What is essential oil extraction?
Essential oils are the liquids that are isolated from plants when introduced to solvents – they are liquefied versions of the plants! Popular extraction methods include: Steam Distillation, Solvent Extraction, CO2 Extraction, Maceration, Enfleurage, Cold Press Extraction, and Water Distillation. The method of extraction affects essential oil ...
What is the difference between steam distillation and supercritical extraction?
Thus, the difference between traditional distillation and supercritical extraction is that instead of heated water or steam, CO2 is used as a solvent in the latter method. The supercritical extraction process operates at temperatures between 95 to 100 degrees F whereas steam distillation operates at temperatures between 140 to 212 degrees F.
What is solvent extraction?
The aforementioned chemicals used in the process then remain in the oil and the oil is used in perfumes by the perfume industry or for aromatherapy purposes. Solvent Extraction encompasses the following methods: Hypercritical CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), Maceration, Enfleurage.
Why is macerated oil better than distilled oil?
The benefit of a macerated oil above a distilled oil is that more of a plant’s essence is captured in the oil, because it captures heavier, larger plant molecules than the ones captured in the distillation process. This keeps the product closer to retaining more of the plant’s valuable offerings.
How long does macerated oil last?
The final maceration should be filtered of its plant material and poured into an airtight container to be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months. A macerated oil will go cloudy or will smell bad when rancid. 5-10% of a macerated oil can be used as an ‘active botanical’ in a cosmetic formula.
How does extraction affect essential oil quality?
The method of extraction affects essential oil quality by way of pressure and temperatures applied.
