- The truest way to make your own essential oils is with the steam distillation process. This requires the use of a distillation kit whereby the plant material is placed in the retort and steam passes through it and vaporizes the oil. The steam and oil vapors then pass through the condenser where both hot and cold water is used to condense the oil vapor mixture. The condensed material then moves to the separator, where the essential oil is extracted from the floral water. It takes about two liters of lavender to create two milliliters of lavender essential oil. The amount of essential oil varies depending on the type of plant you use.
- If you do not have a steam distiller, you can still create aromatic essential oils by mixing almond oil and bruised flowers, herbs or spices. As in the distillation process, plant material should be picked during the morning hours, after the dew has evaporated. You will need about three cups of plant material and eight ounces of cold pressed sweet almond oil. Bruise the plants with a mortar and pestle or by placing it in a plastic bag and rolling over it with a rolling pin. Mix the plants and the oil together in a Mason jar and place it in a sauce pan with cold water. Slowly heat the water until it is warm, but still touchable with your bare hand. Let the jar heat at this temperature for about 10 minutes. Remove the jar from the water, shake it and place it in a dark place for the next 24 hours. Repeat this process for four days. On the fifth day, strain the oil through cheese cloth and add new plant material. Heat the oil and plants for four more days. Strain the plant material and store the essential oil in darkly colored bottles between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Another way to make your own essential oils is similar to the stove top method, but you do not heat the jar. Mix the plant material and the almond oil the same as in the stove top method. Place the Mason jar in a warm room, between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Shake the jar vigorously once each day for three weeks. Strain the plant material and store the essential oil in dark colored containers for two more weeks. This method of making essential oil uses less material than the stove top, but takes longer.
