How to Make a Still for Essential Oils

Pick fresh flowers to make essential oils.

Commercially produced essential oils are created through a distillation process from natural plant material. Essential oils are somewhat costly, and can be made at home with a little preparation work and knowledge. Making a still for the creation of essential oils is not a complicated task, but all directions must be followed precisely for a successful project.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups freshly picked flowers
• ½ cup oil
• Stove
• Mason jar (wide mouthed recommended)
• Water
• Zippered plastic sandwich bag
• Metal tongs
• Mallet
• Saucepan
• Cheesecloth
• Wooden spoon (optional)

Instructions

1. Pick or purchase fresh flowers. Place the flowers in the plastic bag and squeeze as much air as possible out of the bag before closing it.

2. Smash the 1 cup of flower petals with the mallet, approximately 10 times. Do not hit the petals so hard or long that the flowers become pulpy.

3. Mix the smashed flower petals and the oil created from mashing with the mallet inside the bag by moving the material around with fingers or a wooden spoon.

4. Pour the mixture into a mason jar, and then screw the lid onto the jar. Place the jar in a warm spot, and let settle for at least 48 hours. Boil water in a sauce pan, holding the mason jars above the steam with metal tongs for one minute. Repeat theses steps until all 4 cups of flowers have been processed.

5. Pour the now liquid mixture from all four bottles into one large container, or keep in the four mason jars. The mixture will keep for at least six months. The liquid can be heated in a saucepan on a stove to create aroma in the room if desired.

References

• Make Fragrances Blog