It may seem like a daunting task, but extracting pine tree essential oil is actually a pretty simple process. Even better, when you make your own essential oils, you not only save money by eliminating the need to purchase costly store bought alternatives, but you also ensure that the oil is fresh and of the highest quality. Once made, your homemade pine tree essential oil can be used in soaps, lotions, candles and more.
Harvest fresh pine tree needles from the pine tree of your choice. Don't use old pine tree needles that have already fallen to the ground as these are more likely to mold and ruin your essential oil.
Clean the pine tree needles with warm water and a mild detergent soap to remove any contaminants that may be on the surface. To clean your needles, fill a container or your sink with warm, sudsy water. Place the needles into the sink and gently swish around to remove any dirt. Drain the water and rinse the needles well with clean water.
Place the pine needles on a layer of paper towels to dry. Blot the needles to remove all moisture from the surface.
Place the pine needles into a mortar and pestle and gently bruise the leaves. If you're using a small pestle, bruise the needles in small batches.
Pour sweet almond oil into a large-mouth glass jar. Add all of the pine needles to the jar. Cap the jar tightly and gently shake to coat the pine needles with the sweet almond oil.
Store the jar out of direct sunlight in a warm room with an ambient temperature of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shake the jar at least once a day for a week at minimum. After one week, store the jar in a dark location and allow the pine tree essential oil to age for 10 to 14 days. Don't shake the jar during this period.
Remove from the dark location, shake and strain the oil through a piece of cheesecloth or fine-mesh cotton gauze. Squeeze the gauze to drain out as much of the pine tree essential oil as possible.
Store your homemade pine tree essential oil in a dark bottle with an air-tight lid to help it remain as fresh as possible and avoid the risk of contamination.
Tip
Experiment with different pine tree species for a variety of pine tree oil scents. Use non-scented carrier oil such as apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil or safflower oil if you're unable to find sweet almond oil.
Warning
Do not ingest homemade essential oils. Do not use pine tree needles that show signs of disease. Discard pine tree essential oil after 10 to 12 months.
References
- "The Natural Beauty Bath Book;" Casey Kellar; 1997