http://www.go2itnetwork.com/ounce-lavender/
Essential Oil Distillation
There are many methods for extracting essential oils from plant materials, but one of the most effective is steam distillation. In this method, steam is passed over the plant material and picks up oil as it does. The steam is then condensed back into a liquid where the oil can be separated from the water.
One of the advantages of this essential oil extraction method is that it yields very pure oil. Other methods such as solvent extraction have the potential of yielding oil that contains chemical by-products.
The three main parts of the distillation equipment include the retort or still, the condensor, and the separator.
Plant material is introduced into the retort where it comes in contact with the steam. The retort is a container large enough to hold the plant material and strong enough to withstand the heat and pressure of the steam. The plant material may sit in the water as it is boiled to produce steam (hydrodistillation), or it may be suspended above the boiling water by means of a grate or a screen (wet steam method), or the boiling water may be in a completely separate container where the steam is introduced into the retort below the plant material through a pipe (dry steam method).
The heat from the steam will break open the plant fibers, exposing the oil where it can be picked up by the steam as it passes by. The steam / oil combination will then leave the retort and pass through the condensor. This component may simply be a coil of copper tubing or pipe. The purpose of the condensor to provide a place for the heat to escape from the steam so that it can change from water vapor to liquid water. This can be accelerated by ice or refrigeration methods, or simply by providing ample surface area for the heat to escape.
The water / oil combination passes from the condensor into a separator. This is a container (often made of glass) that will hold the liquid allowing time for the oil to rise and the water to settle to the bottom. The separator may be specially made to allow the essential oil to be easily removed for bottling.
The water that is left after the oil is skimmed from the top still has oil in it and may have some useful purpose. Such is the case with lavender. After the pure lavender oil is removed, the remaining water – called hydrosol – still has enough oil in it to have a very pleasant aroma. It can be used to freshen laundry, linens, or simply as an air freshener in any room.
Distillation equipment is available in many sizes, from small stove top units for the hobbyist to large commercial units that are used by essential oil manufacturers.
The amount of oil that can be extracted from a given amount of plant material through essential oil distillation will depend greatly on the type of oil being distilled. For instance, an ounce of lavender oil may only require a few pounds of lavender buds, but an ounce of rose oil may require several hundred pounds of rose petals.
Whether you have your own distillation equipment or you purchase oil that has been extracted through essential oil distillation, it’s easy to appreciate this age old but effective method.
About the Author
About the author – Jimmie Norris is an avid lavender gardener and webmaster of http://www.what-about-lavender.com/ a complete resource for lavender information.
Elegant Lavender Rocks Cocktail Recipe
|
|
Ashdene I Love Lavender Bone China 3 Pce infuser 11-Ounce Mug Set in Gift Box $16.39 Ashdene Gift boxed Fine Bone China Tea Mug with 18/10 Stainless steel Infuser, bone china lid to keep your beverage warm in our ever popular beautiful botanic I love Lavender pattern. Fantastic gift idea for tea lovers. Feel the difference and impress your guests with fine bone china. Designed by World renowned Botanical Artist – Jenny Phillips of Melbourne, Australia, this design is 100-Percent B… |
|
|
20-Ounce Stainless Kitchen Scale-Weigh Gourmet Dried/Cut Herb Plant Bulk-1.3 Pounds, over 600 Grams!-Black $21.91 This DigiWeigh kitchen scale is the perfect gadget for anyone who handles their own fresh or dried herbs. Popular among professionals as well as amateurs & hobbyists, this scale has been used within my clients’ homes, restaurants & delis. The bright blue LCD screen and buttons pop-out from the scale’s “blade” feature, and pops back in for easy storage. The STAINLESS STEEL weighing platform is d… |
|
|
AmeriColor Amerimist Airbrush Pearl Sheen Colors AmeriMist air brush colors are super strength, highly concentrated spray-on air brush food colors that are extremely effective, even on the hard to color non-dairy whipped toppings and icings. Amerimist air brush colors eliminate the need to overspray so moisture will not accumulate, water spots will not appear, and the icing will not breakdown. Certified kosher by United States K of Los Angeles, … |
|
|
Clapham’s Beeswax 870-2008 Beeswax Polish, 7-Ounces $19.15 … |
|
|
Dogswell Mellow Mut for Dogs, Chicken Breast, With Natural Vitamin E, 5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6) $24.71 Dogswell Mellow Mut for Dogs treats with chamomile and lavender for a more peaceful pooch. All-natural, cage-free chicken breast… |
|
|
Rishi Tea Organic Black Tea, Earl Grey Loose Tea, 3.3-Ounce Tin (Pack of 3) $28.00 Bold and sweetly smooth with an enlivening aroma of bergamot citrus. USDA organic. Certified kosher. Certified Organic by QAI. Ancient Tree Teas are hand harvested in a wild, organic and shade grown environment. The old tea tree forests are rich with biodiversity, fertile soil and ecological balance not typically found in cultivated tea gardens. By choosing Fair Trade Certified Ancient Tree Teas y… |
|
|
Davidson’s Tea Bulk, Earl Grey with Lavender, 16-Ounce Bag $13.98 Our excellent Earl Grey augmented with French lavender petals…. |
|
|
Port Authority Ladies R-Tek Fleece Full Zip Jacket This classic fleece looks great on its own or stylishly layered. Our exclusive R-Tek fleece is soft, lightweight, plush and warm…. |
|
|
Kustom Shop NP127 Lovin Lavender Solid Airbrush Nail Paint KUSTOM SHOP $4.90 Ready To Use: Use right from the bottle or additional fast dry thinner can be added. All Colors come in 2 Ounce Bottles: Best Value on the market as our prices for 2 ounces are similar to 1 ounce bottle sizes of most competitive brands. Full Selection of 50 Colors: 30 Solid Colors and 20 Pearlescent Colors are available. Colors are Vibrant and Durable: All colors are also intermixable for custom c… |
|
|
Mary’s Natural Softdough Tub – Lavender Scented – 5 Ounces $9.95 Look no further for a natural, non-toxic alternative to playdough. Our large 5 ounce tub contains natural essential oils that provide the luscious Lavender scent. Our bright purple modeling dough s soft, non-crumbly and will facilitate hours of fun. Mary’s Softdough holds up well to lots of creative play, and when stored in it’s container, will remain soft up to a year. Made of the following nat… |