This is a practical guide to learning the art of distilling your own essential oils and hydrosols. Detailed information is provided on all of the steps involved from harvest timing, preparing the plants correctly, setting up and using the still, to separating out the essential oil from the hydrosol. Many photos and diagrams add to the well organized information. Malle and Helge Schmickl. Hardback, 144 pages. Illustrated. Copyright 2015.


Table of contents:

1. Historical Overview

2. The basics:
What are essential oils?; Uses; Extraction methods; Steam distillation; Fractional distillation; Cold pressing; Extraction method; Solvent extraction; Enfleurage; Maceration; Resinoid process; Carbon dioxide extraction; Assessing the quality

3. Making your own essential oil, step by step
Steam distillation; The principle; Stills; Constructing your own still; Tea kettle, Pressure cooker; Wok still; Classic still with a lyne arm; Classic still with a vertical cooling system; Glass still; Buying a still; Small stills; Large stills; Preparing the plants; Harvest; Crushing the plants; The distillation process; Filling; Distilling; Double distillation; Cold pressing; Enfleurage; Hydrosol-oil separation and yield calculation; Syringe; Pipette; Separator funnel; Automatic oil separator; Florentine flask; Cleanliness; Calculating the yield; Storing oils

4. Distillable materials
Description including yield, harvesting time, which parts of the plant contain oil and their optimal treatment: Allspice/pimento, Angelica, Aniseed , Basil, Bay leaves, Benzoin, Bergamot, Birch, Bitter orange/neroli, Broom, Cajuput, Camphor, Caraway, Carrot, , Cardamom, Cedar, Celery, Chamomile, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Clary sage, Clementine, Clove, Cotton lavender, Cypress, Davana, Dill, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Fir, Frankincense, Garlic, Geranium, Ginger, Grapefruit, Ground ivy, Hemp, Hogweed, Hops, Hyssop, Iris, Jasmine, Juniper, Larch, Lavandin, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Lime, Lovage, Magnolia, Marigold, Marjoram, Mint, Mimosa, Mountain pine, Mugwort, Myrrh, Myrtle, Narcissus, Nutmeg, Oakmoss, Orange, Oregano, Palmarosa, Palo santo, Parsley, Patchouli, Pepper, Petitgrain, Rockrose, Rose, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sage, Sandalwood, Savory, Scots pine, Spike lavender, Spikenard, Spruce, St. John’s wort, Strawflower, Tagetes, Tansy, Tarragon, Tea tree, Thuja, Thyme, Tuberose, Turmeric, Valerian, Vetiver, Violet, Wild garlic, Wormwood, Yarrow, Ylang-ylang

5. Using the oils
Base substances and materials; Safety precautions; Bath additives; Facial and body care; Hair care; Shaving; Soap; Perfume; Miscellaneous

6. Frequently asked questions

7. Harvest calendar