在过去的几年里,精油变得非常受欢迎。一些人用它们来做芳香疗法,而另一些人则对它们的健康益处和治疗效果信誓不让。不管你是如何使用精油的,你可能已经花了一大笔钱来购买它们,所以为什么不考虑在家里自己制作呢?
While the initial investment for a distillation apparatus may be spendy, over time you’ll save yourself money. Read on to learn more about different methods of essential oil extraction, how to make essential oils at home, and different uses for your oils.
Methods Of Essential Oil Extraction
Essential oils are naturally derived plant material extracts. Depending on the plant in question, a variety of methods are used for extraction. Extracted oils contain the source plant’s aroma.
The extraction method depends on the type of plant material. There are three main ways to extract a plant’s essence: distillation, mechanical extraction, and chemical extraction.
Distillation
This method involves steam. Plant materials are exposed to pressurized steam which helps draw out the plant’s aromatic compounds. The mixture of steam and oil is then exposed to cooler temperatures where the steam returns to its liquid state and is mixed with the plant’s essence. The essential oil is separated from the water to produce a pure product.
Mechanical Extraction
This method involves physically manipulating the plant material to extract its essence. Cold pressing is the most common mechanical extraction method and is often used to remove oils from citrus peels.
Chemical Extraction
化学衍生的精油其实根本不是精油。化学萃取通常需要使用溶剂。
How To Make Essential Oils With A Still
For this particular method, you’ll need toinvest in a still在家里生产蒸汽提取的优质精油。同样,最初的购买可能有点贵,但如果你经常使用精油,你会节省一大笔钱。
The still utilizes steam to extract the essential oils from the plants. It’s composed of a large chamber that’s usually made of stainless steel, where the plant material is added. The steam vaporizes the plant material which is then passed through a condenser. The condenser cools the vaporized essence into liquid form where it continues into a final receptacle called a separator (because it separates the essential oil from water).
1. Select Your Plant Material
在选择植物材料时,选择一种气味吸引你的植物,并考虑在你的花园里有什么。在植物的生长过程中,油脂的数量是不同的,而理想的采摘时间取决于特定的植物。轻轻处理你的植物材料,避免失去宝贵的油。如果你有机会,选择有机植物。
2. Dry The Plant Material (Optional)
Before starting the distillation process, you have the option to dry your harvested plant material to increase the chances of extracting as much oil as possible. Don’t expose your plants to direct sunlight during this step.
3. Add Your Plant Material
Add your plant material to the large steel chamber. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for your particular still to identify it, and make sure to fill the chamber with as much plant material as you can.
4. Prepare Your Still
Following the manufacturer’s directions, set up your still. Once you’re ready to extract the oils, fill your still’s boiler compartment with water. Filtered water is best.
5. Bring Your Still To A Boil
With your chosen plant material and water added, allow your still to come to a boil.
6. Keep An Eye On Your Still And Be Patient
蒸馏过程对你来说不需要太多的投入,但要注意蒸馏器里的水的数量,以避免它煮沸干燥。Always read through the manufacturer guidelines to get acquainted with the setup and ensure you’re following the correct steps.
7. Filter Your Oil And Bottle It
When the process is over, the last step is to filter the oil in order to separate it from the water. Promptly store your finished product — preferably in a dark bottle made of glass.
Check out this video from Clawhammer Supply for a visual depiction of how this process works.
Uses For Essential Oils
Essential oils are used for a variety of reasons. Different types of essential oils may have several or varying intended purposes.
Aromatherapy
这是毫无疑问的。精油闻起来很香。它们经常被用于芳香疗法,包括闻或吸入不同的气味来抚慰和操纵身心。
Enhancing The Atmosphere
Connected to aromatherapy practice, essential oils are often used to create a relaxing atmosphere in spas, homes, and bathrooms using a diffuser.
Medicinal Use
虽然没有确凿的证据,但许多人喜欢将精油用于药用。因为纯精油是从含有潜在活性药用成分的植物材料中提取的,所以在使用它们之前和你的医生谈谈是至关重要的。特别是如果你有特定的情况或正在服用处方药物。
Oil may be added to a diffuser, bathwater, creams and lotions, laundry, or pillowcases. You may also use oils topically. Just be wary of allergic reactions. Essential oils should NOT be consumed orally.
A Few Common Essential Oils
There are a considerable number of essential oils available on the market, but some are more popular than others primarily because of their supposed health benefits. Here are a few of my favorites.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is made by extracting the oil from the flowers of the lavender plant. It’s produced using the distillation method.
Peppermint
我喜欢薄荷的清新香味。当我感觉无精打采的时候,它似乎总能让我振作起来。当我偏头痛时,我也把它作为最后的补救措施。薄荷油甚至被认为有助于消化。
Related Post:The Many Varieties Of Mint
Oil is extracted from the leaves of peppermint plants. It’s most often extracted using a solvent like alcohol. This method, when done at home, may take several weeks.
Bergamot
很长一段时间,我都不知道自己这么喜欢佛手柑。现在我已经确定了它的宜人香气,这是我经常购买的一种精油。佛手柑精油以其修复皮肤的功效而闻名,也被认为有助于缓解压力。
Lemongrass
如果你喜欢泰国菜,你可能喜欢柠檬草精油。我喜欢它的香味,而且它还能驱虫。
Orange
谁不喜欢香甜可口的橘子味呢?这种精油是添加到扩散器的完美选择,尤其是当你的家闻起来有点不新鲜的时候。当你制作自己的天然清洁溶液时,这是一个很好的选择。下次拖厨房地板的时候,你可以在水桶里滴几滴。
The mechanical method is most often used to extract oil from citrus fruits, but it can also be done via distillation.
Tea Tree
While the research is limited, there are widespread claims that tea tree oil is a medicinal powerhouse. It’s long been used as a healing tincture for treating skin issues, fungal infections, and bug bites. It is, however, very potent. If misused, it may burn the skin and cause irritation. It’s poisonous if ingested orally.
Related Post:Natural Anti-Fungal
I realize that the evidence about tea tree oil’s benefits is slim. In the past, I have added drops of it to boiling water to create homemade anti-bacterial steam in an attempt to treat congested sinuses. My success may have been more dependent on the hot vapor, but adding the oil certainly doesn’t hurt.
Eucalyptus
This essential oil has known medicinal applications thanks to its antimicrobial qualities. It smells nice, too. If you want to battle the sniffles before they wallop you, consider adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your bath or diffuser and reap the benefits of the soothing, cooling vapor.
Marjoram
The essential oil extracted from this peculiar herb is one of my favorites. While marjoram is primarily used to flavor foods, it has such a lovely scent that it’s always an oil I have on hand.
Carrier Oils For Your Essential Oils
To prevent irritation and potential allergic reactions, use a carrier oil to dilute essential oils prior to contact with the skin. Most essential oils are potent and should not be directly applied to the skin.
这些油通常没有气味。因此,它们不会破坏精油的香气。Here are a few different common carrier oils.
- Coconut oilis a popular option because it’s also moisturizing. Some brands have a strong aroma that may interfere with your chosen scent.
- Argan oilhas only a faint smell and contains plenty of enriching vitamins.
- Grapeseed oilis unscented and contains plenty of vitamin E.
- Sunflower oilis another neutral-smelling oil that softens skin and prevents irritation.
A Note On Essential Oils And Rubbing Alcohol
You can mix essential oils with grain alcohol, but most experts warn against doing the same with rubbing alcohol. Mixing with pure alcohol is useful when attempting to preserve a water-based mixture (e.g., a room spray infused with a few drops of essential oil). It gets the oil and water to combine even though they typically don’t mix.
Leave a Reply