Q&A for How to Make Essential Oils

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  • Question
    What are the health benefits of peppermint oil?
    Ritu Thakur, MA
    Natural Health Care Professional
    Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.
    Natural Health Care Professional
    Expert Answer
    Peppermint oil has some well-known cooling and refreshing elements. It is a great mood enhancer and can be applied topically to relieve muscle pain, headaches, itching, burning, or clogged sinuses.
  • Question
    Can I distill different plants together (i.e. lemongrass & lavender) to create a mixed oil right off the bat?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    That would not be recommended. It can't be easily predicted which constituents of each herb would "survive" the process and which constituents may be affected by the constituents of the other plant. In addition, if you make them separately, you can choose whatever ratio of herbs you want to mix. In the end, taking an extra step should allow you more flexibility.
  • Question
    Can I use pure coconut oil as a carrier oil if I add the essential oil to it just before use?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can use coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, olive oil or castor oil, to name just a few.
  • Question
    Is there any way to do this without using a still?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    It can all be done without a still. However, it is easier but more expensive to invest in a professional piece of equipment.
  • Question
    How long does the steam distillation process take using a professional glass system?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    It would depend on your starting volumes, but it can take from a few hours to overnight.
  • Question
    Is it possible to extract essential oil from basil using solvent n-Hexane?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    You can use n-Hexane or other organic solvent, except you would have to be very careful to remove ALL the solvent before using it, even for non-topical purposes. n-Hexane would not be recommended.
  • Question
    Can you tell me which plant does what?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Your best bet is to pick one plant and learn as much as you can about what properties it has and what conditions it can be used for. Then, choose a second plant and so on. Start with a commonly used plant (like lavender) or a plant that you like.
  • Question
    How can you properly separate the layers of oil and water if you don't want to buy an essencier?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    You either have to have access to chemical lab equipment (eg. a separating funnel or more distillation equipment) or you need to carefully separate the oil and water by hand. You can try using a turkey baster (not very precise) to suck off the water or try to wick off the water with cotton or paper towels, but, either way, you are very likely to lose some of the oils. Try checking out eBay for less expensive essenciers.
  • Question
    Where do we find an essencier to purchase?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Try talking to a local herbalist or search online. There may be essenciers available at discount as well. You could also contact bulk herbal suppliers to see what herbal equipment they carry.
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