Creating Aroma Oils: Diy Home Recipes And Techniques

Aromatherapy oils can be used to make your home smell nice, unwind after a long day, or even boost your mood. Making your own essential oils at home can be a fun and rewarding process, but it requires some knowledge and preparation. Here are the steps to make aroma oil at home:

Firstly, gather the necessary equipment and ingredients, such as a clear glass jar with a lid, small dark-coloured bottle, strainer, cheesecloth, spoon, dropper, and your choice of plant material. The amount of plant material needed depends on the desired quantity of essence, but it's typically measured in pounds.

Before preparing the jar, the chosen plants should be dehydrated to evaporate their natural water content. This can be done using a dehydrator until the plants start to wilt.

For the second step, fill the jar with the chosen plant material, such as rose petals, and pour in vodka until the petals are completely submerged. Place the jar in a dark corner of a kitchen cupboard, allowing it to sit undisturbed at room temperature. Shake the jar vigorously several times a day, repeating this process until the plant material starts to lose its colour, which may take up to a week.

The third step involves straining the plant material from the vodka solution using a strainer and cheesecloth. Be cautious to avoid spilling any liquid. Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract as much vodka as possible. At this stage, the vodka will have an unpleasant smell, but this is normal.

Next, repeat the rose-soaking method with a new batch of plant material, ensuring that the vodka covers the petals. This step can be repeated multiple times to extract more essential oils.

Once the rose-soaking process is complete, strain the solution as before, returning the vodka to the glass jar and sealing it. Place the jar back in the dark corner of the cupboard for a day or two. During this time, the vodka will separate from the essential oils and plant matter.

For the final steps, place the jar in the freezer. Unlike vodka, essential oils will solidify when frozen. Quickly skim the plant material from the vodka and place it on a cheesecloth inside a glass bowl. Pour the vodka into another glass jar, using a dropper to collect any frozen bits, which are the essential oils. Transfer these frozen bits into a small dark bottle for storage.

Choosing the right herbs and flowers

Scent and Aroma

The scent of the herbs and flowers you choose will determine the fragrance of your aroma oil. Consider whether you want a floral, herbal, citrusy, spicy, or woody scent. For example, lavender has a sweet and floral scent, while rosemary has a strong and camphor-like aroma. You can also mix and match different herbs and flowers to create unique blends.

Therapeutic Benefits

Different herbs and flowers offer various therapeutic benefits. For instance, chamomile has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for treating colds and reducing inflammation. Eucalyptus oil can help with a cold by clearing thick mucus in the bronchial tubes and sinuses. Lavender can aid in relaxation and improve sleep. Understanding the properties of different plants will help you choose the right ones for your desired effects.

Availability and Source

When making aroma oils at home, consider the availability of the herbs and flowers. Some plants, like lavender, are easily accessible and can be grown at home or purchased from local farmers. Using fresh, organic, and sustainably sourced ingredients will ensure the highest quality and potency.

Safety Considerations

It is essential to prioritize safety when choosing herbs and flowers. Some plants may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. For example, myrrh can cause dermatitis and should not be taken orally. Pregnant individuals should avoid certain oils like hyssop and oregano oil. Always research the potential side effects of the plants you're considering and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Preparing your chosen plant

It's important to harvest your plants at the right time. For instance, lavender should be harvested when about half the flowers on the stem have withered, while rosemary should be harvested when the plant is in full bloom. You should also make sure that your plants are free of mold, fungus, and other blight before harvesting.

After harvesting, you'll need to dry your plant material. Drying can reduce the amount of oil in each plant, but it can also increase how much essential oil you make per batch. Air-dry your plants slowly by hanging them upside down away from direct sunlight. Avoid overheating your plants to minimize oil loss.

Preparing the jar

• Prepare jars and fill them with rose petals. The amount of rose petals will depend on how much oil you want to make. You will need pounds and pounds of rose petals to make a small amount of essence.
• Pour vodka into the jar until the petals are completely submerged.
• Place the jar in a dark corner of the kitchen cupboard, where it can sit undisturbed at room temperature.
• About three times a day, take the jar out and shake it vigorously for several minutes.
• Repeat step 4 daily until you see the roses losing colour, which could take up to a week.

Once you have completed these steps, you can move on to the third step, which involves straining the vodka solution.

Straining the vodka solution

Now that you've prepared your choice of plant, filled your jar with rose petals and vodka, and allowed the mixture to sit for a week, it's time to strain the vodka solution! This step will help you separate the plant material from the vodka and extract the essential oils.

First, put on a pair of protective gloves to avoid any spills or messes. Take out the jar and get ready to strain its contents. You'll need a porcelain-coated strainer for this step. Carefully strain out the plant material from the vodka, making sure not to spill any of the liquid. This process will help separate the solid plant parts from the liquid vodka solution.

Next, transfer the strained mixture into a cheesecloth. Squeeze the cheesecloth by hand to extract every last bit of vodka from the plant material. At this point, the vodka will have a strong and unpleasant odour, but don't be alarmed—this is normal.

Once you've extracted as much vodka as possible, you can discard the plant material. Remember to handle it with care and avoid spilling any of the valuable vodka solution. Now, you're ready to move on to the next step of the essential oil-making process!

Repeating the Soaking Process

After straining, you can reuse the same vodka solution to continue extracting essential oils from a new batch of rose petals. Simply add more rose petals to the vodka and repeat the soaking method. Make sure to add enough vodka to completely submerge the petals, and feel free to add a little extra vodka if needed. The more you repeat this process, the more essential oils you'll be able to extract.

Storing the Vodka Solution

Once you've completed the rose-soaking process, it's time to strain the mixture one last time. After straining, pour the vodka solution back into your quart glass jar and seal it tightly. Return the jar to a dark and undisturbed place, such as a dark corner of your kitchen cupboard. Leave it there for a day or two, and you'll start to see some separation occur. The vodka will naturally separate from the essential oils and other plant matter, creating a distinct layer.

Freezing the Solution

Now, it's time to place the jar in your freezer. Here's where things get interesting! Vodka has a unique property where it doesn't freeze, but the essential oils and plant materials will. This process will help you easily separate the solid essential oils from the liquid vodka.

Straining the Solution Again

After the freezing process, you'll need to work quickly and carefully to strain the solution and collect the essential oils. You'll need a few key items for this step: a glass bowl, cheesecloth, a clear canning jar, a small glass bowl, a small dark bottle, a spoon, and a dropper.

First, remove the jar from the freezer. Skim off the gunky plant material that has solidified on top of the vodka and place it on top of the cheesecloth inside the glass bowl. Next, pour the vodka into the glass jar with the loose cheesecloth to filter out any remaining solids.

Harvesting the Essential Oils

Now for the exciting part—harvesting your very own essential oils! Use a dropper to quickly pick out any frozen bits from the vodka solution and place them into the small dark bottle. These frozen bits are the precious essential oils you've been working so hard to extract.

Your homemade essential oils are now ready for use or storage! You can use them for personal care, disinfection, or healing, as they retain the beneficial properties of the plants they were derived from. Remember to store your essential oils in a cool, dark place to maintain their freshness and potency.

Harvesting the essential oils

Using Oil or Alcohol

Strain your mixture through a strainer into another container. Press the plant material lightly with your hand to squeeze out any excess liquid. This will result in more oils being released. Add more plant material to the fragrant mixture and repeat the process until your essential oil is at your desired strength. This will take 6 to 8 rounds of treatment.

Using Steam

If you're using a crockpot, fill it halfway with distilled water and add your plant material. Cook on low for 24 hours, then turn off the crockpot and leave the mixture alone for 2 to 3 weeks. A small amount of oil should have risen to the surface of the water, which you can collect with a spoon and transfer to a dark, glass container.

If you're using a cooking pot, you'll need a cotton and linen bag to put your plant material in, as well as someone to help you. Tie the bag shut securely and place it in a pot of boiling distilled water. Simmer the water for 24 hours, then collect the oil from the surface of the pot with a spoon and transfer it to a dark container.

Storing Your Essential Oils

Once you've harvested your essential oils, you'll want to store them correctly. Always use sealable, dark glass containers and keep them in a cool, dry place, such as the fridge. Homemade essential oils should last for about 12 months.

Frequently asked questions