Distillation is the most widely used method for producing essential oils, and while the basic principle of distillation remains the same, the process of distillation is carried out in different ways depending on the plant material being distilled.
In general, the process of distillation requires steam to be passed through the plant material. The basic process is:
First plant material (this can be leaves, flowers, etc. depending on the specific plant) is loaded into the “retort” of the still. Then, steam is passed through the retort. The steam carries the essential oil out of the plant in droplets in the steam. The oil moves into the still’s condenser and the steam changes back to water. The water and oil then separate passively. In most cases the oil floats on the top. (There are exceptions depending on how heavy the oil is compared to the water.) The oil is separated from the water by dripping or pouring off the water from the top, leaving the essential oil.
To learn more about the art and science of aromatherapy distillation, download the American College Distillation Manual free here. Note, this PDF manual is password protected -- if you attend our recent distillation workshop on the ACHS campus, the password has been emailed to you.
If you were unable to attend our distillation workshop in person, not to worry! Subscribe to our holistic health and aromatherapy YouTube channel ACHStv, "Like" us on Facebook, then post a comment to this blog letting us know you're now an ACHS fan, and we'll send you the password to download our distillation manual (just be to sure to include a valid email).
18 comments:
Hi! I'm not able to attend the workshop (working, ack!). Could I get the password emailed to me, please? (Already "liked on FB, and subscribed on YouTube. :) ) I'm hoping my email sends to you with this comment post.
I am a fan for sure!! I'm also a graduate of the aromatherapy certificate. I would like to download the distilling e.o. manual. Will you send me the code to get it. I subscribed to ACHS TV and liked ACHS on facebook. Thanks Alison
Hi Lise,
Thanks for the comment. Sorry you were not able to attend the workshop in person, but glad to hear you have downloaded the video from ACHStv.
We'll get the password sent to you right away and look forward to further comments about what you learn in the distillation manual.
Hi Alison,
Thanks for the great feedback and for the follows. We'll get the password for the essential oil distillation manual emailed to you and look forward to reading further comments about aromatherapy and distillation.
What are you wanting to learn more about?
Hi Alison,
Thanks for the great feedback and for the follows. We'll get the password for the essential oil distillation manual emailed to you and look forward to reading further comments about aromatherapy and distillation.
What are you wanting to learn more about?
Hi I am a fan on facebook and youtube. Can you email me a password? Thanks and I look forward to reading it:)
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for checking out our post and for being an ACHS fan! We appreciate the support.
Please send an email to traceymiller@achs.edu so she will have the correct email address to forward the code to. Let her know you're a fan of ACHStv on YouTube and the blog and would like to access our Aromatherapy Distillation Manual.
Lise,
Apologies for the delayed response :) Perhaps you have not previously attended a community wellness event at the American College before, as we do not have an email address on file for you. Please forward your contact information to the College at your earliest convenience. You can email it to achs@achs.edu
P.S.
Our next community wellness event is our ACHS Winter Celebration on November 30. We hope you can attend! Here is the link: https://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=213&id=6
Hello ACHS-I finally got the manual and I love it!! Very informative. Some day I'll have to witness the distillation on the ACHS campus. There is a lavender farm near me-so I have seen the process done. All the recipes are nice to have too! Thanks Alison
Lauren-there are many subjects I'd like to learn about. Right now I'm taking a break from school. I'd like to study iridology some day.
Hi, I am an ACHS fan and am also a graduate of the Aromatherapy program and the Master Herbalist program. I have started a small business making lovely bath and body products and hope to keep expanding my creations and much more...
Blessings*
I realize this is an older blog post but is the distillation manual still available? I have subscribed to the ACHS You Tube as well as Like ACHS on Facebook. Can you please email me the password if it's available? Thanks so much! My email is starrmkj@aol.com
Hi Kerri! Thanks for your interest in the ACHS aromatherapy blog. I hope you find the posts useful, informative, and fun! I look forward to reading your comments :) Per your request, please check your email and if you have any further questions about ACHS or ACHS events, please don't hesitate to contact us at (800) 487-8839 or admissions@achs.edu.
I would LOVE to learn more about distillation! I have "subscribed" to the youtube channel and "liked" your Facebook page. I'd love the password now please! Thanks!
I am already a fan of ACHS, but I renewed my followings. I would love to have the password to download so that I can also learn more about distillation. My email address is c2bb54@cableone.net. Thank you! Cindy Chandler
I already added a comment, but it may not have been added. I am a fan of ACHS, have attended some classes there and would love to have the distillation downlad password as well. Thank you. My email address is c2bb54@cableone.net. Cindy Chandler
Hi Cindy! Thanks for the post. I have emailed you the password. Enjoy! We'd love to hear your favorite tips once you have reviewed the manual, so please be sure to leave a comment back :)
Hello I have joined both the youtube and facebook and would love to download this PDF. please send password to: gretchenmorganstern@yahoo.com Thanks I can't wait!
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