How to extract oil from any plant you have at home: It only takes 5 minutes

Extract essential oil from plants through distillation.
Steam distillation is a process in which steam is used to separate a mixture of two or more substances with different boiling points. 
Steam distillation is the reference technique for extracting essential oils, which utilizes the steam generated when boiling water.

The steam then flows through the plant material present in the still, carrying with it the aromatic molecules of the plant cells.

These molecules are incredibly light, making them very volatile and easy to evaporate. The water vapor and volatile molecules then pass through a condenser and return to the liquid state.

Due to their composition, essential oils are less dense than water and naturally adhere to aromatic water.

The latter occurs when the vapor returns to its liquid state and spreads micro-droplets of essential oil that create the unique aroma of the distilled plant.

Separating the two liquids is easy with a simple decanter funnel since they are not miscible.

The distillation products are pure essential oil and aromatic water, also called hydrosol.

Aromatic water is not simply waste, but a valuable by-product of distillation.

This versatile liquid can be used for a variety of purposes, from iron-rich water to facial toner and even as a powerful plant antiseptic.

Extracting Essential Oil
Keep in mind that freshly distilled essential oils are not always fragrant because they must go through a maturation period that usually lasts several weeks.

During this time it is important to let the oil rest so that it develops its ideal aroma.

How to Store Essential Oils
Due to their delicate nature, essential oils must be handled with great care as they are susceptible to rancidity and decay, which can result in the loss of their natural scent or even the development of harmful substances.

To preserve their integrity, it is important to store them in dark glass containers, away from direct light and heat.

Essential oils are concentrated and contain active molecules, some of which can cause toxic effects.

For this reason, they should be used sparingly, drop by drop, and seek expert advice to avoid possible harm.