The first step in making essential oil is the gathering of the ingredients. These ingredients can be flowers or herbs that may be found in a typical garden. Or, the ingredients may be purchased from flower shops or the local grocery store. You may want to find a recipe to determine which parts of the plant you will need.

In addition to the actual herb or flower selected to make the essential oil there is another ingredient required. That additional ingredient as part of the process on how to make essential oils includes the use of a carrier oil. Carrier oil is the neutral oil that is needed to embody the aroma from the flower or herb. Some good choices for carrier oil can be grape seed oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil, etc.

Ingredients And Supplies

The next step on how to make essential oils the gathering of the proper ingredients and supplies. Ingredients include a half cup of carrier oil along with the flowers or herbs that you have selected to make the essential oil. If flowers are chosen they should be tightly packed into the measuring container. When herbs are used, the quantity should be measured at a quarter of a cup. Eventually, to make a sufficient supply of the essential oil, a total quantity of 4 cups of cut flowers or 1 cup of herbs will be required.

In addition to the ingredients required, there are certain supplies that will help facilitate the process on how to make essential oils. Those supplies include plastic bags that can be zippered or sealed shut, a pounding device such as a hammer or wooden kitchen mallet, two glass jars that are wide at the mouth, a funnel, cheesecloth, and a container to put the essential oil in. This container should be dark in color such as the cobalt blue or amber colored bottle.

Preparation Steps

The final and probably most important step in learning how to make essential oils is the preparation process. This preparation process begins with the placing of the flowers or herbs into the plastic bag. This bag should be tapped lightly with the wooden mallet or hammer. Once this step has been accomplished transfer the contents of the plastic bag to the large jar and pour in the oil. Shake the jar to ensure that the ingredients are saturated with the carrier oil and let it stand. The liquid should be then strained over the second bottle using the cheesecloth. Once accomplished those ingredients should be discarded.

This process should be repeated over the next three days utilizing the same process and the same quantities of herbs or flowers. Once the entire process is complete transfer the essential oil into the darkened glass containers.

While this is a simple guide to making your own essential oil, it should give you the basics of essential oil making. Obviously, if you want a pure essential oil or a therapeutic grade essential oil, you will need some more equipment like a steam distiller and other items beyond the scope of this article. But you can make a simple essential oil by following the steps outlined above. Have fun!