There are plenty of reasons why you should be filling your medicine cabinet with essential oils. Each essential oil provides different health and medicinal benefits ranging from reducing stress to treating boils. Most of these essential oils also give off fragrant scents that are useful in aromatherapy.
Essential oils are extracted from herbs and other plants. These oils contain the concentrated “essence” of the plant. In other words, the oil has the same flavor and scent as the plant they were derived from.
There are a couple of ways of gathering the essential oil of different plants. One is through distillation, which is considered the most intricate method. It requires the use of a particular equipment — an essential oil still. You can purchase one over the Internet or in specialty stores. You can also build your own still. If you choose the latter, you’ll need a pressure cooker, a 10 mm glass pipe, an essencier, a heat source, and cold water.
If you already have the equipment, or you want to invest in these items, then the process is practically doable even if you’re a newbie. However, it is not entirely risk-free. Home-distilling is how moonshiners made their moonshine. Apparently, moonshine stills may explode.
Other methods of obtaining essential oils include extraction and cold pressing. Most essential oils used at home are actually oil infusions. The five herbs or plants listed below can both be used to make essential oils and oil infusions.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils mainly because of its wonderful scent. It’s commonly used in aromatherapy for its soothing and relaxing effects. You can use it anytime at home if you need to calm yourself down, especially after a hard day at work. Add a few drops in your bath to help you sleep soundly later. Lavender essential oils can also be used to treat acne, skin rashes, cuts, and minor burns.
You need to do steam distilling to make true lavender essential oils. If you don’t have the equipment, you can make lavender-infused oil instead. This is a lot easier and quicker than steam distilling. All you need to do is cut off the stems and flowers of fresh or dried lavender. Get rid of the woody part of the stems. If you’re using fresh lavender, you have to dry it first. Wrap the lavender sprigs in a cloth and hang them upside down somewhere warm until the sprigs are dry.
Crush the dried lavender lightly and put it in a clean and dry jar. Pour non-scented carrier oil into the jar until the lavender is covered. Leave one to two inches of space and close the lid tightly. Leave the jar in an area exposed to the sun for three to six weeks.
Tea Tree
Tea tree is another one of the well-known essential oils. It is best used for cleansing and purifying. Tea tree oil can also be used for treating fungal infections, warts, insect bites, acne, and dermatitis. It’s also effective against dandruff if you put a little in your shampoo. Add tea tree oil to a sprayer filled with water and you have a natural disinfectant for your kitchen counter. If you have pets, place a few drops of tea tree oil where they sleep to prevent fleas.
Tea tree is not that common around the United States so you may need to improvise if you’re neighborhood doesn’t have them. One option is to simply purchase tea tree oil. If you’re intent on making some, you should have your own distillation set.
First, pour water into the boiling container then add non-Teflon boiling stones or chips. Pack the tea tree leaves in the upper container tightly but allow for steam to go through. Let the oil flow through the tube via low water flow into the condenser. Turn the hot plate on and leave it for 30 minutes to 3 hours. Once done with the distilling process, remove the water that may have accumulated in the container. Pour the oil into a dark dropper bottle. Use only a few drops every time you need it.
Rosemary
Another aromatherapy favorite, rosemary is known for its uplifting and relaxing properties. It’s also a great way to keep your home smelling good.
Like lavender, rosemary leaves can be distilled to collect their true essential oils. However, this is a bit of a tedious project even if you have your own distilling set. It’s easier and faster to make rosemary-infused oil instead.
Make your own oil infusion by placing about a cup of rosemary leaves in a slow cooker. Make sure there are no stems included. Add two cups of your carrier oil then warm in low flame for six hours. Strain and throw away the leaves. Pour the rosemary oil into a small glass jar and cover tightly.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oils are used to uplift and rejuvenate you. However, it’s not for everyone. Consult with your doctor before using peppermint oil, especially if you’re pregnant.
The oil is made by gathering peppermint leaves early in the morning. The plant oils are at their strongest around this time. Make sure you collect the ones without bruises or any signs of wilting.
Spark Naturals Peppermint Essential OilSpray the leaves with cool water then place them on a kitchen towel to dry. Use a mortar and pestle to gently crush and bruise the peppermint leaves. Pack as many leaves in a jar before pouring in the oil. Seal it tightly and shake it a bit to cover all the leaves with the oil. Place it somewhere away from direct sunlight. Let it steep for one to two days.
Once ready, pour the oil over a strainer or cheesecloth. Get rid of the leaves. Seal the jar of peppermint oil and keep it somewhere cool and dark.
Chamomile
A cup of chamomile tea helps calm the nerves and provide relief from stress and anxiety. Chamomile essential oils also provide the same calming, relaxing, and sedative effect when applied topically. It’s also used against eczema, acne, dry skin, boils, and cuts.
Make your own essential oil through distillation or you can opt for chamomile-infused oil. For the latter, you need dried chamomile flowers. You can dry your own if you get your hands on some fresh chamomile flowers. Otherwise, you can use dried ones bought from the store.
Clean and dry the flowers thoroughly before adding them to a glass container filled with carrier oil. As with the others, leave some space between the oil and the tightly screwed lid. Leave it where it can get 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight.
Check the jar for possible moisture build-up. Wipe it off with a paper towel. Shake it gently once a day for two weeks. Strain the chamomile-infused oil into another jar. You can add a little rosemary oil to keep it from oxidizing.
There are tons of other herbs and plants you can turn into essential oils. Each one boasts a set of medicinal benefits that could help keep you in tip-top health.
Learn more about essential oils with The Power of Aromatherapy courtesy of No Excuse Health Coach Josée Smith. Check out The Gentleman Pirate, as well, for more interesting tidbits on health and other topics.
Just a disclaimer – We have partnered with these companies because we use their products and/or proudly trust and endorse them – so we do receive a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for services. Often, we are able to negotiate special discounts and/or bonuses, which we will pass on to you via our links. We often get short notice on sale items available for 24-48 hours as we will pass these savings on to you.
