Using a Simple Still for Home Extraction of Essential Oils

The Art of Distilling Essential Oils: A Gardener's Guide Join Dennis, an experienced gardener with 50 years of expertise, as he walks you through the detailed process of distilling essential oils from medicinal plants, specifically lemon balm. Learn how to use an old pressure cooker as a functional still, the importance of proper herb preparation, and the step-by-step distillation process using various laboratory glassware such as a Vigreux fractionating column and a Clevenger apparatus. Discover valuable tips to optimize your extraction and produce high-quality essential oils. 00:00 Introduction to Dennis and His Gardening Journey 00:34 Harvesting and Preparing Lemon Balm 01:49 Setting Up the Distillation Process 06:15 Using the Vigreux Fractionating Column 08:25 The Clevenger and Oil Extraction 11:00 Efficient Water Recycling System 12:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts