Each herb, seed, bark, root or flower has a certain temperature where the plant begins to release its essential oil. Knowing what that temperature is and the best method of distillation for the plant material you are trying to distill is essential. This takes a bit of research on your part.
When bringing a still up to temperature, it is best to go slowly. It is hard to cool a still so by carefully watching the temperature and beginning to turn the heat setting back as you go, you will have more control over the end result.
It is best to use fresh cut herbs that have been harvested early in the morning as soon as the dew dries after a several day dry spell has occurred. This insures the maximum amount of oil. If their has been a drought that year you may find some plants such as lavender have more oil than on a year where there has been an abundance of water.
This chart will give you an idea at what point some herbs begin to release their oils or volatilize. Never heat your herbs past this point and try to maintain this temperature throughout the distillation process.
Marjoram and Oregano – 163 F (72 C)
Mints – 200 F (93 C)
Sage – 150 F (65 C)
Savory – 176 F (80 C)
Cinnamon Bark – 170 F to 212 F (76 C to 100 C)
Wintergreen – 218 F (103 C)
Filed under Distillation, Essential Oils by on Feb 1st, 2010. 3 Comments. 
Floral waters, or hydrosols are great for the skin. Hydrosols help tone, rehydrate and rebalance the pH of skin. Fruit or floral waters can be used in a number of ways. The first way is as a face toner or refresher. Simply dab an organic cotton ball with some of the hydrosol and wipe your face. You can do this twice a day, everyday. You can add hydrosols to your bath water for a fragrant bath and an all over body refresher. You can also mist yourself with hydrosols. A gentle fragrance will be left behind. Be sure to keep floral waters out of your eyes.
Here are some good ones to try.
Calendula hydrosol is a good one to use for its therapeutic properties. It has
has anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and astringent properties.
Lavender hydrosol is very relaxing and balancing.
Lemon balm hydrosol has a calming effect on mental stress and fatigue. It also works well on skin inflammations’.
Lemon verbena hydrosol is stimulating and uplifting.
Peppermint hydrosol is refreshing and revitalizing.
Rose geranium hydrosol is balancing. It is the perfect hydrosol for the sporadic symptoms of menopausal women.
Rose hydrosol makes a wonderful balancing toner for all skin types. It also works as an anti-anxiety spray, a deodorant and a room freshener.
Rosemary hydrosol is energizing and stimulating.
Filed under Hydrosols, Tinctures by on Jan 30th, 2010. Comment.
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