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

[karamisa]

My guy explaining distillation better than 99% of college professors. Deep wisdom from years of practical experience.

[Fireinthelake]

The goal is to be like Dennis when you get older

[bridgettstephens]

Wow! I sure wish this gentleman was my neighbor. No doubt he holds a wealth of information.

[johanessuryanata]

Your video is by far the best in explaining how steam distillation works. I thank you so much for making such a great effort to create it. I really appreciate it.

[lucastroesh]

This is what I want to be like when I grow up.

[daughterofthemosthigh]

Dennis. So blessed to have found you. I look forward to learning from you. God bless you abundantly ❤❤❤

[evo]

What an incredible video. My wife and I have been wanting to start making our own essential oils from all the good things that grow naturally on our land. You have just untangled all the wires and cleaned out the cob webs…
What a beautiful video, clear and concise, and simple. We will be doing this, my whole family thanks you.

[diosteama]

More people like him in this world please 😊❤

[Korvak]

I’ve been researching the practical processes of ‘Alchemy’ for the sake of my indie game, and this is an absolute treasure. Thank you!

[elainecash]

One of the BEST videos on the subject I’ve ever seen. Thank you

[NWSBS]

Dennis, you’re a gem! You’re still setup is impressive and I greatly appreciate your detailed explanation. Thank you!

[NORATECHNOLOGIES]

We need to record all these old timers, , now! ... they have so much to tell and it needs to be recorded . Thank U👍

[felix_christopher]

This is brilliant. Probably sums up two semesters of pharmaceutical lab practice. Very well explained, concise and easy to follow. Also beautiful editing, no nonsense and very atmospheric! Thank you!

[stepher]

This is a great thorough video on the process of distillation! Thanks for sharing!

[Adapt]

that was real cool, you opened my mind on possibilities wide open, flowers and plants meet old tech, useful for todays evaporating supply chain world, thank you

[abhinavjain]

Bonus tip, that cloudy water part also contains some oil which can be recovered by breaking the emulsion. Either by adding a some salt from top towards the end, or by centrifugation.

[briansass]

I don't know you, but I love you. Thank you for being you!

[peterfrance]

The aromas coming off whilst distilling must be heavenly.

[katryanaorange]

It is a gift to find you + your channel. Thank you, Dennis!!!!🙏

[jeanneblackwell]

OMG this was just an excellent tutorial. I am going to do this. I have always wanted to do this but never had it explained in a way I felt I could do it. This took the scary mysterious unknowns out of the equation. Thank you Dennis!!!! So fine.