Distilling Lavender

   / Distilling Lavender #1  
T

TWINKLE_TOES

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My wife is a Lavender nut and has been after me to figure out how to distill Lavender./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif I found a Lavender distiller on the web that costs as much as a good three point attachment but not much else. I'm not even sure of the basic principles of the distillation process other than I think the oil vaporizes a little before water and then is condensed. If anyone can help I would sure appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

AL
 
   / Distilling Lavender #2  
Al

Been there, done that./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif I got my wife to settle for putting a little light oil in a jar packed with lavender and setting it in a non-South facing window. The oil will absorb some of the lavender smell, but won't be an "essential" oil. The price of essential oils is incredible. The wife buys "NOW" brand when she wants the real stuff. It's cheaper than most of the other brands.

I seem to recall something about steaming the essential oil from the lavender, but as I recall, it also required "pressing" at the same time. ie, a weight placed upon the lavender blossoms to help extract the oils. Comfrey is easier, just crush some leaves in a pan of oil or shortening and boil until everything turns green. Works great on burns and blisters. Don't believe the stuff about preventing bruises.

SHF
 
   / Distilling Lavender
  • Thread Starter
#3  
SHF,

Thanks, I'll try to convince her the oil absorption is the best thing since sliced bread, but I think she will see right through me. She grows a lot of Lavender and her sister lives in France and keeps sending her the good stuff. I think I am stuck with figuring out ($$) on how to get her set up to make the good stuff. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Al
 
   / Distilling Lavender #4  
Al,

If my memory serves me correctly the best lavender EO is produced in a particular area of France. Some essential oils are picky about where they do best. Not to say that you cannot produce some good stuff here also. France is known for having a disproportionate (sp?) amount of specialists in EOs. Your wife's sister may be able to point you in the right direction better than any of us can.

DaveV
 
   / Distilling Lavender #5  
Al

If by some chance you DO figure out a cheap, simple way to do it, be sure to pass the info on. That way I can stupefy and amaze the the woman in my life! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

SHF
 
   / Distilling Lavender
  • Thread Starter
#6  
DaveV

I think your memory serves you well. The general concensus from what I have read is "If it ain't from France, it ain't". As far as my wifes sister helping, she has done quite enough, she's the one that started this and she only deals in concepts (Al should be able to make something)

I'm sure if I keep after it the secrets of distillation will be mine.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Al
 
   / Distilling Lavender
  • Thread Starter
#7  
SHF,

I'm one up on you here, my wife is already stupified by my behavior. If I do get this figured out, I will pass it along.
At this point I am reduced to searching the archives of "Backwoods" magazine. (if you want to make lavender tea I can help with a receipe)/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Al
 
   / Distilling Lavender #8  
Al,

Also check back issues of "Countryside and Small Stock Journal"

I know I've seen something about this before. Can't be too hard, people have been doing it for a long time.

SHF
 
   / Distilling Lavender #10  
Al,

I think it also stupified my eyeballs. I had a chat with George Washington about this, and he told me he and his brothers don't want to go. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

SHF
 
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