Title: esential-oils-msg
Subject: Using, making and buying essential oils.
Author: Edited by Mark S. Harris
Last saved by: Mark S. Harris
Keywords: essential oils, herb, extract, flower, rose

esential-oils-msg - 2/1/12

Using, making and buying essential oils.

NOTE: See also the files: herb-uses-msg, merch-spices-msg, mint-msg, rose-oil-msg, Scentd-Oils-W-art, olive-oil-msg, herbs-msg, flower-waters-msg.

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NOTICE -

This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.

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Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s).

Thank you,
    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 06:39:30 -0700
From: "Edgar, Terry" <EdgarT at JM.com>
To: "'sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu'" <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: essential oils

I have recently discovered how to extract essential oils from plant
materials.  My technique however is modern rather than period.  I have found
that you can make an "extract"  using an espresso machine.  I did this with
geraniums (which were the end of the season and I was experimenting)  The
technique is simple and the results amazed me.  pack the little chamber
where you normally put the coffee beans.  run the machine like you were
making espresso.  the results will be a tinted "tea".   Place the tea in the
microwave to evaporate off the water.  What is left in the bottom is an
extract which contains the oil.  Mix a small amount of grain alcohol (1tbs)
into the tiny amount of extract and pour into a jar.  allow this to settle
and the (very tiny) amount of oil will float on top.  With an eye dropper
you can remove the oil and store in a separate container.  Repeat this
process as it takes a lot of flowers to produce a tiny bit of oil.  The
effort is worth it.  Geranium smells like avon perfume!  I was astounded.  I
just wanted to share this discovery in case anyone is interested.   

I am going to try spearmint next. 

Rivka 

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 05:31:39 -0700
From: "Edgar, Terry" <EdgarT at JM.com>
To: "'sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu'" <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: RE: essential oils

<<< This is cool!  Has anyone tried roses with this
technique?  You ARE referring to one of those cheap in
home cappichino/espresso machines?  Bet you won't want
to use it for coffee again though, HUH?

Caitriona of White Moor >>>

I have a Mr. Coffee espresso machine.  I can't see any reason why you
couldn't make coffee in it, providing that you clean the little filter part
well first.

I have update: The geranium oil turned out well, however I tried
spearmint, and it didn't work.  I used fresh which may have been the
problem.  I know some plants need to have the oil extracted with
alcohol(which I am not set up to do.)  I really would like to try roses, but
will have to wait until spring.  Where I live, there are wild roses all over
the place, so I will try that in the spring.

Rivka

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 07:55:39 -0500
From: Ron Charlotte <ronch2 at bellsouth.net>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: RE: essential oils

At 05:31 AM 11/15/00 -0700, Rivka wrote:
>I have a Mr. Coffee espresso machine.  I can't see any reason why you
>couldn't make coffee in it, providing that you clean the little filter part
>well first.

I know that on mine, the filter basket and holder are stainless steel, so
should clean well enough, I was just planning on killing off some counter
clutter, myself.

>I have update:   The geranium oil turned out well, however I tried
>spearmint, and it didn't work.  I used fresh which may have been the
>problem.  I know some plants need to have the oil extracted with
>alcohol(which I am not set up to do.)  I really would like to try roses, but
>will have to wait until spring.  Where I live, there are wild roses all over
>the place, so I will try that in the spring.

Ok, that makes sense.  I know that with the patchouli, the material must be
dried before you can do any oil extraction with it, and the mints seem to
be of a similar consistancy.

	Ron Charlotte -- Gainesville, FL
	afn03234 at afn.org OR ronch2 at bellsouth.net

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 07:53:46 -0600
From: Cherie Nolan <marguerite at ih2000.net>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: essential oils

I have done this before. I used to make a lot of essential oils the long and hard way. One day I was frustrated when the lavender that I had been making for a very long time spilled over and I lost almost all of it. I had made a lot of tea's with my espresso but never oils. After that happen, in frustration I decided to try. It worked with my fresh lavender. The only thing is not to make the things into it small keep them large. You can slog up the small holes at the bottom of the filter and it will blow off the machine from the great amount of pressure so be careful. It shocked me when it happened and the water is very hot can cause a bad burn. Some herbs turns slimy so watch for those that can clog the holes as well. Roses works as well as rose hips. But some roses gets a little to soggy. Mints work really well plus the tea is really strong and
tasty.  

Marguerite des Fleur 
Kingdom of Ansteorra's Tent Guild  tentguild at ansteorra.org
Lady Marguerite des Fleur, 
marguerite at ih2000.net
Beaumont, Tx. 

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 08:32:48 -0600
From: Cherie Nolan <marguerite at ih2000.net>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: essential oils

With the mints it is important to make sure they have a lot of water for a couple of days before and also make sure that you use the stems as well as the leaves. 

Marguerite

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 11:16:13 PST
From: "Shashana of the House of Lamb" <shashana_lamb at hotmail.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: essential oils

If the parts to your machine ie: the basket and filter, are stainless steel, 
you can clean them with either baking soda or citric acid and they will be 
fine for coffee.  Be sure to rinse well first.
Use the citric acid very sparingly though, a little goes a long way.
Both of these work well.

A former Starbucks employee who likes to use her espresso machine for 
"wierd" things.

Chiara

To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: herbal question

I would try contacting Auntie Arwen - if she dosen't have it on her
website, she might have it in stock.

http://www.auntiearwenspices.com/store/

(just a happy customer)
Katheryne

To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: herbal question
Posted by: "Hannah Hennen" kitsunetamamiko at gmail.com
Date: Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:55 am ((PST))

Apothecary Fairy is another good source.

To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: herbal question
Posted by: "Jeffrey Reppel" jeffreynreppel at yahoo.com
Date: Wed Nov 30, 2011 4:37 pm ((PST))

I'm not sure about essential oils but this merchant has some excellent natural flavors. I've used their blueberry with good results.
Jeffrey
http://www.silvercloudestates.com/index.aspx

<the end>

Edited by Mark S. Harris	esential-oils-msg	 of