Distilling My Own Oils

I sometimes distill my own oils.  I have distilled Tansy, Chocolate Mint, Peppermint, Melissa, Santolina, Sagebrush and Lavender.

  I don't particularly recommend it because it is so labor intensive and the distiller is way expensive.  There is no way I ever get the cost back in oils.  However, it is interesting.

Notice how the oils rise to the top leaving the hydrosol (floral water).  I first siphon off the hydrosol, then collect the oil.  The amount of oil is so small, no wonder oils are so expensive...