Most people don’t know how easy it is to extract the essential oils from herbs they’ve collected. One of the easiest ways is to soak the herb in oil. Using a nonmetal container, pour enough olive or safflower oil to cover your herbs and let stand for at least 24 hours. Strain, pressing the blossoms or leaves to release more oil. Repeat using the same oil and more fresh herbs. Repeat this six to ten times. Store the oil in a tightly sealed bottle or container. Add to baths, soaps, candles, what have you.
Another way to extract the oils is by using undenatured ethyl alcohol. I prefer to use Everclear vodka, as I wouldn’t eat/drink ethyl alcohol and therefore, don’t want it on my skin. (Actually, I wouldn’t drink Everclear either, but it is edible. I use it for most of my cleaning in place of bleach.) The procedure is the same as above, though after soaking, you can either use the fragrant alcohol, or separate the oil out. To separate, place it in the freezer. The oil will solidify and can be scraped off the non-frozen alcohol. Always be cautious when using pure essential oils as they can burn.
Have a fragrant day!
~~~Sharilyn
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