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You are here: Home / Projects / Homemade Products / How To Make Essential Oils At Home | Homesteading Skills

How To Make Essential Oils At Home | Homesteading Skills

Reading Time: 6 minutes

October 4, 2023 By Jayson Matthews 39 Comments

Learn how to make essential oils at home and discover more amazing benefits you can get from these natural wonders.

We will give you a thorough guide plus the best tips and tricks in making essential oils at home using dried herbs and other plants. We will be extracting the essence of your favorite herbs and flowers right in the comfort of your kitchen!

In this article:

  • How to Make Essential Oils
  • What You Need to Know When Making Essential Oils
  • Mood-Boosting Essential Oils
  • 5 Ways to Use Essential Oils

RELATED: The Homesteader’s Secret Essential Thieves Oil Recipe

Learn How to Make Essential Oils Like a True Homesteader

Click here to jump to the infographic.

How to Make Essential Oils

womens hands natural cosmetics laboratory making | small distillery for essential oils

There are three methods to get essential oils. These are extraction, distillation, and expression. The distillation process is the most complicated. It requires specialized equipment and careful monitoring.

As for the expression method, the product is not usually classified as an essential oil. This leaves us with the extraction method. In this tutorial, we will try rose essential oil-making, so let’s get started!

What You’ll Need:

  • Flowers or plant parts to extract (in this case rose petals)
  • 120-proof vodka
  • Clear quart glass jar with a lid
  • Small dark-colored bottle
  • Porcelain-coated strainer
  • Small glass bowl
  • Tight-weave cheesecloth
  • A spoon and medicine dropper

Step 1: Prepare Your Choice of Plant

dried rose petals tea alternative medicine | how to make essential oils for diffuser

You can use any kind of plant, from herbs, scented flowers, to fruits. It all depends on the plant essence you want to be extracted. In this tutorial, we will be using roses. The more homegrown roses you have, the better.

You’ll need pounds and pounds of plant material to make a small amount of essence. Prepare the roses by using a dehydrator to evaporate their natural water content. The roses will be ready when they start to wilt.

Step 2: Prepare the Jar

rose petals glass jar producing homemade | essential oil extractor

Prepare jars and fill them with rose petals. Pour vodka into the jar until the petals are submerged. Place the jar in a dark corner of the kitchen cupboard where it can sit undisturbed at room temperature.

About three times a day, take the jar out and give it a good shake for several minutes. Repeat daily until you see the roses losing color, which could take up to a week.

RELATED: Homemade Air Freshener with Essential Oils

Step 3: Straining Vodka Solution

herb flower concept red rose dry | diy essential oil distiller

Wearing protective gloves, take out the jar and prepare to strain. Strain out the plant material from the vodka by using a porcelain-coated strainer. Be careful not to spill any amount of liquid.

Shake the roses into the cheesecloth and squeeze it out by hand to get every last bit of vodka out. By this time, the vodka will smell terrible but don’t worry, that’s normal.

Step 4: Repeat Soaking Process

aurvedic face pack reduce wrinkles pimples | essential oil still

Using the same vodka, repeat the rose soaking method several more times with a new batch of rose petals. Make sure not to waste vodka when straining.

If needed, you can add a little more vodka to make sure the rose petals are submerged. The more you do this, you will be able to extract more of the essential oils.

Step 5: Storing Vodka Solution

jar pink liquid on table | how to distill rose essential oil

Once you’re done with the rose soaking, strain as usual. But this time, return the vodka into the quart glass and seal it. Put it in the dark corner of the cupboard again, leaving it undisturbed for a day or two.

By this time, you will see some separation starting to occur. The vodka will separate from the essential oils and other plant matter.

Step 6: Freeze Solution

ice blocks rose petals beautiful red | make your own essential oils kit

Place the jar in the freezer. This is the cool part–vodka does not freeze. So, only the essential oils and other plant materials will solidify.

Step  7: Strain Solution

Now, you will have to move fast with extra caution before the essential oil melts. You will need a piece of cheesecloth laid inside a glass bowl. Use another piece of cheesecloth secured around a clear canning jar so it dips inside the neck.

You will also need another small glass bowl and a small dark bottle which will hold the essential oil. Have a spoon and dropper ready as well.

Step 8: Harvest Essential Oils

bottle rose essential oil pipette flowers | how to make essential oils at home easy

Remove the jar from the freezer. Skim the gunky plant material off the vodka and place it on top of the cheesecloth laid inside the bowl. Pour the vodka into the other glass jar with the loose cheesecloth.

Move quickly to pick out any frozen bits using a dropper and place them inside the small dark bottle. The frozen bits are the essential oils.

What You Need to Know When Making Essential Oils

  • Essential oils are not oils that contain fatty acids. Instead, they are the concentrated plant essence.
  • What is good in a plant reflects in its essential oil, so you can use it for personal care, disinfection, or healing.
  • Essential oil examples are peppermint, tea tree, and roses. They are known for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
  • Essential oils are distinct from fragrance oils. They only mimic the scents of plants and do not have the essential oil benefits.
  • Essential oils are hard to find in localities, which is why they are expensive. This is a good reason why it’s good to learn the art of making essential oils from dried herbs yourself.

Mood-Boosting Essential Oils

There are many benefits of essential oils, and some essential oils are known to boost mood and increase the serotonin levels in the body. Here are some mood-boosting essential oils:

  • Mandarin Essential Oil
  • Lime Essential Oil
  • Sweet Orange Essential Oil
  • Bitter Orange Essential Oil
  • Bergamot Essential Oil
  • Grapefruit Essential Oil
  • Peppermint Essential Oil
  • Spearmint Essential Oil
  • Lavender Essential Oil
  • Chamomile Essential Oil
  • Tangerine Essential Oil

5 Ways to Use Essential Oils

There are different ways to use essential oils, and you can blend them together as well! Here are 5 ways you can use your essential oils to boost your mood:

  1. Diffuser Blend: Add 2 drops of desired essential oils with the required amount of water (depending on your diffuser) and enjoy!
  2. Roller Blend: Add 2 drops of desired essential oils to a roller bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil or coconut oil. You can use this blend on your arms, legs, chest.
  3. Massage Oil Blend: Blend 2 drops of desired essential oils into a 1oz bottle then fill the rest of the bottle with almond oil then massage it onto your skin.
  4. Bath Salt Blend: Add 3-5 drops of desired essential oils to castile soap and add it to your bathwater.
  5. Room Spray Blend: Add 2 drops of desired essential oil into a 1oz spray bottle and fill the rest with distilled water

Reminder: Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to your skin. Essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil before being used.

Infographic | how to make essential oils from dried herbs

Now you’ve got a pretty good idea about how to make essential oils on your own. You also now know how to extract essential oils from herbs at home with all your greens from the garden.

With time, you will be able to master your way into making essential oils. Who knows how you will be able to make more out of this new and amazing homesteading skill!

Did you find these ideas and tips helpful? Let us know in the comments section below!

Up Next:

  • Use These Essential Oils for Pregnancy
  • Stress Relieving Lavender Candles You Can Make At Home
  • Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas | Sustainable Crafts For Your Love

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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in April 2020 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Filed Under: Homemade Products, Home Remedies

Comments

  1. Sarah Skaggs says

    January 22, 2017 at 2:26 PM

    While I can appreciate the thrifty nature of this post, these are not essential oils. These are infused oils. Essential oils have no carrier oil. The oil is nothing but the oil from the plant. They go through a very extensive distilling process. That is why they are so expensive.

    Reply
    • Taina Pfenninger says

      June 29, 2019 at 2:41 PM

      I was wondering if it absolutely has to be 120proof vodka will other proofs work?

      Reply
      • Ed Granger says

        January 25, 2020 at 4:21 AM

        You can use 94% Global Alcool. It’s available in LCBOs for about $98/1.14l (not all stores) or in QC for $67/1.14l.

        Reply
        • Ryan R Boyd says

          November 11, 2021 at 2:05 PM

          Can a moonshine of approx 160-165 proof replace the vodka?

          Reply
    • Cindy Hebert says

      January 18, 2020 at 9:01 PM

      This isn’t an infused oil. When it’s vodka you’re making a tincture.

      Reply
      • Tiffane says

        September 29, 2021 at 1:53 PM

        It’s only a tincture when the oils are NOT separated from the extraction liquid. The freezing process separates the plant oils from the vodka and allows you to remove the oils from it.

        Reply
  2. Angel P says

    March 27, 2017 at 9:19 AM

    thanks this was very helpful as I was trying to figure out a cost effective way to have my herbal oils

    Reply
  3. Stephanie Endres says

    July 10, 2017 at 12:58 PM

    Step 2. What is in the jar? The instructions say to “Prepare the jar” Maybe I need to reread a few times.

    Reply
  4. wellnesswires says

    October 8, 2018 at 7:50 AM

    I’m sleep-deprived, and sometimes stressed. And essential oils became part of my daily life. I am so glad that I found this helpful post.

    Reply
    • Ed Granger says

      February 6, 2020 at 8:53 PM

      Get yourself a weighted blanket. I have a 30 lb one & it has relieved stress, anxiety & allows me to have a deep sleep.

      Reply
  5. rachel roy says

    July 12, 2019 at 8:24 AM

    Thank you, this was a clear and simple step by step process. I wish I had known about the freezing step a few months ago. Also, I love your humor like in step 3.

    Reply
  6. Gail Nelson says

    July 20, 2019 at 11:44 AM

    This method only produces extracts that, while very useful, are NOT essential oils. The post is rather misleading…

    Reply
  7. Cindy Hebert says

    January 18, 2020 at 9:02 PM

    This makes a tincture! Not an essential oil!

    Reply
  8. mokshalifestyleindia says

    July 27, 2020 at 2:11 AM

    Nice article that is….keep it up

    Reply
  9. Venorex says

    September 26, 2020 at 1:20 AM

    Very informative post! Thanks for sharing this wonderful post. How easily I can make my own essential oils by following your steps. I am so excited to try these methods.

    Reply
  10. salimd832 says

    July 31, 2021 at 11:51 AM

    Nice article, well explained.
    Can this be used to scent soap?

    Reply
  11. Mary says

    September 12, 2021 at 2:08 PM

    Great step by step process. Do you use the left over vodka for anything else, once you have harvested the oils from it? It seems a waste to just throw it out.

    Reply
  12. Ava says

    December 31, 2021 at 1:23 PM

    Can you use this method with raisins / frankincense / gums?

    Reply
  13. iamjenniferclark says

    January 29, 2022 at 3:18 AM

    What about cinnamon oil for mood?

    Reply
  14. Dawn says

    February 3, 2022 at 6:03 PM

    Great post! Thanks for the step-by-step!

    Reply
  15. Mary says

    February 16, 2023 at 8:12 PM

    Love natural healing. Essentials are my favorite.

    Reply
  16. tarves says

    July 22, 2023 at 9:55 AM

    what happens to the vodka you used to extract , is it still useful in other ways?

    Reply
  17. Donna says

    September 20, 2023 at 2:43 PM

    Using alcohol is not making essential oils, it makes tincture. Essential oils are void of alcohol or water and merely just the plant oils.

    Reply
  18. Richard says

    September 24, 2023 at 8:24 PM

    Where might I obtain a porcelain-coated strainer? I can’t find one anywhere on the interweb! Do you have a source, or am I looking under the wrong name? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  19. Cathy says

    October 15, 2023 at 7:37 AM

    What is the difference in the oils pulled from the plants using the alcohol method versus distillation?

    Reply

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