Only plants can make essential oils. These oils are the 'essence' of the plant, hence the name. The best we humans can do is to extract those oils, and to do this, we need vast amounts of plant material, and horribly expensive crushing and distilling equipment to do it with. I've only tried it with lavender, just for a giggle. Cram as much lavender into a saucepan as you can, and cover with water. Cover the pan, and simmer gently. After a while, when you lift the lid, you'll see some blobs of oil floating on top of the water. Syphon them off with an eye-dropper and bottle. That is the essential oil, but it will unavoidably be contaminated with a little water, so it won't store as long as the commercial essential oils. If you get a teaspoonful, you'll be doing nicely. The oil will evaporate quite quickly with the heat of the water. For the amount you get and the power to 'cook' it, you might as well pay for the commercial stuff. But to satisfy your curiosity, try my way, with different herbs of choice. It does make the house smell nice while you're mucking around with it!

There have been quite a few posts on this subject. I found 2 threads of particular use to you, but if you search using the facility at the bottom of the main page, you might find more. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/herbs/msg0612342914001.html Here is a link that might be useful: essential oils

I just noted that I wrote I wasnt putting a essential oil recipe in there for cleaning wooden floors, but there is one in there. Note though, that I havent ever used that recipe as I dont have wood floors, so I cant 100% say it wont take the shine off. If you want to try it, just do a test spot in a hidden area. Also, I dont know if I can give people my e-mail address if they want a printable version of this? Or my environmental group on myspace? Can I? Will someone please tell me so that I can put this info down if someone wants me to send them out a printable copy? Oh, and sorry it took me so long to get this up online sylviatexas! Thanks, sammie

at the greenhouse in our school, the gardening teacher got her hands on a essential oil distiller. It costs about $350, and I lust after it. It looks like a small pressure cooker, with a main pot and a valve that looks like the steam valve on a commercial espresso maker. She filled it up with fresh rosemary, about 6 or 8 cups it looked like, of fresh herb, and put it on the fire. She got a small, medicinal bottle of fabulous essential oil. Did I mention I WANT one? I don't know where you would get one in the States, but as far as I'm concerned, it's the ultimate wish-list toy. Clip herbs, fill it up, light the fire, and Bob's yer uncle. Batya