Hi, see my follow up on distilling medicinal herbs. Many people confuse essential oils-- pure plant oils extracted by steam distillation, chemical extraction of heavy pressing-- with mascerated or infused oils. The first (essential oils or EOs) are the true plant oils-- all plants have some oil in small quantities. They are the type you buy in 1/2 oz quantities in the health food store and are highly concentrated, thus used drop by drop-- they can be skin irritants if not diluted in a carrier or base oil and are ALWAYS toxic in high doses. Most aromatherapists/herbalists caution about using them internally. Most essential oils are extracted via steam distillation, a few by chemical extraction or physical extraction (heavy pressing, as in citrus oils). Home distillation-- usually steam-- is possible but not usually commercially economical unless you also own the farm or have access to lots and lots of plant material. While you can build a still at home, it's probably easier to purchase one that you know will work. Again, it takes a lot of plant material to make essential oils, less to make simple hydrosols, which contain the water-loving properties of the plant. Infused/mascerated oils, on the other hand, can be produced in large batches at home with no more equipment than clean jar and a sunny windowsill. Infused oils will carry all the oil-loving herb properties of the plants but will not be as strong as essential oils. Their value is underestimated by a lot of people because they are so easy to make. If you simply want a mint oil that you can use for flavoring or massage, macerate the herb in the vegetable oil of your choice, approximately 1/3 volume herb to 2/3 volume oil. Set in a warm, sunny location & shake daily for 2 weeks, then strain the oil. Add more plant material if the oil is not strong enough for your liking (be careful with mints, they can get too "green" & may sting if they sit in the oil too long). This type of oil will last 6 mos to a year depending on what your base oil is-- almond & nut oils will have shorter shelf lives than olive. Oils can be refrigerated to extend shelf life or a little rosemary EXTRACT can be added to prevent spoilage. You can then add the oils to your balms, salad dressings, massage oils and bath & beauty products and know you're getting the herbal benefit of the plant. Right now on my windowsill (it's only mid-40s here at the height of the day but the jars still warm up), I have quart mason jars of: calendula, chamomile, patchouli, jewelweed, myrhh, dragonsblood, ginger and sandalwood mascerating. I will put these oils into bath & body products I make. This will change as the year progresses and I need different oils. I regularly mascerate garlic, mushrooms, and garden herbs for dressings & cooking. When the St. Johnswort blooms, I head out every morning & pop the flowers into olive oils for a gorgeous red oil that zaps nerve pain & heals small wounds, as well as helps stave off SAD-- so you can use fresh herbs as well as dried, with the warning to harvest them when the dew's dried and if they are too soft/green, let them dry out for a day or so before plunking in the oil. Okay this is probably TMI-- but good luck. Oh, wait: Taste the mint: True peppermint (which will have a red stem) tastes like peppermint. Penny royal is strong & rank tasting. I can't find a good web pix of it to send to you but it's typically smaller and lower growing than peppermint.

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

Where is the preservative????!!!

Hard for me to tell without smelling your purchase, or reading the label. I hope it has a label. Damascena Rose from which Rose Otto is made from is used in the finest perfumes is yellowish in color and is considered a middle note, not a high note like a lilly of the valley sweet. These roses are grown in Bulgaria. I have not heard of rose allergies, but I have for Lavendar from a friend of mine. Intense migraines she gets from Lavendar. Yet, I can and have poured on a skin burn with no ill effects. ( they used alot of Lavendar in the Civil War for pain and mask the smells) I will say, one Thanksgiving weekend I made too many body products in a short time with different EO's and I was deathly sick for a day afterwards. (live and learn) Eo's, even in minute amounts are powerful. I don't remember the last time I bought Rose Otto or Absolute it is so pricy. The prices are steep enough for my beloved Ylang Ylang, Neroli and Sandalwood. Never tried Ebay for Eo's I know, trust and respect the two suppliers I mentioned. I did see a cute wooden encasedRose Otto advertised from Bulgaria when I looked on Ebay after you posted that perked my interest, lol. I would be intrested, if you want to email me privately the seller you speak of. Liz