Essential Oil Distillation
Distillation can determine the value of the oil, or destroy the value of the oil.
Essential oil distilling is not just a job, but an art. The operator of the distiller must have a full understanding of the value of oils in order to produce quality oils. If the pressure is too high, or the temperature is too high, it may change the molecular structure of the fragrance molecule, altering the chemistry constituents.
For example – distillation of lavender should not exceed 3 pounds of pressure, temperature should not exceed 245 degrees & should be distilled for 2 hours. A distiller who is only interested in profit will distill lavender for 15 minutes at very high temperature & very high pressure.