Distillation, in particular steam distillation or hydrodistillation, is a method for obtaining essential oils. Blossoms, plants, spices and resins containing steam-volatile substances are heated with the addition of water until the mixture comes to a boil.
In steam distillation, aromatic fragrance plants such as lavender, rose or peppermint are gently streamed with water vapour in a distillation apparatus, which softly releases the essential oils bound within the plant structures. The rising steam carries the volatile fragrance molecules with it, which condense together and are collected as a distillate. In the subsequent phase separation, the precious essential oil separates from the fragrant hydrolate, revealing the pure essence of the plant in concentrated, aromatic form.
