Steam Distillation

Steam distillation is a process used to extract essential oils and other volatile compounds from plant materials. It involves passing steam through the plant material, which heats the plant and causes the oils to vaporize at temperatures below their normal boiling points. The vapor mixture of water and oil is then condensed back into liquid form, allowing the separation of the essential oil from the water. This technique is effective for delicate plant materials because it minimizes heat damage, enabling the collection of pure, aromatic oils used in perfumes, flavorings, and aromatherapy.