Re: seperating oil and water

[Guest guest]

I hear you Bobbi, but I'm with Deb. The water I can understand, but dirt?

The process you describe sounds ok, but it doesn't sound like this is the

process that was used for your product. Steam would include essential oil

and water, but not dirt. Nor would it pass through any kind of filtration

system worthy of the name, assuming somehow it had gotten that far.

As a separate issue, what did you pay compared to what the EO normally goes

for? If yours has water in it, then I hope he gave you a really good price.

Diane

GreenFireHerbs.com

Re: seperating oil and water

It is an essential oil, the farmer I bought it from explained the

process and I will be able to witness it first hand in a month or

two. Yes it is steam distilled. They put the mint into a large

trailer that is hooked up to the steam pipes. The steam heats the

mint up to some really high temperature and as the steam rises it

catches the oils in the process. Those droplets of water and oil are

then put into another machine that does some filtration and drops the

temperature down to 150 degrees. It then sits for a few days so the

water and sediment can collect at the bottom of the very large

barrels. The peppermint essential oil that I received was the last of

his stock until august and that probably why there was sediment in

it. Anything that comes from nature, unless it has been thoroughly

cleaned first, has the potential of having dirt on it. Its a simple

straining to get the sediment out. Its the water that I am having

issues with.

Steam distillation uses water so it isnt so far off to think that

there would be water than needed to be removed at some point in the

process.

> I don't understand how this is an essential oil. from what i have

learned/studied, most eo's are steam distilled and wouldn't have dirt

in them. nor would they have water left over as a residue. sounds

to me like youu have more of a peppermint infusion than eo.

> deb

Post message: Cosmeticinfo

Subscribe: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cosmeticinfo

Unsubscribe: Cosmeticinfo-unsubscribe

List owner: Cosmeticinfo-owner

URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cosmeticinfo

[Guest guest]

can you get your hands on a separatory funnel??

kiwana

Re: seperating oil and water

To: cosmeticinfo

Bobbi,

How fun to get essential oil directly from the still!

I wouldn't filter it as you might loose some of the oil. I would

take the smallest (narrowest) pippette you can and gradually suck

off the oil from the top. If you try to pour it you wil risk mixing

them again. Or if it is a large amount, you can pour a majority of

it, then let it set and pipette off the smaller amount. I assume the

dirt is in the water phase and so will just stay back with the water

then. It will be better to loose some of your oil rather than get

some water in your oil!

Sagescript Institute, LLC

Microbiology Assays

[Guest guest]

I guess the reason I can understand the dirt is that water will trap

dirt, naturally. It might not have been filtered, I might be off on

that. But the oil is pure, I simply poured it through a coffee filter

a couple of times to get rid of the dirt. The problem was mainly the

oil/water issue. I thank everyone for their advice.

The essential oil was the very last of the most recent crop this

season. The grower literally has only 6 ounces left and I got it all.

He showed me two other mint essential oils, both varieties of

spearmint and they were completely clear and no water at the bottom,

so I assume that since it was at the bottom of the barrel, so to

speak, that is why the water was present.

On the issue of price.....it is literally the best price I have seen.

I have purchased from another grower out of state and the price was

nearly double on the same amount and then shipping on top. It smells

fantastic, just like other high quality peppermint essential oils

I've smelled. I am very pleased with it and its quality. It is also

nice to have the opportunity to witness the process and trust that it

is pure, uncut and unadulterated.

I have even purchased from some of the big brand names in essential

oils (who will remain nameless) and none even compare to how

incredible this smells. oh, and I got a drop on my finger......it

tingled for more than an hour(it seems very strong).....I wont do

that again!! But I'm sure a small amount mixed well with a carrier

will be just wonderful. Here we come foot products!!

Thanks a bunch,

Bobbi Benski

[Guest guest]

The problem was mainly the

> oil/water issue.

I wonder if you were to freeze it. I would think that the water

would freeze before the oil and that may give you a chance to get

rid of most of it.

Pat.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/24/2004 9:31:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

fyreflye_@... writes:

> it isnt so far off to think that

> there would be water than needed to be removed at some point in the

> process.

I'm no expert in eo's/distillation by no means, but from what I remember from

a 3-month course in spa & aromatherapy, there IS something else needed in

this farmer's distillation process - somewhere for the water to go. The water

should not be going into the same container as the eo. I can't help you with

how to separate the water and eo, but try emailing Butch. His website is

www.av-at.com.

Teresea C.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/24/2004 9:31:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

fyreflye_@... writes:

> it isnt so far off to think that

> there would be water than needed to be removed at some point in the

> process.

I'm no expert in eo's/distillation by no means, but from what I remember from

a 3-month course in spa & aromatherapy, there IS something else needed in

this farmer's distillation process - somewhere for the water to go. The water

should not be going into the same container as the eo. I can't help you with

how to separate the water and eo, but try emailing Butch. His website is

www.av-at.com.

Teresea C.

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 6/24/2004 9:31:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

> fyreflye_@h... writes:

> > it isnt so far off to think that

> > there would be water than needed to be removed at some point in

the

> > process.

Would anhydrous calcium sulfate work? Add to the oil, shake and it

should absorb the water, then filter off?

Dave Eastham