This week I got in to making my own essential oils. Essential oils can be used as fragrances (either burned in a glass dish over a candle, or I think in a bottle with those reed things). They can also be used in cooking, cosmetics, and other homemade concoctions. I started making some since a recipe I found for natural spider repellent called for orange oil.
Basically what you do is fill a little jar maybe 1/4 the way full with the spice, herb, flower, etc. you are trying to make oil out of. I think it's best if you mash your ingredient a bit. Then, fill the rest with oil (use olive oil if using for cooking, almond oil if using for cosmetics, or canola if using for general purposes). Screw the lid on tight and label. Place the jars in the sun for a couple weeks or for faster results, place the jars in a saucepan of water and boil for a while.
I tried basil oil, clove oil, orange oil, and cinnamon oil. I found a
site for making your own fragrances, and one of the fall recipes called for orange, cinnamon, and clove.
When you're ready to use the oils, you're supposed to strain the contents using cheese cloth (I'm planning on just using a tiny strainer I have), and save just the oil in a dark place. I haven't gotten to this point yet since I'm going to let it sit for a while longer. I'll let you know how my fall fragrance turns out!
PS- I think it's funny how I've always had this crazy obsession with small glass jars and bottles. Good thing I've had a hard time throwing them out! I'm going to need a bunch if I keep this up.
