Essential Oils

VIDEO: Understanding Salves: Gels, Creams, Carrier Oils and Ointments

By Dennis Klocek September 19, 2024
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This video explores the history, formulation, and properties of topical salves, including gels, creams, ointments, and carrier oils. Dennis describes the challenges in creating effective salves, the importance of transdermal properties, and the role of surfactants, emulsifiers, and essential oils in enhancing medicinal properties. Example essential oil blends and their effects on inflammatory responses are…

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In the Lab: Creating a Simple Still for Home Distillation/Extraction of Essential Oils

By Dennis Klocek July 11, 2024
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In this detailed tutorial, Dennis demonstrates how to convert a standard four-gallon pressure cooker into an effective essential oil distilling apparatus. (For more on its use, see our video In the Lab: Using a Simple Still for Home Extraction of Essential Oils.) The video covers the conversion process, including creating a custom adapter for the…

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Why use oils on the body

By Dennis Klocek May 2, 2024
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Since the most ancient times, the application of fragrant oils to the body has provided a special and harmonizing experience. From the language of anointing in the ancient texts to the current research in essential oils the recognition that a unique dimension is offered to humans in the application of fragrant oils to different areas…

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In the Lab: Using a Simple Still for Home Extraction of Essential Oils

By Dennis Klocek December 3, 2021
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Join Dennis, an experienced gardener with 50 years of expertise, as he walks you through the detailed process of distilling essential oils from medicinal plants, specifically lemon balm. Learn how to use an old pressure cooker as a functional still, the importance of proper herb preparation, and the step-by-step distillation process using various laboratory glassware…

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