Homemade Essential Oils: Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering extraction methods, equipment, specific oils, storage practices, and related terms from the lecture on making effective homemade essential oils.

Essential Oil

Concentrated aromatic compounds extracted from plants that capture the plant’s scent or “essence.”

Carrier Oil

A neutral plant oil such as Jojoba, Coconut, or Rosehip used to dilute concentrated essential oils before topical use.

Steam Distillation

Extraction method where plant material is boiled so that steam carries volatile oils through a condenser, separating them into liquid essential oil and water.

Mechanical Pressing

Physical extraction technique that squeezes plant material to release essential oils without heat.

Two-piece Distillation Kit

Equipment consisting of a boiling vessel and a connected condenser coil used to produce essential oils at home.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Oil distilled from peppermint leaves; useful for headaches, muscle aches, digestive upsets, itching, and more.

Lavender Essential Oil

Floral oil valued for reducing anxiety, insomnia, fungal infections, eczema, menstrual cramps, and other ailments.

Chamomile Essential Oil

Calming oil employed for inflammation, pain relief, back pain, neuralgia, and arthritis.

German Chamomile

The more potent variety of chamomile preferred for essential-oil extraction.

Pipette

Small suction tool used to separate and collect the thin layer of essential oil floating on hydrosol after distillation.

Hydrosol

The aromatic water left after essential-oil separation; less concentrated, safely usable undiluted for applications like peppermint scalp mist.

Peppermint Scalp Mist

Hydrosol-based spray applied to scalp and hair to stimulate growth, massaged in and left for at least an hour before washing.

Dark Tinted Bottle

Light-blocking container recommended for storing essential oils to protect them from ultraviolet light and extend shelf-life.

Oxidation (of Essential Oils)

Chemical change caused by exposure to oxygen, heat, or UV light that alters smell, color, and clarity, signaling oil degradation.

Shelf-life of Peppermint Oil

Properly stored peppermint essential oil can remain potent for about four years before noticeable oxidation.

Jojoba Oil

Lightweight carrier oil often blended with essential oils for skin and hair applications.

Coconut Oil

Nourishing carrier oil that dilutes essential oils and adds moisturizing properties.

Rosehip Oil

Vitamin-rich carrier oil used to mix with essential oils for topical treatments.

Ice Water (in Condenser)

Cooling medium that surrounds the coil so steam condenses back into liquid carrying essential oil.

Steam Valve

Controlled outlet through which steam exits the boiling pot and enters the condenser during distillation.