What is Steam Distillation?

What exactly is steam distillation, and why is it used to extract things from plants? (Understanding the fundamental process)

Steam distillation is a process that uses steam to extract essential oils and other volatile compounds from plant materials.

The process involves heating water in a boiler, which produces steam. The steam is then passed through a chamber containing the plant material. The heat from the steam vaporizes the essential oils and other volatile compounds in the plant material. The vaporized compounds are then carried by the steam into a condenser, where they are cooled and condensed back into a liquid form. This liquid is then collected in a receiving flask.

Steam distillation is used to extract essential oils and other volatile compounds from plants because it is a gentle and efficient process.

The heat from the steam does not damage the delicate compounds in the plant material, and the process can be used to extract a wide variety of compounds. Steam distillation is also a relatively simple process, and it can be used to produce large quantities of essential oils and other volatile compounds.

In addition to essential oils, steam distillation can also be used to extract other valuable compounds from plants, such as hydrosols.

Hydrosols are aromatic waters that are produced as a byproduct of steam distillation. They contain small amounts of essential oil, as well as other water-soluble compounds from the plant material. Hydrosols have a variety of uses, including aromatherapy, skincare, and food and beverage flavoring.