Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants by a process of steam distillation and so cannot be prepared at home. You can buy them from many different source including health food shops and mail order companies
You can easily make herbal oils, however, by infusing finely chopped herbs in a pure vegetable oil such as almond, sunflower or olive oil, for about two weeks. Place the herbs in a glass jar with a tight- fitting lid and cover them with oil. Place the jar on a sunny windowsill and shake it daily. Gradually the oil will take up the constituents of the remedy you use. After two weeks or more, filter the oil and press the remainder out of the herb through a muslin bag. Store in an airtight dark bottle.
Oils can be used for massage, and are a particularly easy way to give herbs to children. A few drops of essential oil can be dilute in base oil (2 drops per 5 ml). You can also put five to ten drops into a bowl of hot water for inhalations, into a little water to use as an aromatic or disinfectant room spray, or in a facial steamer for cleaning the skin.

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