Extracting Oils From Herbs., Which method is best? Options

Hello, hello. So, here's the 'deal'..I pretty much want to make, and use my own oils rather than go to some shop, and buy them, but I'm not sure which method to extract the oils are best. The first method I heard of was filling a jar with the herb(s), covering the herbs with some kind of cooking oil, leaving it in a windowsill for a month, shaking it daily, then straining it into a container and storing it. The second method was putting two cups of oil to 1 cup of dried herbs/ 2 cups of fresh herbs in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water for 3 hours, then strain the oil. The third and last method I heard was putting a cup of lard in a saucepan over a low flame until it melts then adding the powdered herb(s) and mixing them together for about 10-15 minutes then straining it through a cheesecloth. Which one of these methods will extract the oil more potently, and keep it as 'pure' as possible? Any other methods anyone uses would also be appreciated. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/help.gif)

.::sempre Bene::..::Chris::.
-Fiat Lux (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Symbols_1911.gif)

This post has been edited by SangueDiNapoli: Mar 29 2006, 02:02 AM

Greetings!
It is not necessarily the plant oils that are causing the effects that you are looking for. Sometimes they can be produced by alkaloids, some by enzymes others by ketones, etc. Plant biochemistry is the subject that you need to bone up on. That and some good Materia Medica herbals. Unfortunately, once again, the DEA has made it difficult to purchase various ingredients that help in the extracting of various chemical components of plants because of the high danger of drug use. Some very fine oil extractions can be done by the utilization of ether. Methylene Chloride can be helpful also. I use a water bath and condensing unit ..."a still" but that can be construed as illegal moonshining in many states. Happy Trails! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)