I want to make some rose absolute, lavender, etc etc spritzers or sprays for some family members. Does anyone have recipes/instructions how to make them? Do you HAVE to use 99% alcohol?
(my valerian root tincture, I just used vodka, but thats ingested).
Gone But Not Forgotten
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Greetings! No....you aren't strictly limited to using 99% pure alcohol BUT you compromise your end result if you use alcohol of lesser percentage! Alcohol, being hydroscopic will absorb water and/or waterbased adulterants into your product. The use of a non-polar solvent (butane, hexane, ether) will eliminate that...but again, good luck on procuring these. Steam distillation will work as will CO2 distillation...your best shot will be to use steam and use a condensing coil. Now there are 'kits' out there made to help you distill your own absolutes, etc. I have never used them so I can't vouch for their effectiveness. There is one 'kit' that uses sunlight, ether(or some other solvent...like carbon tetrachloride) and a tightfitted lid. Again, I haven't used it. Google around abit and you'll come up with a halh dozen formulae. Sorry that I haven't been more help... Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/i_triangle.gif)
Calling All Heralists, Can You Help?, Making oil absolute sprays, oils, etc.
Apr 27 2007, 10:29 PM
