Essential oils are perfect for regenerating before facing the day, spreading a pleasant citrus scent throughout the house; they can also be used in the kitchen and in many craft projects. You can also make them yourself at home; it is simple and just a few commonly used ingredients.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Extracting the Oils with Cold Press
Step 1. Wash all the material
This step includes washing your hands and the fruit you want to extract the oils from. Cold pressing does not involve the use of chemicals, so it is important to wash the fruit well to eliminate bacteria.
To obtain a useful dose of oil through this technique, about 25 fruits are needed; so plan the work in advance
Step 2. Peel the fruit
Remove the zest with a peeler or knife and set aside. You can use your hands if you wish, but this will contaminate the oil with a lot of pulp and other material that you will need to remove later.
- The greatest concentration of essential oil is found in the outer layer of the peel, while the albedo (the light layer) is rather poor.
- You can use an electric peeler to peel the peel off the fruit, but be aware that this method produces much more pulp than the manual technique.
Step 3. Reuse leftovers
Once the fruit is peeled, you can use the rest of it in some recipes or you can simply eat it. There are several ways to use the rinds again, even after they have been squeezed; instead of throwing them in the compost try to:
- Store them in small bags to hang in the room to perfume it;
- The orange peel oil, limonene, works as a repellent against different types of insects;
- Throw some peels in the garbage disposal and turn on the appliance to improve the smell of the drain.
Step 4. Squeeze the peels
Use a pressure device, such as a sieve, and squeeze the rinds over a jar. The pressure pushes the liquid that contains the oils you are trying to extract out of the peels; apply a certain amount of force, but avoid damaging the tool you are using. After a few seconds, you should see a small amount of oil dripping from the sieve.
- Cold pressing is quite tiring, in proportion to the small amount of oil you can get; don't be discouraged however, the oil is quite strong.
- A garlic press is a perfect tool for crushing small quantities of peels with little effort; you can also opt for a mortar and pestle, although it is a more laborious and complex method.
Step 5. Separate the oils
Let the liquid sit for a few days; in this way, the oily part separates from the watery one and you can collect it. Alternatively, you can use a centrifuge to separate the oil from the rest of the substances.
- An easy way to collect the oil only is to put the liquid in the freezer. The aqueous part becomes solid when freezing, while the oily part remains liquid and you can consequently pour it into a container.
- The oil extracted with this technique does not last long; try to use it within six months.
Step 6. Apply as needed
Transfer the oil to a bottle for future use. Dab a small amount on the skin to perfume it fresh or use it for the preparation of some dish that includes citrus essential oil among the ingredients; remember that it is a very concentrated substance and a very small amount is enough.
Method 2 of 2: Distill Oil with Alcohol
Step 1. Peel the fruit and let the peels dry in the open air
Wait until they are hard to the touch. It is necessary to wait for a variable time between a few days and a week, so be patient.
Do not use a dryer or other similar device, otherwise you will compromise the quality of the oil found in the skins
Step 2. Cut the peels into small pieces
When they are completely dry, cut them with a knife, a multi-purpose mandolin or a food processor; be careful not to chop them too much so as not to damage the oil.
If you cut them excessively, the rinds release liquid and become mush; avoid extracting any type of liquid from the skins before the distillation process
Step 3. Place the plant material in a jar and cover it with ethanol
Pour in enough to completely submerge the peels which should be under a 2-3 cm layer of alcohol; then let it rest for several days.
- You can use vodka for this process, although it can slightly alter the scent of the oil, depending on the type.
- Place the jar in a place that is very exposed to sunlight to help the oil separation process.
- Shake the bowl several times a day; this action helps the oils to separate from the peels.
Step 4. Filter the liquid from the plant material
After several days, pour the alcohol and the essences of the skins into another jar through a coffee filter; place the filter or a tissue on the second container and wait for the alcohol to evaporate. It may take a week or more.
The oil evaporates much slower than water or similar liquids. Although even oils technically evaporate, the water turns into steam much more quickly, leaving the oily residue in the container
Step 5. Use the oil as needed
When the alcohol has evaporated, all that's left in the jar is essential oil; transfer it to a bottle for future use. Dab a little on the skin to perfume it or incorporate it into a preparation in the kitchen. Remember that the oil is very concentrated and very little is needed.
- Always do a skin sensitivity test on a small area before using it, to make sure you don't have allergic reactions.
- Skin areas treated with citrus oil should not be exposed to the sun, as they can burn easily. This product is phototoxic; it means that direct sunlight triggers the development of burns, blisters and other dangerous skin conditions.
