Dark-colored glass containers are best for storing essential oils.
Spikenard is an herbal, flowering plant of the Valerian botanical family. It grows in India, high in the Himalayan Mountains. The scientific name of this herb is Nardostachys Jatamansi. It is used for its medicinal value and for the perfume produced by distillation. The essential oil is golden with an earthy, musky aroma. The roots or rhizomes of the plant are dried, then ground into a fine powder. This powder is distilled for use as an anointment and as an antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory agent.
Instructions
1. Flask distillers come in several sizes and configurations.
Place the flask distillation system on a gas or electric burner. Fill the bottom flask 2/3 full with distilled water.
2. Pack the flask that is connected to the bottom flask with powdered spikenard. Turn on the burner to medium-high heat. The water in the bottom flask will reach boiling temperature, sending steam up and through the powdered spikenard.
3. Place a ceramic bowl underneath the glass spout from which the essential oil of spikenard will drip after the vapor cools and condenses. Essential oil of spikenard is heavier than water and will separate from the condensed water.
4. Replace the ceramic bowl every ten minutes once the oil begins to drip. Approximately 70 percent of the essential oil will be produced in the first half-hour. Thereafter, you must watch carefully to ensure the product is essential oil and that it is not diluted with water.
5. Stop the distillation process once the oils have been removed from the dried powder. You can continue the distillation process to collect scented water, which will still have medicinal and fragrant properties. Just remember to keep the products separated and labeled as oil or scented water.
Tags: bottom flask, ceramic bowl, distillation process, powdered spikenard, scented water