Hello and welcome to another episode of Herbs N Weeds. Today is all about choosing good essential oils. In the the show I give a step-by step DIY basic way of distilling oils at home that I will try soon. The two brands of commercially produced oils I prefer currently is Healing Solutions and Plant Therapy, both available on Amazon through these affiliate links. Avoid oil blends unless they are blends of multiple herbs, but I still prefer single 100% essential oils. Here is the steps that ChatGPT gave for distilling at home. Tools: Large pot with a lid (preferably stainless steel or glass) Steamer basket or mesh colander (to suspend plant material above water) Heat-safe bowl (to collect oil inside the pot) Ice (for condensing steam) Tubing (if using a more advanced condenser setup) Optional: glass distillation apparatus (for more serious setups) Materials: Fresh or dried plant material Distilled water Glass containers for collecting and storing the oil Dark amber bottles (for storing the finished oil to protect from light) Step-by-Step Steam Distillation (Basic DIY Setup): 1. Prepare the Plant Material Harvest in the morning (for most plants, this is when oil content is highest). Chop or crush to expose oil glands but don’t over-pulverize. Use about 2–4 cups of material depending on the potency of the plant. 2. Set Up the Distillation Pot Fill the pot with a few inches of water (don’t submerge plant material). Place the steamer basket over the water and add the plant material. Place the heat-safe bowl on top of the plant material if it fits (to collect oil-water condensation). 3. Invert the Lid and Add Ice Turn the pot lid upside-down so it forms a concave shape. Place ice on top of the inverted lid – this helps condense the steam back into liquid that drips into your collection bowl. 4. Heat and Monitor Bring the water to a gentle boil. Steam rises through the plant material, carrying oil vapors. As the steam hits the cold lid, it condenses and drips down into the bowl. This collected liquid is a mix of hydrosol (floral water) and essential oil. 5. Separate the Oil Once distillation is done (1–2 hours), remove the bowl. Let it cool — the oil will float on top of the hydrosol. Use a pipette, dropper, or oil separator funnel to skim off the oil. 6. Store Your Essential Oil Pour into a dark glass bottle with a tight lid. Label with the date and plant name. Store in a cool, dark place. Tips for Success: Use fresh plant material when possible — they contain more oil. Distill slowly and steadily. Don’t overheat or burn the material. Clean your setup well between batches to avoid cross-contamination.