The Growth Technology IsoPropyl Alcohol (IPA) is designed for oil extraction from herbs, and has a purity of 99.9%. It can also be used in the process of making Hand Sanitizer.  Iso Propyl Alcohol is the replacement product for Organic Oil Extraction Liquid which is no longer available in Australia.

How it’s done…commercially, essential oils are made in a two step solvent extraction process.  Firstly, Hexane or supercritical carbon dioxide is used to extract oils into a product known as a “concrete”. This contains the concentrated extract full of the waxes and fats, as well as the fragrant material from the plant. The concrete is then mixed with another solvent such as ethanol, which serves to extract the aroma and oils of the material. This product is known as an absolute. Solvent extraction is used for jasmine, tuberose, carnation, gardenia, jonquil, violet leaf, narcissus, mimosa, rose and other delicate flowers. Absolutes made via solvent extraction have an extremely low concentration of solvent residue, approximately 5 to 10ppm. Absolutes have therapeutic value and are often used for psychological purposes and for animals, particularly horses. Many therapists use absolutes, such as rose absolute, jasmine, and tuberose, as a part of their aromatherapy.

Making Essential Oils with IPA

Before starting, stay in a well ventilated area while using the GT IPA and make sure there are no naked flames or cigarettes around.

1. Break the flowers and plant material into small pieces and put them inside a glass jar
2. Cover them with the ethanol
3. Store in a dark place for one week, shaking the jar everyday
4. After one week, filter the liquid using a coffee filter
5. Press the last drops of ethanol out of the plant material
6. Evaporate the alcohol by pouring the filtered liquid onto a plate and keeping it in a temperature controlled and ventilated place for up to 10 days
7. Store the liquid in an essential oil jar with a dropper
8. Repeating the process by taking the flowers and plant material from step 5 back to step 1 will increase the extracted oils.