Making homemade eucalyptus oil is a fairly simple process that can save you quite a bit of money over purchasing store-bought versions. In addition, if you are planning to use your eucalyptus oil for aromatherapy or massage purposes, you can more easily control the amount of the plant that is used, affecting the strength and smell of the oil.
Gathering Ingredients
Fresh eucalyptus leaves should be used to make homemade eucalyptus oil, since dried leaves quickly lose their scent and other beneficial properties. For the carrier oil, you can use any extra virgin oil such as olive or coconut, but the best carrier is sweet almond oil. Adding a couple of drops of vitamin E (just squeeze out a couple vitamin E supplement capsules) to your oil will act as a natural preservative. You will also need a dark colored glass bottle or jar to store your oil in, since light exposure and plastic or other containers can taint your finished oil.
Method
Although the process for making homemade eucalpytus oil is very simple, it is a lengthy process as you will need to let things sit for three to four days at a time. Start by packing a medium-sized canning jar full of fresh eucalyptus leaves; gently crumple the leaves in your hands first to help release the natural oils, then pour about 1/4 cup of carrier oil over the leaves (use about 1/2 cup of oil if you use a larger jar). Cover the jar and set it in a warm place, such as a sunny windowsill or near your radiator (but keep in mind the flash point of the oil you're using to avoid starting a fire).
Let the mixture sit for three to four days, then pack another jar full of fresh eucalyptus leaves. Strain the oil from the first jar into the new jar, cover it and let it sit in a warm spot for another three to . Repeat this process for up to two weeks to achieve the desired scent and strength. When you've finished, store the finished product in a dark-colored glass container and keep it in a cool, dark place.
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