How To Make Pure Lavender Oil

You can make pure lavender oil at home through steam distillation or by infusing dried lavender buds in a carrier oil.
 
True pure lavender essential oil requires distillation, but a high-quality lavender-infused oil is achievable with simple kitchen tools.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make pure lavender oil, you’ve come to the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make pure lavender oil step by step, whether you’re after the essential oil or an infused version.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Make Pure Lavender Oil: What You Need to Know First

When learning how to make pure lavender oil, it helps to understand there are two distinct methods.
 
Essential oil is the concentrated, aromatic compound extracted through steam distillation.
 
Infused oil is made by steeping lavender buds in a carrier oil like olive or jojoba.
 
Both have their place, but only steam distillation yields what most people mean by pure lavender oil.
 
To make pure lavender oil through distillation, you’ll need fresh or dried lavender buds, a distillation apparatus, and a heat source.
 
The process works because steam passes through the plant material, vaporizing the volatile oils.
 
That vapor then cools and condenses back into liquid, separating into oil and hydrosol.
 
Knowing how to make pure lavender oil also means knowing your lavender variety matters.
 
Lavandula angustifolia, often called true lavender, produces the sweetest, most therapeutic oil.
 
Lavandin varieties yield more oil but with a sharper camphor-like scent.
 
So if you’re serious about how to make pure lavender oil, start with true lavender buds.
 

1. Harvest Lavender at the Right Time

Timing is everything when you want to make pure lavender oil.
 
Harvest lavender buds just as they begin to open, usually in early to mid-summer.
 
This is when the oil content is at its peak.
 
Cut the stems in the morning after the dew has dried but before the afternoon heat sets in.
 
The heat of the day can cause the oils to evaporate before you even get started.
 

2. Dry the Buds Properly

You can make pure lavender oil with fresh buds, but dried buds often give better results.
 
Spread the stems in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for one to two weeks.
 
Once the buds are dry and crumbly, strip them from the stems.
 
Properly dried lavender stores well and is ready whenever you want to make pure lavender oil.
 

3. Set Up Your Distillation Equipment

To make pure lavender oil, you’ll need a still or a DIY distillation setup.
 
A copper alembic still works beautifully, but a stovetop pot with a colander and a lid inverted with ice on top can work in a pinch.
 
Place your dried lavender in the pot and add just enough water to cover the plant material.
 
As the water heats, steam carries the essential oil upward.
 
The ice on the lid causes that steam to condense, and the liquid drips down into a collection bowl.
 

4. Separate the Oil from the Hydrosol

When you make pure lavender oil through distillation, you’ll notice two layers forming.
 
The top layer is the essential oil, and the bottom layer is lavender hydrosol, also known as floral water.
 
Use a separatory funnel or a small pipette to carefully collect the oil layer.
 
The hydrosol isn’t waste, by the way.
 
It makes a lovely linen spray or facial toner.
 
But the pure lavender oil is that golden, fragrant layer on top.
 

Making Pure Lavender Oil Without a Still

If you don’t have distillation equipment, you can still make pure lavender oil in the infused sense.
 
This is the method most home crafters turn to when they want to make pure lavender oil for salves, soaps, and massage blends.
 
Here’s how to make pure lavender oil the simple way.
 

1. Choose a Quality Carrier Oil

To make pure lavender oil by infusion, start with a clean, mild carrier oil.
 
Jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed, and fractionated coconut oil all work well.
 
Olive oil is another option, though its scent can compete with the lavender.
 

2. Use the Warm Infusion Method

Fill a glass jar with dried lavender buds, then pour your carrier oil over them until fully submerged.
 
Place the jar in a saucepan filled with water and warm it gently over low heat for two to three hours.
 
Never let the oil bubble or smoke, as that damages the delicate compounds.
 
This slow warmth coaxes the lavender’s essence into the oil.
 

3. Strain and Repeat for Potency

After warming, strain the oil through cheesecloth into a clean jar.
 
To make pure lavender oil with a stronger scent, repeat the process with fresh buds and the same oil.
 
Two or three rounds will give you a wonderfully fragrant infused lavender oil.
 
Store it in a dark glass bottle away from sunlight.
 

Tips to Make Pure Lavender Oil Last Longer

Knowing how to make pure lavender oil is one thing, but preserving it is another.
 
Keep your oil in amber or cobalt glass bottles to protect it from light.
 
Store it in a cool, dark cupboard rather than above the stove.
 
Essential oil can last two to three years when stored properly.
 
Infused oil typically lasts six to twelve months before it starts to turn rancid.
 
Add a few drops of vitamin E oil to your infused blend to extend its shelf life.
 
Label every bottle with the date so you always know how fresh it is.
 
Always test a small patch on your skin before using any homemade lavender oil.
 

So, How Do You Make Pure Lavender Oil?

You can make pure lavender oil at home through steam distillation or by infusing dried lavender buds in a carrier oil.
 
True pure lavender essential oil requires distillation, but a high-quality lavender-infused oil is achievable with simple kitchen tools.
 
Whether you choose the still or the slow-infusion method, fresh buds, patience, and proper storage are your keys to success.
 
Hope this post has helped you learn how to make pure lavender oil and inspired you to try it yourself.