How to Extract Tea Tree Oil by Steam Distillation

The tea tree plant, or Melaleuca Alternifolia, is native to Australia. The oil from this plant has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral uses. It is used to treat a variety of ailments from skin infections and bug bits to illness like bronchitis and sinus infection. Steam distillation is a popular method to extract the oil from the leaves. In this process, the leaves are heated with steam. As the leaves break down, the oil and water vapor is collected and cooled. The oil condenses and separates from the vapor making it easy to harvest.

Steam distiller kit
Tea tree leaves
Water
Bottle, beaker or jar for collection and storage

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the bottom glass container of the distiller with water. The amount or water required will be in the instruction manual. All distillers are a little different.
- 2
  Fill the top container with dried tea tree leaves. Fill it all the way up to get the most oil during the process.
- 3
  Attach the top container to the bottom container using the clamp provided in the kit. The clamp allows the steam through the opening in both containers in order to permeate the leaves.
- 4
  Attach the condenser hose or component to the top container. This is where the steam collects once it's gone through the leaves.
- 5
  Attach the bottom of the condenser to a collection beaker or jar. Glass is best for oil collection as plastic may contaminate the oil. The opening of the collection jar must be small and fit snugly around the condenser so that air doesn't contaminate the oil.
- 6
  Heat the water in the bottom container to boiling. Keep an eye on the distiller as the steam works its way up into the top container to make sure there aren't leaks in the connections. Oil will separate from the steam in the condenser and drip down into the collection jar.

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