How To Make Essence Of Lavender
Oil of lavender are generally used for perfuming soaps and greases. The number of formulæ published for making a liquid perfume of lavender is almost endless, but the whole of them may be resolved into essence of lavender, simple; essence of lavender, compound; and lavender water.
There are two methods of making essence of lavender
:
1. By distilling a mixture of essential oil of lavender and rectified spirit; and the other
2. By merely mixing the oil and the spirit together.
The first process - which is adopted by the firm of Smyth and Nephew - yields the finest quality. Lavender essence, that which is made by the still, is quite white, while that by mixture only always has a yellowish tint, which by age becomes darker and resinous.
Smyth's Lavender Recipe
To produce a very fine distillate, take—
Otto of English Lavender, 4 oz.
Rectified spirit (60 over proof), 5 pints.
Rose-water, 1 pint.
Mix and distil five pints for sale. Such essence of lavender is expensive, but at 10s. a pint of 14 oz! there is a margin for profit. It not being convenient to the general dealer to sell distilled lavender essence, the following form, by mixture, will produce a first-rate article, and nearly as white as the above.
Essence of Lavender Recipe
Otto of lavender, 3-1/2 oz.
Rectified spirit, 2 quarts.
Many perfumers and druggists in making lavender water or essence, use a small portion of bergamot, with an idea of improving its quality—a very erroneous opinion; moreover, such lavender quickly discolors.
Lavender Water Recipe :
English oil of lavender, 4 oz.
Spirit, 3 quarts.
Rose-water, 1 pint.
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