Essential Oil & Hydrosol Distillation Workshop

Hands-On | Bring Your Own Still or Come Watch Multiple Distillations | Live Distillation Experience

Distilling your own essential oils and hydrosols from garden-grown plants and herbs isn’t as complicated as it sounds — and it’s incredibly rewarding.

New for 2026: This class is now a true hands-on workshop, not just a demo. If you’ve purchased your own still, you’re invited to bring your equipment and heat source and actually distill alongside us using your own setup. Learn on the same equipment you’ll use at home, with guidance every step of the way.

If you don't have a still, come watch and experience multiple distillations taking place.

Each workshop features live distillation using different plant material, so no two sessions are ever the same. You’ll see (and smell!) the entire process from start to finish — and leave with a deeper understanding of how to safely and successfully distill on your own.

At the end of the workshop, each participant will receive a 2 oz spray bottle of hydrosol created during the distillation that day.

What We’ll Cover During the Workshop

During the live distillation, we’ll dive into:

• Fresh vs. dried plant material (and when to use each)

• Plant monographs & understanding plant properties

• How to properly prepare plant material for distillation

• Hydrodistillation vs. steam distillation

• Choosing the best water & how to prepare it

• Plant-to-water ratios & how to calculate quantities

• Still types, styles, and sizing options

• Parts of the still & what each component does

• Heat source options (including safety tips)

• How to keep condenser water cool

• How to keep a detailed distillation journal

• Separating essential oils from hydrosols

• Filtering, bottling, and labeling hydrosols

• Proper care & storage of hydrosols

• Cleaning your still after distillation

• What to do with plant material after distillation

You’ll get real-world tips, troubleshooting advice, and best practices gathered from hands-on experience — not just theory.

Why You’ll Love This Workshop

• Hands-on learning with your own still

• Learn faster by distilling alongside an instructor

• See exactly how the process works from start to finish

• Gain confidence to distill safely at home

• Every workshop is unique based on plant material used

• Take home hydrosols you helped create

Whether you’re a curious beginner, gardener, herbalist, or natural skincare maker, this workshop gives you practical skills you can use right away.