Essential oils are distilled from plant material - how to obtain plant essential oils.

Thanks, GG. I'm not looking to distill essential oil. I just want to extract the geranium oil or scented stuff to use as a repellent. So far I've found boiling the leaves in water, soaking dried herb in oil, placing the concoction in the sun or in a cool place for various days, months, etc.

Anyone do it yourself and know what works in the home?

Distillation, using an alcohol base is one of the most efficient methods, but you can also do a sort of enfleurage by laying leaves or petals (usually petals when using roses) in a light carrier oil (such as almond or grapeseed). Keep packing more plant material in something like a small mason jar.. you will need to ensure that any plant material is covered by oil. The essential plant oils will diffuse into the carrier oil - a process which can take weeks or can produce fragrant oils in as little as 48hours. You will need to carefully monitor the solution to ensure plant material is not exposed to air. When suitably concentrated, you will need to sieve and press the oil through a fine muslin cloth.

I have never tried this with scented leaf pelargoniums myself though.