Young Living Distilleries use steam distillation to separate aromatic constituents (essential oils) from plant materials. This method protects the complex therapeutic compounds found in essential oils.

1. Heat Source: A hot plate heats the water and converts it into steam. At Young Living distilleries, the correct temperature of the steam is crucial, and the degree of heat is determined by the plant being distilled. Gas heaters warm the water, which is stored in massive holding tanks.
2. Thermometer: A thermometer is placed inside the heated flask, measuring the temperature of the steam. Young Living distillers use a valve to control steam temperature and pressure for extracting essential oils.
3. Water Flask: The water is boiled to produce steam, and the steam is routed to and forced below the plant material. As the steam rises, the aromatic oils are removed. Water tanks hold gallons of water. As water is turned to steam it is piped to the bottom of the stainless steel chambers. 
4. Distillation Chamber: The “cooking” chamber is filled with plant material. As the steam rises through the plants, the aromatic essential oils are released. Young Living distilleries have large, stainless steel chambers to produce essential oils. Distilling lavender can take as much as 12,500 liters of lavender stems and flowers to produce 4-5 gallons of essential oil.
5. Condenser: Steam with essential oils rises to the top of the chamber, where it is channeled into a cooling area called the condenser. Cold water surrounds the condenser tube, causing the steam with the volatile plant essences to turn back into liquid.
6. Collecting Flask: The newly condensed essential oil and water drip into a collecting flask. Because oil is lighter than water, the oil will float to the top of the flask, where it is collected for use. The collecting flasks at Young Living distilleries are located one floor below the stills. There, the essential oils are protected from sunlight exposure and kept cool. This protects the therapeutic qualities until the oil is collected and stored in dark glass or stainless steel containers.