Essential Oil Distillation Distillation can determine the value of the oil, or destroy the value of the oil. Essential oil distilling is not just a job, but an art. The operator of the distiller must have a full understanding of the value of oils in order to produce quality oils. If the pressure is too high, or the temperature is too high, it may change the molecular structure of the fragrance molecule, altering the chemistry constituents. For example - distillation of lavender should not exceed 3 pounds of pressure, temperature should not exceed 245 degrees & should be distilled for 2 hours. A distiller who is only interested in profit will distill lavender for 15 minutes at very high temperature & very high pressure. ESSENTIAL OIL RAW PRODUCT OIL PRODUCED PRESSURE IN LBS. DISTILLING TEMP. DISTILLING TIME MELALEUCA (Tea tree) 1000 LB 10-15 LB 3 218 2-3 HRS CINNAMON 1300 LB 5 OZ 5 225-235 9-24 HRS CYPRESS 2000 LB 1 LB 0 220 24 HRS PINE 1000 LB 1 LB 0 180 8 HRS MRYTLE 500 KL 1 KL 1 - 2 200 7-9 HRS PALMAROSA 600 KL 1 KL 2 200 4 HRS LEMONGRASS 650 KL 17.5 5 230 2.75 HRS CITRONELLA 150 LB 1 LB 5 225 4.5 HRS ROSEWOOD 500 KL 1 KL 30 287 3 HRS CLOVE 450 KL 5 LT 10 229 18 HRS EUCHALYPTUS 250 1 LB 5 225 3-18 HRS GERANIUM 500 LB 6 LB 1.2 200 1-3 HRS