What makes a Steam Distiller?

I found this site which describes their own steam distiller. I hope to gather useful information (like what to use) in order to build my own. http://www.crucible.org/essential_oil_distiller_operation.htm

List of items included in their kit:

ALL NEW BOROSILICATE (generically called "pyrex") GLASSWARE:
* 2 liter boiling flask, 24/40 sized ground glass joint and side port for water addition
* 2 liter Biomass flask, 24/40 joint on bottom and large 45/50 joint on top
* Still Head, 45/50 with built in thermometer adapter and male spherical condenser joint
* West Condenser, with a spherical joint that allows a wide range of alignment without risk of breakage or loss of seal integrety
* Receiver/separatory funnel with teflon valve
MECHANICAL PARTS:
* New hotplate with built-in flask support rod (240 volt for EUROPE available at no additional cost)
* Two laboratory Clamps
* Two 5 foot HOSES for condenser water
* WIRE SCREEN with ceramic heat dissipator to keep the flask happy while on the hotplate (240v european units only)
* 3 Packets of joint grease
* Keck Clamps to hold condenser, receiver, and still head together

Notes that may provide useful/decoding:
Distiller made from 'scientific-grade borosilicate glass'
Best choice: all glass (pyrex?) produces 'true' dry steam? for 'purest' oil?
No hose or rubber stoppers.
Glass joints.
Biomass Flask.
'"vertical" design, the biomass flask stays dry, none of the "boiling water" is wastefully condensed and trapped in the biomass flask, and because it uses separate flasks for boiling and biomass, there's further insurance that overheating or possibly burning your plant material will never happen.'

Searching for the Right Words

With an innumerable sum of textbooks to choose from, I found it difficult to decided on which would be most beneficial towards my project. Along with information about aromatherapy, oils, and making perfume, I also want to learn about the chemistry side. I provided a few books appeared to fit what I'm looking for.



Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy
By: Kurt Schnaubelt

A chemist and aromatherapy practitioner provides scientific proof for the effectiveness of using essential oils.
Aromatherapy is the fastest-growing segment of the body care industry, an effective and deeply pleasurable way to maintain well-being. Now, Kurt Schnaubelt, a chemist and longtime aromatherapy practitioner, provides scientific proof for the efficacy of essential oils, explained clearly and logically. Advanced Aromatherapy draws on the most recent research to demonstrate how essential oils work on the cells and microbes of the body. These chemical changes affect emotional states as well as physical ones. Advanced Aromatherapy explains how to treat symptoms ranging from hay fever to stress disorders with predictable results.
An essential textbook for aromatherapy practitioners.

The Fragrant Mind
By: Valerie Ann Worwood

This 431-page volume delves into the psychological and emotional use of aromatherapy and essential oils. It covers both general psychological and aromatherapy information as well as listing emotional conditions (i.e. nicotine addition, phobias, stress, etc.) and the oils that can assist with the condition. It also discusses various personality profiles and the oils most suitable for those personality types. This text is written in an easy-to-understand style, and previous knowledge of psychology is not required. Certain chapters are intended to be read thoroughly while other chapters act more as a reference.

The Essential Oils Book: Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body
By: Colleen K. Dodt

The Essential Oils Book is a 152-page book suitable for beginners. Intermediates will most likely also find a few nice little tidbits within this book as well. This book has received high praise for being a great book for beginners. This book contains practical, holistic, and safety-oriented advice and recipes for the beginner.










Aromatherapy: Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils for Esthetics
BY: Jimm Harrison

Aromatherapy:Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils for Esthetics and Spa Therapy explores the complex and important chemistry and application of essential oils. With alternative and natural therapies becoming a part of daily life, this pertinent topic deserves this complete and informative treatment. Through aromatherapy, the use of essential oils is a creative, versatile, and powerfully effective treatment. This text provides the tools and knowledge necessary to understand the complexities of essential oil therapy, and confidently utilize its healing potential. The text addresses aromatherapy from multiple angles including chemically, biologically, and holistically. The reader will also benefit from the incorporation of psychology, philosophy, diet, nutrition, and lifestyle in terms of their relevance to essential oil use. Multiple photos and charts help illustrate the content. Extensive coverage of 33 essential oils presents in-depth knowledge of how these oils should be valued and used in a spa or medical setting. The book carefully notes and explains the many varying descriptions of essential oils that are out there, and describes in detail the reasons why conflicting information exists and how to filter through it. The inclusion of the plant origin of the essential oils in order to more clearly define their healing properties as well as their relationship with human hormonal balance adds dimensions to the text. In all, Aromatherapy provides a thorough and accurate essential oils study and will remain an invaluable resource in continued practice.

The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy
by Kurt Schnaubelt

Explains how essential oils convey the complex natural healing powers of plants, offering scientifically proven advantages over synthetic drugs. Offers revolutionary essential oil treatments to ameliorate the side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments as well as for hepatitis, osteoporosis, liver detoxification, and the prevention of UV damage and melanoma. Presents simple recipes and protocols for strengthening the immune system; for treatment of common ailments, such as colds, flu, herpes, and candida; and for pain management
Exploring science’s new biological understanding of essential oils and their advantages over synthetic drugs, renowned aromatherapist Kurt Schnaubelt reveals how the effectiveness of essential oil treatments stems from our common biochemical and cellular heritage with plants. He explains how essential oils preserve a plant’s complex natural life-supporting and immune-building qualities, developed through millions of years of interaction with animals and humans. Reviewing recent research in molecular, cellular, and evolutionary biology, he shows how the multilayered activity of plant essences helps maintain the integrity of our genetic code--the reason why pathogens cannot develop resistance toward essential oils as they do with antibiotics and antivirals--making essential oils a more effective and sustainable form of treatment for a variety of health problems.