Steam distillation technique is applied to separate substances which are steam volatile and are immiscible with water.
As the organic compounds steam volatile and are miscible with water vapour in the vapour phase, steam distillation will be the most suitable method for extraction of oils from flowers. Steam distillation is carried out by passing dry steam through the plant material whereby the steam volatile compounds are volatilised, condensed and collected in receivers. The most common use of steam distillation is the extraction of natural products from plant materials. It has been in use for essential oil extraction for many years.