Essential Oil Distillation in Nepal

Essential Oil Distillation in Nepal

Gorgeous views abound in Nepal

Experiences of working at high elevations

In Part 1 of this article, featured writer Marco Valussi talks about problems distillers encounter at high elevations and how to fix them

I would like to start with just a few words about myself to try to frame this contribution and explain where it comes from. I have been working with medicinal and aromatic plants for over 20 years, and one of the many hats I have worn has been that of a consultant for NGOs working in developing countries, for small, local distilleries. Only lately have I made the decision to jump to the other side and become a distiller myself.

Thus, much of what I know about distillation comes from field experience. I’ve tried to partially fill-in my lack of formal education in chemical engineering, thanks to some great authors and colleagues who supported me. Hence my decision to illustrate some of the typical critical points in distillation by discussing a real experience I had a few years ago in Nepal. In this way, I hope to help those of you who, like me, have never had formal training in the science of distillation.

As I indicated, a few years ago I went on a working trip to Nepal, specifically to the Dolakha district, Janakpur area, in the central-eastern region of Nepal. The area is mountainous but with very fertile land, and is inhabited by various ethnic groups, mainly Gurung and Sherpa. It is a rich area, and it is very difficult to visit there and accept the poverty of Nepal. It is really true, as they say here, that “east is heaven and west is hell”.

The trip was partly pleasure, partly work. Together with some Nepalese colleagues I had to visit and evaluate a distillation site for essential oils of Rhododendron (Rhododendron anthopogon) and Juniper (Juniperus indica / J. Recurva). The distillation unit was at approximately 11,482 feet above sea level (asl), while the collection areas were at approximately 13,123 feet asl. In the area there were two other distillation sites at a lower altitude, which distilled Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens).

We traveled from Singati to the village of Marbu, about halfway from our final destination. The high temperatures and high relative humidity favored lush, green vegetation especially, at the beginning, the gorgeous green of the rice fields.