The present patent application relates to a compact device with a modular design, and to a simplified and efficient method for extracting volatile oils and herbal distillates contained in plant or animal matter or any other type of organic matter, using the extraction technique of steam distillation. The device is formed by a lower cylindrical module or "boiler" on top of which an upper hemispherical module or "condenser cover" is disposed, both modules being secured to a single hermetic body. The lower module is the base of the device and contains a hot-water boiler, a heat-conducting disc, a steam-heating chamber, an oven of raw material, and a valve for regulating the steam flow. The upper module is the cover of the device and contains a conical steam condenser, a ring for collecting distilled liquid, and a tube for removing the distilled liquid. The device can be easily adapted for vacuum distillation, fractional distillation and the use of solvents and coolants other than water. The device can be constructed with different materials and the capacity thereof can vary from a few litres to hundreds of litres of raw material. The device is able to quickly and completely extract excellent-quality essentials oils from many plants, such as lavender, pennyroyal, boldo, evening primrose, mint and eucalyptus. The distillation method described is called "internal distillation" and is characterised in that it integrates, in a single physical space (body), a semi-closed steam flow circuit that includes all the functions of distillation: boiling water at a low temperature; producing pressurised dry steam; injecting the steam into the oven of raw material; "stripping" volatile substances in the raw material; condensing mixed gases; and collecting and removing distilled liquid.
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