Hydrosols

Hydrosols: The Other Product of Distillation
© Kimberly Ayers, June 2001

In past articles I have referred to “hydrosols” and have decided to go into more detail on what hydrosols are and how they can be used.

What exactly are Hydrosols?
Hydrosols are produced in a similar fashion as essential oils, as they are steam-distilled from fresh, organic plants. A hydrosol is the water of distillation infused with microdrops of essential oil as well as water-soluble plant components. The name comes from ‘hydro’ or water and ‘sol’ from solution and refers to the solution with the microdrops of essential oils and some water soluble plant components. The essential oil microdrops give the flower distillates their scent and the plant components give the therapeutic effect. Like essential oils, hydrosols have powerful therapeutic effects.

Because hydrosols contain plant components without any of the tannic acids and terpenes contained in some essential oils, they maintain the therapeutic qualities of essential oils while being more gentle.

A few ways hydrosols can benefit you:
Soothe your nerves.In moisturizers. Soothe a sunburn. In face masks. Cool a hot flash. As an antiseptic. Soothe a pet's hot spots. In culinary preparations. Clean the air. To disinfect your hands. As a mouthwash. In massage oils. As a eyewash. In the bath. On baby’s bottom and skin.

Just to name a few uses! Unlike essential oils, hydrosols can be used extensively without the panic of wondering if you’ve used too much essential oil. Because of their gentleness, hydrosols are particularly well-suited for use with children, the elderly and those overcoming illness. Also excellent for use with sensitive skin.

Hydrosols are used on a daily basis in our household and I never leave home without having a spray bottle of Lavender or Rose Geranium with me. My 1 year old daughter Zoe is already a big fan of rose hydrosol and her crib is spritzed with the lavender hydrosol prior to her going to bed for the night. Try spritzing your sheets and linens with lavender hydrosol or adding the hydrosol water to your final rinse cycle when washing lingerie. It really is quite lovely.

When purchasing your hydrosols make sure that they are listed as “hydrosols” and are not floral waters, which often times are plain water with either fragrance or very little essential oils added to it. Also look for hydrosols that are produced here in the United States, which tend to be much fresher than hydrosols obtained from overseas. Some of the hydrosols that you may find available are: Artemisia arborescens, Bay, Lavender, Rose Geranium, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Rosemary, Tea-tree, Witch Hazel, Linden, Rose and Myrtle. For more information on hydrosols please visit www.aromaticplantproject.com