What are Hydrosols?

Hydrosols are an aqueous product of steam/hydro distillation. They are sometimes referred to as floral waters, distillates or hydrolats. Beware of imposters. There are many products on the market that are merely water, essential oil and an emulsifier that are sold as floral waters. Though these may be fine as room refreshers they ARE NOT Hydrosols, and will not give the same therapeutic effect. Read your labels.

Derived from Latin, the term combines hydro meaning water and sol meaning solution; they are sometimes referred to as floral waters, distillates or hydrolats in Europe.

Descriptions

Jeanne Rose, in her book 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, describes hydrosols as "the homeopathy of Aromatherapy; as herbs are to homeopathy, so are essential oils to hydrosols." She goes on to say "Hydrosol represent the true synergy of herbalism and aromatherapy." We couldn't agree more.

In his book Medical Aromatherapy, Kurt Schnaubelt describes them as “the product of steam distillation process and contain the water soluble, volatile components of the plant… Their composition is different from that of the essential oil…this means highly tolerable, anti-inflammative and antiseptic substances are found in aromatic hydrosols"

In Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy, Suzanne Catty says of hydrosols, "Hydrosols contain all of the plant in every drop, just like a hologram."

Not a By-Product

Unlike most hydrosols on the market, ours are not a by-product of essential oil distillation, but are distilled for the hydrosol. This means that they are distilled with FRESH organic plant material, on copper stills, under constant supervision for true therapeutic waters. Many hydrosols on the market carry a “still note” from being distilled on stainless steel, though this does not harm the hydrosol it can make for a very unpleasant aroma. By using copper stills, the sulphur and yeast that cause these off notes bond to the copper, therefore our hydrosols are “sweet smelling” and useable immediately.

Hydrosols can be used as hydrating facial spritz, sprayed on sore muscles and as anti-microbial cleansers. Clients that experience sensitivity to essential oils, are able to use hydrosols with positive results.

Further Reading and Links

Distillation, A How to Booklet, 2001 J Rose and B Alkire, ISBN 1-879687-08-9
Available from www.jeannerose.net or www.aromaticplantproject.com

Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy, 2004, Len & Shirley Price, ISBN 0443-07316-3

Hydrosols & Aromatic Waters, from a Personal Collection of …writings, 2007
Available from www.jeannerose.net or www.aromaticplantproject.com

Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy, 2001, S Catty, ISBN 0-89281-946-6

375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols, 1999, J Rose, ISBN 1-883319-89-7
Available from www.jeannerose.net or www.aromaticplantproject.com

Secrets of the Still, G Firth, Out of Print
copies can be found on internet and in some libraries

www.aromaticplantproject.com abundance of information on hydrosols and distilling

www.aromaweb.com More information on Aromatherapy