Hydrosols are the newest tool in the aromatherapy world and are generally safer and more gentle to use than essential oils. There is also less controversy over internal use, especially if you make your own and you know exactly the environment your plants are coming from. The hydrosol contain more of the water soluble compounds from the plant that aren't present in the essential oil, and you will also get a little a little essential oil from most plants along with the water based distillate. The copper enhances aroma and flavor and also protects against some microbes. You do, however need to sterilize any containers the distillate will be stored in or come in contact with. I clean all of my containers out with pure grain alcohol. Hydrosols are more stable than an infusion but are still perishable and should be refrigerated and you shouldn't touch the liquid, and should resist the temptation to open the bottle and smell-you don't want to contaminate it. Depending on what plant you have distilled, your hydrosols will last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. If you see any bloom (slimy growths) then it has gone bad and should be thrown out.
There are so many uses for hydrosols that it would be impossible to list them all here, but I will list a few.
-to remove makeup
-as a natural, gentle cleanser
-to replace all or some of the water in lotion or cream recipes
-added to soap bases in foamer bottles
-pillow spray
-body spray
-gentle hand cleanser/sanitizer
-in finger bowls at fancy dinners
-to clean baby's bottom at diaper changes (esp. lavender, chamomiles, calendula)
-to sooth rashes and sunburns
-invigorating or relaxing room spray (depends on the properties of the plant)
-to make personal cleansing wipes
-use as an aftershave lotion
-hot spots on pets (esp calendula)
-on a cotton ball as a compress for for eyes (cucumber, chamomile, calendula, rose)
-spray lemon balm, lavender or chamomiles in the air to calm fussy children
-as a fragrant base water when rebatching soaps
-a natural deodorant spray (witch hazel, rose, patchouli)
-cooling body spray in hot weather (esp peppermint and cucumber)
-anti-fungal foot spray (tea tree, lemongrass, patchouli, witch hazel)
-safe feminine deodorant spray (esp rose)
-use witch hazel compresses/cleansing cloths on your hemorrhoids (no alcohol burn like store bought)
-some hydrosols make great rubs for sore muscles
-try peppermint, lavender, roman or German chamomile rubs or compresses for headaches
These are just a few and the possibilities are endless!
I use to help my 5 year old daughter be more compliant when her hair needs to be brushed - I ask her 'do you want me to make your hair smell like flowers?' then she doesn't fuss when I have to do her hair :)
ReplyDeleteI love to spritz a little over my face after I moisturize and over my makeup to set it. When I was working hard at work this week and would start to sweat I would smell roses like 6 or 8 hours after I had sprayed it on.
ReplyDeleteGreat article about hydrosols and their therapeutic use. Most people aren't familiar with their benefits or existence beyond rosewater and witchhazel. In the 1800's, many European and American houses had a stillroom attached to the kitchen where the women of the house would create hydrosols (called floral waters then)from their garden for scent and healing.
ReplyDeleteI love to spray Lavender hydrosol on my sheets and pillows!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great article! I know very little about hydrosols so this was a great introduction.
ReplyDeleteI have also been enjoying my ginger root hydrosol in a little water as a digestive tonic after dinner. I can't wait to try mints like this. I'm thinking mint hydrosols would also be a nice breath spray.
ReplyDeleteI think we should bring back the tradition of the still room!