25 Aromatherapy Blends for De-Stressing by Victoria H. Edwards

Author:Victoria H. Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Published: 2000-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Hydrosols

Hydrosols (also called flower waters and hydrolats) are by-products of essential oil production, created during distillation. The waters used in the distillation process become naturally scented and impregnated with the plants’ subtle water-soluble properties. Traditionally packaged in blue glass bottles in France, flower waters have been produced and used in cooking and cosmetics since ancient times in the Middle East, Tunisia, Egypt, and India. Jeanne Rose, executive director of the Aromatic Plant Project, has popularized herbal hydrosols in North America. She notes that this is a more accurate term than flower waters, as many are made from leaves, bark, or other parts of the plant.

The process of steam distillation using aromatic plants creates two complementary products: the essential oil and the hydrosol. Following the cooling of the aromatic gas, the oil-soluble components separate from the water. As they separate, they pass on part of their qualities and a small percentage of themselves: Maybe 2 to 10 percent of the essential oil ends up in the hydrosol.

Hydrosols present themselves as perfect companions to such alternative health therapies as phytotherapy and homeopathy, and are excellent for people who are too sensitive to use essential oils.

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