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What is a Hydrosol?
A hydrosol, also referred to as floral waters, is produced through a steam or hydro-distillation process that utilizes fresh plant material. This material can either be suspended above or submerged in water, which is then heated to generate steam. This steam is subsequently condensed back into liquid form. This alchemical process captures phytonutrients and other complex, water-soluble or hydrophilic compounds, along with volatile and lipophilic elements.
Hydrosols effectively encapsulate the essence, energetics, and phytomedicinal properties of a plant in a powerful and potent manner, suitable for both internal and external use.
Difference between Hydrosols and Essential Oils
Making essential oils is a super cool process, but because it takes such large quantities of plant material I find it to be a less sustainable use of both the plants and farmland.
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be a health hazardous if misused. The significantly large quantities of plant material needed to create essential oils makes it a far less sustainable way of working with plants. For example it takes 10,000 lbs of rose buds to create 16 ounces of essential oils.
Along with the large amounts of plant material needed to make essential oils it’s equally important to consider that most large essential oil companies are not working with organic farms and purchasing their plant material from large pesticides using farms.
Hydrosols are a much safer, sustainable way of working with the plants, requiring far less fresh plant material. The small amounts of essential oil compounds that are captured during the process, are proportionally diluted creating a safe and shelf stable hydrosol.
How to Use Hydrosols
Hydrosols can be used in various ways both internally and externally such as facial toners, added to still or sparkling water, body spray, room spray. They also can be used as an ingredient in drinks, syrups, tinctures, lotions, facial washes—the uses are endless.
Recommended Reading:
https://www.sovereigntyherbs.com/blog/distillingthefeminine
Recipes:
https://goldenvistafarm.com/blog/hydrosol-series-part-3-what-to-do-with-hydrosols
References and further information:
https://aromaticstudies.com/about-distillation/
https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-impact-essential-oils-2465879288.html
Check out the small batch hydrosols we currently have available from the farm here!
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting our 21 Day Rest + Reset right here on our website AND on social media. This practice, developed by esteemed Herbalist, Kathi Langelier, is meant to help you refresh your sleep and daily routines for optimal rest and wellness over a 3 week period. Although we’ll be releasing this 5-part series over the next few weeks, feel free to follow along at your own pace. Save the posts for future reference and come back to it whenever you want!
