About Hydrosol
What is hydrosol?
Hydrosol is essential plant water. It is another product of the same distillation process used to procure essential oil. Hydrosol has the plants water soluble properties, essential oil molecules and the crystalline , memory properties of water. Every drop has the unique energy, spirit and essence of the plant.
How is it made?
The process of distilling plant matter is alchemical may nature. It starts by adding water and plants in a vessel. Most commonly used vessel or stills are made from copper, stainless steel or glass. Plants in water is hydro distillation, plants above water is steam distillation. The vessel is then placed over fire, the plant matter is heated until the cells walls of the plant open. The water and plant oils are carried through the steam. The still guides the steam through coil, which is in cool water, the steam condenses back into liquid. The end product is essential oil and essential plant water. I do want to note that my hydrosols are made in copper, so alchemically speaking, these hydrosols have microscopic amounts of copper in them and so, are very Venusian in nature.
How do you use it?
They are great for skin care for the face and body. They are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and naturally have a low ph. Works well as a toner or just for daily rashes, cuts, scrapes, bug bites, sunburn, aftershave etc. Its perfect for a hot day, keep it in the fridge or ice chest for a nice refresher. Spray a foot or 2 from face, waft and take a deep breath.
Every hydrosol and EO has their own, unique scent. Smell is the most sensitive sense and has direct connection with our central nervous system via the olfactory system in our brain. Smell can affect our non conscious behaviors like our emotions, motivation, stress response and other physiological reactions.
Great for use with mild anxiety, energy clearing, mediation, dreaming or therapy. The magic of scent and water can help us get deep and break old patterns, while helping us feel embodied and safe. Use a pillow or linen spray before bed. There is endless uses for hydrosol, use your intuition.
History
Although we don’t know exactly where it originated, some of the earliest records of plant distillation are seen in ancient the East (Egypt, India, Persia) and China. There is even records in the Akkadian tablets (1200 B.C.) of perfume techniques being used in Babylon/Mesopotamia. From the East it made its way into the Greek, Roman and Arab cultures, who perfected the practice as it mades its way to Europe and beyond. Plant distillation for perfumery, medicinals and beauty has been seen in ancient cultures all over the world. Plant distillation even predates alcohol distillation.