Adding some nature to your life promotes health in various ways. Walking outside, lying on the sandy beach, drinking tea on your front porch… All of these methods help us connect with Mother Earth. Hydrosols are another option.
Hydrosols, also known as hydrolates, are byproducts of the commercial essential oil production process. These “floral waters” are the leftover liquid created during the steam distillation of aromatic herbs. This means they are less concentrated than essential oils, making them gentle-acting with few side effects.
Some cultures even drink hydrosols for medicinal purposes. For example, plants in the Lamiaceae (mint) family can treat some illnesses and aid digestion. Hydrosols are used for antimicrobial, anti-depressive, or sedative purposes. They are also in skincare products, adding antioxidants and natural preservatives. Some examples of hydrosols include rose, lavender, peppermint, and lemon.
Hydrosols can be found at your local health store or online. When purchasing your hydrosols, be sure to check the concentration of essential oils. Oils that are at a 2.5% concentration are well-tolerated, though 10% or more may cause adverse effects.
Want to Make Them Yourself?
Here are some instructions you can use to make hydrosol at home (modified from the Highland Library). Visit the website to see detailed images of the process. Always harvest or purchase your herbs from high-quality sources.
What You’ll Need:
- Large stainless steel pot (with lid)
- Custard cup (Smaller stainless steel bowl) – 3 or 4 inches tall
- Glass bowl
- Distilled water
- Ice cubes
- Fresh plant matter
Directions:
- Sterilize your materials and choose any fresh aromatic plant matter you know is safe to use (this could be roots, bark, seeds, leaves, pinecones, etc., just make sure it’s aromatic).
- Place the custard cup upside down in the center of the pot. Place the glass bowl on top.
- Line the edges of your pot with 3 or 4 inches of plant material (be sure the glass bowl is elevated above the plant material).
- Pour enough water into the pot to barely cover the plant material.
- Heat to a boil, then lower the temperature to a simmer. Place the pot lid upside down on the pot. Next, place ice cubes on the lid.
- How it works: As the water simmers, the steam condenses on the lid of the pot, flows to the center, and drips into your glass bowl (this is your hydrosol).
- As ice melts, remove the water and add more ice.
- Check on it every 20 minutes. When it is very fragrant, turn off the heat. Let the hydrosol cool, and transfer it to a glass container. Store it in a glass spray bottle to use as a mist, or moisten a cotton ball to apply it to your face/body.
References
http://newsletterreferences.info/july2025.html