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What Are Hydrosols?
Steam distillation of aromatic plants results in two complementary products: the essential oil and the hydrosol (or hydrolate). During the distillation process, the ascending steam dissolves the essential oil contained in the plant, temporarily associating with it in a highly aromatic, ethereal oneness of opposite values, water and oil, which normally do not associate. During the cooling process of this aromatic gas, the oil-soluble components separate out from the water. However, the aromatic molecules pass on a part of their qualities to the water, now called the hydrosol. In the past, these hydrosols were considered to be waste products of the process of distilling essential oils (rose water was an exception). Only in recent times has it become evident that the hydrosols are also exceptional carriers of the intelligent vibrational impulses of plant life. They represent an ethereal, potent, almost homeopathic form of the aromatic substances. In addition, they contain the water-soluble components of the plant. A further advantage of the hydrosols is the fact that they do not contain the tannic acids and bitter substances contained in the essential oils, which can lead to irritations.
Hydrosols, therefore, are an ideal complement to aromatherapy. They complement the oil-soluble component of plant life, represented by the essential oils, with a water-soluble aromatic component. They are useful wherever a subtle effect is wanted without the risk of irritation.
Hydrosols are extremely effective in the following areas :
1. Treatment of mucous skin, like eye inflammations, etc.
2. Internal use
3. Skin care, as a complement to phyto-aromatic oils, creams and masks. In this respect, basic research and development work has been done by Jacques G. Paltz of Paris. In his phyto-aromatic skin care line, he uses five different hydrosol blends for specific purposes: sensitive skin, wrinkled skin, dry skin, purification and rejuvenation. For example, he is uses Rosemary Verbenon and Thyme Linalol hydrosols for dry skin, Chamomile and Artemisa arb. for sensitive skin, etc.
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