Contributed by Sonya Funaro
What the heck are hydrosols anyway?
Simply put, a hydrosol (distillate, hydrolat) is the purified plant/flower water that an essential oil floats on top of, after distillation.
In fact, hydrosols were the original aromatherapy! They work beautifully as a medicine, in cooking, and, especially, in skincare. They are much like a super-diluted essential oil, containing mostly the water-soluble components of the plant. They also, however, contain trace amounts of the essential oil. This makes them quite versatile and very safe to use.
I use them to make liquid cleansers, toners and moisturizers. In skincare, they can be used any time you would otherwise use water. The add both therapeutic and aromatherapeutic benefits to skincare products.
Many of them can also be used in cooking, or baking, in the same way you would use a flavored liquor. They provide an aromatic flavor to your meals. I use them as part of a non-alcoholic spritzer, but you can spice it up with champagne if you want! You only need a couple of teaspoons to do the trick.
Many hydrosols can be taken internally, to support common ailments. One such way is to take peppermint hydrsosol with water to support digestion. Just add a couple of teaspoons of the peppermint hydrosol to a glass of water to experience the soothing effects.
Rose hydrosol can similarly be added to ice water to create a delicately flavored, aromatic and tonic beverage. Rose has been long-known to stimulate an overall feeling of wellness and self-love.
Although hydrosols are often overlooked, since essential oils are so popular, they are starting to make a comeback. Plan to see them used more often!
