Hydrosols

Have you heard of the term Hydrosols and do not know what it is?  Then read the following on how From Nature With Love  describes what it is.

"The term hydrosol is derived from the Latin words hydro and sol, meaning "water solution." When plant material, such as the roots, barks, flowers, leaves, stems and seeds, is steam distilled to obtain an essential oil, certain chemical constituents of the plant first build up in the water. Only after they reach their maximum solubility in water, do they start to collect in a separate layer on the surface of the water (the essential oil). Many of the water-soluble plant compounds and some of the oil-soluble compounds wind up in the distillation water.

A hydrosol is the pure, distillate water that remains after essential oils are steam distilled from the original plant material. Hydrosols are usually clear and have the appearance and consistency of water. Their aroma is generally, but not always, similar to that of the essential oil, but the aroma is usually much more subtle. Hydrosols contain very small amounts of the essential oil. They also contain water-soluble components of the plant material that may not be present in the essential oil. The aroma, therefore, may differ somewhat from the plant’s essential oil. Some hydrosols do smell surprisingly different from the essential oil. Some hydrosols, such as Yarrow, have an unpleasant odor, making them more difficult to use.

Hydrosols are gaining importance in aromatherapy because they offer an opportunity to use a well-diluted potency of a particular plant’s essential oil for therapeutic purposes. The highly concentrated compounds found in essential oils may often be too strong for the human body, and therefore may be rejected or ineffective. Hydrosols on the other hand, are well-diluted water-soluble compounds, which are easily assimilated and absorbed by the body. Hydrosols are generally safer for use in babies and individuals with depressed immune systems.

Hydrosols are also known as hydrolates. Hydrosols are also sometimes incorrectly referred to as floral waters. Floral waters are typically aromatic waters made with the use of fragrance oils (see our Floral Water category, but do not contain the natural therapeutic properties that hydrosols contain. Hydrosols cannot be made by solubilizing essential oils in water.

Unfortunately, pure hydrosols do not have the strong anti-bacterial properties that essential oils possess and therefore they are subject to rapid degradation. Hydrosols are often collected over long periods of time during which contamination may occur and subsequent handling and storage conditions may further reduce shelf life. Assuming that a hydrosol is collected in the most sterile manner and promptly sealed, stored and transported in a cool environment, it may have a shelf life of 6 months to 2 years unopened. Keeping a hydrosol stored in such pristine conditions, however, is rarely the case. We believe that the dangers of using a hydrosol harboring bacterial colonies far outweigh the negative effects of adding food grade ethyl alcohol to the hydrosols to preserve shelf life. Our European hydrosols are preserved with ethyl alcohol as required by law. Our witch hazel hydrosol is preserved with Germaben and is not suitable for internal use.

Use hydrosols in toners, creams, lotions, body sprays, room sprays and in place of water in most formulations. They will impart both fragrance and therapeutic benefits to your products. Hydrosols are also wonderful when used as wetting agents in clay facials. An anti-bacterial preservative will be needed to preserve your products that contain hydrosols."

If you are interested in purchasing a particular hydrosol, From Nature With Love sells a variety of conventional hydrosols including Clary Sage, Jasmine, Lemon Balm (Melissa), and many others.  They also sell a variety of organic hydorosols to select from.

What is Rose Water?

I have seen rose water in some retail establishments and was wondering what it was used for.  So I started seeking out answers and I found the answer on Wisegeek.com:

"Classically, rose water is made using damask roses, many-petaled and fragrant. These were first grown in Iran and Bulgaria, but are now frequently found in Spain, Italy, and France. However, the Middle Eastern countries remain some of the largest producers of rose water because of the availability of damasks. If one is trying a homemade recipe, recommendations for other types of roses include most of the purple shaded varieties, such as Angel Face and Sterling Silver, as they tend to be the most fragrant.

The uses of rose water are as varied and numerous as the petals of a damask rose. Most western countries are familiar with rose water or rose oil as an addition to fragrances and in body and facial creams. More recently it has been introduced as a skin toner, and many people also enjoy its use in varied applications of aromatherapy. In ancient Rome, people enjoyed bathing in rose water, and it was, and still is, considered to have anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. For this reason, rosewater was frequently used to wash one's hands.

Less familiar to most westerners is rose water's use as an ingredient in food. In the Middle East and Asia, meat can be cooked and infused with it. There are recorded recipes dating back to the 8th century.Rose water also provides the primary flavor for many sweet treats. A teaspoon may be added to mango lassi or marzipan. Turkish delight, a favorite candy in many Arab countries, derives its unique taste from this flavoring. To the untrained palate, the addition of rose water is often described as tasting "soapy," but that is often because many associate the fragrance of roses with skin creams. Once used to this taste, gourmets or gourmands can delight in numerous Middle Eastern and Asian dishes which evoke traditional cuisine at least a millennia old.

Rose water flavors not only many foods of the Middle East, but also holds sacred importance in religious ceremonies of both the Muslim and Hindu religions. In certain Islamic rituals, it cleanses the body before prayer cleanses the spirit. In Hinduism, the fragrant liquid bathes the Shiva lingam, or phallus, during the Mahshirvrati festival, an annual day of devotion to Shiva, also traditionally celebrated as the day Shiva married the goddess Parvati.

Rose water can certainly be made at home with either very simple methods or more complex distillation methods. The easiest method is to combine rose petals and water in a sun tea jar and set the jar in the sun for several days. Keep in mind that care should be taken when concocting these home recipes. They are not long lasting and are subject to growing bacteria, which may be quite dangerous if used in food.

Commercial preparations come in many forms and can safeguard against bacterial formation. In addition, the buyer can choose organic preparations, thus eliminating pesticides from the roses in their food or on their bodies. However used, rose water is certainly almost universally enjoyed, with its sweet and deep aroma, and delightful and unusual taste."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-rose-water.htm

What are Floral Waters?

What are floral waters and what are they used for?  Well, they can be used for? To get to the bottom of this question, people at wisegeek.com have an anwer to that burning question.  According to Wisegeek.com:

"Floral waters are waters which have been infused with the essences of various flowers. Some common floral waters are made with flowers like lavender, rose, orange blossom, chamomile, and rosemary. There are a variety of uses for floral waters, ranging from body care to cooking, and there are a number of styles of floral waters to choose from. These products are often available at large markets and health food stores, and they can also be ordered directly from the companies which produce them.

Many companies distinguish between a hydrosol, which is a floral water made with the water used during steam distillation of essential oils, and a floral water, made with essential oil which is added to water. Some people believe that hydrosols are superior, because they often integrate a wider range of scents, and they can be quite strong. Floral waters made with essential oil are also of varying quality, because the strength depends on how much essential oil is used, what kind of water it is suspended in, and how well distilled the essential oil was to begin with.

In cooking, floral waters have famously been used in the Middle East for centuries. Many Middle Eastern pastries and desserts include floral waters like orange blossom water and rose water, and floral waters can also be added to savory dishes, as well. Typically they are used in moderate amounts, so that the strong scent and flavor do not become overwhelming. Floral waters can also become cloying if they are applied to food in excess.

In beauty care, there are all sorts of ways to use floral waters. Some people apply them directly to their skin after bathing, using them as a mild natural perfume and taking advantage of the substances in the floral waters which can be beneficial to the skin. Others apply floral waters to change their mood, using things like lavender to calm down during a stressful day. Floral waters can also be added to bodycare products like moisturizers and scrubs.

If you want to use floral waters in cooking, it is important to use food-grade floral waters. While many cosmetic floral waters are perfectly safe to consume, this is not always the case, and it is better to be safe than sorry. Some cosmetic hydrosols and floral waters are treated with additives to prolong their shelf life or enhance their scent, and these additives are not safe for consumption. Look for floral waters which are clearly marked for cooking when you want to use floral waters in recipes; food grade floral waters can also be used cosmetically."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-floral-waters.htm

Hydrosols: Petal Power Skin Care

posted by Melissa Breyer May 29, 2008 8:00 am

Adapted from Anti-Wrinkle Treatments for Perfect Skin by Pierre Jean Cousin (Storey Books)

Also known as floral waters (but not flower waters), hydrosols are a byproduct of steam distillation, created while extracting essential oil. Hydrosols have properties similar to those of their related essential oils, although inevitably in a less concentrated form, but they are enriched with various water-soluble active ingredients.

Their gentleness makes them an excellent way to tone, hydrate, and rebalance the pH of the skin, so they are frequently recommended as final cleansers/toners after cleansing or nourishing masks. Most also have antibacterial and antiviral action and can disinfect sensitive or damaged skin without the harshness of detergents or alcohol-based lotions. All are available from specialty shops or by mail order.

Hydrosols can be applied to the face twice daily. Use cotton pads or a mister, but be careful to avoid the eyes. Allow to dry naturally. Hydrosols can also be added to a bath as a general skin tonic (use three tablespoons) and are sometimes substituted for water in preparing clay masks.

Chamomile. Suitable for all skin types, chamomile is a very gentle antiinflammatory, good for over-exposure to sun and wind.

Clary sage. Suitable for dry and aging skin, clary sage relieves skin problems associated with fluctuating hormone levels and menopause.

Cornflower. See chamomile. Cornflower is often used around the eyes because, unlike most hydrosols, it does not burn in contact with them.

Lavender. Though slightly drying, lavender is suitable for all skin types. It has cooling, anti-inflammatory properties that can ease sun- or wind-burn.

Orange blossom (neroli). Inflammation-reducing, this hydrosol is particularly good at soothing dry or sensitive skin and for treating rosacea.

Rose. Appropriate for all skin types, especially aging, rose is recognized for its balancing, tonic, and astringent properties.

Rosemary. Excellent for balancing and toning all skin types, rosemary stimulates circulation and is a superb hydrosol for hair.

Witch hazel. Suitable for all types of skin, witch hazel is mildly astringent.

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/hydrosols-petal-power-skin-care.html

What is Orange Blossom Water?

According to wisegeek.com


"Orange blossom water is distilled water which has been infused with essential oil extracted from orange blossoms. The water has a rich citrus scent and a strong orange flavor. This flower water often appears in Middle Eastern cuisine, and in the dishes of some European nations as well; it is also sometimes used as a beauty item, commonly being used to rinse hair, hands, and feet in some regions of the world.

Obtaining orange blossom water can sometimes be challenging. If you happen to live in an area with a Middle Eastern population, you may be able to find it in a market, along with rose and lavender waters. You also sometimes see it at large markets for the more general population, especially in urban areas. If you intend to use orange blossom water for cooking, avoid products sold at drug stores and beauty shops, as they may not use food-grade essential oils.

The flavor and scent of orange blossom water is quite distinctive. Most recipes encourage cooks to use it lightly, because it can become cloying and overwhelming. One very common use is in sugar syrups which can be drizzled over pastries and fruit salads to provide a hint of flavor. It is also used in savory recipes and marinades, sometimes along with candied orange flowers or rose petals; the sweet floral notes of the orange flower water can pair very well with savory foods, especially spicy ones.

Culinary historians believe that orange blossom water originated in the Middle East, since evidence seems to suggest that Middle Easterners developed the extraction process needed to access the essential oils in orange blossoms. By the 10th century CE, orange blossom water was common across the Middle East, and European adventurers were bringing it back with them as an exotic delicacy; dishes with orange flower water were often in high demand, because the ingredient was perceived as unusual and exotic.

The blossoms of Seville oranges are believed to produce one of the finest orange blossom waters, since they have a very strong, rich aroma. Other oranges can be used as a source of orange blossom water, of course, but they may not yield the desired high essential oil content. If you cannot track down orange blossom water in your area, you may have better luck seeking out food-grade orange blossom essential oil and adding it to water yourself to dilute it. You can also order orange blossom water from importers, although it can be extra-expensive when obtained this way."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-orange-blossom-water.htm

Exploring Hydrosols

by Paula Harris

Hydrosols, also known as floral waters and hydrolats, are the by-products of the steam distillation of essential oils. The hydrosols contain small quantities of the essential oils themselves, as well as water-soluble components of the plants that would otherwise be lost in the distillation process.

Hydrosols differ from many of the "face sprays" and "spritzers" available in shops (which also occasionally call themselves floral waters) which are often a simple mix of water and essential oil, sometimes with a little food colouring added to make it too "authentic".

Hydrosols have a very subtle energy, and are therefore a useful addition and complement to essential oil-based therapy where a gentle approach is desired. Traditionally hydrosols are most commonly used for skin care, but they are also useful for eye inflammation and infection, and can be taken internally.

Until recently, the most readily available hydrosols were rose, lavender, chamomile and neroli (orange flower). But over the last few years more and more possibilities have been explored, as people realize that if it can be distilled, there can be a hydrosol.

Properties And Uses Of Hydrosols

• Chamomile, Roman - soothing; anti-inflammatory; relieves stress; a compress for migraines; relieves nappy-rash; suitable for sensitive, inflamed or dry skin; sunburn; excellent for eyes
• Lavender - soothing; gentle; balancing; antiseptic; suitable for all skin types; eczema; razor-burn; healing for burnt skin (including sunburn)
• Manuka - cleansing; anti-fungal; antiseptic mouthwash
• Melissa - hot flashes; a compress to relieve pain of shingles; suitable for oily skin
• Neroli - calming; balancing; hydrating; rejuvenating; uplifting; anti-depressant; relieves stress; mildly astringent; suitable for all skin types
• Peppermint - refreshing; deodorizing; cooling; antibacterial; mouthwash; clears sinus congestion; excellent as a facial and body spray in summer
• Rose - refreshing; soothing; anti-inflammatory; regenerative; rehydrating; a gargle for sore or inflamed throats; suitable for sensitive or dry skin; soothes irritated eyes
• Rose Geranium - balancing; antidepressant; hot flashes; suitable for oily or dry skin
• Rosemary - refreshing; stimulating; razor-burn; suitable for congested skin
• Tea Tree - stimulating; antiseptic; athlete’s foot; acne

Exploring The Possibilities

Hydrosols are excellent for using within a skin care regime. In addition to being completely natural, they are gentler than many commercial skin toners. They can also be combined with sun-dried clays to make natural face masks, enhancing the properties of the clay. During the long, hot summer days or when traveling, they can be used as a facial spray to revitalize and hydrate the skin, or to set makeup.

But to limit their use simply to skin care is doing an injustice to these often overlooked healing tools.

Much like the essential oils themselves, hydrosols can be used in the bath, in compresses, for facial steaming and as room sprays. And like essential oils, that can be blended together to create synergies.

Hydrosols can also be added to carrier oils, along with essential oils, to heighten the essential oils’ therapeutic value. For instance, adding a little lavender hydrosol to a massage blend containing lavender essential oil will enhance the lavender, and essentially make the blend "complete" by utilizing both the water-soluble and oil-soluble components of the lavender.

The internal use of hydrosols is still being explored, and should be considered cautiously. But studies do show that, for example, taking controlled doses of chamomile hydrosol orally can ease intestinal spasms.

Purchasing And Storage

True hydrosols should be colourless, or at most contain only a light sheen. If you pick up a bottle of neroli water and it is decidedly orange, put it back down.

Also, remember that not all hydrosols have a pleasant aroma, particularly those obtained from herbs.

Because hydrosols are all natural, they contain no preservatives and therefore deteriorate over time. The usual lifespan of a hydrosol is a year, and they are best stored in the refrigerator.

Source: http://www.aworldofaromatherapy.com/aromatherapy-article-essential-oil-hydrosol.htm

Difference Between Fragrant Waters & Aromatic Hydrosols

According to Kathi Keville and Mindy Green, authors of Aromatherapy...A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, fragrant waters are made by adding essential oils to distilled water. They are called "fragrant waters" to distinguish them from true aromatic hydrosols. Fragrant waters are less expensive but less effective as moisturizing agents, because they don't contain the same hydrorophilic compounds as hydrosols.

So what can you use fragrant waters for? It depends on the essential oils that you choose. You can spray or splash on fragrant waters after your daily shower to cool down on a hot day or whenever you are in the mood for an instant aromatherapy boost.

But whatever the reason for using them, fragrant waters are easy to make, and allow the application of diluted essential oils to your skin without the use of vegetable oil.

On the other hand, aromatic hydrosols (aka hydrolats) are effective as toner that they are given their own section. Aromatic hydrosols are produced during the essential oil distillation process which means they can be beneficial to your beauty regiment. Hydrosols are impregnated with water soluble (hydrophyllic) compounds that are not present in essential oils. What is great about hydrosols is that they are great used alone as toner or added as an ingredient in masks or in lotions. A wide range of hydrosols are not available at the retail outlets, but they can be purchased by mail order.

What Is A Hydrosol?

Hydrosols, also known as floral waters, hydroflorates, flower waters or distillates are products from steam distilling plant materials. Hydrosols are like essential oils but in far less of a concentration. When a distiller brews plant material with water in a large cooker the steam fills the pot and, as it rises, it causes the glands of the plants to burst and release the oils and essence of the plant into the steam. The oil rises through a condenser and collects in a separate vessel. This is what we know as essential oil, but what about all that fragrant water that was steamed with the original plant material? That is our hydrosol, or floral water.

Hydrosols are usually the result of essential oil production as a by-product but the highest quality hydrosols come from the devoted distillers who, with artist like precision steam the floral and plant material strictly to produce a hydrosol. (The Hydrosols offered by Mountain Rose Herbs are produced in this fashion) Hydrosols contain all of the essence of the plant in every drop, just like essential oils but in a milder form; making them suitable for all manner of applications where essential oils would be too strong.

Noted author Jeanne Rose is quoted as saying...

"The best comes from a distillation where it is the hydrosol that is being produced rather than the essential oil. Often the best comes from the earliest part of the distillation rather than the body of the distillation. This usually smells bright and pleasantly fragrant. Although, some of the therapeutic part of the hydrosol is also produced at the very end of the distillation, and usually has a rather grassy or vegetative note. As the plants are being distilled, micro-particles of essential oil are in suspension, they give the aromatic distillate its scent and will separate out as the hydrosol cools. There is approximately .02% essential oil in hydrosol".

Clinically, the chemical components in the hydrosol are primarily acids, which are hydrophilic (water-loving). Why do they work? Because they acidify the water or the product, which is beneficial to the skin or in the body. Thus the hydrosol acts as a healing anti-inflammatory and mild, but therapeutic antiseptic. Bacteria do not live well in acidic environments, which is why acidic liquids such as vinegar make good preservatives for food items like pickles, Chile peppers and Olives. Acidic environments are astringent and so the hydrosols are useful in skin care products as astringents constrict and contract the tissues. Hydrosols can be used externally in skin care products, internally as a douche, taken as a tonic or combined in a beverage drink. They also make lovely food mists as Rose water has been employed for such reasons for quite some time.

Source: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/whatishydrosol.html