What Are Hydrosols?

Have you heard of hydosols?  I had not until recently so I started doing some research on what they are used for and found it quite interesting.  The "short and sweet" explanation of a hydrosol... when plants are being steam distilled or hydro distilled for their essential oil properties the water that remains from the steam distilation process is the hydrosol.  Hydrosols have the same aroma and therapeutic properties and can be sprayed directly onto the body whereas some essential oils need to be mixed with a carrier.  Hydrosols can be sprayed on the skin, on to your sheets at night or just into the air as a freshener.  Love it!  

One thing that kept popping up while doing the research is to be careful you are really getting a pure hydrosol.   Same with purchasing essential oils it is important to get pure 100% essential oils.  There is a lot of essential oils floating around now that they have become so popular and many are not 100% essential oil.  Some have what they call "fillers" and will only be a small amount of actual essential oil.  So apparently it is the same with hydrosols.  Some are sold as floral waters which is water with drops of essential oil added.  so just be aware of what you are purchasing.

Here are a few common hydrosols and their therapeutic properties found on https://naha.org (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy:

German Chamomile:  anti-inflammatory, cooling, inflammatory skin conditions
Clary Sage:  PMS, hot flashes, anti-depression, astringent
Lavender:  relaxing, anti-inflammatory
Neroli/Orange Flower:  stress relieving, all around skin care, astrigent
Witch Hazel:  astrigent, insect bites, oily skin, acne, wound cleanser

Here are just a couple of places that I have heard about where you can purchase hydrosols.  I am not endorsing them but here is a good place to start researching for yourself.

www.mountainroseherbs.com
www.aromatics.com

Enjoy!