Floral Waters/Hydrosols/Hydrolats
When plant material is subjected to steam distillation two products are produced; the essential oil and the hydrosol (also called Floral Waters or Hydrolates). Hydrosols are water solutions which contain some of the water-soluble micro-molecules of the essential oil in addition to the water-soluable plant components. While essential oils are highly concentrated substances, hydrosols are far gentler as only a very small percentage of the aromatic molecules will remain in the water. Hydrosols can be used in a variety of ways e.g. as a spritzer (spray), as a skin toner, in compresses, when making creams, soaps or lotions hydrosols can be used instead of water.
Some Uses of Hydrosols
| Hydrosol | Use |
| Rose | Good for all skin types as a freshner or toner. Add to cotton pads to put on irritated tired eyes. Use in a facial or body spray or compress. |
| Neroli | Good for combination and sensitive skin types. Good as a room spray when feeling anxious or stressed out. |
| Lavender | Good for normal and sensitive skin types. Excellent for soothing sunburn. Spray on pillows for a good sleep (especially helpful when away from home). Lavender is good for stress and helps reduce mental fatigue. |
| Roman Chamomile | Good for dry, sensitive and inflammed skin. Add to cotton pads to put on irritated tired eyes. Good as a room spray to calm irritated babies and young children. |
| Lemon Verbena | Mildly astringent and good for oily skins. Good in a spritzer to clean and disinfect the air. |
| Rosemary | Good for sallow skin that needs stimulation and regeneration. |
| Helichrysum | Good for rejuvenating mature or damaged skin. Healing and soothing for inflamed skin conditions. |
| Geranium | Good for mature skins. Excellent in a spritzer to cool a hot flash. |
| Peppermint | Excellent as a cooling and deodorizing foot spray. |
References:
Jan Kusmirek, Aromatherapy Quarterly, Summer 1996, No.49, 1996
Beverley Hawkins, Aromatherapy 101 Course Notes & Aromatherapy 201 Course Notes, 1999.