This past weekend I was visiting with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. We were discussing our love for Evan Healy's lavender facial hydrosol. According to Healy, "Pure plant hydrosols are some of nature's best antioxidants. They play
an important role in protecting the skin from free radicals and
pollution. Saturating the skin daily with these precious waters restores
pH balance, promotes cell repair, refreshes and tones skin tissue,
maintaining soft and smooth skin while significantly increasing vitality
and hydration to all skin conditions."
What exactly is a hydrosol? Hydrosols are the water byproducts from steam distillation. Roberta Wilson writes in her book, Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty, "Though their properties are often similar to essential oils, they are much less potent than essential oils and are safer to use."
The one problem with Evan Healy's hydrosols is that they are expensive. Which led us to the internet in search of a way to make our own hydrosol. Low and behold the power of the internet never disappoints and we were quickly brewing up a batch of our own lavender hydrosol.
Materials Needed:
Large stock pot
fresh herbs or plant material (we used lavender, but you could try lemon and thyme, geranium, or rose petals)
rocks or something to elevate interior dish
bowl for collecting hydrosol (interior dish)
glass lid
bags of ice
We first put several rocks in our stock pot/pan and then arranged the fresh lavender clippings around the rocks. Fill the pot with water making sure the water does not go above the level of the rocks. We then took a small bowl and placed it on the rocks (this collects the hydrosol). Place the pot and its contents on the stove and begin to simmer. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat, and then place a glass lid turned upside down on top of the pot. Place bags of ice on top of the lid.
As the steam from the simmering herb/water blend hits the lid it will condense and drop into the collection bowl--this is the hydrosol! We left our pot simmering for about four hours and collected enough hydrosol for several containers.
In case you would like video instructions of this process, here is the video that we watched. Enjoy!
The one problem with Evan Healy's hydrosols is that they are expensive. Which led us to the internet in search of a way to make our own hydrosol. Low and behold the power of the internet never disappoints and we were quickly brewing up a batch of our own lavender hydrosol.
Materials Needed:
Large stock pot
fresh herbs or plant material (we used lavender, but you could try lemon and thyme, geranium, or rose petals)
rocks or something to elevate interior dish
bowl for collecting hydrosol (interior dish)
glass lid
bags of ice
As the steam from the simmering herb/water blend hits the lid it will condense and drop into the collection bowl--this is the hydrosol! We left our pot simmering for about four hours and collected enough hydrosol for several containers.
In case you would like video instructions of this process, here is the video that we watched. Enjoy!
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