Aromatic Waters
What are Aromatic Waters?
An aromatic water is water enriched with both the essential oils and the water-soluble
volatile components of a plant. They are also known as ‘hydrosols’, and were historically
created as a by-product of the steam distillation of essential oils from plants. Now they are
produced in their own right, for their medicinal properties. They are much safer to use than
pure essential oils as this method extracts gentler-acting constituents from the plant.
Why Make An Aromatic Water?
Aromatic waters are beautiful, fragrant & gentle medicines, which can be used in a huge
variety of ways, both internally & externally. Unlike essential oils which are very potent &
can damage the mucous membranes of the body, aromatic waters are very safe to take,
have no contraindications and can be used for long periods of time. They don’t interfere
with medication and are suitable for babies, children & breast feeding women, and people
who choose not to, or cannot take herbs in alcohol.
Aromatic waters only need a tiny quantity of plant material as compared to making
essential oils e.g. to make one litre of lavender essential oil you need an average of 150kg
of lavender flowers. To make one litre of hydrosol, 2 kilos of fresh plant material is usually
sufficient.
Making Aromatic Waters
Essentially the process of creating an aromatic water is to separate volatile
liquids from the non-volatile parts of the plant. Water is heated to create
steam which rises & passes through your plant parts. The steam bursts
open the cells of the plant & then carries the light, aromatic molecules
along with it. Sometimes an essential oil will be floating on the surface of
the aromatic water, which you can gather if you choose.
To do this you need: a ‘still’ in which water is heated, a ‘condenser’ to cool
the vapour, and a ‘receiver’ to collect the distillate. Traditionally copper
stills are used for distillation – they are stunningly beautiful & available to
buy online, but are expensive for infrequent home use, and the same re-
sult can be achieved on a small scale with a simple home-made still made out of common
household items.
DIY Home Still – What You Will Need:
• a medium or large pot with a lid
• a small bowl to place inside the pot
• something sturdy to stand the bowl on to stop it moving
e.g. a steamer or brick (see left)
• a few separate freezer bags filled with ice cubes.
• Optional: (wetted filter paper & pipette for catching any
essential oil produced)
Instructions:
1. Clean your equipment
2. If harvesting your own plant material, collect on a dry,
sunny & still morning for best results
What are Aromatic Waters?
An aromatic water is water enriched with both the essential oils and the water-soluble
volatile components of a plant. They are also known as ‘hydrosols’, and were historically
created as a by-product of the steam distillation of essential oils from plants. Now they are
produced in their own right, for their medicinal properties. They are much safer to use than
pure essential oils as this method extracts gentler-acting constituents from the plant.
Why Make An Aromatic Water?
Aromatic waters are beautiful, fragrant & gentle medicines, which can be used in a huge
variety of ways, both internally & externally. Unlike essential oils which are very potent &
can damage the mucous membranes of the body, aromatic waters are very safe to take,
have no contraindications and can be used for long periods of time. They don’t interfere
with medication and are suitable for babies, children & breast feeding women, and people
who choose not to, or cannot take herbs in alcohol.
Aromatic waters only need a tiny quantity of plant material as compared to making
essential oils e.g. to make one litre of lavender essential oil you need an average of 150kg
of lavender flowers. To make one litre of hydrosol, 2 kilos of fresh plant material is usually
sufficient.
Making Aromatic Waters
Essentially the process of creating an aromatic water is to separate volatile
liquids from the non-volatile parts of the plant. Water is heated to create
steam which rises & passes through your plant parts. The steam bursts
open the cells of the plant & then carries the light, aromatic molecules
along with it. Sometimes an essential oil will be floating on the surface of
the aromatic water, which you can gather if you choose.
To do this you need: a ‘still’ in which water is heated, a ‘condenser’ to cool
the vapour, and a ‘receiver’ to collect the distillate. Traditionally copper
stills are used for distillation – they are stunningly beautiful & available to
buy online, but are expensive for infrequent home use, and the same re-
sult can be achieved on a small scale with a simple home-made still made out of common
household items.
DIY Home Still – What You Will Need:
• a medium or large pot with a lid
• a small bowl to place inside the pot
• something sturdy to stand the bowl on to stop it moving
e.g. a steamer or brick (see left)
• a few separate freezer bags filled with ice cubes.
• Optional: (wetted filter paper & pipette for catching any
essential oil produced)
Instructions:
1. Clean your equipment
2. If harvesting your own plant material, collect on a dry,
sunny & still morning for best results
