Floral Waters & Hydrosols

Hydrosols are a by-product of distilling essential oils. Raw plant material, consisting of the flowers, leaves, wood, bark, roots, seeds, or peel, is put into an alembic** (distillation apparatus) over water, and the volatile compounds are vapourized as the water is heated. The vapour flows into a cooling tank, and as the steam condenses, the essential oil, which is lighter than water, floats on top. This water is referred to as a hydrosol, hydrolat, or plant water essence, and each type has its own unique properties in line with the properties of the essential oil. The most commonly known hydrosols are rose water, lavender water, and orange blossom water, however there is an extensive range available including bergamot, chamomile roman, geranium and ylang ylang.

Here at Amor, I grow my favourite plants, along with my elderly neighbour who has been growing herbs for over 70 years. When we harvest them, I distill my own hydrosols and use them in my products, as well as having seasonal batches available here for you to purchase.

As all hydrosols have a very short shelf life, commercially distilled varieties have paraben preservatives added to them to extend their shelf life. Hence you won't find any of those sold on my website.

So on that note we have done a lot of research, found old recipes on how to create our own floral waters and have come up with a formula that works, using essential oils, distilled water and one of nature's oldest preservatives, salt.

**An alembic is an alchemical still consisting of two retorts connected by a tube. Technically, the alembic is only the upper part (the capital or still-head), but the word was often used to refer to the entire distillation apparatus. The alembic was invented circa 800 AD by the alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan. It was an important innovation, which made easy and systematic the process of distillation.

So what can you do with a Floral water?

Created locally from TGA Approved and Organic essential oils, these waters are extremely versatile.

Floral Waters can be added to a bath, added to the manufacturing process in place of normal water when creating your own products, used as a deodorant, facial spritzers, room sprays, linen sprays and for direct application to the skin, as a cooling agent, in a soothing hot bath, in saunas, in hair care applications, as a fragrance or base for your cologne/perfume blend, or for massage and as a simple way for the novice aromatherapist to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.

Floral Waters can be put into spray bottles and used as a fragrant and refreshing tonic to use on your skin after cleansing or for a pick-me-up during the day. They help refine open pores, minimise oiliness and ensure complete removal of cleansing products and makeup. Important Note: It is important that these natural Floral Waters be kept in cool, dark places. Refrigeration is recommended in order to inhibit bacteria growth that can naturally occur over time.