Hydrosols and Floral Waters
Overview–
Please listen to Jinny’s orientation.
Then, head over to the Ship’s Distillation Deck. You can get to Deck 2 using the aft stairwell. The Distillation Deck is at the end of the corridor, the second door to your right. Bring a beverage and get comfy. Pierre, the Ship’s Pirate, operates the distillation unit and will be around for the day. Pepe the Parrot invited his father, Popper, who is larger than life and will oversee the event. Be careful what you say; Popper is a notorious snitch. Pierre loves to brew alcoholic drinks and hydrosols, so expect an enjoyable day!
You can find a place to sit around the distillation unit, read the notes below, and listen to the videos. A download is at the bottom of the page.
Definition:
Hydrosol is the broader name for the scented water created when steam distilling plant material, including bark, seeds, leaves, and resins. The term Floral water is often used interchangeably, but more specifically refers to water made from flower petals.
How To Make Them:
When steam distilling plants, the essential oils are usually considered the prize product obtained, but hydrosols (the water component left over from the steam distillation process) also have superb potential. The water-soluble compounds of the plant have qualities similar to those of essential oil, but they are not precisely the same. One reason for the difference is that with hydrosols, the water-soluble part of the plant is mainly extracted, making them chemically different from essential oils. Because hydrosols are more dilute and subtle than essential oils, they are also more gentle. This makes them more suitable for facial skin and children’s needs. Mermaids are very attracted to water of all types, but hydrosols are particularly appealing to them. Moira the Mermaid is creating sea rose hydrosol.
Cautions:
Hydrosols are safer than essential oils and less likely to cause reactions. However, individual sensitivities to any plant can still exist. Always check for allergies and sensitivities before proceeding. Like essential oils, hydrosols contain characteristics of the plant they are made from, so not all hydrosols are equally safe.
Please always make sure your hydrosols are fresh. Refrigerate. They do not last as long as essential oils. When they smell a bit off or start to look scuzzy and “bloom,” throw them out. Their lifespan when refrigerated is about two years. I have had some last significantly longer. They are only as pure as the water and technique used to make them. I have heard horror stories of hydrosols being made with poor-quality water and unsanitary methods. Your product is only as good as the original plants, supplies, and procedures. Use good water and sanitary procedures. Do not take hydrosols internally, as they may have a high bacterial count.
Review the Steam Distillation Video:
Refresh your memory on the wonders of hydrosols by watching the video on steam distillation in the Practical Potions Introductory course, where Robert shows you how to make a hydrosol in your home. (To review, go to Practical Potions Introductory-Unit 3-I). https://www.northernstarcourses.com/lesson/i-distillation-the-wizardry-of-creating-the-elixirs/
If you have yet to try making them, Hydrosols are lovely for small-scale aromatherapists to create with local plant material. You will know precisely what you are getting if you make them yourself. Experimenting with your distillations will also give you some unique products. Below are some of the main hydrosols you can buy readily on the market for skincare.
You can make hydrosols with suitable local plants or buy dried plant material from a reputable source.
Hydrosol Chapter Overview, Video
Hydrosols Commonly Used For Skin Care-
Calendula Hydrosol- 
Benefits: Calendula hydrosol soothes irritated skin, promotes healing, is anti-inflammatory, and hydrates.
Major Components: Alpha-cadinol, delta-cadinene, and eucalyptol.
Use in Practice: It is ideal for soothing and repairing sensitive or damaged skin. Use it in cream formulas or as a base for compresses. It can also be a calming facial toner or an after-sun spray.
Roman Chamomile—
Benefits: It is calming for skin irritations, anti-inflammatory, and soothing for acne. The flowers are used to make the hydrosol.
Major Components: Bisabolol, chamazulene, and alpha-bisabolol oxides.
Use in Practice: Known for its soothing qualities, chamomile is perfect for red, inflamed, dry, or itchy skin. It’s universally gentle and calming for skin and emotions. Wet a cotton pad with chamomile hydrosol to gently cleanse and tone your skin. It’s safe for children, barring any allergies to the plant. Soothing qualities. 
Cornflower, also called Bachelor Button.
Cucumber Hydrosol
Many of us have used raw cucumbers on our eyelids to soothe our eyes. The Hydrosol offers a similarly refreshing experience.
Benefits: It is cooling, hydrating, toning, and excellent for puffy eyes. It is made from cucumber fruit.
Major Components: Caffeic acid, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), and folic acid.
Use in Practice: Refreshing and cooling, it’s perfect as a facial spritz on a hot day or to soothe tired, puffy eyes. Incorporate it in facial masks or use it as a hydrating moisturizer component.
Helichrysum –
Helichrysum Hydrosol, made from flowers, promotes skin healing, is anti-inflammatory, reduces redness, and is excellent for mature skin.
Major Components: Neryl acetate, gamma-curcumene, and italicene.
Please use this in practice: Treasure this in your anti-aging formulations. It’s beautiful as a spray for mature skin or in any product aimed at reducing the signs of aging and promoting skin regeneration. This supremely soothing hydrosol may help with eczema and overall skin healing. It also makes a good cleanser and toner for sensitive skin.
Lavender
Benefits: As you know, lavender is a panacea for the skin. It balances, soothes, and gently clarifies acne and heals minor cuts and burns. Lavender hydrosol is made from lavender flowers. It is suitable for any skin type as long as there is no sensitivity. Lavender heals dry, infected, or irritated skin. Lavender hydrosol is also safe for children.
Major Components: Linalool, linalyl acetate, and camphor.
Use in Practice: A versatile staple. It can be used as a cleanser and toner for day and night and balances all skin types. Add to soothing creams or as a calming spray for bed linens.
Melissa
This lemon-scented hydrosol distilled from plant leaves is anti-inflammatory for most skin types but most helpful for oily skin, as it is mildly astringent. It calms skin and may help stop herpes eruptions, although it is probably more effective as an essential oil. Do not use it if you are pregnant.
Major Components: Geranial, neral, and beta-caryophyllene.
Use in Practice: This product is excellent for oily or stressed skin. It can be used as a cleansing routine or as a refreshing facial mist. Its uplifting scent also makes it a fantastic room spray.
Orange Blossom/ Neroli
This gentle hydrosol made from orange blossoms is fabulous for mature skin. It regenerates, hydrates, and balances oily and dry skin, promoting a glowing complexion.
Major Components: Linalool, linalyl acetate, and limonene.
Use in Practice: Add luxury to your formulas with Neroli. It’s fantastic for facial toners, creams, or hydrating mist.
Orange flowers make my skin feel glorious, and the scent is light and magical. My husband perceives a cat urine odour with it, so individual interpretation occurs.
Peppermint Hydrosol
Benefits: Cooling, refreshing, helps control excess oil, and invigorates tired skin. It is made from peppermint leaves.
Major Components: Menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate.
Use in Practice: It is excellent for a refreshing facial spritz, especially after a workout or during hot weather. It can also be used in foot sprays or creams for cooling properties.
Rose- Major Components: Citronellol, geraniol, and nerol.
Use in Practice: Perfect for all skin types, this queen of flowers makes an exceptional facial toner and cleanser that has been well-loved through time. It is gentle, rich, luxurious, and suitable for most skin types. It can also be used as a toner, in creams, or as a refreshing body mist. Its soothing properties make it ideal for sensitive skin, and its scent uplifts emotions.
Rose Geranium-
This hydrosol, made from geranium leaves, is decadent and effective for cleansing and toning skin.
Benefits: Balancing sebum production, soothing irritated skin, mild astringent, emotional uplift.
Major Components: Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool.
Use in Practice: Facial toner and skincare formulations for balancing and soothing. All skin types can use it. It is anti-inflammatory and balancing to both skin and hormones.
Rosemary
Benefits: Enhances circulation, clarifies oily skin, has antioxidant properties, and is beneficial for hair. It is made from rosemary leaves.
Major Components: 1,8-Cineole, Camphor, Alpha-Pinene.
Use in Practice: This is an excellent toner for oily skin and acne. Rosemary hydrosol is a scalp tonic and can be used as a post-exercise spray. I like to spray it onto my “halo” and wake up my brain. A rosemary spritz is a great way to come alive in the morning.
Witchhazel
Benefits: It is astringent, anti-inflammatory, excellent for acne-prone skin, and reduces pore size. It is made from the plant’s twigs and leaves.
Major Components: Tannins, gallic acid, and catechins.
Use in Practice: Use it in toners or spot treatments for acne-prone skin. Its astringent properties make it practical for tightening pores and soothing irritation. Put some on a compress to soothe hemorrhoids.
Flower Essence Society
Yarrow
Benefits: Yarrow hydrosol, made from yarrow flowers, calms irritation, promotes skin healing, regulates oil production, and is astringent.
Major Components: Chamazulene, Pinene, Cineole.
Use in Practice: Yarrow hydrosol is a soothing toner. It also treats acne and cuts, aids emotional balance, and soothes aftershaves.
This lovely flower is anti-inflammatory and healing. Yarrow, a hydrosol and essential oil, is a balancing for the skin and has some anti-wrinkle properties.
Ylang
The hydrosol, made from ylang flowers, balances oil production, enhances mood, promotes healthy skin, and soothes stress-related skin issues.
Major Components: Germacrene D, β-Caryophyllene, α-Farnesene.
Use in Practice: Ylang is a facial toner for combination skin and an ingredient in mood-enhancing aromatherapy blends. It is also a superb addition to relaxing bath routines and skincare products.
The “flower of flowers” as a hydrosol is terrific for young, oily skin.
The following link is to a worthwhile article on Hydrosols.
Making and Using Hydrosols- Home Distilling by Cathy Skipper
Go to the downloads below for a small handout about Hydrosols in your Practical Potions Journal.
If this topic interests you and you want to know more, Robert Rogers has written a very informative book on hydrosols called- Scents of Wonder, Oils, and Waters. You can find it at Amazon.ca or Amazon.com.