Hydrosols (or hydrolates) usually refer to the by-product of essential oil distillation - a true hydrosol is made of condensed water captured after steam distillation. With similar properties to essential oils, these aromatic waters are much less concentrated. In some parts of the world, hydrosols have been used for centuries in home remedies and by practitioners of traditional medicine.
Their aromas are often soft and subtle when compared to their essential oil counterpart. They usually have a scent similar to their essential oil, but also can have a greener note, mostly due to the fact that the water soluble constituents in the plant material that are not present in the essential oil.
Hydrosols and floral waters are not strictly the same, as the first are also produced from roots, barks, needles, fruits or seeds.
They contain all of the plant in every drop: the water soluble components, the essential oil molecules and the fluid that was running through the plant cells when it was harvested.
Having (for most part) amazing smells and taste, they can be used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.
They can be perfect to finish your skincare cleaning routine, just spraying some “pssshhts” before your moisturiser, or you can also dilute them in cold or hot water and drink them to benefit from its properties- easy as that!
There are A LOT of different plant hydrosols. Here follows a little list of some, as well as their properties so you can start using them right away:
Calendula: skin healing properties (sun burns, bruises,...), antibacterial, anti-oxidant, stimulated digestion and liver activities,...
Wild Carrot: skin regenerative properties (good for dry and sensitive skin), diuretic, stimulated bile production,...
Fennel: stimulates digestion, stimulated toxin elimination by the kidneys, anti-inflammatory,...
Chamomile: good for eye and skin inflammations, reinforces immunity, helps to calm digestion problems, reduce anxiety,...
Lemon Balm: it helps in reducing stress and anxiety (and the digestive problems associated with it), great ally to all the respiratory affections (flu, cough, asthma,...), stimulates the liver and the gallbladder,...