There is a hint of alchemy in the air when using a traditional 'alembic' copper still to create your own hydrosols. It could be because of the way the copper glows, or the meditative practice of gathering and preparing plant matter for the still, or the quiet rumbling sound as the water starts to boil, or the joy of seeing the first few drops of vapour make their way through the condenser and into the waiting jug. Then there is the smell. Bliss.
In her book '375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols', aromatherapist Jeanne Rose says that "Hydrosol represents the true synergy of herbalism and aromatherapy." It is more than aroma that makes hydrosols so special. They are one end product of the steam distillation process and contain the water-soluble volatile components of the plant being distilled, while the essential oils contain the oily, lipid volatile components of the plant matter used. These compounds contribute to the complex therapeutic efficacy of a plant. The aromatic hydrosols tend to be milder and less irritating than the more concentrated essential oils, making them a valuable addition to a range of skincare products and useful around the home. I use hydrosols as an active ingredient in toner sprays and moisturisers, carefully selecting them based on these qualities. For example, chamomile hydrosol is soothing and anti-inflammatory, while geranium hydrosol is valued as a skin balancer.
The practice of creating hydrosols and essential oils for use in medicine and beauty has been recorded over the past few thousand years. It was a female alchemist and scientist, known as Maria Prophetissa, in the ancient city of Alexandria around the third century, who is credited with inventing a distillation machine that harnessed steam and so enabled the art of creating hydrosols, alcohol and essential oils. She described the essential oil it produced as 'an angel who descends from the sky' and when one smells the beautiful fragrance of freshly distilled aromatic plant matter such as lavender, rosemary, or fir needles, it is easy to agree with her.
The distillation process is simple: plant material is placed in the copper still along with water, which is brought to the boil. It is believed that the best stills are made from copper because it removes the yeast and sulphur that can make hydrosols smell bad. The steam runs through a cooler where it condenses and the non-alcoholic liquid distillate, or hydrosol, is gathered. The essential oil will appear as a thin film on top of the hydrosol. These are then separated.
