Still Rooms were a very important part of the ancient household. Hydrosols have
historical uses dating as far back as 1527, where in grand households and
castles, kitchen witching was alive and well. Country women were drying freshly
harvested plants, distilling spirituous waters, infusing teas, brewing decoctions and creating medicaments.

Hydrosols, also known as spiritous or aromatic waters, are lovingly referred to as the co-product of the distillation process. Hydrosols have multiple healing benefits for skin and hair, and most can be taken internally as well. Hydrosols are perfect in first aid treatments, such as sitz baths and can be applied to wounds to disinfect, hydrate, heal and soothe skin, as well as to tonify and tighten pores.

Hydrosols, may be considered ‘the inseparable qualities of oil and water' and they have multiple healing benefits. Some plants are rich with pockets of essential oil/aromatic molecules, such as lavender and sage, while other plants are more delicate and have less to offer, for example wild rose and chamomile. I imagine you would need a 100L still to receive a small skimming of wild rose essential oil, if at all. That would be an aromatic blessing!

In distillation, the plant material is placed in a pot with water, and when steam distilling, the plant material is placed in the column that sits over the water. This would be referred to as Hydro/Steam Distillation.

Contained impeccably, so as not to let any steam escape, the water is heated slowly. As the plants open with the heat, their pockets of potent essential oil molecules are released, and they begin to rise up, liberated within the steam, to then cool and condense into an alchemized liquid state.

As an Artisan Distiller with a 10L and a 20L still, I primarily obtain Hydrosols, however there have been special occasions when I have received small amounts of essential oil. When I distilled Artemesia tridentata, (Desert Sage) in my 20L, I received 15ml of essential oil.

There are a couple of ways to separate the essential oil from the aromatic water. Professionals use a separatory funnel with a tap underneath that will pour off from the bottom which provides more control to separate oil from water. You can also use a pipette on the surface, where the oil sits, and bit by bit pull essential oil from the top, however IMO this is very fiddly and extremely challenging to only draw off the oil and not the water.

If you have any questions about distillation, hydrosols and essential oils, please feel free to reach out to me. In the summer I offer Distillation in Dentville, which is where I live. These are wonderful distillation experiences, and if you get a chance to join you won’t be disappointed. Please join my mailing list for updates on what is happening!

Essential oils are concentrated essences and it is beneficial to use a base to carry them into the skin to avoid sensitization. You can dilute essential oils in a carrier such as jojoba/olive oil, lotion, water, or any vegetable based medium. Some essential oils may be used neat on the skin, such as lavender and tea tree.

When using essential oils for environmental aroma, you can use a diffuser which can be either electric or candle lit, with water in the vessel or a more clinical diffuser uses (a lot) of essential oil alone. When the essential oils are warmed or agitated, the aromatic molecules rise and are released into the air.

Essential oils are concentrated plant essences produced mainly by hydro/steam distillation, and also by expression (squeezing the rind of a fruit).

The definition of an Essential oil, as far as the industry goes, is that essential oils are extracted in as pure and natural a process as possible.

Other important considerations include how the plant was grown, harvested and distilled. Temperature is a factor in the distillation process so as not to damage the plants odiferous molecules by boiling at too high of a temperature. Slow and steady with a sanitized still and meticulous care are of utmost importance. After distillation, the trip to suppliers and ensuring integrity is upheld to not add, stretch or adulterate, compromising the purity of the essential oil is paramount. I have been told that a large portion of the essential oils on the market are stretched and adulterated.

There are a number of methods to extract aromatics from a plant and some involve using chemical solvents. In Aromatherapy, these products are not considered essential oils specifically, but may have more of a place in the perfume industry. C02 extracts have gained popularity and have been in use more frequently, however they are not specifically considered essential oils.

It is important to me that my impact on Mother Earth (Pachamama) be gentle, loving and always in balance. For me harvesting sustainably requires close attention to what the plant is offering to me. Looking at the health and vibrancy of the leaves and flowers and how plentiful and prolific the plant is.

I ask permission to the plant and listen to the answer before harvesting. I can often tell right away if a plant is offering itself to me. For me, this is right relationship with that plant.

Another element to harvesting sustainably, is to give offerings back to the plant for their gift to me. Offerings may be sacred tobacco or sage that I have grown myself, or in a pinch I will pluck my hair to give to the plant when I harvest. When I wildcraft St. John’s wort flowers and wild rose petals from nature, I have also poured my wild rose infused oil at the base of the plant. This reminds me of the Star card in the Tarot. She pours water onto the earth and at the same time pours water back to its source, the water. A beautiful example of reciprocity.

Connecting with the plant is key. Building relationship and listening. Giving thanks and making prayers. Walking gently. To me that is how I harvest sustainably.

There’s been a lot of discussion about ingesting essential oils, and it’s important to address this topic clearly. Ingesting essential oils is something I take seriously and requires education as well as pure, genuine and authentic essential oils.With over 20 years in the aromatherapy industry, I have been part of many discussions around the benefits and concerns around the internal use of essential oils. Internal use is possible, and my biggest takeaway from these conversations is around QUALITY of essential oils, in addition to receiving proper guidance from a certified aromatherapist who is trained to take into consideration the essential oil, it’s chemical constituents and is doing so, responsibly and respectfully.

In one of my trainings, we learned to create ‘medicine balls”, which involves creating an essential oil synergy, and factors in the person weight, the chemical constituents of the oils and the issue to address. (Respiratory conditions are a great candidate for medicine balls.) Drops of the synergy are added into a bowl with coconut flour and molasses and then rolled into very small balls'. These would be taken 2-3x a day. The actual amount of essential oil contained in each ball would equate to perhaps 1-2 drops of essential oil. In other words, a very small amount of very specific essential oils chosen with care and consideration.

There are other ways to ingest essential oils, but the big question here is about quality. Purchasing essential oils that are pure, natural, and organic, directly from an aromatherapist, distiller or reputable source purchasing directly from the distiller.

Therapeutic essential oils + informed practices = Therapeutic benefits.

If you have any questions around the benefits and best practices of internal or external use of essential oils, please reach out to me anytime.

Your health and wellness depends on the informed choices you make.