Rose Hydrolat

What are Hydrolats?
Hydrolats are the pure water that is produced during the distillation process. When plants or flowers are put into the still or distillation tank, they are subjected to either boiling water, steam or both. The steam softens the aromatic cells of the plant, and the essential oil that is contained within is released as a vapor. This vapor mixes with the steam and is only separated again as the steam cools in the condensing tank. The essential oil molecules separate from the steam, which has cooled, and float to the surface, forming a distinct layer on top of the water. The top layer is the essential oil, and the water below is now referred to as “hydrolat” or “flower water,” if it comes from flowers.

The hydrolat is a distinct product of the distillation process and can, according to Jeanne Rose, be termed 100% distilled, non-alcoholic distillates. They cannot be manufactured synthetically in the laboratory. hydrolats are not to be confused with simply adding some essential oil to water. True hydrolats come only from the distillation process and carry minute particles of essential oil held in suspension and the water-loving properties of the plant that was distilled. In most hydrolats, there is less than 5% actual essential oil. Their aromas are typically mild and subtle with an herby or grassy overtone indicative of their authentic and therapeutic qualities. Hydrolats can be sprayed directly on the skin or added to bath, foot soaks or used as a compress. Hydrolats typically contain less than 1% of components found in the essential oil. The other principal constituents of hydrolats are the hydrophilic (water-loving) compounds and are not found found in the essential oil at all.

Kurt Schnaubelt wrote in, Medical Aromatherapy, that hydrolats are highly tolerable, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic substances.

Jeanne Rose notes that hydrolats are typically used full strength or can be diluted with water or in tea and used as a therapeutic drink (1 tablespoon/liter). She writes, “As herbs are to homeopathy, so are essential oils to hydrosols. Hydrosols represent the true synergy of herbalism and aromatherapy."

Robert Tisserand wrote on his Facebook Essential Training page: "Using hydrosols instead of essential oils is a safer option for children under six years of age. These "floral waters" contain a significantly lower concentration of aromatic molecules while still providing an effective therapeutic tool. Most hydrosols contain 2000 times lower concentration of aromatic molecules than essentail oils. This makes them a good and much safer option for children under the age of six. Apply Lavender hydrosol to diaper rash or to calm eczema."
[HEO's Comment: Tisserand refers to the hydrolat as "floral waters," but according to Perchon/Cantele, technically "a floral water can be made by steeping plant materials in alcohol, then following with steam distillation and then a second distillation. The result is a concentrated distilled water, these processes do not yield a true hydrolat - they lack some of the hydrophilic compounds."]