Hydrosols

Hydrosols -- or Distillates as they are often called -- are the natural "plant waters" or "floral waters" that are produced during steam distillation or hydro-distillation. Hydrosols are wonderful in natural skin care products and can also be used in aromatherapy. To be classified as a distillate or as a hydrosol, these "plant waters" MUST be distilled from botanical material. In the recent past, distillate water was considered the by-product of essential oil production and was discarded. More recently, these pure distillate waters - also called hydrosols - have been recognized for their own inherent characteristics and qualities. Hydrosols typically represent the water-soluble constituents of the botanical with some volatile components such as the essential oils. Depending on the botanical and the season harvested, our hydrosols contain varying amounts of essential oil.

Whoopeekiddies source for only the best quality and organically grown plants. The hydrosols we have are distilled for the sole purpose of obtaining a quality distillate or hydrosol and are not a by-product of essential oil production. Both hydro-distillation and steam distillation technique are used to obtain our high quality hydrosols or distillates.

A word about our "lemon balm" and "calendula" from the distiller herself:

• I do not use any fertilizers or pesticides on my herbs so yes, they are organic. However, to use the words 'certified organic' you may know that it requires
  significant paper work and documentation as well as a 5-year process to do so. I doubt I will ever decide to use those words because of it. However, I do like using the words 'grown sustainbly' because I think that says more about the way it was grown. I try to use things available to me on the farm (animal manure as fertilizer) and reduce the use of petroleum fuels (meaning I do alot of back breaking work and buy things that I need locally).
• Another plus point about my hydrosols is that the herbs are grown at high altitude and distilled at high altitude - we are at 5,000 ft. Higher elevation can lead to more aromatic compounds in herbs and high altitude distillation is gentler because boiling occurs at a lower temperature.

The Hydrosols are available on a seasonal and limited basis. The Hydrosols are for external use only. Preservatives (paraben-free) can be added to the Hydrosol on request.

Hydrosols and distillates can be used directly on skin unless otherwise specified. They are excellent as facial toners.

Each of these Floral Waters can be added to a bath, added to the manufacturing process in place of normal water, used as a deodorant, facial spritzer, for direct application to the skin, as a cooling agent, in saunas, in hair care applications, as a fragrance or for massage.

Hydrosol Properties Chart

Much of this information Compiled from Suzanne Catty's Book Hydrosols. A must have book for anyone really serious about hydrosols!

Hydrosol:	Best for skin type:	Properties:
Basil	Any, especially oily, acne or aging skin	Antioxidant, Anti Bacterial, Anti Inflammatory, Free Radical Scavenging, Anti Stress, Helps with Digestion, Antiseptic, Balancing
Carrot Seed	Any, especially irritated, dry, aging skin	Anti Inflammatory. Used for mature, aging skin. Used in facial applications it is wonderfully cell rejuvenating and excellent for treating scar tissue and wrinkles. Great for eczema and psoriasis.
Chamomile German	Any, especially irritated, acne, oily skin	Anti Inflammatory, Anti Bacterial and Antiseptic. Very calming! Great for burns. Improves elasticity of skin, soothes red irritated skin, reduces puffiness, helps with dark circles under the eyes. It is beneficial for allergic and hypersensitive skin as well as eczema. Also great for Eczema, Psoriasis, itching, spider veins. Baby safe!
Chamomile Roman	Any especially inflamed, irritated, acneic or aging skin	All purpose hydrosol. Great for burns. Very soothing, helps calm rashes, rosacea, acne. Astringent. Great skin cleanser. Baby safe!
Clary Sage	Any skin type, but especially oily!	Astringent. Anti Inflammatory. Has a smell that some find not as likeable. Blended with other hydrosols the smell can be of great benefit to the emotions.
Cypress	Any, especially acneic	Great for relieving built up water retention. Excellent for acne. Can help with vericose veins. Cleaning and detoxifying. Very calming and soothing, astringent, antiseptic, styptic [stops bleeding]. Avoid in first trimester of pregnancy and if have kidney issues.
Cornflower	Any, especially dry, aging	Helps tone and firm skin. Great for hydrating dry skin. Help diminish fine lines. Great for giving hair shine. AVOID during first trimester of pregnancy due to phytohormones.
Elderflower	Any skin type	Considered a gentle circulatory stimulant, elder flower is also known or its effects on the nervous system by reducing physical and mental stress while promoting a sense of calm. Great for muscle aches or injuries.
Immortelle/Helichrysum	Any skin type	Helps to heal scar tissue. Great for bites, tings, bruises, and bumps.
Lavender	Any skin type	Anti Inflammatory, Calm & Soothing, toning, antiseptic, healing, astringent and rejuvenating! Great to clean cuts/scrapes. Baby safe!
Lemon Balm / Melissa	Any skin type especially oily	Antifungal. Relieves skin infection and breakouts and can cure herpes, cold sores, eczema, and general skin irritations. Has calming effects on mental stress and fatigue. Helps combat acne. Ease morning sickness and other discomforts during pregnancy. Baby Safe! Helpful in treating cradle cap. Great as a soothing wetting agent for natural baby wipes.
Lemon Verbana	Any, especially acneic	Calming. Great for acne.
Neroli	Any but especially Oily, Acne, Combo skin	Calming and destressing, yet uplifting, refreshing. It helps helps to balance the skin by boosting the flow of blood and controlling water retention. Beneficial for dull and oily complexions. Baby safe!
Rose Geranium	Any, especially aging	Amazing scent! Restore balance to irritated skin. Sensual, excellent for controlling PMS, hormonal swings. Skin balancing. Regenerating. Anti Inflammatory. Helps with acne, bruises, mild burns, cuts, eczema, hemorrhoids. Repels mosquitoes. May reduce cellulite deposits. Reputed to have an anti-aging effect on the skin.
Rose	Any, especially dry aging skin	Helps to reduce broken thread veins. Very hydrating. Mildly Astringent. Baby safe!
Sandalwood	Any, especially dry, mature	Super as a men's toner or after shave. This has a harmonizing and calming effect which reduces tension and confusion and is ideal for use in depression, hectic daily lifestyles and states of fear, stress, nervous exhaustion, chronic illness and anxiety. On the skin, sandalwood relieves itching and inflammation of the skin, and is most effective in relieving dehydrated skin and the astringent action has a great toning effect and is also used with great results in oily skin conditions and to prevent the skin from forming ugly scars and for fighting dry eczema.
Witch Hazel	All skin types. 2 types available, alcohol free or 14% alcohol. 14% alcohol type more suitable for oily skin as acohol aids in drying up skin. Alcohol also acts as a preservative.	Antioxidant, Anti Inflammatory, Use this hydrosol as a toner and cleansing agent. Helps with redness and rashes. Soothing to Eczema and Psoriasis. Calms bites/stings. Substitute for liquid phase in lotions and other aqueous solutions. Best Astringent around! Baby safe!
Yarrow	All skin types especially inflamed, irritated oily, acne skin	Antibacterial, Detoxifying, Antiseptic, Balancing, Anti Inflammatory. Helps with elimination of built up fluid in skin. Helpful with healing scars, varicose veins. Promotes healing. Great for bites, tings, bruises, and bumps. Baby safe!