Steam Distillation of herbs is a process used to extract essential oils, and other aromatic compounds from plant material. It's a common method for preserving and utilizing the beneficial properties of herbs for various purposes, including aromatherapy, culinary use, and herbal medicine.
Hydrosols, also known as floral waters or plant waters, are the byproduct of the steam distillation process used to extract essential oils from plants. They are the water-based solution left over after essential oils have been separated from the plant material.
Here's a general overview of the distillation process for extracting essential oils and hydrosols from herbs:
Selecting and Preparing Herbs: Choose fresh or dried herbs with high essential oil content. Clean the herbs to remove any dirt or debris.
Equipment Setup:
Boiler or Still: The plant material is placed in this section, often referred to as a boiler or still.
Condenser: This apparatus condenses the steam and vaporized essential oil into liquid form.
Collection Flask: The condensed liquid (a mixture of essential oil and water) is collected here.
Loading the Still:
Place the prepared herb material into the still.
For aromatic plants like lavender, rosemary, or peppermint, the leaves and flowers are often used.
Adding Water:
Add enough water to the still, because it will evaporate and you don’t want to burn the still.
Heating and Steam Generation:
Apply heat to the still, causing the water to boil and create steam.
The steam helps rupture the oil glands in the plant, releasing the essential oil, and also helps carry the essential oils and other aromatic compounds from the herb material.
Condensation and Collection:
As the steam travels through the still and into the condenser, it cools and condenses back into liquid form.
The condensed liquid, containing the essential oil and water, is collected in a separate container.
Separation of Essential Oil:
Since essential oils are lighter than water, they float on top of the collected liquid.
Hydrosols will be the aqueous layer, and essential oil will float on top.
The essential oil can be separated from the water through a process called decanting or by using a separating funnel.
Storage and Use:
The collected essential oil is stored in dark glass bottles to protect it from light and air. It can be used for aromatherapy, massage, in homemade cosmetics, or for other therapeutic and culinary purposes.
Pour the hydrosol (the water portion) into dark glass bottles for storage. Label the bottles with the plant material used and the date of distillation. Store the hydrosol in a cool, dark place to preserve its freshness and properties.
Essential oil can be used in herbal remedies, aromatherapy, massage oils, skincare formulations, baths, inhalation, household cleansing, cooking, and flavoring.
More about Essential oil benefits and uses
Hydrosols can be used as refreshing facial mists, toners, in skincare formulations, as natural room sprays, or as a base for diluting essential oils for various applications.
More about specific herbal distillation, essential oils, and hydrosols