How to Make an Herbal Hydrosol
Hydrosols, also called floral waters, aromatic waters or hydrolates are gentler than essential oils while still retaining most of the properties. DIY hydrosols are so easy to make and they can be used for cleaning, health and beauty applications, flea and pest control, deodorizer and much more! They keep for 18-24 months with no refrigeration.
You will need:
- 5 oz herbs or flowers, dried or 10 oz fresh
- Large pot with a lid
- Distilled water
- Small metal trivet, brick or rocks
- Lots of ice
- Small jar or bowl
Instructions
- Put the herbs in the bottom of the pot and cover them with enough distilled water to thoroughly saturate them.
- Place the trivet, brick or rocks in the center of the pot and set the bowl or a jar on it.
- Flip the lid of the pot upside down, place it on the pot and put some of the ice in it.
- Set the heat to medium-high to simmer the herbs or flowers.
- As the steam comes off the herb-infused water, it will hit the chilled lid and turn into condensation. This condensation will drip into your bowl or your jar and that is the hydrosol.
- Do this for about 20 min, replacing the ice as it melts.
That's it! It's easy and so much cheaper than buying an herbal hydrosol! Even if you don't have a stove or a refrigerator on your homestead, a bag of ice and a fire works just fine.
© 2017 The Little Shaman
