Have
you ever noticed how you feel when you smell the incomparable
fragrance of a red rose in perfect bloom or the perfumed
aroma of Night-blooming-Jasmine on a sultry summer eve? Imagine
your delight as you gaze upon a field of fresh wild flowers
or bright yellow sunflowers in bloom? In our busy lives,
what could be more uplifting than receiving an unexpected
bouquet of beautiful flowers? If you have then you know how
flowers, their aromas and their delicate features not only
delight our senses; they add freshness to our lives and brighten
our day.
While
the use of flowers for healing dates back in time to the
ancients, the primary difference when working with Aromatherapy
is in noting the distinction between Flowers, Essential
Oils and pure Aromatic Hydrosols. Flowers, in their natural
state, are the obviously lovely part of the plant that
bears the seed and usually has brightly colored petals.
Essential oils are one of Nature's miracles. They are the
marvelous result of either cold pressing the plant material
or steam distilling various parts of the plant — flowers,
leaves, bark, stem and root.
Considered
the “blood” or the “essence” of
the plant, essential oils contain active constituents that
give the oil its unique range of action, its unique characteristic
and specific healing property. Known for their aromatic
healing properties, essential oils and its by-product Aromatic
Hydrosols, are in a variety of products commonly found
on the shelves of skin care specialists in salons and spas
around the world. The popularity of Aromatherapy is evident
in just about any store one visits these days.
One
can find a variety of Aromatherapy products ranging from
bath salts, candles and massage oils to pure essential
oils in a variety of price range, depending upon the quality
of the source and the essential oil used. With more and
more interest today in this ancient healing tradition we
are finding a higher standard and respect for the integrity
of pure oils as more people thoughtfully move away from
using synthetic or adulterated essential oils and their
byproducts.
One
of the newest and yet oldest Aromatherapy product finding
its healing way into salons and spas around the world are
Aromatic Hydrosols, better known as Floral Waters. A true
hydrosol is the actual by-product of the aromatic distillation
process, made by distilling plant material at low temperatures
and pressure in pure spring water and stainless steel equipment
to insure optimum cleanliness.
When
plants are steam distilled to produce essential oils some
very valuable compounds of the plant that are not found
in the essence become dissolved in the distillation water.
Thus, Hydro — water and sol — the sun’s energy in the form
of the organic plant material. Hydrosols, actually referred
to as hydrolats in Europe, are removed from the still shortly
after distillation. A true Aromatic Hydrosol has unique
aromatherapeutic properties. Unlike many of the floral
waters on the market today that are made simply of distilled
water with essential oils or synthetic fragrance, alcohol
and sometimes sugar added to them.
Although,
the use of floral waters are not new to patrons of lustrous
skin care, for centuries they have been utilized since
antiquity in Egypt, India and Persia. The rose was for
the Islamic world a symbol of the mystical path to God.
The Persians would sprinkle some of this water on guests
when they arrived in their homes to freshen and delight
them. The Sufis regarded the use of floral waters as essential
in healing the emotional and spiritual centers of an individual.
Rosewater is a wonderful example of such a hydrosol.
Rosewater
was used extensively during the Roman Empire and it was
common for people of those times to fill their fountains
with this highly fragrant water. They believed that it
was essential to refresh the air with aromatics in order
to maintain a healthy atmosphere. In particular, rosewater
has been used extensively for centuries by both Christians
and Muslims for the purification of temples and mosques
and by the middle ages rosewater was an important product
commercially and was a significant aspect of the economy.
By
the 16th Century, many homes in England contained “still
rooms”
where the women created “sweet waters” from distilled essential
oils such as rose, violet and lavender. By the end of the 1600’s
the “Kazanlik” rose, one of the oil-bearing roses’ of Bulgaria
was first distilled with the purpose of obtaining rosewater.
This Bulgarian rosewater was of such high quality that it eliminated
Persian rosewater from the market place. In the following centuries,
rosewater became big business in France and medical books of
the times prescribed it for a variety of ailments. Today, Aromatic
Hydrosols are being rediscovered for their practical and naturally
therapeutic applications.
Ancient
methods of using floral waters externally can be incorporated
and used on a regular basis and will result in beautifully
clean, hydrated and conditioned skin. Aromatic Hydrosols
are the perfect solution for skin care and beauty practitioners
who are interested in utilizing the highest benefits of
Aromatherapy in their treatments with their clients. Nearly
free of irritating compounds, such as the terpene hydrocarbons,
hydrosols contain the same therapeutic effect as concentrated
essential oils, only they are far safer and gentler, therefore,
ideal for unlimited use in beauty treatments. Aromatic
Hydrosols are transdermal. They serve multiple functions
for your skin and are used in a variety of ways. They soften,
hydrate and help the epidermis to absorb important detoxifying
and healing properties, which transport more oxygen and
nutrients to the skin. This promotes an increase of blood
flow through the skin allowing healing if the skin is damaged.
Aromatic
Hydrosols stimulate immune cells such as lymphocytes
and macrophages to clean up harmful bacteria and dead cells.
In addition, Aromatic Hydrosols play an important role,
as do essential oils, in wound healing. They are a marvelous
help in regenerating and rebuilding tissue. Aromatic Hydrosols
are very helpful in preparing the skin for cosmetic surgery
and assisting the skin to recover, heal and renew after
surgery. You could use a neroli hydrosol compress that
would stimulate and calm the nervous and endocrine systems
making the skin receptive to the surgery. It is excellent
for recovery wound healing.
After
surgery, a daily compress of Bulgarian Lavender water on
the inflamed tissue is known to rejuvenate the skin to
prevent scarring. Bulgarian lavender water is immunoactive
and is, in addition, an effective antibacterial when treating
dermatitis, burns, eczema and other rash conditions. Or
you could use cooling Bulgarian rosewater. Known for its
especially hydrating quality, it is remarkable for soothing
dry, sensitive or inflamed skin. One of my favorite solutions
in comforting inflamed skin is to gently place a saturated
cloth of cooled Rosewater on the inflamed area for immediate
relief. It has astringent, antiseptic and toning characteristics,
controls sebum production, skin pH and is useful in treating
dermatitis.
Geranium
water, which helps alleviate bruises, is antibacterial,
balances sebum and is suitable for all skin types. Aromatic
Hydrosol compresses are soothing to the skin. Compresses
are folded cloths that have been immersed in water and
then applied to the skin. Take a natural cotton compress
and let it soak in the floral water for a few seconds,
then place it on the inflamed area. Leave it on for 5 to
10 minutes. This can be repeated at least twice a day in
the beginning. Antimicrobial properties make them ideal
for application before and after the treatment. Hydrosols
of lavender, rose, neroli, and geranium all make suitable
compresses over open wounds. Extreme temperatures are not
recommended on the skin, especially the face. Compressing
is one of the most comforting and relaxing ways to unwind
after a busy day.
Floral
waters are absolutely marvelous and I use them for everything,
bathing, cooking, even as a base in unguents and formulas
instead of ‘water’. They are very therapeutic. Because
they are so gentle and pure they are excellent for babies
and children.
Hydrosols
can also be used in feminine hygiene, medicine & first
aid. Aromatic Hydrosols have the following applications: · Directly
on the skin — face, hand and foot soakings · Use
with Facial Oils for added moisturizing and anti-aging
benefits. Apply the water on a clean face before applying
the facial oil! Mix with masks, cleansers and EO's, as
a moisturizer, toner or as an aftershave · Compresses ·
Electrolysis · Vaporizers — Lavender, Rose & Geranium
(no neroli)
· Hydrotherapy Bath - will not clog jets or leave residue · Facial
Steamers — excellent! · Environmental fragrancing — misting
about face and head; on pillow, in room · In nursing care,
the patient can be given a soothing or refreshing wash or sponge
down, affecting their mood as well as benefiting their skin.
The shelf life of floral waters is typically one year.
Highly
sensitive to microorganisms, hydrosols begin to form degrees
of bacteria shortly after they are removed from the still.
Knowing the source of your hydrosols will help deter any
floral water from going bad. The problem is that many hydrosols
are shipped, in huge vats, across the ocean, and are subject
to days of transit and sitting on the docks. Do not use
them if they have clouds and foams floating about inside
or if they “smell” off. Some companies will bottle floral
waters in small batches, provide verification of testing,
or deal in specifics such as ‘certified organic’ requirements.
Just
as with any Aromatherapy product it is important to work
with your manufacturer and distributor, like you would
with any essential oil and know your source. Beware of
any additives or alcohol as the integrity of the hydrosol
is seriously compromised as is the benefits. Furthermore,
I recommend that you store your Aromatic Hydrosols in tightly
sealed dark bottles away from heat and light in a cool
place, or even keep them refrigerated. Special thanks to
Jeanne Rose, Herbalist for her extensive and expert source
of information on this subject and to Eva-Marie Lind at
Australasian College for her guidance. And, to the “Rose
Queen” Jan Salko for her commitment in making available
the finest Aromatic Hydrosols in the world.
