Could we talk about hydrosols for a minute? How many of you use them? I find that hydrosols are so simple to all appearances, many believe they need “ mists and toners” with added in extracts, essential oils , etc., for a hydrosol to be effective. My perspective is different, but first, we have to establish what a genuine hydrosols IS: the cellular imprint of a plant’s healing (sometimes fragrant, too) powers, with a natural, chemically complex structure and content. Well-distilled hydrosols have a small percentage of the plant’s volatile oils (aka essential oils) suspended in the water. Sometimes they’re visible. These oil droplets are a naturally occurring byproduct of hydrosol distillation. Conversely, if you were an essential oil distiller, you might say the plant waters were a byproduct of the process !) However, historically, hydrosols and water-based plant and fragrant extractions came first. It takes far, far less of precious (and now often endangered) plant material to produce hydrosols. Unlike essential oils, they are much safer to use and in a variety of ways: in cooking, skin care, internally and as room/ space clearers. Water with essential oil added in is not a hydrosol. Hydrosols with alcohol added as preservatives have their subtle yet therapeutic benefits compromised by the alcohol.
And hybrid hydrosols, those with extracts, elixirs, etc., added in, to me are like the difference between the a naturally leavened bread of freshly ground, organic (or even better, Biodynamic) grain, and a loaf of bread made with yeast/starter and grains, even if organic, “fortified “ with vitamins. I think until we understand that sometimes the simplest, unadorned plant preparations and foods are often the most effective, & nourishing, we are not going to get close to making the best choices for this Earth, for the life of nature. For then the issue is sourcing, which really means, how are the plants grown? How are they processed? If we understand the details of source /Source, then conscientious choosing is an act of refusing excess, refusing to support the myth that unlimited “growth” .. cont. in comments.
