Lavender Hydrosol

Description

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia):  The HYDROSOL of Lavender is a co-product produced during the course of steam distillation of LAVENDER buds to make an essential oil.  Uses include to aid to regenerate skin which is irritated, fragile or inflamed, safe to use for baby for skin and rashes, pets (fur, skin and inflammations), acne, colonics, cooling, analgesic (pain relieving), uplifting, relaxing, calming, and emotionally balancing.  Combine with Clary Sage Hydrosol and Peppermint Hydrosol to make a mist for hot flashes.  Blend with witch hazel or use by itself for after sunning.

Lavender Hydrosol is energizing and hydrating. It is used neatly for freshening air and linens. This particular hydrosol is suited to any skin type and can be applied directly over skin without taking any caution. It has regenerating effects on scratched or delicate skin.

Lavender Hydrosol is supportive in keeping wounds, cuts or scrapes clean and provides calm to irritated skin. It is highly used for refreshing the mind, body and soul. Its spray over neck, shoulder and forehead helps in getting relief from headaches, nervous tension and stress.

Lavender Hydrosol is comforting and fortifying. It is added in creams and lotions for taking care of infants.

Hydro Distillate:  Flowering Bud 

Aroma:  Sweet floral Lavender aroma with a strong honey-like aroma and more deeper base note than the essential oil.

Color:  Clear

Taste:  Soapy and sweet.

EcoCultivated: Canada

PH5.6 – 5.9: High Mountain Grown may be as low as 4.6 pH.

Constituents:  Linalool 29 – 46%, Linalyl Acetate 36 – 51%, 1,8-Cineol 0.1 – 2.2%, Caryophyllene 2.5 – 7.6%, Terpinen-4-ol 2.7 – 6.9%, Ocimenes 2.5 – 10.8%, Lavandulyl Acetate 3.4 – 6.2%

Solubility:  Insoluble in alcohol and oils. Soluble in water.

Hydrosol Aromatherapy

Hydrosol:  aka Hydrolate, Hydro Distillate, Water Essences and Water Vibrations

Hydrosols usually contain approximately 1% – 3% of the essential oil and water soluble.  While hydrosols are often milder and safer to use than essential oils and many may be taken internally, don’t just use more! 

One reason they are safer is because they are soluble in water.  This means the essential oil is not trapped by the water.  Rather, the essential is diluted into the water – that is, water soluble.  Therefore, no carrier oil is needed in most cases unless mixing hydrosols with essential oils.  This also means one does not have to dilute the hydrosol to add to bath water.  Just don’t use too much.  Be sure to research and use the proper amount for the proper use and purpose.

When there is skin irritation or burning from an essential oil, you should NOT add water because the water does not mix or dilute the essential oil; rather, it traps the essential oil and it remains concentrated on your skin. Instead of adding water to dilute an essential oil, add a carrier vegetable oil such as Apricot, Borage, Cucumber Seed, Fractionated Coconut Oil (F.C.O.), Grapeseed, Moringa Seed, Olive, or Watermelon Seed oil.  By adding a carrier oil, it mixes with and dilutes the essential oil causing it to absorb more slowly into the cell tissue, thus, easing the burning and irritation.

When taking essential oils internally without a carrier oil, one takes the chance of the essential oil burning and irritating the cell tissues.  This is why many who use essential oils internally, end up with gastro-intestinal issues.  For hydrosols which are safe to take internally, this is not a problem because the essential oil of the hydrosol is already soluble and mixed with the water.  You cannot achieve the same by just adding essential oil to water as water and oil do not mix normally.

Caution:  For many hydrosols, using MORE is NOT BEST!  Though hydrosols may normally be milder and safer than essential oils to use overall; their effect may be STRONGER.  The most distinct contraindication for hydrosols is that the lower dosage usually has a stronger effect than using an essential oil.  Don’t use MORE just because the dilution is LESS. 

Think of it as giving too many instructions to a small child.  If given too many instructions at once, they get confused and can’t remember all that is told to them.  But if given one at a time and in a then another in a timely manner, they focus of the task and complete them.  When using too much essential oil or hydrosol, the cell tissues in the body receive too many instructions and may then begin to shut down or react in an unpleasant way.

*Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy, Suzanne Catty