In todays modern world , Aromatic waters started out as the waters left over from distillation of plant material to separate out the essential oils in the plant.This water was often discarded or used commercially for other products.
With the increase in knowledge and value of this product, distillation processes have developed , purely to obtain a high quality Hydrosol for use in Aromatherapy and natural health applications.
Aromatic water was a part of early natural medicine, with evidence of distillation going as far back as 1200 BC in Babylon.
Plants were distilled for the waters mainly and there was essential oil as well which was used in perfumery.
Hydrosol is the correct term to give authentic aromatic waters.
You will see the term floral waters which is a process of combining an essential oil with a dispersant in water and adding preservatives. I hope you will see this is purely for the aroma and does not not have the same therapeutic value as a true hydrosol.
True hydrosols do not need to be preserved because of the heat of the steam distillation process producing a sterile water, with aromatic compounds which help to keep the shelf life stable for 1-2 years.
If your Hydrosol is not preserved and within its shelf life it is safe for internal consumption and Suzanne Cattys book: Hydrosols,The next Aromatherapy is an excellent reference for their benefits and uses.
There are compounds within plants that are water soluble and are therefore present in the aromatic water but not in the essential oil.
Hydrosols are a safe way to use the medicine of the plant for babies, children, small animals including cats ( who do not have the enzymes to deal with essential oils, but tolerate the gentler hydrosols well) and the elderly.
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