Steam distilled herbs Water/hydrosols are healthy and effective and offers a multi-purpose alternative to several adulterated hydrosols that are of poor quality (due to the use of synthetic and inferior substances). The aroma and therapeutic benefits also differ, which can be found in properly processed hydrosols.
What are Herbal Hydrosols?
Herb water, also called herbs hydrosol (or Ark), generally refers to those cosmetic and edible products in liquid form that are manufactured specifically using steam distillation method. Sometimes, such products can also be termed as floral waters, since most of these are made using flower-bearing plants as their vital ingredient. Because of the method used in their preparation, such floral waters can also be interchangeably called by a few other names, like herb water, essential water, Ark, distillate water, hydrolats or herbal distillate etc.
In other words, hydrosols are generally a result from the mixture of hydro (meaning water) and soluble nutrients (solution) thus, forming what is known as a hydrosol. These are also rich in water-soluble nutrients, which makes such herbal waters ideal in the use of therapeutic medicine, as well.
Thus, not only are there various names for herbal hydrosols, their benefits in treating skin, hair, and body are diverse, too.
Making of Herb Water (Ark)
Herbal hydrosols are made from an age-old processing method called steam distillation. This method works by distilling naturally available ingredients, such as flowers, leaves, seeds, fruits, stem, and roots of plant species. Also, there are no synthetic compounds, like chemicals and preservatives added in the ingredients. The steam distillation process is carried out under low temperature and low pressure that help in obtaining or extracting hydrosols or oils of the highest quality.
Thus, herbal hydrosols are:
- 100% pure and natural herbal waters
- Uses organic ingredients only
- Free from chemicals, preservatives, and synthetic compounds
- Made from traditional steam distillation method
- High properties, which include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-ageing, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and more.
- Hydrosols are liquid plant extracts that are usually aromatic and have therapeutic properties. However, not all hydrosols are the same, meaning they may vary in colour, taste, aroma, pH and chemical constituents. Also, not all hydrosols come from flowers, for instance, vetiver hydrosol is extracted from its roots, while eucalyptus hydrosol is obtained from its leaves.
It should also be noted that the same plant may be able to produce one or more extracts, such as an essential oil as well as hydrosol. While essential oils are collected in a vat, hydrosols are collected in the other separately. Hydrosols can be distilled alone without collecting the essential oil.
How Herb Waters/Hydrosols Benefit the Skin, Hair, Body, and Overall Health
There is a variety of these herbal hydrosols which are available in markets that offer several benefits, both in topical use and in the consumption of foods and beverages. A few examples of such organic herbal water products include
Treats:
Asthma – Neutralises symptoms causing wheezing noise and difficulty when breathing.
Bronchitis – Normalises lining in the lungs and allows air to pass through.
Chronic cough – Heals prolonged coughing due to infection or sickness.
Gout – Reduces inflammation in the foot and toe.
Arthritis – Clams down pain, swelling and redness in joints.
Fever – Lowers and keeps body temperature in control.
Relieves:
Stress – Frees body from fatigue and emotional tension.
Anxiety – Gets rid of worry and panic attacks.
Sunburn – Can heal sunburn wounds and UV damage. Use a cooling spray filled with frankincense, carrot seed and cucumber hydrosols with added Aloe Vera gel. Spray liberally onto the sunburnt areas for quick relief and recovery.
Improves:
Memory – Increases the ability to memorise and remember.
Cognitive functions – Boosts thought process and learning skills.
Immunity – Allows the body to fight against diseases.
Digestion – Strengthens the digestive system and appetite.
Eyesight – Makes vision clear both in the case of near-sightedness (myopia) and far-sightedness (hyperopia).
Skin and Hair Health:
Detox –Detoxifies skin and improves complexion.
Facial toner – Helps improve the structure, texture, and appearance of skin.
Others – can use hydrosols in place of water for extra benefits, such as natural fragrance, soothing effects, skin regeneration properties and more.
Hair rinse – Herbal hydrosols can be used in conditioning and rinsing hair. In addition to smelling lovely, it also has gentle nourishing, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which contributes to keeping hair clean, shiny, and healthy.
Using Herbal Hydrosols (Ark) in Foods, Beverages, and Drinking Water
Herbal hydrosols are produced using only organically available ingredients and thus, are safe for consumption. So, whether one may wish to add a few drops of herb water in recipes to give some aromatic flavouring, or just want to enhance the taste in your drinking water, these multi-purpose hydrosols can serve well.
Application:
Take a few drops of whichever organic herbal hydrosol product you choose and add to the ingredients when cooking your favourite dish. Small amounts of herbal hydrosol are sufficient to give out a great smell and taste to your everyday recipes.
Precaution:
It is strongly advised to do a small patch/intake test prior to using any products. This is necessary to check that your or someone else wanting to use it does not show allergic reactions.
Names of Some Popular Organic Herbal Hydrosols
Organic herbal hydrosols are derived from many species of herbs and flower-bearing plants and are free from synthetic preservatives and chemicals. Therefore, these hydrosols are 100% natural and safe for serving their purpose.
Below are named (in alphabetical order) of a few pure and organic herb hydrosols (or herb waters or Ark) that are easily available in stores.
- Carom Seeds (Ajwain) Ark
- Clove Leaf Hydrosol
- Fennel Ark
- Giloy (Guduchi) Hydrosol
- Ginger Hydrosol
- Lavender Hydrosol
- Marjoram Hydrosol
- Neem (Azadirachta indica) Hydrosol
- Shyama Tulsi (Holy Basil) Hydrosol
- Turmeric Hydrosol
- Vetiver Hydrosol
There is a good deal of other steam-distilled hydrosols that offer more or less the same benefits in medicinal treatment and consumption.
Conclusion:
The use of steam-distilled herbal hydrosols in one’s daily skincare, dietary regime, and health can greatly help supplement one’s overall well-being.
