Hello friends!
Here at Gnat & Bee in the summertime, we cherish moments with our hands in the rich Ohio soil, tending to vibrant botanicals, or out in the fields, joyfully foraging the wild abundance that surrounds our homestead. This deep connection to the plants is at the heart of everything we do, especially when it comes to our beloved hydrosols.
You might have heard the term "hydrosol" before, but what exactly is this botanical treasure, and why are we so passionate about it? Let's dive into the fascinating world of distillation and discover the pure essence of the plants we cherish.
What is a Hydrosol?
Imagine capturing the very soul of a plant – its delicate aroma, its water-soluble beneficial compounds, its subtle energy. That's essentially what a hydrosol is! Often referred to as "flower or floral waters," hydrosols are the aromatic waters produced during the steam distillation of plant material.
Unlike essential oils, which are highly concentrated and oil-soluble, hydrosols are primarily water-based. They contain the hydrophilic (water-loving) compounds of the plant, along with a small amount of suspended essential oil molecules. This makes them especially gentle and safe for direct application to the skin.
Below is a photo of our traditional copper alembic in use, complete with sourdough gaskets!
Our Journey from Plant to Pure Hydrosol: The Art of Distillation
At Gnat & Bee, our hydrosols are not a byproduct; they are the primary focus of our distillation process. This is a key difference from the larger essential oil industry, where hydrosols are often seen as the leftover water after extracting essential oils. We typically leave the naturally occurring oils in our hydrosols, ensuring you receive the plant's full, unadulterated essence. However, with oil-heavy plants like lavender, we may remove some separated essential oil to maintain hydrosol consistency, we then use that oil in other products.
Our commitment to land stewardship and sustainability guides every step of this ancient craft. We carefully harvest our botanicals at their peak potency, ensuring the freshest, most vibrant fresh plant material for distillation.
Here's a step-by-step look at how we lovingly craft our hydrosols using our traditional copper alembic still:
1. Sourcing & Preparation: First, we gather our fresh, vibrant botanicals – whether it's sun-drenched yarrow from our fields, fragrant lavender, calming chamomile, bright lemon balm, or herbaceous clary sage.
2. The Alembic Still: Our distillation takes place in a beautiful copper alembic still. This traditional apparatus consists of several key parts:
- The Cucurbit (Pot): This is the bottom chamber where fresh, pure water is placed. In our larger still, the plant material goes in here as well.
- The Column/Botanical Chamber: In our smaller still for more delicate petals and botanicals, the plant material is carefully placed above the water, often in a perforated basket or column.
- The Swan Neck: As the steam rises, it carries the aromatic compounds and water-soluble components of the plant into this curved tube.
- The Condenser (Coils): The swan neck leads to a coiled tube submerged in a bath of cool water. As the hot steam and plant vapors pass through these cold coils, they condense back into a liquid.
- The Separator/Receiver: The condensed liquid, now a mix of hydrosol and sometimes a small layer of essential oil, collects here.
3. The Distillation Process: Heat is applied to the cucurbit, bringing the water to a gentle boil. The resulting steam rises and passes through the fresh plant material. This steam acts as a solvent, gently bursting the plant's cellular walls and carrying with it the aromatic molecules and beneficial water-soluble compounds.
As this fragrant, botanical-infused steam travels through the swan neck and into the chilled condenser coils, it rapidly cools and reverts back into a liquid state. This precious liquid is our hydrosol. Any essential oil present will typically float on top, we keep this all-natural bounty together in our hydrosols, ensuring their integrity and full spectrum of benefits.
4. Collection & Storage: The newly distilled hydrosol is collected, pure and potent. We then filter and bottle our hydrosols into bottles and store them in a dark place to protect them from light, which can degrade their delicate compounds. We bottle our finished hydrosols into amber glass bottles. This careful process ensures maximum freshness and shelf life.
The Gentle Power: Benefits and Uses of Hydrosols
Our commitment to quality means our hydrosols are offered to you in their pure form, and also beautifully blended into some of our handcrafted products. The benefits of incorporating these "plant waters" into your daily routine are numerous:
Gentle Hydration: Hydrosols are excellent facial toners, delivering a burst of refreshing moisture and helping to balance the skin's pH after cleansing.
Soothing & Calming: Many hydrosols, like our Chamomile, Yarrow and Lavender, possess incredible anti-inflammatory properties, making them perfect for calming irritated skin, reducing redness, and soothing minor skin irritations.
Skin Balance: For all skin types, hydrosols can help regulate oil production and promote a healthy, balanced complexion. Our Yarrow and Clary Sage hydrosols are particularly beneficial for this.
Aromatherapeutic Support: The subtle, natural aromas of hydrosols offer gentle aromatherapy benefits. Spritzing Clary Sage hydrosol can offer mental clarity and focus, while Lavender can promote relaxation.
Beyond the Face:
- Body Mist: A refreshing spritz on a hot day or after a workout.
- Hair Rinse: Add to your hair after washing for shine and scalp health.
- Linen Spray: Freshen bedding and closets with a natural, delicate scent.
- Compresses: Soak a cloth in cool hydrosol for a soothing compress on tired eyes or irritated or damaged skin.
- DIY Formulations: Use as a water replacement in homemade lotions, creams, or clay masks for added botanical power.
Our selection of hydrosols – Yarrow, Lavender, Chamomile and Clary Sage – each carries its unique energetic signature and therapeutic profile, ready to support your well-being. We also use our hydrosols in our Guardian Insect Repellent, Wildflower Toner & Wild Rose Toner.
We believe in the integrity of the plant, from the soil it grows in to the pure hydrosol it becomes. When you choose a Gnat & Bee hydrosol, you're choosing a product born from deep respect for nature, meticulous craftsmanship, and a desire to bring you the truest essence of botanical healing.
