Making a hydrosol at home with a pot and an inverted lid is a simple distillation method that doesn't require advanced equipment. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Material:
- Fresh or dried herbs or flowers (eg rose petals, lavender, chamomile)
- Water (preferably distilled)
- A large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid
- A heat-resistant bowl (that fits in the saucepan)
- Ice cubes
- A ladle or tongs
Step-by-step instruction:
-
Prepare the pan: Place the warming plate in the center of the pan. The bowl will collect the hydrosol during the process.
-
Add herbs/flowers and water: Sprinkle your chosen herbs or flowers around the bowl, in the bottom of the pot. Fill the pan with water to cover the herbs, but make sure the water does not reach the rim of the bowl in the middle.
-
Place the lid upside down: Place the lid upside down on the pan. This is important because the steam that rises will condense against the cold lid and drip into the bowl.
-
Add ice to the lid: Place a number of ice cubes on top of the lid. This helps to cool the vapor down faster so that it condenses into liquid and drips into the bowl.
-
Heat the pan: Place the pan on the stove and heat over low to medium heat. Avoid boiling the water too hard, it should just simmer so that steam forms slowly.
-
Collect the hydrosol: The vapor from the herbs or flowers will rise, hit the cold lid, and condense into droplets that fall into the bowl. This is your hydrosol.
-
Check the ice and water: During the process, you may need to add more ice to the lid if it melts. The process can take 20-45 minutes depending on the amount of water and herbs/flowers.
-
Finish and store: When you have collected enough hydrosol, turn off the heat and carefully lift off the lid. Use tongs or ladle to remove the bowl of hydrosol.
-
Storage: Pour the hydrosol into a sterilized bottle and store it cool. It will last up to 6 months if stored in a dark and cool place, preferably in the refrigerator.
Tip:
- You can use different herbs and flowers depending on the type of hydrosol you want to make. Rose, lavender, chamomile, rosemary and peppermint are common choices.
- Feel free to use fresh plants to get the best possible scent and properties, but dried ones also work well.
This is an easy way to create your own natural hydrosol for use in skin care, as a face mist or even as a room spray.
Leave a comment