Until last year, I thought “flower water” meant perfume that old ladies wear. Then I studied the chemistry of essential oils and learned how essential oils are extracted through a process called steam distillation.
One of the by-products of steam distillation is the hydrosol. (Hydrosol is a fancy way of saying flower water.) Almost as gentle as pure water, hydrosols carry the aroma of the plant being distilled. While essential oils can only be used on kids and babies with great care and under the supervision of a trained Aromatherapist, hydrosols are very safe and great for kids.
When I studied under Andrea Butje at the Aromahead School of Essential Oil Studies, I purchased my class materials from Aromatics International. One of the products I bought was an organic Lavender Hydrosol. Now, I’m used to the scent of pure Lavender essential oil. I love it. I use it in the bath, I diffuse it, and I use it when I wash my cloth diapers. The aroma of the Lavender Hydrosol is a lot different, almost to the point of being jarring. It’s wet and earthy.
But I tried it out anyway, spraying it on my son’s crib sheets and on his butt after stinky diaper changes. At the time, he was two and loved it. Now I use it on my infant son, especially when he’s getting a little stinky in his fat rolls. I also use it to gently scent his sheets when he seems particularly wound up.
One of the biggest lessons I learned last year was to be aware of the chemicals in my bath and body products. I’m now much more cautious, especially when choosing products for my children. (I still use normal brands of shampoo and deodorant on myself, but I find it easier to make better choices for my kids.)
I recommend hydrosols to anyone looking for a gentle and therapeutic product with absolutely no additives or chemicals. It’s just water with a natural, subtle scent. (I hesitate to use the word fragrance, since it’s generally associated with synthetic smells.) There is no one correct way to use a hydrosol. You can mix essential oils with them to create room sprays, you can add them to bath water, or you can spray them directly onto skin and clothing.
Aromatics International carries a variety of organic hydrosols. At any given time, the stock changes, since hydrosols have a somewhat limited shelf life. Because they contain no additives or preservatives, they will eventually spoil. (I’ve always run out before they’ve gone bad, but if you’re worried, keep them refrigerated or in a dark, cool place to extend shelf life.)
- Lavender Hydrosol is great on sunburn and mild burns.
- Frankincense Hydrosol is awesome for skin care on your face and to help ward off insects.
- Rose is wonderful for calming hot flashes or for freshening your skin on a hot day.
It’s good stuff, and it’s absolutely natural.
Free Stuff Alert GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Andrea of Aromatics International is giving away a bottle of Organic Lavender Hydrosol to one lucky reader.
To enter you MUST:
- Visit Aromatics International and comment telling us something else you’d like to try.
For up to FOUR extra entries:
- Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with a link to your tweet or your username.
- Comment with a class that sounds interested at Aromahead.com
- Follow @aromahead on Twitter. Comment with your username.
- Subscribe to Your Mama Reviews. Comment to let us know. (If you already subscribe, let us know!)
COMMENTS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE ENTRY RULES WILL BE DELETED. The winner will be chosen using a random-number generator. Contest runs through May 14 at noon EST. Please make sure you leave a valid email address.
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I love their selection of essential oils! Its so hard to find any locally. I think I would like to try the clove bud oil.
I would love to take their free intro to essential oils class–the only things I know about essential oils are things that I dug up from random internet places. I think it would be really interesting.
I subscribe via google reader
Love this! I’d also try the frankincense hydrosol as an insect repellent! Especially when I’m out with the kiddos in the back yard.
I subscribe via Google Reader.
I would take the Aromatic Blending class too.
Now following @aromahead from @messponential on Twitter.
I like the sound of the Pink Himalayan Salt for baths (coarse grind). That and a bit of essential oil would make for a really nice soak!
I want to try the Helichrysum hydrosol because it is wonderful for cuts, wounds, bruising and pain. It is great for skin care, helping to heal most skin conditions. It is used on incisions after any kind of surgery, used as a mouth wash, and used for animals when any skin issue arises.
I think I might take the free Introduction to Essential Oils
I subscribe via google reader
I’m following aromahead on twitter
@Jinxyisms
Frankincence hydrosol.
Rose :)
I would like to try the coconut oil.
madamerkf at aol dot com
I’m a huge fan of Castile soap
And I already follow YMR :)
I like how the Sweet Grass Hydrasol sounds! Thanks for the great giveaway!
annasmama0702@gmail.com
I tweeted this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/annasmama0702/status/1730488617
annasmama0702@gmail.com
I’d have to say that the class I’d be interested in would be the intro to Essential Oils one – seeing as I’m a total beginner! They have some cool sounding classes there, though.
annasmama0702@gmail.com
I follow @aromahead on twitter (annasmama0702)
annasmama0702@gmail.com
I’m a subscriber
annasmama0702@gmail.com
castile soap
i already subscribe.
since i already have (and love!) the lavender oil, i’d have to go with geranium oil. yum!
following @iammommymae
The coconut oil
I’d like to try the Mandarin or the Lime essential oil. I love the citrus scents!
I would also like to try the castile soap.
Subscriber!
clove bud oil
The coconut oil..Thanks!
Nice product selection! I think I really like the Organic Castile Soap!
The Introduction to Alternative Medicine sounds very interesting, I’m always looking for non-conventional health ideas
I’d like to try their tea tree oil
I’m an e-mail subscriber
I think the intro to essential oils online course sounds interesting.
I would love to try the hydrosol in sweet grass scent =)
I’d be interested in Anatomy and Physiology Self-Study (Online).
.
I’d like to try the Patchouli Essential Oil. I love that scent. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d like to try the Ylang Ylang Essential Oil.
I’d like to try the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask
I’m a subscriber
I tweeted (juan_hurrican)
The Aromatherapy Certification Program sounds interesting. You can smell beautiful aroma all day
I would like to try the Castile Soap (Organic).
i love incense, so I’d love to try the frankincense and myrrh resin.
I’d try the Castile soap! I love that stuff.
I’m a subscriber. Thanks for the chance!
The lemongrass essential oil sounds awesome!
jessbedard7@gmail.com
seeing as I have no experience with aromatherapy, I would love to take the Aromatherapy Certification Program. That seems like a good place to start!
jessbedard7 at gmail dot com
Kombo Butter – Organic Sounds like another great product.
JD
I would like to try the lavender essential oil and the pink hemalayan salts. Blessings for your Mother’s Day!!
tweeted id keepsakebaby
keepsakebabyhttp://bit.ly/Hk0H Lavender Flower Water Giveaway at yourmamareviews.com
less than 5 seconds ago from web
follow you on Twitter id keepsakebaby
I thing the free introduction to essential oils class sounds like a good one to start with. I have interest in growing lavender and distilling it into essential oil on a home basis. Thanks
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the lavender hydrosol in a spray bottle would be nice
realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com
My favourite item from their store is the Cocoa Butter – Organic.
Thank you!
realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com
Tweeted! :) http://twitter.com/antispamgirl/status/1741016103
Thank you!
realitybbq*AT*gmail*DOT*com
A class that sounds interesting is Aromatherapy Certification Program.
Thank you!
Just love lavender!
Inrani’s Facial mask looks great!
I’d also love to try Hydrosol – Helichrysum. With two boys we are always getting cuts and bruises and this would be great to try!
Also, I am already a subscriber. I have also been spreading the word to all my mama friends! :) I just recently found your blog and I LOVE IT!
I would love to try the Pink Himalayan Salt.
Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask
I’d love to try the Red Palm Oil. Thanks!
I’d love to try the Cocoa Butter – Organic.
I’d like to try the Eucalyptus Citriodora.
I think the peppermint Hydrosol would be soothing and stimulating!
The beginners kit is great
Resin – Myrrh would be my choice, I love Frank & Myrrh
ihrani’s face mask is cool
i tweeted and my twitter name is swagbucksignup
following aromahead on twitter now
following you via google reader
i would like to have the lavender essential oil, thanks for the giveaway.
The Cocoa butter looks fabulous!
I would like to try Exotic Floral Collection.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I follow aromahead on Twitter – Janetfaye
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Aromatic Blending sounds interesting.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Subscribed.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I’d also like to try the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask
The Pink Himilayan salt is my pick. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
I would love to try the Pink Himalayan Salt!
Thanks
I absolutely am in LOVE with lavender
I would like to try Elemi Essential Oil.
Subscriber
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com
I follow you on Twitter (ID Lubaska)
I’d like to try: Mango Kernel Oil-Organic
I’ m following you on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/SueC
Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/SueC/status/1773370459
Did someone say “help with hot flashes?” Oh yeah, put me down for that! The face mask sounds wonderful too, especially as it can be mixed with different liquids for different skin types.
I’d like to try the Bergamot Mint essential oil.
I’d LOVE to have the Essential Oils Beginner’s Kit! It has everything I’d need – and then some!
I’d like to try the castile soap with peppermint oil added to it for a nice-smelling hand soap.
I would love to try the coconu oil . Thanks for the giveaway
sharr1226 at yahoo dot com
I’d like to try the Organic Castile Soap (liquid). Thanks!
The Component Blending class sounds awesome! Thanks!
I just subscribed. Thanks!
I would like to try the Sunny Citrus Collection of essential oils.
I would like to try Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask.
Thanks for the chance.
I’d like to try the organic avocado oil.
I would like to try the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask
The Bergamot Mint oil sounds lovely, too!
The Aromatic Blending course sounds fun — I’d love to learn about great scent mixtures!
I would like to try anything with lavender or the organic avocado oil. Thanks!
i love anything that is organic
I’d love to try the Bergamot Mint Oil! (Sounds like a lovely scent!) Also I just love the giveaway because I have always found Lavendar to be very soothing and healing!
i’d like to try the frankinscence. i’ve heard of it but never encountered it.
The Bergamot Mint oil mverno@roadrunner.com
I’d like to try the Sunny Citrus collection!
I subscribed to your RSS feed.
This class sounds interesting: Anatomy and Physiology: A Holistic Approach
The Bergamot Mint oil sounds lovely, I’d like to try this. Hope I win :) Thank you for the great prize.
The Bergamot Mint Oil
I’d love to try the organic shea butter!
I would like to try the Inhalers for use with essential oils.
The Business of Aromatherapy sounds interesting.
I like the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask.
I’m very interested in the class of Intro To Alternative Medicine.
I would love to try the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask!
MovieMomma@gmail.com
I subscribe via email. :)
MovieMomma@gmail.com
I really like the sound of the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask!
The Anatomy and Physiology: A Holistic Approach class sounds really interesting. I like that you can take what you learn and apply it to your knowledge of aromatherapy. That is really cool.
I follow on twitter :)
username: wordsmoveme
I subscribe!
I like all the supplies for mixing your own fragrances, the tubes, bottles etc. very reasonable
I’d love to try the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask :)
I would like to try the sweet orange oil.
I would like to try the cocoa butter, never used cocoa butter in its “raw” form. Also would like to try the Sandalwood and Bergamont oils … love these.
i would like to try the cocoa butter oil. i have never used cocoa butter in its “raw” form. i would also like to try the Sandalwood and Bergamot oils … love the harmony of these.
I would like to try the Copal resin. We burn this resin on Christmas.
I’d also like to try the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face Mask . I can use all thehelp I can get!
Thanks so much for the chance to win, I bet it smells beautiful.
The Marjoram oil looks nice.
I’d like to take the Aromatic Blending Class.
Tweet! https://twitter.com/meredycat/status/1793648030
I follow Aromahead on Twitter under Meredycat.
I’d also like to try Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask!
Bergamot oil sounds delicious!
I would like to try the Pink Himalayan Salt.
id love to try the Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask
subscriber
the aromatic blending sounds interesting :)
following aromahead on twitter klp1965
I’d love to try the Lavender essential oil.
I’d love to try the Bergamot Essential Oil.
following aromahead on twitter user name threedifferent
I would like the rose one.
The aeromatic blending class looks interesting.
I am a subscriber.
I follow @aromahead on Twitter.
I would like to try the Avocado Oil.
I subscribed to your blog.
I would like Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face mask
subscribe to your blog via email
a class that looks interesting is the free introduction to essential oils
i follow on twitter as lovinmykiddos
Avocado Oil.
I would love to try the Pink Himalayan Salt.
The free online class starter’s kit!
The free introduction to essential oils sounds fantastic!
i follow aromahead on twitter
I’d like to try the Peppermint Hydrosol and see if it really works as an insect repellent (bugs love me!)
The Sunny Citrus Collection would be my choice. I use aromatherapy regularly, especially after a scare of suspected breast cancer, when I learned that limonene that is a constituent in various citrus essential oils can kill breast cancer cells in the test tube.
I would like to try the Hydrosol – Peppermint . thanks.
I like the Sunny Citrus Collection of Essential Oils.
Yahoo reader subscriber.
I’d like to try Blank Inhalers (Aromasticks) – Purple.
The orange would be nice to try too. :) I love oranges!