Herbal Distillate

Herbal distillates, also known as floral waters, hydrosols, hydrolates, herbal waters, and essential waters, are aqueous products of hydrodistillation. They are colloidal suspensions of essential oils as well as water-soluble components obtained by steam distillation or hydrodistillation (a variant of steam distillation) from plants and herbs. These herbal distillates have uses as flavorings and cosmetics. Common herbal distillates for skincare include rose water, orange flower water, and witch hazel. Rosemary, oregano, and thyme are hydrosols that may be used in food manufacturing industries.

Production

Herbal distillates are produced in the same or similar manner as essential oils. However, essential oils will float to the top of the distillate where it can be removed, leaving behind the watery distillate. For this reason, the term ''essential water'' is an apt description. In the past, these essential waters were often considered a byproduct of distillation, but are now considered an important co-product. The produced herbal waters are essentially diluted essential oils at less than 1% concentration (typically 0.02% to 0.05%). Several factors, such as temperature and a herb's growth cycle, impact the characteristics of a distillate, and therefore influence the timing of the distillation. Rosemary, for example, should be distilled in the peak of summer before it flowers.

Usage

1. Food industry: Herbal distillates are often used in culinary applications to add subtle flavors to foods and beverages. Their mild nature makes them ideal for infusing delicate flavors into dishes without the overpowering intensity of essential oils. Commonly used distillates in this context include rose water, orange blossom water, and peppermint hydrosol. Herbal distillates are also used to preserve food, and have been shown to be effective in achieving desirable effects, like reducing the degree of oxidation of some meats.

2. Cosmetics: In the cosmetic industry, herbal distillates are prized for their gentle, skin-friendly properties. They are used in a variety of products, including:

* Facial toners: Distillates like witch hazel and rose water help to balance the skin's pH, tighten pores, and provide hydration.
* Cleansers: Hydrosols can be incorporated into facial cleansers for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
* Body sprays and mists: Herbal distillates are commonly used in body mists for their refreshing and aromatic qualities, as well as air fresheners.

3. Herbal Treatments: Herbal distillates are also employed in traditional and holistic medicine for their therapeutic benefits. Due to their lower concentration compared to essential oils, they are often used for:

* Topical applications: They can be applied directly to the skin to soothe irritations, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. For example, lavender hydrosol is used for its calming and antiseptic properties.
* Inhalation: Certain hydrosols can be used in steam inhalations to alleviate respiratory issues and provide a sense of well-being.
* Internal use: Some distillates, such as peppermint and chamomile, can be taken internally in small quantities to support digestion and alleviate mild gastrointestinal discomforts.
4. Agriculture: Herbal distillates are also used as insecticides, herbicides, and antibacterial and antifungal agents in agriculture. Additionally, herbal distillates may be used in allelopathy, with possible applications including the manipulation of the timing of sprouting (see vivipary) and germination.

5. Clothing: Herbal distillates can be added to water in a clothes iron to add a delicate scent into clothing. Since herbal distillates do not contain hard minerals such as plastic and metal, it will also help keep clothing irons working properly for much longer.

Science

The science of distillation is based on the fact that different substances evaporate at different temperatures. Unlike other extraction techniques based on solubility of a compound in either water or oil, distillation will separate components regardless of their solubility. The distillate will contain compounds that vaporize at or below the temperature of distillation. The actual chemical components of these orange herbal distillates have not yet been fully identified, but plant distillates will usually contain essential oil compounds as well as organic acids and other water-soluble plant components. Compounds with a higher vaporization point will remain behind and will include many of the water-soluble plant pigments and flavonoids.

Because hydrosols are produced at high temperatures and are somewhat acidic, they tend to inhibit bacterial growth but not fungal growth. They are not sterile, and should be kept refrigerated to preserve freshness. Herbal distillates degrade over time and will degrade faster than essential oils, which are more stable. Small-scale producers of hydrosols must be particularly aware of the risk of bacterial contamination and take steps to prevent it. Despite concerns that there may be significant amounts of heavy metals in popular herbal distillates, this has not shown to be the case.

See also

* Orange flower water
* Rose water
* Witch hazel (astringent)

References

Books

* Firth, Grace. Secrets of the Still. Epm Pubns Inc; First edition (June 1983)
* Price, Len and Price, Shirley. Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy: A Guide for Health Professional. Churchill Livingstone 2004
* Rose, Jeanne. 375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols. Frog, Ltd, Berkeley, CA, 1999.
* Rose, Jeanne. Hydrosols & Aromatic Waters. Institute of Aromatic & Herbal Study, 2007.

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Distillation
Herbs
Essential oils
Flavor technology
Herbalism
Cosmetics
Perfume ingredients
Pharmacognosy