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🌼Which should I use?

🌼What is a hydrosol and how do I make one?

🌼Things to create with a hydrosol.

🌼What is a decoction and how do I make one?

🌼Things to create with a decoction.

🌼Hair rinse and hair refresher recipe

Which Should You Use?

The answer depends on the needs of your skin and what you want to use it for.

For skincare purposes, hydrosols are mild, and they can hydrate and tone the skin.

Decoctions are stronger and more potent than hydrosols, but they do not contain essential oils like hydrosols do.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash​

What is a hydrosol?

Hydrosols or hydrolats or floral waters are made through steam distillation. They mostly contain hydrophilic compounds of the plant with a tiny amount of essential oil compounds.

Hydrosols are a great way to get the benefits of an expensive essential oil but without spending the money. For instance, rose essential oil is expensive but you can take a few roses out of your garden and make a rose hydrosol.

You can use a hydrosol anywhere undiluted as they are very gentle. They are loved because they are hydrating, soothing and refreshing.

How to Make a Hydrosol

Directions:

1. In a large pot, put one heat safe bowl upside down with a smaller heat safe bowl right side up on top of it.
2. Place about 5 cups of dried or fresh plant material around the bowl.
3. Cover plant material with water. Do not let water level go above the top of the bigger bowl.
4. Put the pot lid on upside down. Put a freezer bag filled with ice on top of the lid.
5. Boil the water and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Replace the ice in the bag when it melts.
6. Take the pot off the burner and remove the lid. The small bowl will contain the hydrosol. Pour the water in a dark bottle or jar. Store in a cool, dark place.

Ways to Use a Hydrosol

Hydrosols, also known as floral waters, can be a versatile addition to your self-care routine. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to do a patch test to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to the botanicals you are using.

Some ways I like to use hydrosols are:

Toner

Hydrosols make excellent natural facial toners. You can use them by themselves or add things like glycerin, witch hazel, aloe, and essential oils. Spray this refreshing spray onto clean skin after your cleanser or apply with a cotton pad to help hydrate, refresh, and balance the skin's pH.

Photo by Kalos Skincare on Unsplash​

Body Mist

Use hydrosols as a refreshing body mist. Spray your skin after a shower or anytime you need a pick-me-up.

Hair Refresher

Spray hydrosols onto your hair to refresh and add a subtle fragrance. They can also help condition and add shine to your hair. See the recipe below.

Aromatherapy

Use hydrosols as aromatherapy. Spray them anywhere like your car or linens or on a tissue for a gentle, natural scent that can uplift your mood or help you relax. Add essential oils if you wish.

Compress

Soak a cloth in chilled hydrosol and apply it as a compress to tired eyes, a sunburn, or a headache for a soothing effect.

In the Bathtub

Add some hydrosol to your bathwater for a relaxing bath with a lovely scent.

Room Spray

Use hydrosols as a natural room spray to freshen up your living space.

Natural Perfume

Use hydrosols as a natural, subtle perfume by spraying them lightly on your skin.

Ingredient in Your Skincare Recipes

Use hydrosols as an ingredient in your skincare creations such as bath tea, lotions, and masks for their beneficial properties.

Hydrating Mist

Keep a spray bottle of hydrosol in your bag and use it as a hydrating mist throughout the day, especially in places that are hot and dry. You can add some peppermint and eucalyptus and make it a cooling spray.

Decoctions

Decoctions are made by boiling plant material, such as roots, bark, petals, leaves, or seeds, in water to extract their active compounds. Decoctions are more concentrated than hydrosols and are often used for their medicinal properties. You can drink it as a tea or use it on your skin. They are usually stronger than a tea which we would call an infusion as they are cooked for a longer time to make sure we extract all their wonderful properties.

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash​

How to Make a Decoction

To make a decoction, follow these steps:

1. Choose Your Herbs: Select the herbs, roots, barks, or seeds you want to use for your decoction. Use dried herbs for best results.
2. Prepare Your Ingredients: If using roots, barks, or seeds, chop or crush them to increase the surface area. If using dried herbs, crush them slightly to release their oils.
3. Measure the Ingredients: Use approximately 1 tablespoon of dried herbs or 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs per cup of water.
4. Boil the Water: In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
5. Add the Herbs: Add the herbs to the boiling water.
6. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the herbs simmer in the water for about 15-30 minutes. The exact time will depend on the herbs you are using and the strength of the decoction you desire.
7. Strain: Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the liquid into a mug or bowl using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the herbs.
8. Cool: Let the decoction cool to a comfortable temperature before using it.
9. Store: Store any unused decoction in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a few days.

Ways to Use a Decoction

Decoctions are useful in many ways. Make sure that the plant matter you are using is safe for the reason you want to use it and that you are not allergic to it. Also, do not use plants that have been sprayed with pesticides. So, you probably don’t want to use the roses that you were given for your birthday. Here are some ways you can use a decoction:

Facial Steam

Add your decoction to a bowl of hot water and use it for a facial steam. This can help open up pores, cleanse the skin, and promote relaxation.

Hair Rinse

Use your decoction as a final rinse after washing your hair. It can help condition the hair, promote shine, and soothe the scalp. See the recipe below.

Foot Soak

Add your decoction to a basin of warm water and soak your feet. This can help relieve tired, achy feet and soften the skin.

Compress

Soak a cloth in your decoction and apply it as a warm or cold compress to areas of the body that need relief, such as sore muscles or joints.

Mouth Rinse

Use your decoction as a mouth rinse to help freshen breath, soothe gum inflammation, or relieve toothache.

Add to Your Bath

Add your decoction to your bathwater for a relaxing soak. This can help nourish the skin and promote overall relaxation.

Inhalation

Add your decoction to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam to help relieve congestion or sinus pressure. Add essential oils such as peppermint, lavender or eucalyptus.

Face and Body Spray

Using a funnel, pour your decoction to a spray bottle and use it as a refreshing spray for the face or body.

Skincare Products

Use your decoction in homemade skincare products such as lotions, creams, or balms for added nourishment and benefits.

Recipes

Rose Chamomile Hair Rinse

This hair rinse can help to condition and soften your hair. Adjust the strength of the infusion by using more or less flowers, depending on your hair's needs and your personal preference.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons dried rose petals
• 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
• 2 cups water

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the dried rose petals and chamomile flowers.
3. Cover the saucepan and let the herbs steep for about 30 minutes.
4. Strain the mixture to remove the herbs and pour the infused water into a glass jar.
5. To use, shampoo your hair as usual, then pour the rose chamomile hair rinse over your hair, making sure to saturate it completely.
6. ​

Floral Hair Refresher

To make a floral hair refresher using a hydrosol to help hydrate and revitalize your hair, you'll need a floral hydrosol of your choice (such as rose, lavender, or chamomile) and essential oils if you would like.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup floral hydrosol
• 1/4 cup distilled water
• 5-10 drops of essential oils (optional, for fragrance)

Directions:

1. In a clean spray bottle, combine the floral hydrosol and distilled water.
2. Add a few drops of essential oils if desired, depending on your preference and the strength of the hydrosol's natural fragrance.
3. Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients.
4. To use, shake the bottle and spritz the floral hair refresher onto dry hair, focusing on the roots and lengths.
5. Allow the hair refresher to air dry, or gently pat your hair to help it absorb the product.

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​Carrie's Herbal Infused Skincare Cookbook​ "This skincare book is great for beginners who want to create their own healthy skincare, but aren't sure where to start. The author does a nice job of keeping it simple while providing lots of ideas, recipes, and guidance. In addition, the artwork is really cute and joyful. ​ It's a book you're not going to put up on a shelf to collect dust. Keep it handy! You'll be constantly referencing it as you begin your healthy skincare regimen."   Book Review on Amazon