Hydrosols

Oil Versus Water

 "Why use hydrosols when we have essential oils?" To answer this question, let's again take a look at potency. An essential oil is a highly concentrated . Some plants, like German Chamomile, produce only a few drops of oil per kilo of plant. Others contain extremely potent chemicals that are needed in only small amounts to exhibit their anti-infectious effects . If we are trying to fight a staphyloccus infection, we might combine oils like, oregano, thyme, CT thymol, and palmarosa.

One dose used internally would be only one or two drops taken three or four times a day. This is really a tiny amount of oil, but it will have a large effect on the infection. However, these tiny doses add up and actually amount to the ingestion of a very large amount of plant material.

Depending on the problem, we may or may not need that kind of potency, and in extreme cases, our bodies just can't handle it. If a person suffering from real starvation is given a big meal, the body will reject most of it, since it can no longer process either the volume or the content of the food. It appears the same thing may be true with severely immune depressed people. In this case the body simply cannot handle a large dose of medicine, especially medicine designed to enhance the immune functions.

Research is showing that a depressed immune system may, if overstimulated, just shut down under the strain of responding to the medicine. Essential oils are known immune modulants, and because they are so concentrated, it is reasonable to assume that, in certain cases, some oils may be too strong for some systems.The body may try to respond to the chemical cues  to increase activity, but it is unable to do so there is the potential for a negative reaction.

This is not healing. The same is true for infants, whose immune systems are still developing and whose senses, especially smell, are highly sensitive. Would you give baby a kilo of chamomile to help it sleep? Of course not. Now think how concentrated German Chamomile oil is: how much plant is in a drop? Even lavender, which is much less concentrated, is stronger than necessary, for undiluted use on an infant.

Lavender oil will take varnish off the table; why use it neat on a child? If you can smell it , it's too strong for your baby, is a good rule of thumb, and that's just from an olfactory point of view. The chemistry also dictates that infants, children, and invalids respond equally or better to lower doses. Less is more in every case.

Enter the hydrosols. Already significantly milder than essential oils: water-soluble, for ease of application, absorption, and ingestion: and dilutable down to homeopathic proportions, they are the obvious choice for these special conditions. Everything about them is gentle - the smell, the chemistry, and the potency-but they remain highly effective.

Of course, you do not need to be a baby or have a depressed immune system to benefit from hydrosols. They are powerful, healthy supplements that we can use in the same way we use, vitamins, minerals, and herbs,. Although they do not replace essential oils , hydrosols work exceptionally well in synergy with oils for any aromatherapy protocol. 

Reference: Hydrosols The Next Aromatherapy :Suzanne Catty