When most people think of aromatic plants, they immediately think of essential oils—concentrated, powerful, and fragrant. Yet alongside every bottle of essential oil is another gift, often overlooked but equally valuable: hydrosols.

Hydrosols, also known as aromatic waters, are created during the process of steam distillation. As steam passes through fresh plant material—flowers, leaves, seeds, or roots—it captures both volatile oils and water-soluble compounds. When the steam cools, two separate products appear: the essential oil (highly concentrated) and the hydrosol (the fragrant water).

Unlike essential oils, which are potent and must be diluted, hydrosols are gentle, safe, and versatile. They contain trace amounts of essential oil along with water-soluble plant constituents, making them well-tolerated even by children, the elderly, and pets. They can be used directly on the skin, enjoyed in food and beverages (if food-grade), and incorporated into daily rituals with ease.