How to Make Aromatics

Aromatics can be made from herbs or flower petals, such as rose petals.

You can produce aromatic or floral water from steam-distilling plant materials. Aromatic water is also referred to as a hydrosol and, although less concentrated, has similar properties to essential oils. Unlike their essential oil counterparts, though, true steam-distilled hydrosols contain all the valuable components of the whole plant. You can add aromatic water to the bath and to face creams. This aromatic water also acts as a strong astringent. Make aromatic water at home, by steaming assorted aromatic flowers or herbs in a pot. You then can place this water in sealed containers and keep it in the refrigerator until needed.

Things You'll Need

• 10-quart pot
• Clean, smooth stone, approximately 4 inches tall
• 2 pounds of assorted aromatic herbs
• Glass container, small enough to fit into the pot and still allow for space between its circumference and the inside edges of the pot
• Stainless steel bowl large enough to rest on top of the 10-quart pot
• A block of ice, 4-pint's worth of water
• Water

Instructions

1. Place the 10-quart pot onto a heating element.

2. Wash the smooth stone in hot water to remove all dirt and dust. This stone needs to be at least 4 inches high. Slightly taller will also be acceptable.

3. Position the smooth stone on the bottom of and in the middle of the 10-quart pot.

4. Place the assorted herbs around the base of the smooth stone. Break up select herbs as required. The height of the herbs cannot be higher than the top of the smooth stone, as the glass container will rest on top of the stone.

5. Add sufficient water to submerge the smooth stone.

6. Position the glass container on top of the smooth stone. Distilled floral water will eventually collect within this container.

7. Place the large chunk of ice in a clean plastic bag and hit it repeatedly with a hammer to break the block into smaller pieces.

8. Place the ice into the stainless steel bowl and put the bowl onto the open top of the 10-quart pot. The smaller chunks will fit into the stainless steel bowl better than a single chunk that sticks out of the bowl.

9. Turn the burner or stove to its lowest setting. Allow the pot and assorted aromatic herbs to simmer for at least three hours.

References

• Aromatherapy at Home: Rosewater Recipe
• Winged Seed: How Do We Obtain Essential Oil and Aromatic Plant Constituents?
• Mountain Rose Herbs: How to Create Floral Waters and Colognes

Resources

• NST Perfume: Do-It-Yourself Lavender Floral Water
• Cosmo Scents: Basic Perfume Recipe