Useful properties and contraindications for the use of floral water. Recipes for making rose, jasmine, chamomile and orange blossom hydrolat. Floral water (hydrolat) is a by-product from the production of essential oils. Simply put, it is a condensation that forms from a flower broth and aromatic oils. Thanks to this, a liquid is obtained, which is very appreciated by cosmetologists and perfectly copes with many skin problems.
The benefits of flower water
Hydrolat is a completely natural product. It is not made by mixing different ingredients. In the production of essential oil, the stems, leaves and buds of flowers are placed in a tank and steam is passed through the raw material. This produces aromatic oils and a by-product - condensation.
It is he who is the hydrolat. This product is saturated with small particles of essential oils and useful components that are found in plant materials. This mixture has a great effect on the condition of the skin.
Useful properties of hydrolat:
- Tones up the skin … This product can be used to tone dry and wrinkled skin. Due to the presence of a fine suspension of essential oils, flower water stimulates the production of collagen and elastin.
- Heals wounds … Particles of essential oils stimulate skin regeneration, so wounds and cuts disappear.
- Reduces oily skin … Tea tree and calendula hydrolates are great for acne and acne. They prevent the growth of pathogenic microflora and contribute to the disappearance of acne.
- Strengthens the immune system … Floral water made from pine and fir oils has antiviral properties. With its help, you can get rid of a cold and resist infection with viruses.
- Prevents hair loss … Hydrolat gives the curls a beautiful look. Over time, the hair becomes stronger, and the hair does not fall out.
Contraindications to the use of floral water
Of course, like any cosmetic substance, not everyone can use hydrolat. This substance can cause allergies.
List of contraindications:
- Atopic dermatitis … With this ailment, any flavors and strong odors can aggravate the situation. Often, dermatitis develops into bronchial asthma.
- Tracheitis … If you have recently suffered from acute respiratory viral infections with inflammation of the larynx, postpone using flower water. Small droplets of esters can irritate the respiratory tract.
- Allergy to the components of the product … If you are allergic to chamomile or calendula, do not use these herbs for hydrolate.
- Open wounds … Do not use hydrolat in the presence of open wounds. This can cause irritation and suppuration of the damage.
Floral water recipes
There are a lot of recipes for flower water. The most interesting thing is that it is very difficult to prepare a hydrolat according to all the rules. A special installation is required, that is, a distiller, which is not easy to assemble at home. But with the advent of modern kitchen appliances, the task has become easier.
Rose hydrolat
The most interesting thing is that in the industry in the production of essential oil of roses, not only buds and petals are used. The stems and leaves are used to obtain the oil. There are several ways to make hydrolat, but the most useful is flower water made by distillation.
Rose Hydrolat Recipes:
- With mineral water … This product can hardly be called a full-fledged hydrolat, but such a liquid is quite suitable for washing. It is necessary to pour 250 ml of still mineral water into the bottle. Buy not table water, but medicinal water with a high content of minerals. Add 10 drops of rose essential oil to it. Shake the product for a few minutes. Shake the bottle before each use. Such a solution is stored for about 3 days in the refrigerator.
- With alcohol … In general, it is undesirable to use alcohol if you are going to use hydrolat for your face. It is used as a solvent for essential oil. To prepare water, you need to take 5 drops of rose oil and 10 ml of alcohol with the highest concentration. These two components are mixed and 100 ml of mineral water is added. Thus, oil does not float to the surface of the liquid.
- With vinegar … It is best to prepare a hydrolat for oily skin using acetic acid. It is necessary to pour the crushed leaves and stems of the rose with vinegar. The solvent should be twice as much as the plant material. Leave the mixture to infuse for 4 days. Now strain the mixture and pour 20 ml of the solution into 150 ml of mineral water. Shake well. This liquid is suitable for combination to oily skin, it copes well with sebum and acne.
Lavender flower water
This herb is excellent for soothing and healing the skin. The remedy is recommended for women with damaged and thin dermis. Lavender starts the regeneration processes and helps to rejuvenate the face. Lavender Hydrolat Recipes:
- In a double boiler … This is a good way to get the hydrolat as close as possible to the true one. It is prepared without the use of solvents and acids. It is necessary to rinse flowers, stems and leaves of lavender in warm water. It is not necessary to dry the raw material. Pour one third of the water into the pot. Place a container with holes on top. Place a small bowl in the center of the sieve, and lay out the plant materials around. Glue the joints of the pot and lid. This is necessary so that the condensate does not go anywhere. Place the pot on very low heat and simmer for 2 hours. The liquid that ends up in the cup is the flower water. You can store it in the refrigerator for no more than a week.
- In a multicooker … With the advent of modern kitchen technology, it has become quite easy to prepare some dishes. Now you can make flower water without much effort. To do this, put the raw materials in a container with holes. To obtain it, finely chop the leaves and stems of lavender. Pour a liter of water into the main container. Place a lavender tray on top and set the appliance to the "Steam" mode. It takes 2 hours to prepare the product. Open the lid every 30 minutes. This is necessary so that the droplets of the flower liquid flow from the lid into the condensation container. It is the condensation that is the flower water.
Jasmine hydrolat
Jasmine has a sweet scent and smoothes the skin perfectly. Most often used for aging and fading dermis. It perfectly nourishes and makes the face velvety. Jasmine hydrolate is used as a base for the preparation of anti-aging tonics and sprays.
Recipes for making jasmine flower water:
- Hydrolat in oil … This product is less useful than distilled flower water, but it can be prepared very quickly. The ready-made liquid will be an excellent makeup base and will help remove impurities before bed. Pour 20 ml of almond or olive oil into a bowl. Try to take an odorless substance for dissolution. Add 5 drops of jasmine oil to the base. Warm up distilled or purified water and add a mixture of oils. Pour liquid into a bottle and shake. Store in the refrigerator.
- Flower water in a multicooker … Place chopped flowers, stems, and jasmine leaves in a steaming container. Pour 1200 ml of water into the multicooker bowl. Place a container with holes on top of the container. Close the device and cook the hydrolat for 1.5 hours. Open the lid from time to time to fill the condensate container with liquid.
- Flower water in a saucepan … You can use this method to prepare essential water if you don't have a steamer or multicooker. Pour water into a saucepan and place a colander or sieve on top. Place the chopped flowers and jasmine leaves in a shelf. Cover and simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Open the lid every 15 minutes and collect the condensation drops.
Orange Blossom Hydrolat
Neroli hydrolate is obtained by distilling orange blossom. This water is great for combination to oily skin. It soothes the face and has astringent properties.
Orange Hydrolat Recipes:
- Hydrolat on alcohol … Add 10 ml of alcohol and 7 drops of neroli oil to the bottle. Close the bottle and shake it. Add 100 ml of purified water, stir the liquid again. It is best to use a spray bottle.
- Floral water according to the classic recipe … To do this, you will have to build a custom installation. It is a system consisting of a container of boiling water. It is in this vessel that steam is produced, which passes through the orange blossom. It is necessary that all the steam enters the container with inflorescences. After it, a classic refrigerator is installed. It is a tube with a water reservoir around it. It is here that the steam condenses and enters the container for collecting flower water. To prepare the hydrolat, it is enough to load orange flowers into the tank, and pour water into the lower part of the installation and wait for it to boil. It remains to collect the condensation droplets. This is the finished product.
- Hydrolat with lemon juice … Due to the presence of citric acid in the composition of the product, such a hydrolat can be used for oily skin. Squeeze 20 ml of lemon juice into a bowl and add 5 drops of neroli oil to it. Add 120 ml of purified water to a bowl. You can use mineral without gas or thermal. Pour the finished product into a bottle. Store in refrigerator for 7 days.
Chamomile hydrolat
This plant is known for its antiseptic properties. Decoctions of chamomile flowers are used to treat many skin ailments. It will heal damage and help relieve irritation.
Chamomile Hydrolat Recipes:
- Hydrolat in a double boiler … For the preparation of the product, exclusively fresh chamomile flowers are used. There is no need to grind them, since the buds are very small. Place the flowers in a container with holes, and place a shallow but wide cup in the middle. Pour water into a saucepan and send to the fire. Be sure to cover the steamer with a lid. Simmer the flowers in a saucepan for 2 hours. All the flower water will be in the cup.
- Hydrolat with vinegar … Chop fresh chamomile flowers and cover with natural fruit vinegar. It is allowed to use an apple or grape product. The amount of vinegar should be twice that of plant materials. Leave it in a dark place for a week. Pour 10 ml of liquid into a bottle and pour in 120 ml of purified or mineral water. Shake the bottle. It is best to use this remedy if you have acne.
- In the microwave … Pour water into a deep bowl and place a sieve with chamomile flowers on top. Cover the entire structure with a plastic or ceramic lid and cook for 15 minutes. Choose the highest power. Open the lid from time to time and collect condensation from it.
Stages of preparation of hydrolat
Conventionally, the entire process of preparing hydrolat can be divided into the following stages:
- Collection of construction and preparation of raw materials … At this time, it is necessary to wash the raw materials and, if necessary, chop it. Next, the installation is assembled, in which flowers, leaves and plant stems are added.
- Heating raw materials and passing steam through them … During this phase, water vapor heats up the plant material and draws essential oils out of it. In order for the process to proceed completely, and the plant has given up steam as much useful substances as possible, it is necessary to heat it over a very low heat. The tightness of the installation is also important. It is recommended to seal the joints of the lid with the main container with dough.
- Condensate collection … Of course, most of the condensate can be obtained using a special installation, since a lot of hydrolat is formed when steam comes into contact with the cooled walls of the refrigerator. But modern multicooker with containers for collecting water droplets also do an excellent job.
Hydrolat storage rules
The shelf life of flower water depends on how it was prepared. The products obtained by mixing essential oils with mineral water are the least stored, since bacteria can live and multiply in the liquid.
Features of storage of flower hydrolates:
- Typically, flower water made with vinegar and lemon juice has a shelf life of no more than a week. In this case, it is best to keep the product in the refrigerator. Don't expect the liquid to smell good. The smell will not be concentrated.
- Hydrolat obtained in a steamer or multicooker by condensation can be used for up to 10 days. Moreover, flower water is best kept in a cool place.
- Aromatic water, which is prepared using alcohol and mineral water, is stored for no more than 7 days. It must be shaken constantly before use.
- Flower waters obtained under industrial conditions can be stored for 1 year. This is possible due to the introduction of preservatives.
How to use floral water
Hydrolates can be used not only for the face. Natural flower water, prepared by condensation and distillation, can be used for gargling and washing hair. Due to the presence of small particles of essential oil, the liquid disinfects and heals skin damage.
Ways to use Hydrodata:
- Ice cubes … Medicinal ice is prepared from flower water, with which you can wipe your face in the morning. This will give the skin a youthful appearance and improve its color.
- Face spray … You can spray hydrolat on your skin on a hot day. This will keep your face from drying out.
- Curl spray … After washing and drying your hair, you can spray it with floral water. This will give your hair a wonderful aroma and make it shiny. Small particles of essential oil will heal and strengthen the curls.
- Facial cleanser … To prepare it, you need to mix 35% base oil and 65% hydrolate. Shake the liquid before use. The substance is applied to a cotton pad. They need to wipe their skin. Due to the high concentration of oil, this composition can be used to remove cosmetics.
- Face masks … Flower water can be diluted with blue clay or algae powder when preparing masks.
- Face tonic … After steam baths or cleansing masks, you can safely use hydrolat as a tonic. It will tighten pores and keep them from getting dirty.
How to make flower water - watch the video:
Flower water is a magical remedy obtained by distillation and condensation of plants. Thanks to the content of essential oils, you will be able to rejuvenate and heal your skin with the help of hydrolat.
