AIA - 2more days

As I mentally prepare for the upcoming AIA conference, I am reading up on hydrosol distillation.  I am carefully considering purchasing a copper still for making my own hydrosols and potentially essential oils from wild crafted plant materials.

HydroDistillation primer:

Plant matter is combined with water in the "pot" part of the still.  Heat is applied until steam travels through the hat and the condenser coil where it is cooled and becomes liquid water again.  Tiny drops of an oily substance float on top of this water.  The water part is the hydrosol.  The oily part is essential oil.  These can be separated with an essencier or separating funnel.

Hydrosols are not just plain distilled water, they contain a vast array of botanical molecules which are active and useful for skin care and general health.  Hydrosols are more gentle than essential oils, but they are no less powerful when used with respect.  Hydrosols have a limited shelf life due to possible "bloom" (contamination by bacteria or fungus), but they have a much higher yield and are generally safe for drinking and direct topical application compared to essential oils.

I am planning to purchase a few hard to find hydrosols at AIA, and am carefully considering a copper still to add to my botanical medicine making toolbox.