Distillation is an ancient technique that refines and separates volatile elements…

Most people think of alcohol when they hear ‘distillation’. The same technique can be also be applied for herbalism, skincare and perfumery.

I transform plants via distillation to create hydrolates for use in skincare and perfume formulation. The herbal waters are so gentle they can be used as facial mists, or as room sprays and rituals.

A distilling apparatus can be made of copper, glass or stainless steel. We use copper alembics and alquitars. Heat and pressure are applied separate out the cellular waters and aromatic compounds from the plants. Probably the best known hydrates are rose water, orange blossom water and witch hazel.

We distill for hydrosls, not for essential oil. But there are still minute particles of EO in suspension plus other compounds not found in the essential oil due to the heat and pressure.

Indian Attars, for example, are pure perfumes which are created by a complex combination of co-distillations and re-distillations.

I’m particularly interested in distilling my own hydrolates to use in skincare formulations, as ingredients in perfumes and in co-distillations to produce unique perfumed oils, similar to Indian Attar production.

 If you’re curious to learn more about distilling there are several articles in our blog and learning opportunities here.