The word hydrosol is derived from the Latin hydro, meaning “water,” and sol, for “solution.” Hydrosols, also known as hydrolates and plant or floral waters, are produced using the same process as essential oils, the distinction between the two is in the chemical make-up of the end product. During the steam-distillation process, essential oils will float to the top of the distillate where it is removed, leaving behind the watery distillate - the hydrosol. While some manufacturers add essential oils to purified water and call it a plant water, that is not a hydrosol! We use only true hydrosols made from the steam-distillation of fresh plant materials. We never use additives such as synthetic fragrance or preservatives. The hyrdosols are the condensated water produced from the steam. Not only do they hold essential oil molecules, they carry the fluid that was coursing through the plant cells (cellular water) when the plant was gathered. Hydrosols contain between 0.02 –0.05% of the hydrophilic parts of an essential oil, producing a softer fragrance and offering a much milder alternative to essential oils.