I love August’s sun-bleached golden grass. Most people don’t water their lawns here in the Seattle area, and apparently that’s unusual because I’ve had friends visit who positively gasp at the lack of green grass in the late summer. It grows back healthily in the fall, every single year, and considering the PNW’s rainfall the three seasons other than summer, can you blame us for not watering lawns when most of the year our clay soil yards are spongey and puddle filled. The sun works magic here July and August, recently extending its domain late into September and even starting in June some years, like this one.
I welcome the burnt look of months of unchecked sunshine, but of course there are some downsides. Not being able to go for the smallest walks without sweating is one of them, and the lack of A/C here is another. Even just lazily sitting around inside somewhere near a fan can induce a deep longing for freshness. It is not convenient, or even possible, to shower multiple times a day, so that is where a hydrosol can step in and shine.
*Hydrosols
Traditionally made during the process of steam distilling essential oils, hydrosols are purely plant scented water. They are often used to make bath, body, and facial products because they are less concentrated than their essential oil counterparts. Their scent is notably lighter, but still delightfully present, and since they are less concentrated, they can be applied directly to skin. I use witch hazel as a toner, but I often add either rose, neroli, or rosemary hydrosol to the witch hazel for an extra boost. This combination of witch hazel and (any!) Hydrosol is also fantastic for spraying all over the body, or at least exposed parts, to freshen up when a shower is not possible. I keep a small spray bottle of this combination, mine currently consists of rosemary hydrosol, in my desk at work in case I decide to bike there again one of these days. More often though, I spray my face and arms with just a straight hydrosol, right now it happens to be neroli, about every time I go into my bathroom at home. It is a lovely little refresher, lifting my mood and providing a bit of a sweet scent without the heaviness of perfume. (I dab a perfume on my neck and wrists just twice a day during the summer and use a perfume body oil at night before bed.)
Where to Find Hydrosols
It is a mystery to me why these precious products are hard to find, but alas, they are. Not only that, but there are imposters out there too, so be sure to read the ingredients. Hydrosols are sometimes referred to as floral waters, but floral waters are generally distilled water with essential oils or even fragrance (eek!) added to create the light and bright feel of a true hydrosol.
I get mine from Mountain Rose Herbs, and they are not only authentic, but they are also organic to boot. They happen to have a 25% off site wide sale happening right now, so if you are in need of any herbs or herbal products, including hydrosols and essential oils, now’s a great time to check them out.
The photos show my almost empty bottle of neroli hydrosol, so the label has been warped by use and hydration. I am buying some more this weekend which is what sparked this post.
Stay fresh and live well☀️🌿🌹
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