Gentle Aromatherapy Diffuser Blends
Are you an ardent essential oil diffuser user? Here's a common misstep even the most passionate oil aficionados make - overloading your diffuser with a heady mix of potent essential oils and having it run for longer than necessary.
Did you know your diffuser should be active for a mere twenty minutes, followed by an hour's rest? Contrary to popular belief, diffusers are not designed merely as odor eliminators or air fresheners. Yes, they do bestow a pleasing aromatic ambiance, but the aroma from essential oils is not meant to overwhelm your senses with robust scents.
Essential oils should be added sparingly, just enough that their volatile aromatic molecules delicately graze your olfactory senses.
When diffusing in sensitive environments like schools, daycares, and nursing homes, exercise extra caution. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to the effects of essential oils.
Fear not, you can still enjoy the therapeutic benefits of essential oils in a mild, soothing way. Allow me to introduce you to the 'little sister' of essential oils - the gentle yet potent Hydrosol.
 |
| photo credit: Mountain Rose Herbs |
According to Mountain Rose Herbs, "Hydrosols, also known as floral waters, hydroflorates, flower waters or distillates are products from steam distilling plant materials. Hydrosols are like essential oils but in far less of a concentration. When a distiller brews plant material with water in a large cooker the steam fills the pot and, as it rises, it causes the glands of the plants to burst and release the oils and essence of the plant into the steam. The oil rises through a condenser and collects in a separate vessel. This is what we know as essential oil, but what about all that fragrant water that was steamed with the original plant material? That is our hydrosol, or floral water. Hydrosols are usually the result of essential oil production as a by-product but the highest quality hydrosols come from the devoted distillers who, with artist like precision steam the floral and plant material strictly to product a hydrosol."
All the Hydrosols offered by Mountain Rose Herbs are produced in this fashion and are of the highest quality. Click HERE to learn more.
 |
| Hydrosols are produced during the steam distillation of plant material for essential oils |
Mountain Rose Herbs currently offers twenty-six beautiful and aromatic hydrosols.
Bay Laurel: Has a bright, slightly medicinal, spicy green aroma, reminiscent of freshly crushed bay leaves.
Blood Orange: A refreshing hydrosol that is sweet sunshine in a bottle. A sweet citrus aroma.
Calendula: Refreshing, soothing, sweet, and floral.
Chamomile: A light fruity floral aroma. Very calming and gentle.
Clary Sage: Very gentle and calming with a pleasantly herbaceous and bittersweet floral aroma. Much like the essential oil, but much softer.
Cucumber: Refreshing, cooling, crisp aroma that is perfect for Summer. Smells like a fresh cucumber.
Douglas Fir: Soft forest-like aroma that is green and slightly balsamic. Transport yourself to a mossy forest. Perfect for gender neutral aroma blends.
Eucalyptus: Very delightful! Softly camphoraceous and cooling with green undertones.
Helichrysum: Smells like a diluted version of the essential oil. Dry-green floral with earthy tea-like back notes.
Lavender: Subtle, relaxing, balancing aroma with sweet floral top notes much like the essential oil but much more grassier and delicious.
Lemon Balm: Very calming aroma!
Lemon Verbena: Uplifting aroma which is perfect for hot cloudy days when you need a little emotional pick-me-up.
Lime: Crisp, refreshing, invigorating with subtle citrus notes.
Neroli: Delightful, uplifting, bitter-sweet citrusy floral aroma that is very delicious and complex.
Peppermint: Minty, fresh, revitalizing, well rounded and robust. Great for misting on the feet and scalp.
Rose Geranium:Very exotic and floral. One of my favorite bases for the body splash recipes.
Rose: The QUEEN of the hydrosols. Smells like a rose with complex floral notes. Very sensual!
Rosemary: Energizing and stimulating! Smells very lovely like fresh rosemary.
Spearmint: Sweet, minty, reminiscent of an infusion of the fresh leaves. Calming and refreshing aroma.
Tulsi (Holy Basil): Divine! Warm, soothing and slightly spicy aroma.
Ylang Ylang: Smells exactly like a very subdued version of the essential oil. Sweet, intoxicating and floral.
If your diffuser requires water (not all do...check your instruction manual), you may find that using hydrosol in place of tap or distilled water and skipping the essential oils is a very appropriate, gentle and therapeutic aromatherapy experience.
 |
| photo credit: Mountain Rose Herbs |
Hydrosol Blending Ideas.........
- 3 parts Rosemary Hydrosol plus 1 part Spearmint Hydrosol
- 2 parts Cucumber Hydrosol plus 1 part Lime Hydrosol plus 1 part Lemon Verbena Hydrosol
- 2 parts Neroli Hydrosol plus 1 part Ylang Ylang Hydrosol plus 1 part Rose Hydrosol
- 2 parts Douglas Fir Hydrosol plus 1 part Lime Hydrosol plus 1 part Spearmint Hydrosol
- 2 parts Peppermint Hydrosol plus 1 part Eucalyptus Hydrosol plus 1 part Bay Laurel Hydrosol
- 3 parts Lavender Hydrosol plus 1 part Calendula Hydrosol
- 2 parts Rose Geranium Hydrosol plus 1 part Ylang Ylang Hydrosol plus 1 part Chamomile
- 1 part Calendula Hydrosol plus 1 part Neroli hydrosol plus 2 parts Lavender Hydrosol
- 2 parts Bay Laurel Hydrosol plus 1 part Clary Sage Hydrosol plus 1 part Douglas Fir Hydrosol
- 3 part Tulsi Hydrosol plus 1 part Rose Hydrosol
 |
| photo credit: Mountain Rose Herbs (Click Here) |
One of my most favorite hydrosols is Mountain Rose Herbs Lemon Thyme!!!
"This is a bright hydrosol with an herbaceous citrusy scent and a dry thyme-like undertone. Lemon Thyme hydrosol makes an excellent single ingredient spray, and can also be incorporated into your favorite skin care recipes. It is often used as a base for botanical perfumes and will add a fresh scent to your homemade cleaning products. This hydrosol blends well with bay laurel, calendula, and Douglas fir hydrosols.
Used as a general toner, lemon thyme hydrosol can help stimulate skin circulation and can be applied directly to occasional epidermal blemishes. In aroma sprays and perfume blends, lemon thyme provides a grounded, calming note." -from the Mountain Rose Herbs website (HERE)
This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs, Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children. I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details.. Avoid use unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!!