Holy Basil Hydrosol

Holy Basil (Tulsi, Ocimum Tenuiflorum) hydrosol created from fresh holy basil leaves and flowers harvested directly from our garden. Holy Basil has been used for thousands of years as a healing and revitalizing herb. A wonderful plant for the skin as it is calming, toning, and aromatic.

Hydrosol meaning, “water solution”

hydro - “water”

sol - “solution”

How the hydrosol is made is through a process (using a copper still in our case) in which water boils in the large pot sending steam through the column (depending on the herb it is either placed in the pot or in the column) and then to the condenser which is filled with cool water that condenses the steam back into a liquid, the liquid (hydrosol) is then collected into a vessel.

The entirety of the plant’s medicinal constituents are captured in the process, including the essential oil. We personally opted out of a tool that separates the essential oil from the liquid so that our final product contains the essential oil.

Fortunately, there are many ways to use hydrosols as they are gentle and water-based. My favorite way to use them is by spraying it all over my face and body before applying a moisturizer. I love storing them in the refrigerator and then throughout the day spritzing the cool, aromatic hydrosol all over my face and neck while taking deep breaths - its the perfect way to recenter during a full day with the children or working in the garden.

Additional uses:

added to a bath or foot bath

as aromatherapy for both humans and pets

as a water replacement for face masks or homemade facial creams and butters

immediate and longterm relief for sunburn, rashes, and bug bites