Monthly Archives: July 2016

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of the most versatile herbs that we grow. Its anti-stress properties are apparent, whether it’s used a tea ingredient, a hydrosol, or an essential oil. We harvest lemon balm several times a year, dry a large amount for tea, and distill the rest.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Today was our first lemon balm distillation this year, and it filled the whole house with its uplifting, cheery aroma. Our 5-liter batch yielded about a liter of high-quality hydrosol.

Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Co-distillations are always interesting; each combination yields something more than the sum of its parts. Today we distilled one of our favorite combinations: rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). This is the kind of hydrosol that’s great for relaxation and all-around stress relief. Try it in a diffuser!

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)