Aromatherapy

2016-07-18 Mint Distillation

July 18, 2016 in Aromatherapy / Distillation / Gardening by Kelli

Mint.
Grasshoppers are not included in the harvest!

We love mint! My children adore being able to pluck leaves whenever they want and we pick every day for pots of tea, hot and cold. Mint and tulsi cold tea is our favorite in the summer, and it’s hard to keep enough room in the refrigerator. Today my 8 year old asked if we could distill mint and try the hydrosol! What a great idea! Aromatic herbs generally have antibacterial properties so a hydrosol of mint would make a great addition to a natural cleanser (I am working on a yoga mat cleaner with no soap), or to a diffuser when you are sick or stuffed up.
REFRESHING is an understatement.
We love it.

2016-07-14 Roman Chamomile, Lavender, and Tulsi triple co-distillation

July 14, 2016 in Aromatherapy / Distillation by Kelli

This is our first year growing Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). I have to sometimes go with the plants I can get locally and I got 2 plants from Ulriksdals Trädgård. I generally have early seed starts for German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and have many in the garden because they do self seed and return most years. Chamomile is an important herb for the whole family (the hydrosol is a key component in the bedtime ritual).

Today I was out weeding these low growing and delicate plants, which have recently burst into bloom, and I felt a real connection to them, a real relationship with them. This is why I do this, to benefit from what the plants can offer, to celebrate the life and the natural healing. The depth of the aroma of Roman chamomile is multifaceted, floral yet green and rich yet light and gentle. I could feel my breath deepen upon inhalation. It made the most sense to distill the small harvest and creativity guided me to include a little lavender and a bit of fresh tulsi. The result is a completely unique triple co-distilled hydrosol which is exquisite, and about 1 ml of essential oil (triple sourced).

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), July 13, 2016

Roman chamomile, lavender and tulsi ready for distillation

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) ready for distillation

2016-07-10 Calendula

July 10, 2016 in Aromatherapy by Kelli

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an annual where we live, but it self-seeds profusely and at this time of the summer it blooms all over our garden. We gently weed it and let it have space here and there, and in this way we always have a nice supply of flowers for making calendula-based preparations.

Calendula flowers, July 10, 2016

As an added bonus, calendula flowers glow with their own unique warmth in the sunlight, and brighten up the whole garden.

Calendula officinalis in our garden, July 10, 2016

2016-07-09 Lemon Balm Distillation

July 9, 2016 in Aromatherapy / Distillation by Kelli

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.

2016-07-07 Rose Geranium and Chamomile co-distillation

July 7, 2016 in Aromatherapy / Distillation by Kelli

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)

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