Distillation

2016-07-26 Family time, lots of harvesting and a couple of distillations

 in Aromatherapy / Distillation / Food / Gardening by

The kids don’t always participate in garden work but today was a blessing as they were all about it.  Harvesting is their favorite; they can see, touch and taste the many things we have.  We even get help with research when needed, like today when I didn’t really know what to do with the stevia plant that I picked up this year at the garden show in Stockholm, and my son read all about it and helped us to decide how to process it.

Here is a list of what we did this morning together and then afterward we continued to distill and process herbs for the entire day.  At this time of year, we do this several times a week with various plants and crops.

  • Two kinds of mint were harvested and put on the drying racks.
  • Lemon Balm was harvested and put on the drying racks.
  • Lemon verbena was harvested and some put on drying racks and some in a 5 liter distillation. A Lemony Fresh stress buster!!
  • Stevia harvested and will become a tincture tomorrow.
  • Roman Chamomile harvested and into a small distillation.  This Roman Chamomile hydrosol is very special; yes it’s relaxing but the aroma is soothing, almost smooth like butter.  We might end up with 10 or so bottles for sale.
  • Gotu Kola harvested from the greenhouse plants that are for sale.  My own crop lives indoors and takes up half of the sunny south side window sharing that space with the Rose Geraniums.

Tomorrow I will get up first thing and harvest Tulsi.  She really likes the attention.

The day before yesterday I blended new batches of Garden Herb Tea and a Relax/Peace tea to clear the drying racks.

my daughter harvesting from the pots of gotu kola. A great way to snack.

My daughter harvesting from the pots of gotu kola.  A great way to snack.

One of the larger pots of Gotu Kola after the harvest and the bounty.

One of the larger pots of Gotu Kola after the harvest and the bounty.

2016-07-18 Mint Distillation

 in Aromatherapy / Distillation / Gardening by
Mint. Grasshoppers are not included in the harvest!

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

 in Aromatherapy / Distillation by

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 (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

2016-07-09 Lemon Balm Distillation

 in Aromatherapy / Distillation by

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

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

 in Aromatherapy / Distillation by
Rose Geranium

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)

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)