Posted on
Feb 10, 2011

Avicenna’s Aromatic Waters

What are Aromatic Waters?

Aromatic waters are highly therapeutic distillates, which harbour the lighter essence of an aromatic plant. They constitute a very safe and effective way of prescribing the volatile principles and vital essence of a plant internally, an essential element that is missing from the present practice of herbal medicine and aromatherapy in the UK.

An aromatic water is water enriched with both the essential oil and the water-soluble volatile components of a plant. The essential oil is finely dispersed through the water in a low concentration, giving each aromatic water its individual smell. The water-soluble volatile components are actually in solution, and give the aromatic water additional properties not possessed by the essential oil alone. They include substances like hydroxy acids, carboxylic acids and many others, which modify and balance the action of the pure oil. These water-soluble volatile constituents provide the aromatic water with a more wholesome action, which is more like that of the whole plant when compared to the action of the pure oil.

Pure essential oils act in a mode that is more akin to that of isolated principles. However, essential oils, when naturally dispersed within the complex of an aromatic water, are moderated and balanced by the water and its water soluble volatile components. Furthermore, the composition of the essential oil which is dispersed into the aromatic water varies considerably from that of the pure essential oil which separates and floats on the surface of a freshly distilled aromatic water. The dispersed oil contains a higher ratio of the gentle-acting, water-loving components like alcohols, and a lower ratio of the harsher, water-hating components like ketones.

Aromatic waters capture a broader range of both the water and fat-soluble volatile constituents of a plant, and this contributes to their efficacy and safety.

How are Avicenna’s Aromatic Waters Produced?

Many related products on the market are produced by adding an essential oil to water (floral waters) or are by-products of the steam distillation of essential oils  (hydrosols). This is not how I produce aromatic waters. I employ a specific water distillation in a specially designed stainless steel still. The plant material is totally immersed in spring water and then brought gently to the boil. The steam that rises carries with it the essential oil and water-soluble volatile components, which disperse and dissolve in the water respectively. After many years of experimentation and trials with various still designs I have carefully designed a unique still, which saturates the water in a gentle and complete manner, and prevents the damaging effects of reflux. Hydrosols are by-products of large-scale steam (not water) distillation of essential oils. The speed and harshness of this process produce a different product when compared to aromatic waters. Aromatic waters are primary products of a specific, prolonged and gentle distillation. This method of distillation is completely unfeasible at a commercial level, as it requires more heat and time. This is why there can be such variation in quality and price between Aromatic Waters and Hydrosols.

Advantages of Aromatic Waters over Tinctures and Ess Oils

Aromatic waters have some advantages over pure essential oils and tinctures which can be summarised as follows:

1.     A more gentle and balanced action – Both the volatile oils and the water soluble volatiles contribute to the medicinal effect of an aromatic water, which is therefore more akin in its action to that of the whole plant.

2.     Presenting the essential oil in an aqueous medium – The fact that the essential oil is physically dispersed in the aromatic water improves

its uptake and utilisation by the aqueous medium the body fluids.

3.     Traditional support for safety and efficacy – Aromatic waters have been used internally to treat a wide range of ailments safely and effectively for many centuries and by many civilisations. For example the aromatic water of Salvia triloba is liberally taken internally in many Mediterranean countries, to great benefit and with unknown side effects. This in contrast to the internal usage of the essential oil of Salvia spp. which is not backed by any tradition and may readily lead to harmful effects.

4.     The convenience of a tincture without the alcohol – Aromatic waters can be used instead of a tincture where alcohol is not permitted or is undesirable, and where the essential oil component of the plant is of primary therapeutic importance, yet still retain the convenience of a fluid preparation. For example, they are ideal for children, for those whose religious beliefs do not permit the use of alcohol, or for those dealing with alcohol dependency.

5.     A gentle but effective external application – Aromatic waters are ideal for external application where the drying and stinging properties of alcohol are undesirable, for example, as a lotion for cuts, grazes and rashes especially for children and babies and in creams for dry, sensitive and inflamed skins. Many herbalists tend to mix tinctures into cream bases; the alcohol in tinctures is drying and irritating to inflamed skin, and destabilises the cream with separation of the liquid phase. Aromatic waters are much more compatible with a cream base and are highly effective soothing and healing topical agents.

6.     A highly convenient preparation – Unlike infusions, lotions, essential oils and tinctures, which all need a level of preparation before the patient can use them, aromatic waters are mostly instantly available for a range of internal and external uses. For example, a sprayer bottle of chamomile water in the handbag or kept at home can be sprayed over itchy rashes, urticaria, sunburn, used as a facial toner, can be taken internally for it relaxing properties or for GIT upsets, may be inhaled in hot water, or added to a babies bath….