Cornflower –Centaurea cyanus pH 4.7-5.0 Can be used as an eyewash or as a substitute for eye drops (do not use when you have contact lenses in your eyes).   Use as a compress for swollen, itchy and tired eyes.  Useful to tone & firm delicate skin. Can be used to cleanse cuts & compress bruises – combine with lavender or witch hazel for this purpose. Digestive, diuretic, bitter, astringent & liver supportive. Create a douche for a UTI with Tea Tree & Cornflower. Used to reduce fever and may be helpful for hot flashes, as research points to the presence of phyto-hormones. Avoid during the first trimester of pregnancy.

 

Helichrysum –Helichrysum italicum pH 3.5-3.8 Has a honey like, dry, warm & herbaceous aroma. Helps bring subcutaneous bruises to the surface & helps heal scar tissue. Anti-inflammatory & mildly analgesic, it is great for a post work out sports rub. Combined with Cistus, it is excellent for endometriosis, fibroids and painful periods.  Helpful in post surgery situations to heal wounds  & incisions, and can help detoxify the liver from the anesthesia. Used as a mouthwash for dental care, it assists with combatting gingivitis & receding gums. Can be used in the recovery period after a long illness-its is very supportive of the liver, especially when combined with Greenland Moss.

 

Peppermint– Metha piperita 6.1-6.3  Do not use with children under 3yrs old. Anti-inflammatory, digestive tonic, stimulating for the mind. Brings relief to indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, heartburn, colitis, Crohn’s, & IBS. It has antibacterial  & anti-fermentative qualities that are beneficial (when combined with Roman Chamomile) during a parasite cleanse. Helpful for bad breath, and skin issues such as acne, as it addresses the underlying issue by helping to detoxify the liver & colon. Excellent for nausea & motion sickness. Calming & soothing to irritated allergic reactions, stings & bites. A good hydrosol to use for sprains, aches & pains, stiff muscles. Refreshing to spritz on the face during hot weather, or while hiking, for a cooling effect. Stimulates the brain, and is a great addition to a glass of water instead of coffee in the morning to get you going.

 

Rosalina – Melaleuca ericifolia pH 3.9 Rosalina is an ideal skin cleanser for normal skin types, being slightly astringent. It is great for cuts and insect bites. It has an analgesic effect. It has a pleasant taste and makes a wonderful gargle for bad breath. It also has applications with respiratory & gastro-intestinal tract infections and is an ideal non-irritating douche for vaginitis and thrush. As a spray disinfectant for wound care, it is gentle and non-irritating.

 

Tea Tree – Melaleuca alternifolia pH 3.9-4.1 Antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, mucolytic & expectorant. Tea Tree has many medicinal uses: As a gargle for sore throats & coughs.  Combine it with Inula, eucalyptus & rosemary for chest infections. Helpful for sinus congestion & allergies, candida, urinary tract infections, nail fungus, beneficial to use during a parasite cleanse.  Use topically on the skin for wounds, cuts & scrapes.

 

When not in use, store in a cool dark place.  A refrigerator is great!

 

Catty, Suzanne. Hydrosols, The Next Aromatherapy. Vermont: Healing Arts Press. 2001

Price, Len & Shirley, Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy, Elsevier Ltd, 2004