This year I started distilling plants in a copper alembic still, something I have been dreaming about for a while now. This photo shows our Tulsi basil plants that were distilled into a hydrosol by placing them in the bottom of the still with water. When placed on a heat source the water travels up in the form of steam through the copper tube to the coil where it is condensed and cooled by a closed water system. The transformation of plant to water through steam results in a hydrosol containing many of the plant constituents and a very small amount of essential oils. The hydrosol holds many of the same properties as essential oils in a much milder form and can be used directly on the skin and are very beneficial.
This year I started distilling plants in a copper alembic still, something I have been dreaming about for a while now. This photo shows our Tulsi basil plants that were distilled into a hydrosol by placing them in the bottom of the still with water. When placed on a heat source the water travels up in the form of steam through the copper tube to the coil where it is condensed and cooled by a closed water system. The transformation of plant to water through steam results in a hydrosol containing many of the plant constituents and a very small amount of essential oils. The hydrosol holds many of the same properties as essential oils in a much milder form and can be used directly on the skin and are very beneficial.