Hydrosol Preservative?

September 26, 2000

Could you tell me if one of the Germaben products ( I have Germaben II)

would be appropriate to use in hydrosols? I've just recently purchased my

first ones, and in addition to using them in creams, I would like to use one

or two " neat. "

Thanks

Bev

September 27, 2000

Hydrosols are the distillate waters from essential oils.

Very briefly. When essential oils are produced by the steam distillation

process of plant materials, the steam is chilled and it makes its way

through the distilling tubes etc. The final result is the distilled aromatic

water with the non-dispersible oil floating on the top. This oil is siphoned

off and this is what we call the essential oil.

The remaining water (hydrosol) which has undergone the distillation process

still contains many of the essential oils therapeutic properties, and even

some other water soluble constituents which are not present in the volatile

essential oil itself. These hydrosols are used in aromatherapy treatments

when a gentler effect is desired and therefore can be used neat, ingested or

added to cosmetics.

There are many different plant hydrosols available and depending on the

plant there will be stronger or lesser therapeutic activity. is one

good example that produces a very minor amount of costly essential oil, but

it provides us with an excellent and reasonably priced hydrosol.

As no microbial or fungal bodies can survive steam or hydro-steam

distillation. They will keep without any preservatives for about 2 years.

They should always be kept cool and in glass when storing for long periods

and in a hot climate should be kept preferably in the fridge. However if

someone wants a preservative in it, you can can add sodium benzoate at .002%

and it will protect. They were lab tested preserved in this way for those

who want it, and it does not change the color, odor, or taste.

And BTW it changes to the pH .001%.

I prefer no preservatives in them, but if someone wanted to ensure a longer

or undeniably stable shelf life then this would be the way to go.

Natasha

on 27/9/00 9:14 pm, maurice o. hevey at mhevey@... wrote:

> On Tue, 26 Sep 2000 07:36:25 -0400 (EDT), Beverly Mancini wrote:

>

>> Could you tell me if one of the Germaben products ( I have Germaben II)

>> would be appropriate to use in hydrosols? I've just recently purchased my

>> first ones, and in addition to using them in creams, I would like to use one

>> or two " neat. "

>

> I think hydosols are primarily water and products that contain high

> levels of water are the most difficult to preserve. I've never used a

> hydosol in a personal care product.

>

> I'm not sure what hydrosols are and what are their benefits/purpose in

> personal care products.

>

> Can anyone help me here??

>

> Maurice

January 23, 2001

I am dredging this out of the archives. Ok, so if microbials cannot

survive the distillation process, why do we need to preserve products

made with distilled water?

Does using the hydrosol as an ingredient in a formula make it more

susceptible to bacterial growth if it is the only water used?

Thanks

> Hydrosols are the distillate waters from essential oils.

>

> Very briefly. When essential oils are produced by the steam

distillation

> process of plant materials, the steam is chilled and it makes its

way

> through the distilling tubes etc. The final result is the distilled

aromatic

> water with the non-dispersible oil floating on the top. This oil is

siphoned

> off and this is what we call the essential oil.

>

> The remaining water (hydrosol) which has undergone the distillation

process

> still contains many of the essential oils therapeutic properties,

and even

> some other water soluble constituents which are not present in the

volatile

> essential oil itself.

>

> As no microbial or fungal bodies can survive steam or hydro-steam

> distillation. They will keep without any preservatives for about 2

years.

January 23, 2001

> I am dredging this out of the archives. Ok, so if microbials

cannot

> survive the distillation process, why do we need to preserve

products

> made with distilled water?

I think I can answer this one. The purpose of a preservative isn't

necessarily to kill any bacteria that is already present, but more so

to protect it from any bacteria (mold, yeast etc.) that may be

introduced into it after it has been made.

> Does using the hydrosol as an ingredient in a formula make it more

> susceptible to bacterial growth if it is the only water used?

I'm not sure if it would be more susceptable, though if I were to

guess, I would say yes, because of the organic materials present.

Hope this helps a little. )

January 23, 2001

,

Microorganisms travel through the air and are on everything that you

contact. Even though you have just washed the beaker or pot there are still

organisms landing on the surface constantly. In a aqueous system these

organisms now can thrive and therefore you will need a preservative to

kill/prevent growth.