They serve as healing substances in aromatherapy or simply as fragrant additions to our bodies and homes. When plants are steam distilled to release their essential oils another substance also occurs the hydrosol. In a regular production, the essential oil will eventually rise to the surface and be skimmed off and the hydrosol discarded as waste.
Heat is applied to the still or alembic.
The heat and warming water gradually breaks down the cell structure that holds the essential oil. The water turns to steam, carrying along with it the now-released essential oil which is in a vapor form. The steam and vapor collects in the head of the still, slowly flows down a pipe which is connected to a condensing spiral tube that is immersed in cold water. The steam slowly cools as it goes down the condenser turning to water, the vapor cools reverting to essential oil. This then drips into the container called the receiver.