Basil Hydrosol & Essential Oil


My appreciation for Basil has grown to the next level! As an apprentice with Lucky Six Farms, I am learning how to work with plants and experiencing their healing properties (aromatherapy). And I have recently graduated to distilling herbs for hydrosol and essential oil - yay! This past week I helped distill artemisia californica (sage brush) and basil. I am using Basil hydrosol to alleviate my back pain and Basil essential oil to relax the very tight muscles in my jaw.  


Before I explain the benefits of Basil hydrosol and essential oil and how to use it, let me tell you what hydrosol and essential oil is. 

Hydrosol is "flower water." Hydrosol is extracted from all of the water soluable constituents in the botanical material (flowers and leaves). Hydrosol is much less concentrated than essential oil but has a variety of complex plant components that are never found in essential oil.  Hydrosols are great to use in baths, as facial toners, deodorant, and to smudge a room (clear a space of negativity). 

Essential Oils are the natural aromatic compounds found in stems, flowers, and other parts of plants. The oil extracted from a plant has all of the essential qualities of that plant. Essential Oils have been used throughout centuries by different cultures for their medical and therapeutic benefits. 

Take a Bath with Basil to relax! Basil helps soothes the nervous system and calm muscle spasms. It also relieves anxiety and stress. Add a few drops of Basil essential oil or 2 tablespoons of Basil hydrosol to your bath. 

Steam with Basil to alleviate colds. Basil helps with throat and lung infections like bronchitis. Add a few drops of essential oil or 1 tablespoon of hydrosol to a pot of hot water and inhale the steam. 

Spritz yourself with Basil to renew!  Basil helps fight mental fatigue and improve memory. The plant will bring clarity to a confused mental state and lift you out of a depressed mood. Spritz yourself with Basil hydrosol or add a several drops of Basil essential oil to 4 oz of water and make your own toner. 

Buy your Basil Hydrosol or Basil Essential Oil from Lucky Six Farms (www.luckysixfarms.com)  619.468.6869


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