Aromatic plant water, also known as hydrosol, is the aqueous product of steam or hydro-distillation of plant material. This process extracts essential oils, and the remaining water contains the water-soluble aromatic and therapeutic components of the plant. A common example is rose hydrosol, derived from distilling rose petals.
These fragrant waters offer a milder aromatic experience compared to concentrated essential oils. The benefits include use as a gentle skin toner, a refreshing body mist, and an air freshener. Historically, these waters have been used in traditional medicine and perfumery for their therapeutic and aromatic qualities.