What is hydrosol?

Hydrosol is best defined as a water-based byproduct of the distillation process used to extract essential oils from plant materials. When essential oils are distilled, steam passes through the plant material and carries the volatile compounds into a condenser where they cool and separate. The result is two main products: the essential oil, which is hydrophobic and rises to the top, and the hydrosol, which is the water that remains and contains small amounts of the plant's aromatic and therapeutic properties.

Hydrosols can be used in various applications, including aromatherapy, skincare, and culinary uses, due to their gentler nature compared to essential oils. They contain many of the same properties as the essential oil but are typically less concentrated and are often safer for direct application, particularly in cases where essential oils may be too potent or irritating to the skin.

The other options describe different concepts that do not accurately fit the definition of a hydrosol. The highly concentrated form of essential oil refers to the distilled essential oil itself, not the hydrosol. Dangerous chemical compounds do not pertain to hydrosols in the context of aromatherapy. Additionally, hydrosols are not a method of storing essential oils; rather, they are a distinct product