The Aromatic Plant Project ~ News Archives 2002

AN UPDATE ON THE AROMATIC PLANT PROJECT ©, 2002

History of The Aromatic Plant Project: — We encourage American farmers to organically grow essential oil bearing plants and we educate the public as to how to obtain the pure and natural aromatherapy products including hydrosol and essential oils. Hydrosol production is one of the goals of the Aromatic Plant Project. Jeanne Rose, the Executive Director, teacher and author of 18 herbal and aroma healing books, founded the APP in 1990 and is dedicated to encouraging American agriculture, providing pure aromatherapy products, both hydrosols and essential oils and educating the public about the therapeutic value of such products.
“At present’” says Jeanne Rose, “most aromatherapy products are made with synthetic essential oils and most aromatherapy products have completely neglected the fabulous uses and inclusion of the hydrosols.”
APP membership information can be obtained on the website, www.aromaticplantproject.com or by FAX 415/564-6799 or by phone 415/564-6785.

Hydrosol: The word "hydrosol" was coined by Jeanne Rose. It is the product of distillation and is the first 50% of the watery aromatic distillate. A substance of distillation that carries the water-soluble plant components and micro-drops of essential oil. These give the hydrosol its characteristic scent and part of its therapeutic properties. Hydrosols should always be on the acid side and they are often about pH 4.5-5.5. Hydrosols are obtained along with essential oils in the distillation process. Not all of the aromatic watery distillate is called the hydrosol, only the first part of it. Hydrosols are the perfect synergy of herbal therapy and aroma therapy; and are safe to use for children, pets, people, plants and the elderly.
     During the last several years, I have received several phone calls regarding the distillation of essential oil plants. People are intrigued with the idea of distillation and decide they want to grow and distill plants.
     Unfortunately, what most people forget is that what is easily sold, may not be easily grown in the areas from which they are calling. My advice to prospective growers is first- know your soil. What is the pH, what type of soil, what would ordinarily grow. After you have canvassed your area and seen what grows easily, than look at aromatherapy books and read. From your reading, you will find the plants and essential oils that people want to use. Then match up your soil, elevation, location (the terroir) with the correct plant, or plants to grow. Now comes the hardest part—finding essential oil plants. You cannot just go to any nursery and pick out plants or seeds because they carry plants with what you think is the correct name. Each plant has a Latin binomial or name that is its own. This same Latin binomial is given to the essential oil. But, most plants also have cultivar types (cv) and you must choose the correct cultivar. Cultivars are often not available at general nurseries.
     For example, here in California, you can go to any nursery and purchase a Lavender plant that is correctly named Lavandula angustifolia, the true Lavender. However, if you plant this out and distill it, the Lavender scented essential oil will not contain the two chemicals (linaloöl and linalyl acetate) that make Lavender oil, lavender scented, in a quantity that is considered therapeutic. Yes, you will get an essential oil, but it won’t be marketable because of the quality and type of essential oil. In order to get a quality, true Lavender oil, you must first start with the correct cultivar type of Lavender plant and then plant it in the best location above 2500 feet in chalky soil. Then distill it, analyze the essential oil and if the numbers are correct (at least 40% linaloöl and 20% linalyl acetate, with no camphor and little to no cineol), then you can plant out this Lavender as a crop and be pretty much assured that the Lavender oil and hydrosol will be a quality product.

1. Know Your Soil.
2. Location, Location, Location.
3. Water source, type and timing of the water.
4. Choose the correct plant that will match the terroir.
5. Harvest at the correct time.
6. Harvest the correct part.
7. Choose a method of distillation and type of equipment .
8. Choose whether you are distilling for essential oil or hydrosol.
9. Distill with the art and craft of 500 years experience.
10. Bottle and label your sterile hydrosol.
11. Market the product.
     There are Lavender plants being grown organically in small plots from Sonoma County, north to Willits, Alameda in San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, an urban plot in the middle of San Francisco and from the Bay Area south to Santa Barbara.
     Hydrosols of Lavender, Melissa or Rose Geranium are also being produced. They are gentle, soft and antiseptic. They can be sprayed on your towels before use or on your bed linens. For a true aromatherapy stress relieving indulgence, spray before bed or nap time and slip between the gently scented sheets. Spray your night clothes or your pillows for a peaceful night’s sleep. In other parts of the country a giant Peppermint farm/grower is devoting a small parcel of his crop to the production of truly fine Peppermint hydrosol. His still, which is the size of 3 semi-trucks, needs to be especially adapted for the occasional few barrels of hydrosol that are taken off. Peppermint hydrosol is a complete and synergistic balance of the best of herbal therapy and aromatherapy. It can be used as a body spray after a shower for cooling and refreshing stimulation. The combination of its great natural scent, natural taste and aromatic therapeutic benefits make this hydrosol a wonderful and exhilarating mouthwash.
     In Missouri, another grower has adapted the basic still design to the production of fine Red cedar oil and hydrosol (Juniperus virginiana). This hydrosol is particularly useful for the cleansing of the air of smelly hospitals. This Juniper Hydrosol also stops ants in their tracks. Other growers are interested in other plants for hydrosol production.
     The APP has just recently completed the distillation of both Mediterranean Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) as a lymphatic tonic or toning aftershave and Artemisia arborescens, the lovely Blue Artemis used for serious skin conditions including psoriasis or eczema. Call us for this fabulous product.
     In California, distillation classes and workshops are being given throughout the state to teach others how to grow and distill a variety of plants. Call the Aromatic Plant Project © at 415/564-6785 for a distillation class schedule. Call The Aromatic Plant Project© for information on the benefits of being a subscriber to THE AROMATIC NEWS or becoming a member of The Aromatic Plant Project and how to join.

Learn to use the hydrosols and add them to your production line. .........................jeanne rose

See the Autumn 2002 Issue of THE AROMATIC NEWS for
more News from the Aromatic Plant Project

To the Students of The Aromatherapy Studies Course,
Aromatherapy Classes, and distance learning by Jeanne Rose

     The Institute of Aromatic Studies is proud to announce that ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals) has endorsed The Aromatherapy Studies Course by Jeanne Rose and will provide Practitioner Liability Insurance for Graduates. Also, students of this course may also obtain Student Insurance while they are working towards completion of the Aromatherapy Studies Course, (ASC).
     Liability Insurance requires that graduates put a Disclaimer into use and create client files with a complete clinical history on each of the clients. Practitioners should also educate clients on the proper precautions to follow regarding the use of Essential Oils.
     The ASC (Aromatherapy Studies Course) follows all NAHA Education Guidelines in Aromatherapy, provides instruction from several renowned teachers including Jeanne Rose who holds a Lifetime Teaching Credential from the California Community College System and provides nurses (RN) with 160 CEU credits in Aromatherapy and 15 CE in Texas. The ASC also has a diploma program, Certification Level III, Master Herbalist and Certified Aromatherapist, that matches the requirements set by World Governing Bodies in Herbalism and Aromatherapy. The ASC encourages all graduates to continue their education.
     The Practitioner Insurance with ABMP enables the graduate of The Aromatherapy Studies Course by Jeanne Rose to have a Practice and do work beyond friends and family; to work in any sort of public situation such as a salon, day spa, to use the oils in any sort of practice such as massage or reflexology, - with the assurance that they are covered for Liability if the need arises.

University of Natural Medicine
     We would also like to announce that both the Aromatherapy Studies Course and the Herbal Studies Course are now being offered by the University of Natural Medicine, based in Santa Fe, NM. This institution offers classes at the campus in Santa Fe and distance learning classes as well with college credits that are accepted country wide.
     The Aromatherapy Studies Course is offered for 12 college credits and The Herbal Studies Course for 20 college credits.
     Please contact UNM for more information or go to www.jeannerose.com for course information. Jeanne Rose, Principal Tutor, The Aromatherapy & Herbal Studies Courses.

Autumn 2002

Summer 2002

Spring 2002