Customer Reviews

Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy

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This book is the first of its kind to exclusively profile the use of hydrosols for phytoaromatherapy.and I expect it will revolutionize aromatherapy practice. Well written and researched, this book is based on Suzanne Catty's personal research. She has tried everything in this book, often on herself, and she speaks from well informed experience! I appreciate her honesty and candor. However, since the use of hydrosols (or hydrolates) is so new, often the reader is left with many questions, no fault of Ms. Catty, to be sure. What I would have appreciated was some sort of a chart or summary at the end that easily condensed much of the information in the book. As a healthcare professional and nationally certified Aromatherapist, I highly recommend this landmark achievement.

Suzanne Catty says many folks believe they are allergic to scents, but scent allergies are usually owing to the impurity of the substance used. "If we used unpolluted, totally natural smells, the chances of negative health reactions would be dramatically reduced."Catty says she discovered hydrosols when she received a brochure from the Aromatic Plant Project initiated by Jeanne Rose and other pioneers. Catty thinks these substances are as effective as oils, tisanes, and other plant-based remedies.

HYDROSOLS: THE NEXT AROMA THERAPY includes a good deal of information about the beginning of the use of hydrosols and a discussion about water. Good clean water is in demand and growing scarcer every day. In years to come a growing share of the world's population will not have access to clean water. Because humans are 60-70 percent water, and totally dependent on the stuff, this is a crises. Catty suggests good water, in addition to being a life-source, can also be medicine when combined with plant substances.

A large section of the book discusses specific hydrosols, rthe water products which form as a by-product during essential oil production (i.e. healthful water derivatives). In a section entitled `The Monographs' Catty covers specific information discovered by researchers about the properties and some applications of hydrosols. Here Catty is concerned with the chemical makeup as well as various phases of hydrosol production. Temperature, filter quality and water source all play a role in the end product(production and storage).

In subsequent chapters she goes into more depth, covering uses of hydrosols: as compresses; sitz baths and regular baths; topical compresses such as masks, scrubs, and compresses; and shampoos, conditioners and rinses. She also considers hydrosols for oral use as tonics, eye-washes or douches.

I like Catty's matter-of-fact writing about these useful products. She also provides a list of sources in the appendix, including information about her own company 'Acqua Vita'.

A wonderful wonderful book that takes the reader on a journey through the process of distilling plants specially for the hydrosols, gives information on the proper handling of these special waters, then goes on the open up a whole new world of healing with the other side of Aromatherapy: Hydrosols. A must-have book for any serious Aromatherapist. Suzanne Catty mirrors so much of my own understanding on "Life, the Universe & Aromatherapy" that reading this book is a true joy. She has opened new doors for me that I have been trying to pick the locks of for some time now. Thank you Suzanne !

I purchased this book when it first came out. I thoroughly enjoyed it at that time, and have used it as a reference ever since. What so many do not realize is that different treatments (distillation vs. tincture vs. absolute vs. hydrosol, etc.) of a plant result in often VERY different properties comprising that substance. So finally having some insights into the properties of hydrosols, the water remaining from the distillation of a plant, is/was much needed. No other work like it had been available.

And what a revelation about many of them. Most people, even those working with essential oils and their cousins were not aware of what this or that hydrosol might do, let alone how to get their hands on it.

Really needed and really wonderful work!

This is the best collection of information about hydrosols on the market! I make lotions and oils for dogs and cats so learning about hydrosols is critical.

The author has easy to understand information about the history and process of making hydrosols. She includes concise information on specific scents and provides recipes for their use.

I'm going to use this book on a regular basis. Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy was strongly suggested in Kristen Leigh Bell's book, Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals (another great work).

It's high time someone researched and explored the use of these healing waters. An excellent piece of work.

This book is a extremely thorough, informative, and interesting. It is not a superficial revue of Hydrosols, rather, it is both penetrating and thought provoking. I plan to give it to a friend who owns an international Essential Oil company (dealing largely in fine, organic oils). My friend is a consummate professional who already sells Hydrosols, yet I believe that even he will appreciate and gain from the knowledge in this book.
I highly recommend it!

Love this book. Lost it and then bought it again. Great reference book to have on hand. A comprehensive book which will be the first book I turn to for anything I need to know about hydrosols.