If you study aromatherapy, you will learn that there are several essential oils which are useful to have around the home for first aid matters. However, hydrosols can also be used for first aid – and are sometimes a gentler solution in cases of babies and children. Here are three hydrosols that can be used for first aid matters in the home.

 

Witch Hazel Hydrosol for First Aid

 

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a flowering shrub of the Hamamelidaceae plant family. It does not produce an essential oil but does produce a hydrosol from the steam distillation of the leaves and bark of the plant. 

 

Do not confuse store-bought witch hazel with a true witch hazel hydrosol; the hydrosol has a higher ethanol and tannin content with no alcohol added (which is sometimes added to store-bought witch hazel) (Price and Price, 2004). Although store-bought witch hazel solutions have been traditional tools for first aid, witch hazel hydrosol brings a more “authentic” substance to your first aid ki 

Witch hazel hydrosol can be used for wounds, cuts and scrapes as it is antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory in its properties. It can also be sprayed directly onto the skin.

 

Helichrysum Hydrosol for First Aid

 

Helichrysum ( Helichrysum angustifolium) is a Mediterranean-native flowering shrub of the Asteraceae plant family. It produces both an essential oil and a hydrosol for use in aromatherapy practice. 

Helichrysum hydrosol is a valuable tool to have in your first aid kit as it has anti-inflammatory and cicatrizant properties (Price and Price, 2004). It helps to reduce scarring on fresh wounds (Rose, 1999 

Personally, I have used helichrysum hydrosol to help with inflammation and “calm down” red blotches on the skin.

 

Tea Tree Hydrosol for First Aid

 

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a native tree of Australia which belongs to the Myrtaceae plant family. It produces both an essential oil and a hydrosol for use in aromatherapy practice. 

 

Tea tree hydrosol is a multi-purpose tool to have in your first aid kit. It is highly antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-viral in its therapeutic properties (Price and Price, 2004). You can use it for first aid issues (cuts and scrapes), in addition to wiping down areas and work tops where disinfectant is needed (for example, baby, children, and pet vomit).

 

Learn More About Hydrosols with Sedona Aromatherapie Courses

 

If you would like to learn more about the use of hydrosols, consider the Sedona Aromatherapie Certification in Professional Aromatherapy course. To learn more about aromatherapy courses with Sedona Aromatherapie, visit the courses home page.

 

References: 

Price, Len, Price, Shirley, 2004, Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy UK: Churchill Livingstone

Rose, Jeanne, 1999, 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, US: Frog Ltd

Author’s own training with Penny Price Aromatherapy (UK)