Spearmint Hydrosol

I harvested some spearmint this morning even though it's very early in the season. I'm going to keep up on it because I planted it in my raised bed and it will take over and choke out my other plants if I don't manage its growth. Spearmint is best harvested when it's flowering; that's when it has the most essential oil in the leaves and flowering tops.

Spearmint is antibacterial, aromatic, diaphoretic, sedative, but also stimulant. It's helpful for colic, fluid retention, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.

As with any mint, it can be added to culinary dishes for a cooling taste and it will also help stimulate digestion, and prevent gas after a meal.

Why a spearmint hydrosol? It's a cooling mist during the hot summer, skin toner, can help manage acne, soothe sunburns, insect bites and rashes, and soothe scalp conditions like dandruff. Hydrosol's are water based so they can be used directly on the skin without dilution or the need for a carrier oil.

To make the hydrosol at home I used my large stock pot, a small glass ramekin, and a larger glass bowl to catch the hydrosol. Any heat safe bowl is fine, but I wouldn't use metal. I recommend glass or ceramic bowls. A flat bottom ramekin is also recommended so there's a stable base for the larger bowl.

Place the ramekin in the stock pot upside down. You'll then add the herb around it, add water, I used 7 cups of filtered water. I left about 3/4 inch headspace below the top of the ramekin. Now you'll place the large bowl and top. Cover with the lid upside down so the steam collects and drips down and into the dish below. Place a bag of ice on the lid to help cool the steam as it hits the lid to collect the liquid. You'll replace this bag several times during the process so make sure you have plenty of ice.

Bring the water to a near boil then turn it down to simmer. The distillation process will take about an hour or two, depending on how much of the hydrosol you want to collect. Carefully remove the lid to reveal the results. The clear liquid in the top bowl is your hydrosol and any liquid remaining in the pot can be used to water your plants, drank as a tea or added to bath water for a wonderful, aromatic experience. Discard the leaves or add them to your compost pile.

Next, carefully transfer the liquid to a spray bottle and enjoy. The spray can be used for several months before turning rancid, and can last longer when stored in your fridge.