Mom’s Review: Harvest to Hydrosol
Earlier this year, a much anticipated book arrived on my front porch. Hot off the press, it was Harvest to Hydrosol, the updated 2023 2nd edition of Ann Harman’s acclaimed 2015 book on hydrosol distillation.
As a home distiller myself, I must say that as soon as I took it out of its packaging, I sat down and excitedly thumbed through those freshly printed pages.
Ann’s Journey with Hydrosol Distillation
Ann Harman’s journey with hydrosol distillation began over 30 years ago with a simple stove-top set up. After watching James Green, a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild, distill rose hydrosol with a canning pot, she couldn’t wait to get started.
While continuing to experiment on her own with stove-top hydrosol distillation, she continued her studies. This lead her to Jeanne Rose who introduced her to the copper alembic still. Ann was in love.
In her excitement, she took copious notes intending to write a book for other aspiring home distillers. However, she soon realized that although she would love to write a “cookbook” for making hydrosol, distillation was an art, a craft, and no one distillation is the same as the next.
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Guiding Our Journeys with Hydrosol Distillation
Including lovely hand drawn illustrations and full color photographs, Harvest to Hydrosol, 2nd Edition is a beautifully written book about Ann’s experiences with stills, plants, distillation, and distillates. Although, she only uses copper alembic stills for hydrosol distillation now, and much of the book is geared towards distilling on this type of still, the information is meaningful for home distillers using stove-top or Air Still hydrosol distillation as well.
“The most important part is to have fun and enjoy your time with the stills. Experiment and don’t be afraid to make mistakes…Don’t get hung up on following the rules.”
~Ann Harman, Harvest to Hydrosol, 2nd Ed (2023)
In Harvest to Hydrosol Ann discusses the fascinating evolution of the still and the history of distillation, which dates back 4000 years or more.
She provides detailed instructions on setting up, cleaning, and maintaining a copper alembic still—important information regardless of the distillation method used.
She also discusses:
- types of stills
- responsibilities of the distiller
- importance of water quality
- plant selection and harvesting
- types of hydrosol distillation (steam, hydro, combo)
- good manufacturing practices (GMPs)
- reducing contamination
- chemical constituents of hydrosols
- regular evaluation of hydrosols after evaluation.
My Favorite Chapters
A favorite section of Harvest to Hydrosol is, of course, the botanicals chapter. It provides details on 20 different plants and includes information on cultivation, harvesting, and recommended type(s) of distillation. This is vital information for large-scale and home distillers alike,
Another favorite chapter is about sourcing hydrosols and using them in daily life. Like Ann, I use hydrosols in nearly every aspect of my life, including skin care, general wellness, aromatherapy, water flavoring, cleaning, and animal care.
Whether you’re an Aromatherapist, an Herbalist, or a Skin Care Formulator, Harvest to Hydrosol will help take your understanding of plants, distillation, and hydrosols to a new level.
Harvest to Hydrosol, 2nd Ed is available on Amazon or from your local book seller.
Learn more about hydrosols at Circle H Institute, where Ann has made available GC/MS reports, hydrosol research, and informational articles.
Ann also provides several online and in-person workshops. You can find information on Ann Harman’s courses, as well as a lot of free information on hydrosol distillation and hydrosols, at botANNicals (not an affiliate link).
You can find other books on hydrosols, essential oils, aromatherapy, and herbalism in Mom’s Library Favorites on Amazon.
- Title: Harvest to Hydrosol
- Author: Ann Harman
- Publisher: IAG Botanics LLC dba botANNicals
- Language: English
- Paperback: ‎306 pages
- ISBN-10: 0991385926
- ISBN-13: 978-0-9913859-2-8
Chris P | Writer, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)
