help with lemon balm/peru balsam

[Guest guest]

Lurker here mostly but would appreciate any ideas for making a

hydrosol with a nice little crop of Lemon Balm I have. Also any good

recipes using Peru Balsam, I just purchased some ... what a nice smoky

fragrance.

Thank You.

Herbally,

Susan

[Guest guest]

You cannot make a hydrosol unless you have a still, and I doubt you

have enough lemon balm to distill the oil.

 

Any other kind of water based extract is NOT a true hydrosol but is a

herbal extract. Lemon balm is easy to make a tea of but it won't keep

for long, also it quickly oxidises and goes brown. Best thing is to

make an infusion using a few fresh leaves (lid on the container while

it is brewing) and drink it. Another excellent way to use it is a few

leaves in strong potable alcohol as a nice tasting booze.

 

Re Peru balsam: Do not rely on old formulas for this extract as it is

a powerful skin sensitiser. I recommend it is never used on the skin

but is ok in heated diffusers.

 

Martin Watt

http://www.aromamedical.com

 

, " Susan Rae " <triorganics

wrote:

>

> Lurker here mostly but would appreciate any ideas for making a

> hydrosol with a nice little crop of Lemon Balm I have. Also any good

> recipes using Peru Balsam, I just purchased some ... what a nice smoky

> fragrance.

> Thank You.

> Herbally,

> Susan

>

[Guest guest]

, " aromamedical2003 "

<aromamedical wrote:

>

> You cannot make a hydrosol unless you have a still...

 

Martin, appreciate your clarification and input here, Thank you.

Susan