Class is back in session....

Something exciting is a buzz over here in the Apothecary.... After many inquiries as to when I would be back doing distillation workshops, I have not only a date but, I also have a really great venue. There is this incredible farm out here in the valley that not only hosts an amazing farmers market, but also engages with the community on a multitude of levels.

I had been looking for sometime and praying for a connection or opportunity that would present itself. I could host at the farm I distill for and I might for the more comprehensive classes. But I was really hoping for somewhere he in the Temecula Valley where so many of my supporters and clients can access. Then it happned! Who said social media is a waste? I was scrolling (as you tend to on social media) and happened upon a post by a well known, beloved farm! They were offering their barn as a venue for events! In that moment it all clicked and I began the process of setting it up.

Since speaking with the owners and planning the event I have been struggling to contain the announcement. I have hosted smaller more intimate classes on distillation, but since taking up the distillation work at 123Farm I leaned away from hosting classes in exchange for hosting thier distillation tours. I didnt realize how much I loved distilling with groups of people until took a break from it. For an aromatic distiller such as myself, it can get kind of lonely, so this is a great chance to connect and ignite more conversations about something I am so passionate about.

This workshop is going to be so much more than an immersive educational workshop. Its going to spark curiosity and inspiritation. Its going to be a full experience set on the backdrop of a beautiful farm! Not just any farm, Father's Farmhouse Farm!

I have some ideas on which plant material we would use. but I am bringing a fleet of stills and I think attendees are going to be blown away. I plan to put them to work prepping plant material and assisting in the full process of distillation. In one day I am going to single handedly recruit an army of enthusiastic distillers!

If you are interested in getting in on the action, tickets can be purchased here on the site or you can follow the attached link. Please consider doing this with a friend or partner! If good interest is spawned, I can add more classes and perhaps even expand on the content in more intermediate and advanced workshops.

I'll be your teacher and we will distill this together! -:Darla

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/distillation-backyard-alchemy-101-tickets-1269260655789?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile

Water under the bridge, not quite..

I was a little stunned and shocked with myself when I realized that I had never formerly wrote about Hydrosols on my own web page. After all, I distill them, sell them, teach them and yes I even drink them. I brainstormed and scratched many ideas which included explaining "What a hydrosol is.." and "How to use these fabulous waters!", alas I concluded, if you are here, you may already know. You needn't click far if you wanted to know or read various renditions of how they are distilled plant waters containing trace lipophilic essential oil compounds suspended in a aquaeous solution of plant acids and cellular water. You may even be aware that they are around 30 times more concentrate than a tea, yet a fraction of fraction less potent of an essential oil. Naturally, everyone understands that they are a safer alternative for young children, infants pregnant women, elderly and those with sensitivities. So then, in my quest to be relavant and provide stand out content, what could I offer a reader who in their thirst for understanding, would give their time to my hydrosol blog? Before I answer this, I need you as the reader to understand a few things about me. 1. I distilled hydrosols for many years before I sold my own distillations. I sourced hydrosols in bulk from seasoned proffesional artisan distillers until I was beyond confident I could produce a safe hydrosol on that level of quality. 2. I trained under some of the biggest names in the industry and I am trying to carry forward their teachings. 3. I am so passionate about the future of these healing therapeutic waters that have devoted much of my daily life to them. 4. Very little is known about hydrosols and the variables that influence the level of trace compounds produced and thus their full application or benefits. 5. My goal is to unite with other artisan distillers who share the same passions and participate in a standard of practice surrounding hydrosols so that we can share data, protect their value, produce sustainably and better understand them, translating all their benefits and best applications.

With all that said, I waould like to impart to you that hydrosols stand at the precipice of what could be a very exciting time in the holistic world. Professional Herbalist & Aromatherapist have found a rare common ground and its Hydrosols. Everyday new concepts are being pioneered into how to apply them, while scientific studies are supporting their properties and benefits. Many new distillers are joining in on the craze while holistic practioners are starting to implement them into practice. Yet, whenever we see traction or demand potential we also see adulteration and lower quality products saturate the market.Because there is no real authority or supervising body, there is little we can do to stave off poor practices and deceptive marketing. So we as artisan distillers and hydrosols retailers have a resposibility to elevate our practices, production and labeling to educate a responsible consumer group. Nothing speaks louder than the dollar and so we have a ethical resposibilty to influence where that dollar goes. We do this by collectively working to raise the quality and trasparency. As a consumer, be it for personal use or professional use in a holistic practice there are some key insights you will want to know about your hydrosol before you buy:

• -Hydrosols should be distilled as the primary product of the distillation. Many hydrosols retailers capture the hydrosol produced when they distill for essential oil. There is a significant difference in quality.

• -Hydrosols have a shelf life. They should be used within 1 year of their distillation date. Although we have seen hydrosols vibracy last well beyond that, the idea or rule is freshness season to season.

• -Hydrosols should have the distillation date referenced.

• -Hydrosols should be labeled indicating what material still was used in its production, i.e. copper, stainless steel ect.

• -Hydrosol producers should be well trained and experienced in safe capture methods that include proper sanitation practices. (Hydrosols are prone to fungal and bacterial contamination and host a pluethra of microbes than make you very sick or injure you.)

• -Hydrosols should be labeled with the correct latin binomial and not just the common name including wwhether it is a chemotype i.e. Verbenone, Linalool, Cineole ect.

• -Hydrosols should be distilled in a manner that is ideal to hydrosol distillation, methods of which are much different to distilling essential oil. Often involving longer time, lower heat

• -Plant material used in hydrosol distillation should be harvested in peak phase for hydrosol distillation. Often the peak phase is different than an essential oil distillation.

• -Hydrosol retailers should have an effective batch and log system to be able to trace back a contamination.

• -Hydrosol retailers should routinely test their hydrosols for microbial presence. As we know that contamination takes time to build the detectable microbial load.

• -Hydrosols should be bottled and stored in a manner that support the vibracy and lengevity of the hydrosol. Clear bottles, little to no headspace and cool (not cold) and consistent temperature.

These are just a few of the basics surrounding responsible hydrosol sourcing. All Hydrosols in my line meet and exceed these standards. If you would like to know more or discuss any of the topics presented here I encourage you to email me directly at Honesttogodorganics@gmail.com or consider taking my introduction course to hydrosols https://jennscentsaromaversity.com/courses/introduction-to-hydrosols/

Darla Dunn Certified Holistic Aromatherapist, N.A.H.A. & I.C.A.N member, Hydrosol Instructor at JennScentsAromaversity.com , Hydrosol Distiller for 123Farms Lavender at Highland Springs Ranch and Founder/CEO at Honest To God Organics Apothecary LLC.

Study Indicates Olfactory Enrichment (Aromatherapy) improves Memory & Cognitive Function

Michael Leon, a neurobiologist & professor emeritus at University of California, Irvine has conducted a promising research study that indicates smelling different essential oils routinely significantly improves memory and cognitive function. Leon conducted his experiment by providing just over 4 dozen healthy adult individuals average age 43, diffusers as well as a group of essential oils to go in them with instructions to diffuse a different one each night for 2 hours. Participants enjoyed a different scent nightly of rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary.Over the course of six months, there was a 226% improvement in a learning ability and memory function test among those who slept diffusing the assigned essential oils compared with those participants that diffused distilled water every night as a control. Leon believes the oils stimulated the memory centers of people's brains as they slept. The results were published recently in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.

In a previous study, researchers in Korea found that twice-daily aromatherapy helps improve memory and attention in those with moderate dementia. Leon's study was testing more passive ways to stimulate the brain to allow ease of access and use for aging adults.

The idea is that it will keep the memory centers of your brain in good condition throughout life and perhaps prevent memory loss older in life.

Full Article to Cited Research here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448/full