A hydrosol, also known as a floral water or distillate, is a byproduct of the steam distillation process used to extract essential oils from plants. Unlike essential oils, which are highly concentrated and potent, hydrosols are much milder and can be used directly on the skin without dilution.

Hydrosols are created when steam is passed through plant material, causing the essential oils to vaporize and become suspended in the steam. The steam is then cooled, causing the essential oils and water to separate. The water, now infused with the essential oils and other water-soluble plant compounds, is collected and referred to as a hydrosol.

Millions of Americans are walking around with at least some level of stress. While stress has become more and more common in today’s lifestyle, one thing remains the same. Stress can negatively affect your health. High blood pressure, headaches, sleep changes, muscle pain and tension, and digestive issues can all be caused by stress. Chances are you’re reading this post because you’re currently dealing with stress. You’re not alone. Many people find stress hard to handle. One thing you may not have considered is the power of essential oil blends for stress relief. Let’s take a closer look.

Essential Oils to Use for Stress Relief

You can blend any of these oils to create your own blend. The important thing is to find a blend that you enjoy the fragrance of so that you can reap the benefits of the oils without hating the scent. Lavender – Lavender is one of the most recommended oils when it comes to stress relief. The scent is soothing, but the properties of the oil actually help support the nervous system. This can help reduce the feelings of anxiety that come with stress. If stress causes you to lose sleep, consider using lavender oil before bedtime. You can even create a lavender spray using equal parts rubbing alcohol and water along with lavender oil. Spray your pillow 15 to 20 minutes before bed to allow your pillow to dry before laying down. Ylang Ylang – Ylang ylang works to calm the nervous system and reduce cortisol levels. Not only that, but the oil also replaces the feelings of anxiety with feelings of optimism and positivity. Ylang ylang is popping up more and more in body washes, lotions, and other skin products to make it easier to reap the benefits. Bergamot – Bergamot oil can also help reduce stress. It is recommended to blend the oil with lavender oil to create a stress relief blend. One thing to keep in mind is that exposure to the sun when using bergamot can cause a reaction. It is best to use the oil in the evening and not be in the sun for 12 hours after. Chamomile – Chamomile is well known for it’s sleep inducing properties. The oil helps remove feelings of stress and replaces them with feelings of peace. Do not use this essential oil if you are allergic to ragweed. Vetiver – Vetiver should be considered in a stress relief blend for serious stress. The oil is often used to help trauma patients. It also helps with panic attacks, jitters, and hypersensitivity. You will feel a sense of tranquility when using this oil. Rose – Rose oil is, to many, hands down the most effective essential oil for dealing with stress. It is recommended to use it in aromatherapy situations. An equal blend of rose, lavender, and bergamot oil will greatly increase the stress reducing effects of the rose oil. Smell each essential oil and create a blend that smells good to you. You can use skin products that have essential oils. You can use a diffuser. You can even apply the oils to the skin once mixed with a carrier oil. Always test oils on your skin before applying heavily. There can be allergic reactions. Also be careful of essential oil use around pets who may be sensitive to the scents. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Anxiety affects all of us at one time or another. For some, it creeps up in middle school when we are given a major assessment. For others, it appears suddenly when we bring home our sleepy newborns from the hospital. Anxiety takes away our peace and leaves us feeling broken. Thankfully, there are some things that we can do to help alleviate the weight of anxiety. To be clear, I'm talking anxiety from everyday stressors. As someone who holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, I absolutely recognize that an anxiety disorder is a major mental health issue that should be addressed by a psychologist/psychiatrist. I first discovered essential oils in my early 20's (so 20 something cough cough years ago.) A good friend of mine had cancer and in order to relieve headaches after chemo and to destress, she would rub eucalyptus oil on her temples then down along her cheek bones to her sinuses and back to the temples. Curious, I asked her if she could try it on me. I was surprised at how well it worked. She gave me the bottle, which I still hold onto since her passing, as a reminder of that day. When formulating A Girl's Gotta Spa! bath and body products, adding essential oils were an obvious choice. I truly believe in their benefits. Essential oils can be used for everything from medical ailments to keeping bugs out of your home. I personally love them to help me sleep, focus or destress from daily anxiety. I've rounded up 5 essential oils that can help aid in reducing those every day levels of anxiety: When placed in a diffuser, Lavender Oil has a calming effect on those who inhale it. This is a great essential oil for relaxation. Frankincense Oil is known for its natural anti-depressant properties. This is a good essential oil to keep on hand if you suffer from anxiety attacks. Chamomile is known for its ability to reduce stress hormones (we use chamomile in our plant-based body wash.) It’s also a wonderful sleep aid. Oranges are good for more than just your daily vitamin C intake. Orange Oil has a positive effect on people in stress-inducing situations. It's an uplifting oil and a great way to wake up your senses and/or boost your mood. You'll find this essential oil in our rollerball perfume and bath and body products for this very reason. Ylang Ylang Oil is a great oil to use topically. When applied with a carrier oil to the skin, it will leave you feeling calm and relaxed. There are several ways that you can use these essential oils to aid in reducing anxiety, such as placing them in a diffuser or by using a portable diffuser, such as the kind from Corked. There's aromatherapy jewelry that can be worn all day and roll on applicators you can apply directly to your palms and breathe in. It's become easier than ever to find a way to incorporate essential oils into your lifestyle. If you’ve ever used essential oils to reduce anxiety or another ailment, I’d love to hear about it! Please leave a comment below! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

One of the main things I love about walking into a spa is the calming scent that fills the air. It's like instant relaxation before your spa treatment has even begun. When I was younger, my sister used to burn incense sticks. It was all the rage back in the early 90's. To be honest, I would make fun of her for it. All these years later, I didn't realize that it was a form of aromatherapy... and now I love it, just in essential oil form. I recently received the Gurunanda Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser, and honestly, I'm so in love. Some of the benefits of this aromatherapy diffuser: The diffuser itself is super lightweight. Even with water in it, which is enough for 2.5-5 hours of use, did not make it weighty. Each essential oil box has a scratch and sniff sticker so that you can sample the fragrance before purchasing. The diffuser lights up at the top - red, green and blue. You also have the option of turning the lights off. The on/off button also controls the lights and diffusing time. Press once for lights and 2.5 hours of continuous mist. Press twice to turn off lights. Press three times for 5 hours of mist every 15 seconds without lights. Pressing 4 times turns it off. Whichever amount of time you choose, the diffuser automatically shuts off after that alloted time. The diffuser has a low level white noise hum to it, so it's a little relaxing to listen to. The diffuser and the mist are not hot at all, so no worring about burns or it becoming humid in the room. The best part is that once you put a small amount of water into the chamber and two drops of your preferred essential oil, and hit the button, the mist is literally immediate. I was blown away. Having only experience with units that have to heat up, I love the fact that the ultrasonic waves have zero start up time. Talk about instant gratification. Since there is no heat involved, the integrity of the essential oils are not compromised. Gurunanda has 9 blends of essential oils. I personally love Focus (especially needed on Monday mornings, rainy days and late afternoons.) Focus is a blend of lemongrass, rosemary, and citronella. I love lemongrass; it's even in my Silk Therapeutics Purely Smooth daily firming complex. They also have Breathe Easy (eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon), which I plan to use when I'm congested or my allergies are acting up. These oils are not just for the diffuser, but can also be used in your bath, mixed with a carrier oil and massaged onto your skin and made into a room spray. Have you tried this aromatherapy diffuser? Let me know in the comments! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: sample

Being able to transform my shower into a spa-like experience is my idea of absolute bliss, so one can only imagine my elation upon hearing the words "aromatherapy shower kit." Immediately upon hearing those few words, pictures of a completely relaxed, zen-like me began dancing in my head. Needless to say, I could hardly wait to get my hands on this magical product that would allow me to turn my boring old shower time into an invigorating spa time. This magical product that I speak of is the Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit.  The kit includes a shower arm and essential oil pods and is exceptionally easy to use...honesty it took me less an a minute to attach the arm to my shower and insert the essential oil pod. Best of all? Set up required zero tools.  After setting up was compete, all I had to do was turn on my shower water and tilt the pod into the stream of water and the essential oils began to diffuse into my shower. The first Essential Oil Pod that I tried was the Breathe blend, it was minty, refreshing and soothing and contains a blend of Cedarwood Atlas, Peppermint, Lemon, Eucalyptus.  I am currently using the Unwind Essential Oil Pod, which is more of a citrusy floral scent containing a blend of Orange Sweet, Bergamot, Petitgrain, Lavender, Patchouli, Vetiver and is utterly relaxing.  Even after I get out of the shower my entire bathroom still manages to smell positively delightful. The Essential Oil Pods last for about 3-5 showers each and when you're out, refills can be ordered at Essio Online.  The Essential Oil Pods are 100% organic, pure and sourced from the finest oils in the world.  They do not contain any harsh chemicals, synthetics or additives and both the Essio arm and essential pods are also 100% recyclable and disposable. I am not quite sure how Essio managed to create Essential Oil Pods that do not leave my skin or hair with an oily residue after I get out of the shower.  This is one of the most genius products that I have tried in a very long time.  And now that I have given Essio a try, I honestly do not think I can go back to taking showers without my daily dose of Essio Aromatherapy!

.@essioshower Aromatherapy Shower Kit #review: http://t.co/CN0C5hPPkY #beauty

— A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) January 15, 2015

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press sample