What is the difference between a herbal infusion and a floral water?
A herbal infusion is made by pouring boiling or nearly-boiling water onto a quantity of plant material which may be either fresh or dried. The mixture is then stirred and covered and allowed to stand for a period of time, typically 10 to 15 minutes before being strained. Herbal infusions are often used for their therapeutic effects rather than their scent or aroma. A floral water on the other-hand is a by-product of the process used to produce essential oils and is usually far more concentrated than an infusion. A good example of a floral water is rose water, widely used as a perfume in many skin preparations.
