PALMAROSA DISTILLATE (CYMBOPOGON MARTINII) - HERBAL DISTILLATES

It is a wild growing, herbaceous green and straw-colored grass, with long slender stems, terminal flowering tops and fragrant grassy leaves. It is harvested before the flowers appear and the highest yield is obtained when the grass is fully dried - about one week after it has been cut.

Palmarosa plantation remains productive for about eight years. However, the yield of grass and oil starts decreasing from the fourth year onwards. It is, therefore, recommended that the plantation be kept only for four years.

The grass is either distilled afresh or is allowed to wilt for 24 hours. Wilting reduces the moisture content and allows a larger quantity of grass to be packed into the still, thus economizing the fuel use. The current method of distillation adopted in Kerala is primitive and obsolete and gives oil of poor quality, as it is based on hydro-distillation or direct-fired still. For good quality oil, it is advisable to adopt steam-distillation.

Palmarosa Water gets in distillation process of Cymbopogon Martinii essential oil.

Palmarosa Distillate has a sweet floral, rosy, geranium scent, giving a refreshing and clarifying feeling. It is wonderful to use as a general spray any time of the day.