What is an Italian "Erboristeria" and how essential oils are treated in the Italian monasteries?

In Italy, what we commonly call “Erboristeria”is a sort of herbal pharmacy where our pharmacists, historically named aromatists, work on, study and practice ancient healing formulations based on the use of the natural herbs, to provide people affected by particular health  problems with a customized cure.

Our pharmacists were strong believers of the efficacy of the herbal knowledge’ s monks, which the natural healing remedies they adopted and studied were based on. 

Nowadays,we are able to propose a contemporary interpretation of those herbal formulations,treatments and practices of the authentic Italian beauty culture,through  three steps of production.

1) MACERATION;

Parts of the fresh plant are placed in an airtight container and covered with almond oil or other base oils for 30 days

2) FILTERING AND SCREENING;

After this period the oil is filtered and transferred into another container and skips to the pressing plant mixed with oil that contains most of the functional substances in the plant itself. Two more days of resting, then a second screening and other purifying processes occur  before the oil, filtered and pure, is ready for distillation.

3)DISTILLED;

Essential oils are obtained by steam distillation. The pressurized steam is introduced into the lower part of the distiller and passes through the plant parts or oil to vaporize the volatile oils contained in them.  It is a method that applies to most of the aromatic plants and exploits the physical properties of essences, in particular their volatility.It is to separate the essential oil from the plant origin using a jet of water vapor, which invests plant tissues and "carries" the essence. From the process you get two final products: the distillate and the aromatic water. This is the water that comes from the condensation of the same steam, scented by a small fraction of essence dissolved in it.

For example,our production method has enabled us to develop our chamomile & hawthorne cleansing milk

Chamomile Cleansing Milk, 

Emollient, soothing and protective pH balanced cream cleanser, suitable for all skin types and ages including dry-sensitive especially with a tendency to redness and capillary fragility. Gently cleanses and removes make-up while hydrating, softening and calming irritation and redness, leaving the skin fresh, toned and clear, ready to receive further treatments. It also helps relieve the irritation of rosacea and acne conditions. 

Made with;

Chamomile essential oil ;it soothes and calms irritation, relieves allergic reactions. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, treats capillary fragility, and helps calm eczema and allergic conditions. 

Butcher’s broom and Licorice;they have a gentle anti-redness and anti-inflammatory action that reduces redness and improves the tone of uneven blotchy skin.Butcher’s broom is vasoconstrictor, improves circulation and reduce redness. Licorice; treats acne, calms allergic skin and improves condition of fragile capillaries. 

Hawthorn and Horse chestnut stimulate and improve circulation with a special tonic effect on the capillaries, gradually helping to strengthen and minimize visible ones.Hawthorn; lightly astringent with tonic and healing effects especially for capillaries.Horsechestnut; healing, improves circulation, refreshes. 

Sweet almond oil; emollient and highly nourishing traditionally used to prevent signs of aging and dehydration. 

Karite’; a natural emollient, anti wrinkle, protective, and nourishing. 

Note: Chamomile cleanser is particularly recommended for allergic skin with intolerance to chemically based skin care products. It can be used in conjunction with Erbe Rosemary cleansing milk or Calendula Non-soap bar to heal irritated condition.
Follow with: Erbe Rose water (for dry, mature skin or sensitive with redness) or Lavender water (for normal, combination or sensitive skin with blemishes).
 

A truly gentle yet thoroughly effective cleansing cream. Chamomile Cleansing Milk is a soothing, hydrating, and highly protective, removes make-up and impurities while hydrating the skin. It also helps relieve the irritation of rosacea and acne conditions

ERBE has brought the healing philosophy of the Italian botanical active principles in the United States, by  embracing  and modernizing  the work of 15th and 16th century Italian herbalists, physicians and herbalist monks from celebrated monasteries,and  combining our local and centuries-old knowledge of the Italian beauty culture formulations with the most recent cosmetics preparation's procedures and modern technology. Our practices are informed by the accumulation of information that has been researched, tested, improved, and enhanced over hundreds of years. 

 Our story and 

products on the following link;

http://erbeitalianskincare.blogspot.it/2013/03/the-association-of-various-different.html