Istrian Helichrysum italicum Hydrosol and Essential Oil: Cultivation, Terroir, Distillation and Quality

Jana Bergant is a herb grower, distiller and founder of Bonistra, a small artisan distillery for hydrosols and essential oils in the Dragonja valley in Slovenian Istria.
She holds an MSc in Information Science and has more than two decades of experience in strategic marketing, before returning to the land and dedicating herself to aromatic and medicinal plants. She has been working professionally in this field for more than ten years.
On her herb farm she cultivates indigenous Istrian and Mediterranean herbs that she has transferred from the wild onto cultivated fields. She is dedicated to producing high-quality organic hydrosols and essential oils, distilled in stainless-steel Alchemia Solutions stills, from species such as Helichrysum italicum, Istrian lavender (Lavandula x intermedia), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), sage (Salvia officinalis), clary sage (Salvia sclarea), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), myrtle (Myrtus communis), laurel (Laurus nobilis), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), winter savory (Satureja montana).
All Bonistra hydrosols are certified by CosmEthically ACTIVE as defined active cosmetic ingredients, with clear origin, composition and quality criteria.
Alongside cultivation and distillation, Jana runs educational programmes and hands-on workshops on hydrosol and essential oil distillation, quality assessment and safe use of distilled products.

She collaborates with Slovenian academic institutions, including the University of Primorska (UP FAMNIT) and the Faculty of Pharmacy in Ljubljana, and participates in the national SRIP Health – Medicine strategic partnership, contributing her expertise at the intersection of medicinal plants, quality ingredients and product development.
Jana is also a co-founder of the Slovenian Association of Aromatherapists.
As a grower–distiller she brings a grounded “from field to bottle” perspective, connecting terroir, cultivation practices, distillation parameters and quality control. In her work with professionals, she focuses on transparent sourcing, realistic safety profiles and responsible use of hydrosols and essential oils in skincare and related professional practice.