A LONG list of new oils featured on our New and Specials Page: Pinion Pine(Pinus edulis), from the mountains of northern Utah, Sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), White Fir (Abies concolor) - all three from an amazing artisan distiller; Australian Blue Cypress (Callitris intratropica) a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. We've imported South African Cape Chamomile, the most relaxing oil I have ever experienced, a sparkling organically grown Peppermint from India, and, most exciting of all, an aged Indian Sandalwood from Tamil Nadu, distilled in 2006 and aged to a wonderfully full bodied sweetness.

Back in Stock:

Years ago we offered Australian Rosalina oil (Melaleuca ericifolia) sometimes called "Lavender Tea Tree"...a sweetly scented cousin of the more common Tea Tree oil, gentle, relaxing and antibacterial in effect, with a woody/floral aroma. We found another source for the pain relieving High Myrcene Lemongrass that Jane Buckle recommends so enthusiastically. Our South African Palma Rosa is no more (the grower went out of business), but it has been replaced by a very respectable Indian specimen. We've restocked our New Zealand Manuka (a powerful antibacterial, and key ingredient in our Clarifying anti-acne product line.) Most important of all, we have been able to restock the steam distilled German Chamomile from the United Kingdom, after being without it for several weeks. We couldn't even make Baby Balm without it!

We had run out of our popular Belly Balm, and decided not to make more because of the unseasonable heat that has struck us here in the midsouth. Belly Balm, with its high content of Virgin Coconut Cream Oil does not ship well in summer's heat; the components will melt in a hot mailbox and we can't guarantee the condition it will arrive in. However, several clients have written begging us to take a chance, so we put together a small batch. While supplies last, of course.

SUMMER SHIPPING WARNING:

Belly Balm is not the only product that we can't ship in summer's heat. Our beloved Baby Bottom Balm and Shea Soufflé will become soup if left sitting in a hot mail box in extreme heat, so we normally discontinue shipping prior to the end of May. Because the recent flood in the greater Nashville area has left us somewhat in disarray, we neglected to inform you that we would NOT be shipping it. We have made additional small batches of both and will make them available with the same caveat - we can not guarantee that they will arrive in the same condition they left our workroom. However they are temporarily available. Baby Bottom Balm here, and Shea Soufflé here.

Our Clients Say:

What makes our day? Hearing from our clients that something we made available to them made a difference! Recent feedback:

SQUALANE

Cynthia Johnson of Hawaii has been special ordering our Squalane Facial Oil in larger quantities for a couple of years now. When she originally wrote asking about bulk pricing she said:

>Could I order a 8oz bottle of the squalane oil.. I have so many little
> >empty bottles lying about!!! It is the best product for dry skin I have
> >found..Cynthia

She recently wrote:

>And yes you can quote me.. I have dry skin and have tried everything, from the most highly acclaimed products in the Health Food Store ( expensive), to the really expensive top shelf department store lancome ,la prarie etc etc...

>It is amazing a few drops rubs in and absorbs to a perfect sheen. My foundation glides on looks natural..Best of all I do not need separate eye creams, every part of my face feels smooth and moist all day..

>I have also tried other oils but the never penetrated like this ..

>Other places carry this product but you are easiest and timely with my orders

I love it when folks praise both our products and our service!!!!

Helichrysum for Insect Stings:

Amanda Lee recently wrote:

By the way, I had a big red welt on my ribs last night from an insect bite... or perhaps a reacton to something I was wearing.. .anyway it was itching like mad so I popped on a bit of the heli in jojoba dilution you stock, and hey presto in 5 minutes the itching had stopped and the redness was totally gone within 30 minutes. I knew the heli/jojoba worked fantastically on my bruises (I'm the type that bruises if you look at me the wrong way) but here's a new use I've discovered - which you probably know all about :)

And I'd not thought to use diluted Heli for that! (Although I have seen many recommendations for the use of our new Australian Blue Cypress for stings, and to help keep wasps and hornets away. Christi has used it to discourage wasps that like to nest at her house, and plans to blog about it, when time allows. And, since something..either wasp or hornet, I'm not sure, loves to nest in the eaves of the garage behind my house, much too close to my back door for my comfort I plan to find a way to keep the Blue Cypress in that area, as well. (I am terrified of stinging insects, folks!)

Helichrysum Hydrosol and Rosacea:

Doreen Latella recently wrote:

Hi Marge, I just had to tell you how much I love your helichyrsum hydrosol. I have mild rosacea on my cheeks. I spritz small amount on my face twice a day after cleansing and before putting on my own serum(which I make from your oils)and it completely calms and gets rids of the redness. I will not be without this product. I know you cannot make claims that it heals, but for me it does!! Thank you. Doreen PS. Please feel free to use my statements.

(We are EXTREMELY short of this, our best selling hydrosol; if you want some, I urge you to order NOW. Restocking before late summer is problematical.)

BLOG UPDATES:

Since our April Newsletter we've written about:

A personal share and photos about Spring in Tennessee
A delightful article by Ellen Wood about Growing Younger (and scalp massage)
Christi blogged about our Cucumber Hydrosol
Annette Kohn-Lau shared a heli anecdote, and I shared a near disaster that also used heli for healing.
Christi posted some Aromatherapy reading recommendations.
Nashville's Flood of the Millenium - and how you can help.
Excitement about samples of new oils (described in full above and on our specials page.)
I complained about Dr. Oz's unsafe recommendations on using Essential oils.
And I just posted a Memorial Day video by a young man I've known for years.

Formulas, suggestion, hints and tips

Did you know that some of the formulas and suggestions from newsletters past may be found in the Hints and Tips sections of our website? I'm thinking that this weekend that celebrates the start of summer fun might also bring sunburn, insect stings, poison ivy and other 'no fun' experiences. Suggestions for dealing with all them them are to be found in our Skincare Hints and Tips Section.

Perfume blend: Bergamot/Champa:

Marian Lane sent the following perfume she's been enjoying:

Marge,

The impromptu blend this past weekend on my run, with the new bergamot
and the sample of the 10% G Champa is definitely a keeper. This
morning I put 3 drops of the bergamot and 1 drop of the 10% GC in my
new tiger's eye amphora and loved the smell ALL day long!

Marian Lane
Fairfield, ID
Psoriasis:

We've recommended our Pomegranate CO2 for use with psoriasis in the past. Nancy Caltagirone wrote awhile ago:

I wanted to thank you for offering your pomegranate seed oil in larger sizes. I use it for my extensive psoriasis and the larger size is much appreciated.

I was wondering if you have the Cleo's Secret Serum in a larger size as well. I am finding that if I altternate it with the pomegranate, it imporves my skin even more.

By-the-way, the pomegranate seed oil has allowedd me to get off all all steroid cream, which I used to need to use. My skin is so much healthier now.

Thanks for your help

Nancy Caltagirone

I LOVE it when our products make a difference!

15 on the 15th:

In our ongoing celebration of our 15th anniversary online, we will once again be offering a special sale on a yet to be determined category of products on June 15th. Please look for a brief email announcements of the details a day or two prior to the 15th. Whatever the "sale" category is, entering the discount code "fifteen" without the quotation marks and pressing "apply" will give you a 15% discount on the "products of the month."

AROMATIC QUOTE OF THE MONTH

Aromatic quote of the month... since we have talked of Sandalwood:

The perfume of sandalwood, the scent of rose & jasmine,

travel only as far as the wind.

But the fragrance of goodness travels

with us through all the worlds.

Like the garlands woven from a heap of flowers,

fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds'.

The Buddha

And from T, our production manager, an ancient German proverb:

"The garden is the poor man's apothecary"