We've been working with our new CO2 Extracted Arnica Oil for some time now, learning how to properly dilute it, comparing it to a more traditionally infused Arnica Oil. Our experience? It can be used at the lowest dilution we have ever worked with and is marvelously effective at easing the aches and pains of bruises and bumps. Available both in 5 ml undiluted, and a ready to use Massage Dilution. Read more about it, and order it, on our New and Special Page.

Also, too late for inclusion in our June newsletter, a new tested and effective blend of Thyme varieties. Called Benchmark Thyme this unique blend of four ethically cultivated Thymus varieties has been standardized to give the powerful germ-killing effects of Tea Tree, Red Thyme, etc. along with the gentleness of Thyme Linalol and other "skin safe" essential oils. Read more about it on our Specials page, or its own special descriptive page. We are delighted to be the first supplier to import this important new oil (or blend of oils!)

SkeeterBeater:

By now I think you all know how effective our SkeeterBeater has always been. I know of no natural product as effective at keeping us "critter-free." But we've been reading about other oils that have been tested and proven effective at repelling insect pests. So, we went back to the blending table. And of course we were the first to test out the results...which have been stellar. We are now packing the "new and improved" synergy in both the SkeeterBeater Body Oil and the SkeeterBeater Gel. There are a handful of bottles of the "traditional" undiluted SkeeterBeater Synergy, and they are on special sale to clear the shelves to make room for the new synergy. Sale pricing only on our Specials page - save 15% while supplies last.

Keep Cool Summer Sale:

Our favorite "cooling off" hydrosols and our favorite Summer skin-soothers, all at 10% off. We've also put our Organic Aloe Vera Gel on sale, and bundled our coolest Mint oils for your savings. We're also continuing the sale on MuscleEase and Sunburn Soother for the mishaps that can occur during summer vacations. See them all on our July Specials Page

New Jewelry - an Amethyst Amulet

This new series of aromatic amulets has been very popular. I loved the Amethyst sample we received so had to make some available for you.

NEW Charity of the Quarter:

The Fisher House™ Program

Close to two years ago, my friend Sylla emailed:

I'm ready to share with you a project deep to my heart in that I have decided to aromatize the local Veteran hospital's new Fisher House. This is where the families stay while injured receives medical care, they stay free of charge in an absolutely beautiful facility. If anyone is interested in taking care of your local, there are 38 Fisher Houses in the USA. The James Haley here in Tampa is one of 4 that takes care of spinal cord and poly trauma, so many of the Iraq injured come here. "

We had discussed using the Fisher House program as a charity of the quarter two years ago, but other causes seemed more urgent. As this war drags on and on, I think it would be appropriate for those of us who are so involved in healing on every level do something to support the healing of these injured men and women, and support for their families. As Christi and I commented when discussing it... "it seems like the Ronald McDonald House, but for soldiers and their families."

Please read more about this worthy cause on our Specials page, and join us in supporting it!

Special midmonth Sale:

July 19th is a day that I will either want to celebrate, or want to totally ignore, no telling which. But we are going to do some sort of special sale or promotion that week, so look for a very brief newsletter giving the details a few days before. Or read our tweets, or see it on Facebook. But don't miss it!

Our Clients Say:

I love it when we get wonderful feedback about the products we make available. YOU can say things that I'm not allowed to say. And sometimes your reactions just delight us. So I like to share them. (And of course we always ask permission before sharing!)

About our Sandalwood Absolute:

Annette recently wrote:

The sandalwood absolute is beautiful, right now, today; I can only guess what it will become when aged! Apropos of that, when was it distilled (or extracted; I'm not up on the terminology yet)? Anyway, I have to be honest and say that I was never a huge fan of the new caledonian/vanuatu steam-distilled oils. What this proves at the very least is that an absolute is truly different; in capturing even more of the original plant material, the smoky component is gone. To me, this is a blessing. Maybe the EO is only smoky to a sub-population of people (like me), but it was the one factor I never liked.

There's a strong frankincense note; there are all kinds of notes; I love this complex aroma. Thanks! --Annette

About "My Book"

Stephanie Cushman recently wrote:

Dear Marge:I got your new book about a month ago and I absolutely Love it! I have many aromatherapy and natural healing books but this is my new favorite and \\\"go to\\\" for quick reference. Thank you for this wonderful gift of sharing! I will recommend this to all my aromatherapy and natural healing friends and colleagues! Blessings Stephanie Cushman

And to make my day complete, Wednesday morning, I received the following Email from Amazon.com:

Hints, tips, formulas and blends:

Justine Davis shared the following, about a blend she is using in an "end of life" situation:

also wanted to share some feedback from a friend I have been working with. Her father is in hospice with the end stages of pancreatic cancer. A very painful and sad end. In any case, I have been sharing various blends with them. I loaned them by cool mist diffuser since I lost the power cord to the spa scenter (lots of people coming and going and a standard lamp seemed the wrong choice). For the diffuser, yesterday I shared a blend of clementine and red mandarine with just a touch of rosewood- her response "It was so wonderful to have happy smells in the room". Just brings joy to my heart that I could share some small comfort with the family. Offering to run errands or bring food seems so useless.

I also mixed several massage oils to use on the hands and feet (<1% dilution to be extra gentle). The new pettigrain with a touch of rose otto, neroli and a drop of jasmine and ginger in a base of your organic grapeseed seems to be helping with the fear and anxiety and giving the daughter some some close time with her beloved dad.

Anyway- wanted to pass along so that you would know the impact your lovely products are having out in the world.

Feedback like this makes what we do so very rewarding... Thank you for taking the time to share, Justine!

"CRANKY"

Serendipity... Several years ago we shared the following blend, from Margie Curtiss:

Hi Marge and Everyone at Natures Gift!

I accidentally stumbled on something that smells absolutley wonderful and is

emotionally healing at the same time!

My 13 year old daughter can be quite grumpy around her monthly cycle. When I

received my latest order I was looking to make up a blend to help her...well,

I found it! It may not have been the best cramp formula, but her emotions

have calmed considerably with the use of this blend. Marissa has never been this

pleasant in the mornings. I am in awe, truly!

5 drops clary sage

2 drops jasmine sambac

4 drops geranium

8 drops lavender

2 drops fennel

3 drops vanilla bourbon

2 drops violet leaf

6 drops ylang ylang

Blended in 15ml of the fractionated coconut oil, I rubbed it on her abdomen

and chest.

This is a beautiful scented blend, I am rubbing it on myself and can't stop

smelling my arms! It seems to hold together for several hours too, so it works

as a perfume.

You simply must try this!
This week I received the following Email from Kathryn Blankenship... who graciously allowed us to share:

Just had to share an experience at work where many of the oils end-up, helping the other nurses with their "issues", as my daughter would say. You would be shocked at how many nurses have skin disorders, though how often we work sick, considering what we are exposed to, wouldn't shock anyone. Gee, I rarely get sick. But then I use essential oils every day. Anyway, I digress......

I decided to try the blend a Mom came up with for her daughter, which you posted on your site years ago and later named "Cranky", thinking it might be a good Christmas gift for my daughter and the other younger women in my family. So, I made some up, diluted it a bit and took it to work so I could live with it a while. That night, a therapist sat where I had been charting and commented on how good the area smelled, asking what the fragrance was. I mentioned that I was trying out a new blend for possible gifts and some of the other nurses asked about it. I let everyone who wanted to put some on in order to smell it and get other opinions. Every single woman loved it, but one nurse took a deep breath and said "Wow, I can actually feel it!" as I literally watched the tension leave her body. The thing is, this is one of the most aggressive and argumentative people I have ever known. I have never seen her relaxed. Mellow is just not part of her makeup. It turns out she has a clinically diagnosed PMS syndrome and this blend visibly fills a need in her. Needless to say, her needs can't wait until Christmas. I have massage and bath concentrations all made up for her to use, which she will get next shift we work together, at her request. Will it help with the pain and other physical symptoms, since it obviously helps with the emotional symptoms? Only time will tell and hopefully she will tell me. The only problem is the name. I can't call it "Cranky" and give it as gifts. It will be called "Moon-lite Sonata" come Christmas.

Even though PMS has not been a problem for more years than I'll admit to, I have to blend a bit of this... it sound wonderful!!!

BLOG UPDATES:

During the month of June we weren't too prolific...but there were some posts:

Contaminated anti-microbial products? Always KNEW those things were bad for us!
More anti-MRSA essential oil research.
Essential oils for natural headache relief - migraine, sinus, tension headaches.
Genetically engineered TREES???
An opportunity we had to "give back" or Share Forward..or whatever.
Christi shared about her favorite Summertime Hydrosols.
T asked for suggestions or ideas to help a friend carrying a really heavy load.

So far in July we've blogged about:

T asked for suggestions or ideas to help a friend carrying a really heavy load.
Some fun we had while trying out face masks.
An Independence Day post that seemed to touch a lot hearts.
Which Clay for your Face Mask?
A skincare question about Hydrosols and Lotions.
More Face Mask information.

No wonder this newsletter is late! I've been spending all my time blogging!

Facebook Giveaway for July:

One of the fans of the Nature's Gift Facebook page is going to receive a "not quite perfect" but still wonderfully workable Cobalt Aromastone at the end of July. Our facebook page is a great place to ask a question and get input both from me and the rest of our staff, as well as other friends. If I don't know the answer, someone else there may. It's also the place to get "updates" ... our blog posts show up there, quick announcements of new information on the website, new additions to our Clearance page , fast last minute sales or new product announcements, and, most exciting of all, gives our fans a chance to initiate conversations, ask questions, make comments. A real chance to dialogue.

Aromatic quotes of the month...

"Here's flowers for you;

Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram;

The marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun

And with him rises weeping: these are flowers

Of middle summer, and I think they are given

To men of middle age."

--- A Winter's Tale--Shakespeare

Have a safe and fun July everyone!