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Nature's Gift June Newsletter

In this month's newsletter you'll find:

• A contest opportunity to name a new product
• A prize for our 9000 order
• A sale on our MuscleEase massage blend,
• A sale on SkeeterBeater massage oil and GEL
• New aromalamps ideal for the deck or patio
• A sale on some of our Essendulums as we try to keep the array of styles and woods manageable
• A closeout sale on our Inner Child Synergy
• New amphoras
• Essential oils and Hydrosols that are back in stock
• An Inhaler for our SineEase synergy
• Blank inhalers for you to add your favorite oil or synergy
• A chance to order Elemi at a vastly discounted price
• A selection of Sunburn remedies (and some ideas on preventing the sunburn in the first place)
• Father's Day suggestions
• Feedback from our clients
• Our Charity of the Month
• A reminder of our 10 on the 10th Anniversary Celebration Sale
• An synchronicity story about our newest staff member
• And of course, our Aromatic Quote of the month.

NAME IT CONTEST

Awhile ago a friend was waking up in the night with pain from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and asked for help.  I took a bottle of St. Johns Wort oil, added some of this and some of that and gave it to her.  She said it worked miracles. Denise, in our pour room, was awaiting knee replacement surgery, and living in constant pain.  I repeated the blend...she used it both before and after her surgery. Said the pain lessened dramatically.  Another friend developed Sciatica.  I gave her some.  She raved about it.  Little Monika sprained her ankle.  Ditto.  A friend who drives an 18 wheeler was driving one that didn't let him adjust the seat to fit his height.  Complained constantly about his back hurting.  I gave HIM some.  He stopped complaining.  The stories go on and on and on.   We need to make this goody available online.  It's blended. It's bottled.  But we need to NAME it.  It's a powerful pain reliever made up of anti-inflammatory ingredients.  But what to call it?  We brainstormed and couldn't find a name we like.  For NOW, it's called "Marge's Miracle Oil" but we can't really call it that.  (Maybe we can, but I don't want to!)  So...the reader who comes up with a name we choose gets a free bottle.  Please Email me (marge@naturesgift.com) and put "miracle oil" as the subject.  Or, if you are placing an order,  put the suggested name in your comments.  Help us out here, folks!
 

ORDER NUMBER 9000

Sometime today or tomorrow (or maybe even Friday, but I doubt it!) the shopping cart will record order number 9000.  The lucky client will receive one of our bone Treasure Chests from our Presentations page.

JUNE SPECIALS

Most of us are taking advantage of this beautiful weather to do yard work.  Which leads (at least for me!) to sore, aching muscles.  So we are putting our MuscleEase massage oil on special sale on our new and special page.  Mosquitoes?  Of course.  So we are putting both our SkeeterBeater massage oil and our new SkeeterBeater Gel on sale, as well.  In honor of Midsummer's Day / the Summer Solstice our Summer Sunshine Synergy is also on special sale.

CLOSE OUT SALE:  INNER CHILD SYNERGY:

We have only a few retail sized bottles of this synergy left, and will not be remaking it.  Buy now, at close out prices. (Again, only on the Specials page.)

ESSENDULUM SALE:

We love our wooden essendulums.  But the order packing elves dread seeing an order come through for one.  The various wood tones can be confusing.  "Is this cocobolo or is it macadamia?"   So we have decided to limit our stock of most styles to ONLY tulipwood (because it's my favorite.)  We are selling the remaining stock of other woods at a vastly reduced price on the Specials page.  Quantities are very limited, so order quickly to receive this special price.  We will TRY to keep the page updated as they sell out, but if the style/finish you order is out of stock, we reserve the right to substitute.

OUR LOSS, YOUR GAIN!

We had Elemi CO2 extracted.  And we had Elemi Steam Distilled.  Someone managed to combine the two into a pouring bottle, and poured several retail sizes.  It's Elemi.  We just don't know how much is CO2 and how much is Steam Distilled.  And obviously we can't separate them out.  SO - you may order this Elemi mixture at far less than the retail price of either one.  Only available through our specials page.

FREE gift for the Fishermen:   I asked someone to prepare 15 2 ml bottles of Anise Myrtle 10% dilution for a special project to be announced later.  By a combination of errors, 15 2 ml bottles of ANISE SEED 10% were blended and bottled.  We can't use them.  Fishermen swear that anise oil kills the 'human smell' and like to use it on their hands before baiting hooks. Does it work? I don't know.  But any fisherperson who would like one added to their order, just please ask for "free aniseseed" or "anise 10%" or some sort of reminder like that in the comments section of your order.  Please ask in the comments, not in the promotional code section of the order form.  They are available while supplies last. 

NEW Aroma Lamps:  

We've received a selection of new aromalamps.  The oriental influence is strong, and the design will shelter the tea candle from spring breezes, making them perfect for the deck or patio.  We call them the Pagoda lamps, available in soft smoke blue, cobalt, and sage green.  See them on our specials page, or on our aromatherapy accessories page with the other lamps and diffusers.

NEW AMPHORA

The new "marbled" amphoras we introduced last month were very popular.  We have restocked, added a cream/gold/vanilla version,  and taken the hemp cords off, adding a gold silk cord instead. (I was not the only one who thought the hemp was a bit scratchy!)   See all three and order them on the Specials page, or on our Aromatherapy Jewelry page.

NEW INHALER:

For years I've been saying "We ought to put SineEase in an inhaler."   Well, we finally have.  The easiest and safest way to administer or use this powerful Sinus pain reliever (or any other blend that needs inhaling, for that matter.)  Available both on our physical synergies page, and on the new and special page.

We are also offering the 'blank' inhalers for your own creations. 

BACK IN STOCK PRODUCTS

Yarrow Essential Oil

We've been out of stock on this amazing healing cobalt blue anti-inflammatory oil for some time.  Finally found an organic grower/distiller on the west coast and ordered a small amount.  Available only in 2 ml bottles undiluted, or 5 and 15 mls in a 10% dilution to make it more affordable.

Hydrosols

We have been out of stock on both Yarrow and Oregano hydrsols for some time.  (The article about using the hydrosols to care for your pets in the Whole Dog Journal really spiked a demand for the Yarrow.)  Both have been restocked and are available on our Hydrosols page and/or on the New and Special Page.

SUNBURNS

Prevention is worth a pound of cure.   Probably the BEST prevention is a commercial suntan lotion with a very high SPF value.   However, if that's not an option,  there are some aromatherapy products that are reputed to provide some protection from the sun's burning rays. 

• Macadamia Nut Oil
• Seabuckthorn Berry Extract
• HelioCarrot Oil
• Helichrysum Essential Oil

An additional thought.  For everyday use, I have seen wonderful claims for the sun protection inherent in wearing mineral makeup.  Mine comes from AromaLeigh, I have been delighted with both their products, the information available online, and their customer service.  (If you order through the link above, you will receive a $5.00 discount off your first order.)
 

Sunburn Remedies

There are several ways to approach easing the discomfort and possible longterm skin damage of a painful sunburn.  

First, to provide quick temporary cooling, there is nothing like a chilled hydrosol.  Any of the anti-inflammatory hydrosols will help, but my very first choice would be YARROW hydrosol.  I've witnessed its ability to 'cool the flames' first hand and would not be without it.  Helichrysum, Lavender Mailette, or Roman Chamomile Hydrosols are also helpful, but for sunburned skin I reach for Yarrow.   Combining any of the above with perhaps one third as much Peppermint Hydrosol will increase the cooling effect.  (The peppermint will not help with healing the burn, but it surely will help it feel better fast!)

For both pain relief and healing, after cooling the burn, you are going to want to use one of the "blue" essential oils.  Yarrow (Achillea milleflorum),  German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)or Blue (Annual) Tansy (Tanecetum annuum)  plus Helichrysum italicuum.  This combination is the best 'healer' I know of for any type of inflamed skin.  (Yes, I know Gattefosse used lavender for his burned arm, and all the books say Lavender.  You may add some lavender to the above if you wish. ;)  

If it is MY sunburn, I am going to use equal quantities of one of the blue oils and helichrysum,  and use the blend at from 2.5 to 5% in a base composed of any mixture of several different carrier oils.  St. John's Wort Oil and/or Calendula oil would certainly be part of the whole.  Kukui nut oil is said to be especially healing for sunburns.  Perhaps 1/3 St. John's Wort, 1/3 either Calendula infused or Kukui Nut oil and the other third your carrier of choice. I would probably use 1/2 Aloe Vera Gel and one half the carrier oils.    I'd apply this frequently. (Or better yet, get someone else to apply it!) 

BUT...I don't plan to get a sunburn, so this is all academic.

Father's Day: 

Give your favorite father a bottle of our Sandalwood Shave Soother...you'll enjoy it immensely ;)

If he's been catching up on yard work, maybe some of the MuscleEase Massage blend from our specials page.  If he's been outside playing...perhaps our Skeeter Beater.

An Easy to Make Gift:

Soothing-Cooling Aftershave Gel
1/2 cup commercial aloe vera gel
2 oz.(1/2 cup) witch hazel hydrosol
1 tsp. glycerine
5 drops German Chamomile e.o.
2-3 drops peppermint e.o.
Add the glycerine to the witch hazel and slowly add the e.o.'s.  Mix in the aloe gel then bottle. 

The peppermint will provide the cooling, while the witch hazel hydrosol and German Chamomile will provide the soothing.

OUR CLIENTS WRITE:

another male suggestion: (for ingrown hairs after shaving)

Britt Ryan of Lewisville Tx wrote:

> >As a male who keeps relatively clean shaven, I have problems with ingrown
> >hairs on my neck close to the jawline on my right side.  I've used several
> >OTC remedies to combat them, but nothing seems to work.  I started applying
> >just one drop of patchouli neat to the area (on top of my moisturizer) and
> >voila!  It truly keeps me ingrown hair free in that area!  I know it might
> >sound strange, but it certainly works for me!

My comment: I wouldn't recommend using the Patchouli undiluted as Britt does, although perhaps the moisturizer he uses provides some dilution.  But in a 10% dilution the patchouli should work just as well.  (Remember, we offer our Indonesian Patchouli preblended in a 10% dilution on our quick order page.)

> >I also just wanted to praise the quality of your EOs and your customer
> >service.  As a massage therapist, I "preach" to so many people about
> >Nature's Gift.  I'm still working on the chiropractor I work with to change
> >his source of EOs!  Keep up the excellence!  You've got a customer for
> >life.

We absolutely LOVE feedback like this.

And...because this newsletter is ending up dedicated to the men in our lives...here is Jackie Blomquist's aromatic remedy to her husband's misadventure. (yes, that's a great term for it ;)

"Ok everyone.....I've got something "interesting" to share, but I need to warn you right up front:  THIS IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH!!!!  I got some firsthand experience with the use of single EOs this past week....the outcome appears to be going great, but the incident that gave me the experience is......AAAAAK!!!  GROSS!!!!!  (And I was once again reminded why I'm not a paramedic or doctor)
 
A week ago this past Tuesday, my husband Dennis accidently shot himself in the hand with a nailgun.  It was an 8-penny nail, which is approximately 2-1/2" long.  To give you an idea of where it entered his hand, look down at the top of your left hand where you have that "web" between your thumb and index finger.  If you take your right index finger and touch right below the the bottom of that "web" on your left hand, you can sort of feel a "v" where the fleshy area ends and the bones of your hand and thumb come together.  The nail penetrated there and went straight in toward the center of his palm.  As best as we can figure, it passed through the "fleshy" part of the base of his thumb - if you flip your left hand over and look at your palm, you'll see what I'm talking about.  In other words - it went into his hand, instead of through it...(I told you this was gross!!!!) and - fortunately - missed all of the bones and tendons.  I didn't find out about this little incident until I got home from work and found Dennis with all kinds of jury-rigged stuff wrapped around his hand, holding an ice bag to it.  It was obvious that he hadn't gone to the ER and he refused to go (guy thing) since he had had a tetanus booster a year or so ago (another construction boo-boo).  I asked how-the-heck the nail was removed and he told me that he immediately grabbed the head of the nail with his teeth and ( AAAAK AAAAK AAAAK) yanked before the shock and pain of the incident had a chance to register with his brain (definitely some sort of guy-statement).  He told me that the wound had bled pretty profusely right after removing the nail and he figured that the blood had "flushed" a lot of the "bad stuff" out with it....and at least he carries a nicely-stocked first aid kit in the pickup with him and he was able to wash the wound and cover it up. 
 
After having a minor stroke and giving him the "you really should think about going to the ER or the Urgent Care Center in the morning" lecture, I dragged him into the bathroom to survey the damage for myself and decide upon a course of treatment.  I unwrapped his hand and it was unbelievably swollen, and bruised and still oozing blood from the little hole in his hand.  This is the part where I started getting woozy and had to take a moment to get a grip and start thinking clearly again......My hat's off to anyone in the medical field - canine or human - who has to deal with this stuff as a regular part of their job...does it ever get any easier?!?   Anyway....back to the story.....
 
Right after we finished up our EOs and Aromatherapy Topic-of-the-Month, I decided to explore the naturesgift.com site a little more and came across an Essential Oil First Aid Kit.  I figured that getting this might be the perfect way to get a little more familiar with individual EOs and how they're used and thought something like this would be as good a way to start as any.  I ordered the kit and had it in less than a week (these folks are great!).  Two of the EOs in the kit are Tea Tree (disinfectant-antibacterial) and Helichrysum (aka Everlast - which is good for bruising, inflammation, sprains and swelling).  I grabbed the kit and pulled out those two EOs and put a couple of drops of Tea Tree directly on the puncture wound and put the Helichrysum all over the rest of his hand, paying particular attention to all of the deeply bruised areas.  I was floored when Dennis told me within about two minutes that his hand no longer hurt - he and I both were absolutely amazed.  He wanted to know how much of "that stuff" (the Helichrysum) that we had because he was going to put more on the second his had started to hurt again.  We applied the Tea Tree directly to the puncture and the Helichrysum around the swollen/bruised areas again before going to bed that night.  Dennis followed the same routine the next day - first thing in the am, at lunchtime, upon getting home from work and before going to bed - and by that evening (a week ago Wednesday) the bruising had faded quite a bit and looked like something that was a lot older than a 30-hour-old severe injury. The swelling had diminished by nearly a third.  If he hadn't experienced it and I hadn't observed it firsthand, I'd have had a hard time believing how well it worked.  Dennis followed the 4-times/day application of the Tea Trea and Helichrysum all week and as far as applying anything "externally," that's all he's done.  He did increase his intake of Vitamin C, Bioflavinoid Complex and Vitamin E to help the "internal" healing process.  Today - ten days later - the puncture wound is almost completely healed, there's no swelling at all in his hand and the bruising has faded to practically nothing.  Dennis now thinks that, at the very least, the Helichrysum is a "miracle" oil and wants to make sure to keep some in his construction first-aid kit from now on because he says that - in his experience - the guys he's known that have had similar injuries have had pain, swelling and misery (even after going to the ER or a Dr) for at least a month or six weeks.
 
If any of you have been toying with the idea of trying any individual EOs, then I can't recommend the First Aid Kit enough.  You can take a look at:  http://www.naturesgift.com/firstaid.htm?source=June05News.  This kit was a godsend for Dennis & I and I know that there should also be plenty of "canine" uses for the EOs that it contains - especially for those of us who own a rambunctious Giant or two who either play too hard or don't know how to play nice at times <grin> and end up with bumps, bruises and bites.  I've ordered twice now from Nature's Gift (Dennis wanted to make sure that I never run out of Helichrysum) and have received both orders at warp-speed!
 
Let me just state, for the record, that I would NEVER recommend blowing off a trip to the Dr or ER for an injury like the one Dennis received.  You've got to use your best judgment in a situation like this and I've already told Dennis that if his hand turns black and falls off or something, that I'm NOT responsible!!  He's pretty well-versed in looking for the slightest sign of an infection (or worse) in an injury like this and he would have seen a Dr immediately at the first indication that something was up.  I have to say that there has not been the slighted bit of that "uh-oh could this be getting infected" look to the actual puncture itself.  It's healing nicer than any injury of similar magnitude that either Dennis or I have ever received.  And again - if I hadn't seen how well those EOs worked with my own eyes, it would have been had to comprehend.  So - maybe some of the "old" ways of doing things are better....... :-)
 
Hope I haven't grossed any of you out too bad!!  I just decided that I had to share the experience for those of you who've been wondering if there was any truth to some of the stories about the healing powers of EOs and other forms of complimentary/alternative medicine.  I have to say, though, that the timing of all of this was just a little too weird (que up the "Twilight Zone" music....).
 
Jacquie" 

I just love this story!!!

Anniversary reminder:

Don't forget our 10th anniversary celebration on June 10th.  When you place your order on the 10th of this month, simply type    anniversary   in the promotional code box, and press apply.  The 10% discount will automatically be added to your order.  If you do not see the discount added, do NOT submit your order.  We can not retroactively apply it.   PLEASE do not order any of our "may not be discounted" items with this promotional code.  We will have to manually recalculate and rebill your order which means that shipment will be delayed.  Your order will go to the end of the queue. Also, response to our anniversary celebration scale is truly overwhelming. We probably will NOT be able to ship your order within our normal 24 hour turn around time.  Please be patient with us.

New Staff Member:

CHARITY OF THE MONTH

The Natural Resources Defense Council is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. They use law, science and the support of more than 1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.  Help us support their important environmental projects by either placing your order on a Wednesday (when 2% of our gross sales will be donated) or selecting "add a dollar donation" in the shopping cart any day of the week.

Fragrant Quote of the Month... for all of our fathers "of middle age"

"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

Have a wonderful June everyone!