Superb wildcrafted and organic essential oils, sourced internationally,
a wealth of information on their safe and effective use,
and a full range of aromatherapy accessories

In like a Lion - Out like a Lamb

March is one of our most unpredictable months - warm and sunny one day with the daffodils in my yard blooming, and the next day freezing and spitting snow.  And we are in the sunny south!  Courtney saw more snow than she's ever encountered last week on her visit to New York so we know a lot of you are still snowbound; but spring is really on its way. 

By the end of winter, our skin has usually been abused by cold winds, dry heat in homes and offices, all the damage the environment can do.  So we are dedicating this month's specials to restoring your winter damaged skin.  The newsletter contains special sales on our richest carrier oils, some springtime essential oils and synergies, a dramatic price cut on Witchhazel Hydrosol, a new Ethically Farmed Peppermint oil, some comments and suggestions from our clients, and some skincare suggestions and recipes for you. 

SPRING SKINCARE SALE

MOISTURIZING CARRIER OILS SALE:

 We have put our richest and most moisturizing carrier oils at at least 10% off to help rejuvenate our winter-weary complexions:

• Sweet Almond Oil  - moisturizing and protectant.
• Apricot Kernel  - Rich and nourishing, but light
• Avocado Oil - Very penetrating - rich and heavy
• Borage Seed  - Highest in Gamma Linolenic Acid, said to regenerate cells.
• Evening Primrose - High in GLA, said to prevent premature aging.
• Macadamia Nut - Skin softening and toning
• Rose Hip Seed  - GLA, the anti-wrinkle oil.
• Calophyllum  - for Cellular regeneration

  For full information on all these oils please read our Carrier Oils page,  Sale pricing, however, is only on our Specials page.

SKINCARE SYNERGIES ON SALE:

Clarifying Synergy, Clarifying Liquid Soap, our new Clarifying Gel Roll-on  AND our Rosacea Synergy - all at 10% off on our Specials page.

WITCH HAZEL HYDROSOL SALE:

This soothing anti-oxidant is good for all skin types, the universal toner.  We have  received in a new batch and are dramatically lowering the price.  Use this along with the carrier oils above to revive and restore your winter dried skin.

Time is running out!

One client recently wrote of using our Baby Balm to treat a stubborn patch of eczema, with great results.  She is stocking up, both for herself, and for several baby showers.  Time for you to do the same?

Some products have little or nothing to do with skincare - but are on sale just because it's SPRING:

SPRINGTIME ESSENTIAL OILS SALE:

There are three oils that really seem to say "Spring" to all of us.  All are on sale for your springtime concocting. Order them now from our Specials Page

Galbanum

the greenest scent I know - speaking of rebirth and new growth - the scent of the greenhouse.

Violet Leaf 

more delicate - fresh and green, with a soft floral drydown.  The perfumer's favorite green note. Both the undiluted pure absolute and the 10% dilution in Fractionated Coconut Oil are on sale.

Jonquille  Absolute

What is spring without the scent of Jonquils? Jonquille Absolute is a perfumers dream...a radiant floral with touches of green.  We seldom put this rare and precious absolute on sale, so if you are a perfumer, this is your chance. Available full strength or in a 10% dilution in Fractionated Coconut Oil.

Spring Sunshine Synergy Sale

Our lightest, brightest "wheel of the year" synergy.  Order now to celebrate Springtime.  Sale pricing ONLY on our Specials page.

BACK IN STOCK:  Peppermint Essential Oil

We had run out of our beloved Wisconsin Peppermint oil, and were not happy with the 2004 crop.  After much searching we came up with an ethically cultivated Indian Peppermint that everyone here loved.  Grown chemical free, it is a delightful substitute.  Offered here, on the Specials Page, at an introductory low price (it will be priced at $7.00 per 15 ml on our essential oil listing.)

We are also offering a special FAST BUY.  Eight Ounces of this Indian Peppermint for only $20.00  IF you can use it in quantity, see our Fast Buys page to order it.

Special Sale on Packaging and Presentations continues:

Our "Presentations Page" contains soapstone boxes and other treasure chests, handmade botanical cards for your most special sentiments, lacquer boxes, silken bags - all sorts of beauties to hold very special gifts.  For the month of March we are keeping everything on the page at a 25% discount.  (The discount may not show in the pricing on the page but WILL be reflected in the shopping cart.)  Stock up now for special events!   A new client, Susan Grycan, recently ordered some goodies from this assortment and wrote:

"The Soapstone Boxes and the Indian Bone Treasure Chest are incredibly exquisite!!!!! The picture on the website is a good picture, but to personally see these items? they are just so Extraordinarily Magnificent!"

Thanks, Susan...we love your enthusiasm!

Now...to rejuvenating your winter-weary skin:

(Remember, in any of these formulas, that Galbanum is recommended for mature skin, and is the ultimate essence of the scent of spring. A drop or two would be a wonderful addition to any of them.)

Sea Salt Body Scrub:

If you are among the 5% of the population who hasn't heard of this:

1/4 cup Sea Salt,  1/4 cup your favorite carrier oil.  Mix in a plastic bowl.  Add  three drops of your favorite skincare Essential Oil.  Blend well.  Stand in the shower and scrub your body, starting with your feet and working up.  Pay special attention to heels, elbows, knees and dried or calloused spots. Avoid using on the face; this is too abrasive for delicate skin. Rinse off in the shower.  (Careful, this will leave your tub or shower slippery.)

Alternative Formula:  First blend the carrier oil with one tablespoon Polysorbate 20.  Then add the salt.   The Polysorbate will help emulsify the water when you shower, leaving your skin (and the shower or tub) equally soft and moisturized, but a bit less greasy.

Footcare Hint:  For a wonderful foot scrub, add a few drops of our Indian Peppermint oil.  Leaves you feeling invigorated and refreshed.

(Any of the above formulas could be mixed in larger quantities and stored in one of our PET Bail Jars,)

Dry Skin Facial Scrub:

Blend 1/2 cup non-instant oatmeal in your blender until finely powdered.  Mix with an equal amount of dried milk.   Moisten a scant handful of this blend with a few spritzes of your favorite hydrosol.  Gently scrub your face, paying special attention to the T-zone.  Rinse well, and follow with your favorite hydrosol, and a few drops of your favorite moisturizing carrier oil.

Dry Skin Facial Cleanser:

(I had forgotten how much I had enjoyed using this blend a few years ago until I found it in a four year old newsletter.)

1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon liquid castile soap
1/4 cup glycerine
10-15 drops of your favourite essential oil

Mix together all ingredients and pour into a clean squeeze bottle. Remember
to use non breakable containers if you are going to be using it in
the tub or shower.

Rejuvenating Masque:

1 tablespoon bentonite clay (or rose clay, or whatever facial clay you have access to.)
3 drops Seabuckthorn Berry CO2
10 drops or 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
2 tablespoons Neroli Hydrosol
1 drop Neroli Essential Oil
1 drop Frankincense Essential Oil

Blend all ingredients well, adding more hydrosol if necessary to make a smooth, spreadable mixture.  Tie your hair back out of the way. Apply to neck and face. Lie down and enjoy the wonderful aroma for 10 to 15 minutes.  Rinse well with tepid water, moisturize with your favorite carrier.

Note - I use Neroli and Frankincense in this because they are kind to my mature skin, and I love them both. You could omit the Frankincense, and use instead Rose Geranium hydrosol and essential oil for combination skin, Melissa or Tea tree hydrosol and manuka or lavender essential oil for problem or oily skin, Rose hydrosol and essential oil for ANY skin.  The possibilities are endless!

Years ago my friend Jane Eliza shared her secret formula for dry skin on hands, face, wherever:

The base is half & half rosehip and evening primrose. I've also tried avocado instead of the evening primrose and that makes a beautifully nourishing base too. To that I add 5% carrot seed ... Then 1% Rose Otto (again, I've been tempted to use more, but it's really really not needed ...My current mix also has 2.5% each of myrrh and frankincense .... I drop that down a bit if it's not for myself - I'm also a bit of a resin freak

That's a bit heavy on the essential oils for my taste.  For two ounces of the carrier oil blend, I'd use perhaps 15 drops of carrot seed, one or two drops of Rose Otto, and about five drops of Frankincense CO2.  If I added the Myrrh, I'd probably keep it down to a drop or two.    (In fact, I'm off to try blending some of this for myself; not sure why I had never tried it before!)
 

To keep your newly moisturized body soft and silky, there is nothing better than one of our Bliss Baths...either one we have blended for you, or the unscented bliss bath that lets you choose your own fragrance.  See them all on our Aromatic Bathing page.
 

Charity of the Month:  

For what is left of March the chosen charity will be the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  2% of the gross sales every Wednesday will be donated, and you may add YOUR donation with your order through our shopping cart.
 

Don't forget!

Remember our 10th anniversary special sale day - 10 on the 10th -  Receive 10% off your purchases by typing  "anniversary" (without the quotation marks) in the Promotional Code box, and pressing Apply.    Only on the 10th.   The discount will show on your order before you submit it.  If the discount does NOT show, please go back and try again.  We can not give the discount after you have submitted the order.    Happy shopping!

Aromatic Quote of the Month:

 "Flowers have a mysterious and subtle influence upon the feelings, not unlike some strains of music. They relax the tenseness of the mind. They dissolve its rigor."
Henry Ward Beecher

Happy March everyone!