We have redesigned two of our "rites and rituals" synergies... just in time for the Spring Equinox, a totally reformulated Spring Sunshine Synergy, and a newly crafted "Air" Elemental synergy. If you're a blog reader, you read about the research showing that Citrus fragrances do, indeed, relieve depression. We've crafted a new synergy, for lamp or inhaler that we've named "Citrus Smile"...because it is always greeted with smiles.

Also new to us... Himalayan Pink Crystal bath salts... soothing, colorful, wonderful! New Aromatherapy Jewelry... Amulets, carved of semiprecious stone, to hold a few drops of your favorite oil or synergy. Read about and order all of them on our Specials page.

Back in Stock:

Spa Scenter diffusers (one of our Hospital clients cleaned out our supply just prior to the Holidays; it's taken me this long to restock.) MIO desktop diffusers, Mango Butter (see the Body Balm recipe below, shared by one of our clients!), Squalane, to moisturize your winter-parched skin.

Vintage Sandalwood:

We are down to just a small handful of bottles of the Undiluted 2002 Sandalwood Tamil. (I wish we had not diluted ANY of it!) We do have a fair amount of the 10% dilution in Jojoba remaining, but it won't last long. ONLY on our Specials page...I've never re-added it to our 'regular' listing.

PRICE CUTS:

By going straight to the producer we have been able to cut our costs for three products... our skinhealing SeaBuckThornBerry CO2 extract, our yummy Vanilla CO2 Total, and, most exciting of all, just in time for spring, our Violet Leaf Absolute. (The Violet leaf price has been cut in half!) New pricing is both on the Specials page, and in the regular product listings.

Because we do have a few bottles of our earlier production of Violet Leaf Absolute diluted to 10% in fractionated Coconut oil, and would like to clear the shelves, while supplies last, you may request a bottle of the 10% dilution if you order a 15 ml bottle of our new stock. We have 2, 5 and 15 mls bottles available and there is no telling which will be included in your order. Please don't request this free gift if you are using any other Nature's Gift discount code or offer. Just request some of the 10% in your comments at checkout. Remember, you need to order 15 mls of the Undiluted Absolute.

Half Price Sale:

We've cut the prices on two oils to clear our current stock.

Petitgrain - bitter orange leaf... 15 mls was $10.00, currently $5.00, or buy in bulk - 4 fl oz for $35 while prepoured supplies last.

Eucalyptus Radiata - gentle decongestant 15 mls was $7.00, now only $3.50. Both special sales pricing available ONLY through our New and Special page.

Coming Soon:

Enroute, but not in time for this newsletter - New Orange Blossom Absolute, Bulgarian Rose Otto, HAY Absolute (wonderful...takes me back to riding on my Grandfather's Hay Wagon during a Canadian summer's harvest!)...other goodies that will be here within another week. Check back on our specials page, that's where we will be posting them first.

MARCH SPECIAL SALES

Of course we have to have a special sale for St. Patrick's Day. No Bostonian can allow "the wearing of the green" to pass un-noticed. (I know I've lived away from New England too long when I am the ONLY one at work to show up in green on March 17th.) SO... to honor the good St. Patrick, on Tuesday, March 17th, enter the promotional code word "blarney" without the quotation marks, of course, and receive a 10% discount on all of our "discountable" products - oils, synergies, carrier oils, hydrosols, everything NOT marked "no discounts may apply." Kits, special books, bulk items and fast buys may never be discounted. Free Shipping can not apply since that would be a 'double discount'

AND... another sale

March 18th is a very special date in my history. And this is a very special year. On Wednesday, March 18th, use the promotional code "gratitude" and receive a 20% off discount on any essential oil or absolute. The discount can not be applied across the board, orders can not be combined with orders from the day before. So...you have to decide. ;)

In either case, please make very sure that you enter the code in the correct box, that you press "Apply." You will see the discount reflected on screen. If you do NOT see the discount, go back and apply it again. We will not be able to apply it retroactively. Any additions or changes to your order will VOID the discount, as the order will then require manual processing. Some items on our "new and special page" may not be included in these special promotions.

Blog Updates & Giveaway:

Recent postings on our blog have included:

Cause to CELEBRATE One of our products has been passed by the appropriate committees to be stocked and used within a hospital in Wisconsin.

On Valentine's Day a gracious client allowed us to share a healing miracle, using the oils, of course. The story touched all of our hearts.

The next day we posted the details of a study successfully using the essential oils to treat severe depression. (Which sparked our new Citrus Smile Synergy.)

On February 18th I realized that I had been blogging for an entire year; and joined Twitter.

The same day, we shared a lot of gratitude, about being able to really make a difference in a young woman's life.

A report that anti-aging products are the top skincare sellers triggered a discussion about aging...or not, as the case may be.

One of the most "up front" questions I've been asked in years, about product pricing. We decided that the correspondence might be of interest to others.

More aromatherapy research! Essential oils proven effective against head lice.

I shared about a purchasing dilemma.
And the last post (because I've been too sick to post!) announces an ongoing Blog Giveaway... each week for 10 to 12 weeks a group of blogger-friends are jointly hosting a contest. Visit each blog once a week to enter. A winner will be drawn each week and a prize sent... the more blogs you visit, the greater your chances to win. Remember this giveaway is going to last for at least two months, so visiting and posting often will increase your chances of winning any one of a long list of prizes. This week's prize will be a year's subscription to The Essential Herbal Magazine.

Our Clients Say:

Whipped Body Souffle

Jennifer Parrack recently wrote the following (and gave me permission to share)

Ever since I got my cool mist diffuser several weeks ago, I have been
running it practically nonstop. My favorite blend so far is one or
two drops of lemon myrtle with two or three drops of gingergrass.
Delightfully citrus and spice and oddly soothing and relaxing at the
same time. I am also in love with your Blue Tansy essential oil. Not
only is it supposed to have good skin healing properties, but the
scent is just so wonderful I can't get enough of it. I made my first
batch of whipped body souffle with it, and thought I'd share the
recipe:

1 oz virgin coconut cream oil
1 oz mango butter
1 1/4 oz rose hip seed oil
oil from 1 vitamin e capsule
1 oz cornstarch
5 drops blue tansy essential oil
3 drops gingergrass essential oil
1 drop lemon myrtle oil

Melt coconut cream oil and mango butter in top of double boiler over
medium heat until just liquified (or you can use a heat safe bowl over
a pot). Remove from heat, add rose hip seed oil and oil from vitamin
e capsule. Pour oil into a deep sided bowl set in an ice bath and
begin to whip oils together. I used the whisk attachment for my hand
mixer. When oil begins to solidify and look like whipped cream, add
in cornstarch and essential oils. Continue to whip until light,
fluffy and completely combined. The finished product is slightly more
than will fit in a 4 oz jar, and feels like silk. It sets up
overnight to a lovely, smooth light cream and smells like apple pie.
The color looks like butter thanks to the blue from the tansy oil and
the deep red orange of the rose hip seed oil. It sinks right into my
skin leaving it feeling delightfully smooth with no slick or oily
residue at all.

Make your own Deodorant:

Georzetta Ratcliffe recently shared:

Someone on this list wanted to know how I made my own deodorant. I just

came across the recipe. Thanks to Marge for helping me put it together.

I added 3 ml of lemon tea tree and 3 ml of myrrh to 2 oz. of Bentonite

clay. Let sit for a few days and then put through a strainer. I use it

every morning.

Georzetta

"Enthusiastic Feedback" (which I just love!)

Just today received the following from Clorinda Villareale:

Hi Marge, Got my package in record time!!! Yay!!! It was sooooo exciting to open that perfectly packaged box - one surprise after another!!!!!

Well, here's my report! I love, love, LOVE the Cleopatra's Secret skincare! OMG! My skin is radiant!!! I'm 59 years old and never looked my age, but NOW......WHOO-HOOO! What a fabulous line!!!! I spray the toner right on my face because I don't want to leave any on a cotton ball to toss out...It's fabulous!!! The first time I used the serum, I smoothed it on.........not right but, it still melted right into my winter parched skin. Now that I actually read the directions, I take a drop or two and PAT it on my skin....my skin is truly radiant and HAPPY! Oh! Forgot to mention the Creme Cleanser and the shower gel.....The Cleanser is wonderful and removes EVERY bit of make up without drying my skin. My skin feels like silk after washing it. And the Cleopatra's Secret Shower gel is unbelievable! I only need a tiny bit in the shower ...it's soooo soothing! I LOVE the whole line!!!! (Question: do I put my daytime moisturizer with sunscreen over the serum?)

The Baby Butter balm is awesome...It helped protect Jim's hands and he's so thrilled to have something that doesn't have a strong scent since that bothers him. He's loving that balm. He tried the calendula cream samples you sent for overnight and his hands are starting to look good already.

(and the answer, regarding her sunscreen/moisturizer over the Serum was:

"You probably won't need a moisturizer over the serum, but you SHOULD be wearing a sunscreen to the answer is either... yes, if it's not too much moisturizing at one time... or, leave the serum for evening and use your sunscreen during the day... that's personal taste.." )

Other Formulas and/or Recipes

Dry Skin Facial Cleanser:

(For when you run out of Cleopatra's Secret, and just feel like making something for yourself.)

1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon liquid castile soap
1/4 cup glycerine
10 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.

(Is it a sign that I've been writing newsletters for too long when I start repeating myself?)

Charity of the Quarter:

Please remember our Charity of the quarter - Midwives on Missions of Service. They travel to the poorest parts of the world to share information on safer pregnancies and birthing methods, to help improve the lives of women and children.

Aromatic Quote of the Month

"Distillation is the art of extracting the Spirituall, and essential humidity

from the flegmatick, or of the flegmatick, from the Spirituall."

.....The Art of Distillation by John French 1651