MAY FLOWERS NEWSLETTER

This newsletter contains:

For Mother's Day a special sale on our favorite floral absolutes in 10% dilutions, Rose and Jasmine Bliss Bath, and Soap, Rose Shower Gel, five new Aromalamps, the return of Cleopatra's Secret,  a 20% off sale on Rose and Vitex Hydrosols, a new Charity of the Quarter, a sale on two carrier oils (Macadamia and Grapeseed) and more special surprises. All of the above are available only on our New and Special page.

SPRINGTIME RECIPE - Spring Syrup

I've not tried this, but if the Dandelions keep popping up in my lawn, I may this weekend.  It just sounds like a neat way to use up a May Weekend's worth of Dandilions.  It sounds like it would be rich, golden, and yummy.

Directions:

1. Put blossoms and water in a pot.
2. Bring just to a boil, turn off heat, cover, and let sit overnight.
3. The next day, strain and press liquid out of spent flowers.
4. Add sugar and sliced citrus and heat slowly, stirring now and again, for several hours or until reduced to a thick, honey-like syrup.
5. Can in half-pint or 1 pint jars.

The recipe makes a little more than 1 pint.  May be tripled or quadrupled.  The syrup makes great Christmas presents, so make plenty!

(I found this somewhere, in someone's blog, and can't find the attribution...sorry!)

More Press Clippings:

Marge was recently interviewed by a contributor to Glee Magazine (an online healthy lifestyle magazine.)  You may read the interview here.  It was an interesting experience, questions that I hadn't thought of before...thanks for the opportunity, Joanne!

The Summer Issue of Massage Therapy Journal is featuring several of our products in their New Product Review.  The most gorgeous photo ever of our MuscleEase and DeStress Massage Oils, Marge's Miracle Oil, Burnout Synergy, and Fractionated Coconut Oil.  We're flattered!

Announcement recently sent to the membership of the American Holistic Nurses Association:

RESEARCH GRANT

AHNA announces the availability of a grant of $1,500 for a research project in aromatherapy.  Our thanks go to Nature's Gift, a supplier of aromatherapy products, for this grant funding.  Research results will be reviewed and published by AHNA, and the recipient will agree to AHNA guidelines and requirements.  Potential applicants should please review the guidelines on the AHNA Web site before submitting a research proposal.  For further assistance, a resource guide to proposal development was published in the Beginnings Fall 2006 issue. For more information, please contact Rorry Zahourek, Ph.D., APRN, BC AHN-BC, AHNA Research Coordinator.  The deadline for submission is August 1, 2007. 

Please note, we have no input on what research project is chosen, nor, of course, on the results.  But for years I've been decrying the lack for funding for Essential Oil Research.  This was our chance to do something about it.  (Given my druthers, I'd have them test the efficacy of Ravensara in Calophyllum for easing the pain and inflamation of Shingles and other Herpes infections, but I don't have my druthers!)

Saying "Thank You"

A non-political suggestion:  No matter what political affiliation or personal feelings on what is happening "over there," most of us are still supportive of our troops
that are following orders and doing what they signed up to do (even if they didn't think that's what they were getting themselves into).

If you would like to send a free postcard and say "Thank You" to a member of the U.S. military personnel stationed overseas, go to

<http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html>

(A friend of mine sent me that on Monday, and I thought it well worth passing on!)

Coming Soon

FedEx said they would be delivered today.  Then they got sent back to the producer, in Grasse. Now they are enroute again.  Someday in May I hope they will arrive.

Osmanthus Absolute - The flowers grew in China, the Concrete was produced there. The absolute was extracted in Grasse.
Rose de May Absolute - Rosa Centifolia, grown and produced in Grasse.  The loveliest Rose any of us have ever experienced.
Sandalwood Absolute from New Caledonia - Santalum austrocaledonicum
Sandalwood Sri Lanka  Santalum album  - Possibly the most stunning Sandalwood Essential Oil we have experienced in years.  A fresh distillation, less than three months old, but equal to almost all well aged Sandalwood that we have ever experienced.  We can only imagine what this stunning oil will mature into...
Cassie Absolute - stunning...I could not be without it.

We don't know when they will arrive.  They will NOT be bargain priced.  But ah, they are lovely!

Experiences and Feedback

Dentistry

A friend was having give or take a dozen teeth pulled. (OUCH!)  He was told to expect swelling and bruising, and, of course, pain.  And to alternate an ice pack from one side of his face to the other, every 20 minutes.  He didn't want to use any oil on his face, so instead we moistened the cloth wrapping the ice pack with a few spritzes of our new batch of Helichrysum Hydrosol. Just a cloth moistened with the hydrosol and ice, nothing more.  He experienced NO swelling, and NO bruising.  (He is still rinsing his mouth with our Myrrh Hydrosol  Even though he's a heavy smoker, there have been no dry socket, and fairly rapid healing.) His dentist is impressed.

Owyhee Oil

Nancy Zimmerman recently wrote:

By the way, I LOVE the Owyhee oil. I added it to my blend of Helichrysum and Lavender in St. John Wort's oil and it helps my creaky hip joints. I alternate it with Holy Basil (a.m. and p.m. applications) for an anti-inflammatory effect.

(I love hearing how folks are using our products to help ease what ails them!)

Spider Veins and Broken Capillaries

I get a lot of questions about these, and other than Neroli Hydrosol, I'm rather at a loss what to recommend.  Alice Abrams shared awhile ago:

"After all this time, I think I have discovered a miracle to get rid of spider veins in just a few days!
First I spray the with hazel hydrosol on my face (liberally). I then just pat it a little, an then put on a drop or two or sea buckthorn oil. I
also take a cinnamon pill to help the circulation. within 2 days, there is a difference . within a week, they are just about gone. I do this twice a day after cleansing."

Thanks for sharing that one, Alice!

Bergamot/Sunburn

Just a warning since with the wonderful Spring Sunshine we will all probably be out and about.  We've warned you over and over against using our (or any!) cold pressed Bergamot oil on skin that could possibly be exposed to sunlight.  Last Summer Ria DeBlaze wrote the following, and gave us permission to share:

Used some bergamot on my sore ankle and unfortunately the back cuff of my pants had rolled up a bit and exposed my ankle to the sun while I was standing around outside for my friends wedding rehearsal. Got a pretty vicious burn with a few huge blistered still left. I'm currently using aloe w/ lavender, helichrysum, a sample I had of the sea buckthorn berry and some honey on it and the # of blisters have definitely been reduced. Any suggestions for the hyperpigmentation that will follow or further protection as I leave for LA then France on Sat ? Thanks.
Ria

Unfortunately I had nothing to suggest for the hyperpigmentation that was probably going to follow.  When I did something similar, the marks lasted for over a decade.

Bruises - more Heli!

Alexis Stegal wrote:

"I had some heli and did use it full strength the first couple of times on a HUGE (6 in diameter at least) bruise on my thigh
and then  used the 10% in Rose Hip Seed Oil (because that was all that I had)  couldn't believe how fast the bruise went away. 
Normally I will have bruises for a couple of weeks, this one was virtually gone in about 5 or 6 days. It worked great."

Thanks for letting me share that, Alex.  Need to put that and my friends dental experience on our Heli Healing page!

Diffuser Blends

My friend Wendy at Aromaweb is a wonderful source for recipes using the oils.  A recent check at her recipe corner reminded me of the following energizing blends (Although my favorite is still our FogCutter!)

Energizing Blend #2

3 drops Grapefruit
2 drops Ginger

Energizing Blend #4

2 drops Peppermint
1 drop Frankincense
2 drops Lemon

And for a burst of Spring sunshine... combine:

2 drops of either Lemon, Orange, or Bergamot (Bergamot FCF if using on the skin!)
2 drops Grapefruit
1 drop Ylangylang, Rose, or Neroli

I'd use any or all of these in an aromalamp or diffuser... or you can use any of the other suggestions in our "how to use" section of the website.
These particular blends would be great in a morning shower or added to liquid soap for a stimulating shower...or bath salts to relieve fatigue.

Quotes of the Month for May

The flowers without clothes live,
Yet Solomon was never dressed so fine.
[Henry Vaughan (1622-1695), Welsh poet.

"Seasons may change
And they hold wild flowers,
Raising their face to the sun.
All that are born from our soft rainshowers
Are wild flowers".

"Wild flowers" All About Eve

Have a wonderfully Merry May everyone!  And happy Mother's Day to all Mothers, Grandmoms, Children, and Grandchildren...and Greats in either direction!

Our "new and special" page:    http://www.naturesgift.com/special.htm
Glee Magazine Interview:    <<http://www.gleemagazine.com/glee/article.cfm/cmi_2426855/cid_35>>
AMTA Massage Therapy Journal Website: <<http://www.amtamassage.org/journal/home.html>>
American Holistic Nurses Association: <<http://www.ahna.org/>>
Say "Thank You" to our Service men and women: <http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html>
AromaWeb <<http://www.aromaweb.com>>
All the Essential Oils listed in the formulas above may be accessed via our "quick order page." http://www.naturesgift.com/aromatherapytable.htm.  Click on the name of the essential oil for more information.