essential oils & aromatherapy

the big, burning question, part ii: how I choose my essential oil suppliers

the big, burning question, part ii: how I choose my essential oil suppliers

The big, burning question I so often get is, “what brand of essential oils do you recommend?” The first part of my response to the question, focused on the question itself, can be found in part i of this series here. In this post you’ll find part ii of…

so, how DO I use essential oils?

so, how DO I use essential oils?

While I don’t use essential oils all day, every day, in ALL the things, I do use them often, in many ways, and in many things — I love essential oils. I also love hydrolats, essential waters, absolutes, CO² extracts, and carrier oils. (And herbs.…

the big, burning question, answered (sort of), part i of iii

the big, burning question, answered (sort of), part i of iii

Of all of the questions I’m asked as an aromatherapist, the question about “which brand” of essential oils I recommend is BY FAR the most commonly posed — it’s also one of the most problematic and troublesome questions to answer. It’s especially precarious to provide a…

creamy exfoliating facial scrub

creamy exfoliating facial scrub

While I love the wonderful facial cleansers I have on hand of my own making, I recently found myself hankering for a facial scrub without sugar, coffee, or salt that feels like the facial scrub I left behind years ago. The name rhymes with Ain’t Hives…. I loved that scrub for years…

an interesting caution about EOs and laundry

an interesting caution about EOs and laundry

The good folks at the International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy (IJPHA) shared some interesting information that came out of England regarding essential oils and laundry. While the information is dated 2012, considering the current surge in general essential oil use and, particularly, essential oil use…

Clearing, Purifying, and Cleaning at Imbolc

Clearing, Purifying, and Cleaning at Imbolc

It’s about that time when we begin getting antsy for signs of spring. As the light, warmth, energy, and glow of spring build behind the scenes, many of us are feeling the turning point… While some people will be watching a groundhog for signs of spring’s…

fragrant herbal body powders

fragrant herbal body powders

As a treat for the holidays, I’m sharing some recipes to help you craft natural, handmade gifts for friends, loved ones, hostesses, and distant cousins… Today, it’s all about herbal body powders… First, your BASE recipe (aka natural body powder!):   Combine Arrowroot powder and…

sublime organic facial cleansers for all skin types

sublime organic facial cleansers for all skin types

So simple to make and so incredibly amazing. Hurray for wild and wise, natural and intentional, pure and simple goodness for our faces! Compared to over-the-counter cleansers laden with long lists of complicated, synthetic ingredients that tend to strip skin, the natural and organic facial cleansers offered…

aromatic melt & pour soaps

aromatic melt & pour soaps

Few DIY projects are as easy as making your own aromatic melt-and-pour soaps — just about anyone can do it, you don’t need many special supplies, and the resulting products are superior in quality and fragrance to most store-bought soaps. You can create unique blends…

luscious aromatic lotion bars

luscious aromatic lotion bars

Free recipe time! I’m sharing my recipe for my all-time favorite lotion bars with my most popular essential oil combinations. Choose from a simple lavender scent or sweet, floral fragrance… or go with our savvy traveler’s secret weapon: a lotion bar perfect for the airplane and airport with its antimicrobial,…

invigorating vanilla mocha morning shower scrub

invigorating vanilla mocha morning shower scrub

It’s the holidays. Time to start handmaking ALL the things, y’all. This recipe is pure indulgence–and the perfect treat for an early morning shower for the mocha or latté lover in your life. This Vanilla Mocha Coffee & Sugar Scrub smells soooooo yummy: coffee, sugar, vanilla-infused…

blood moon body butter

blood moon body butter

Sister moon, so bright and high Casting shadows here and nigh Swallowed swift in shadow burning Red with blood and boiling yearning. Fear of change and angst resurface Struggling blind to grasp my purpose Thrashing forth and back by years Standing still in age old fears. Mystic quiet…

a few of my favorite things right now (including horsetail tincture)

a few of my favorite things right now (including horsetail tincture)

There’s LOTS to love in the world of aromatherapy and herbalism. While I always have “favorites”, I find myself turning to new essential oils at different times depending upon both my mood and my clients’ needs, new books turn up that capture my attention and “old”…

a peek at bergamot

a peek at bergamot

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