In my meanderings through various Facebook groups, professional communities, and coffee clutch conversations of late I find more and more conversations about — and contention surrounding — the internal use of essential oils. Questions surrounding safe use of essential oils come faster — and are sometimes responded to…
Ah, lurve. Few things are more fun to elevate and celebrate with oils, herbs, and food than sweet, sweet love. Whereas many of the best parts of love are arguably intangible, love is still very much informed by our senses — especially in the physical expression…
Can I be completely honest with you? The last two years have been doozies. I mean pick-you-up-and-throw-you-down fire walks. In the first year I lost my job at a place that held my heart and my core relationships. I went from being surrounded by people…
Abundant and varied evergreens are among my favorite things about our new home–our property is dotted with both individual trees and thick stands of various pines and firs. My single favorite trees may be the two White Firs (Abies concolor) that grow here; their silver-green needles on…
Most of us recognize the fresh, citrus note of Lemon: we find it used in foods (from seafood dishes to teas) and products (from bathroom scrubs to wood polish). Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil offers a broad range of therapeutic and energetic properties that support…
More often than not, when we think of Chamomile, we think of the herbal Chamomile tea used to encourage sleep. But Chamomile bears many additional therapeutic properties–and lends itself to more varied applications. Aromatherapy offers us two unique Chamomile essential oils: German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and…
Tub truffles for everyone! Hurray! These don’t just smell divine and nourish/soften skin: they also help insulate you against the cold by coating your skin with delicious cocoa butter and sweet almond oil! Stay cozy! xoxo Kristina Tub Truffles – Melting Aromatherapy “Candy” for the Bath What…
Siberian Fir (Abies siberica) is a particularly powerful essential oil from the evergreen family. While it bears the hallmark “pine-y” scent of its family, that is not the aroma that anchors it. Instead, it offers a unique woodiness and richness in its aroma. It is among…
Since January of 2013, I have lost several significant family members, human and animal alike. As Halloween 2013 approached, my thoughts turned to our altar and a means of honoring and celebrating all of them. Pagan lore holds the October 31st holiday we know as…
Melissa, commonly called Lemon Balm, holds a special place in my heart–she has ever since the moment I discovered her name literally means “honeybee”. (Bees are powerful totems for me, my husband, and our farm.) Melissa’s roots go back to ancient civilizations whose ceremonial lives…
Normally, I’d be spending the days leading up to the Autumn Equinox putting some thought and energy into summer’s transition to fall. This year, I was putting everything I had into preparations for Untamed Alchemy’s booth at the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair which happened to…
One of the most entertaining and challenging parts of being an aromatherapist is creating custom blends for individuals facing very specific (and often uncommon) issues. Since my background and passion is in magical aromatherapy, I am often asked to design and create products that impart unique…
Many parents are excited to employ aromatherapy with their kids hoping it will serve as a natural way to encourage wellness, address issues, and promote health. However, safe use is critical when entertaining solutions for children as aromatherapy in general, and essential oils in particular, are not without their risks…
EARLY PREGNANCY: Generally speaking, we do not recommend the use of essential oils during the first trimester of pregnancy—this is too a delicate time for mom and the developing little one. 2ND TRIMESTER & ON: First, check the following lists to identify essential oils that should be…
