Every Earth Day, millions of people gather around the world to celebrate our planet, increase environmental literacy, and advocate for support of environmental protection. Business leaders, farmers, students, artists, and politicians come together to remind each other of how everything we need, and everything we create and rely on, comes from Nature. It’s easy to forget, as our lives have become so reliant on technology that we only need to speak our desire and Siri or Alexa deliver. Even our fresh, organic food can be express shipped in artful packages, trimmed and cleaned without a trace READ MORE
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Be A Force Of Change
All winter long you’ve been making plans to start or change something and you’ve probably made spring the deadline to take action. This makes perfect sense. Since the beginning of time, spring has been a season for growth and change. Nature in general is bursting with expression. Flowers and trees are exploding with color. This is an ideal time to tap into your personal life force and support your own expansion. In case things are springing slowly for you, here are a handful of essential oils to help things along. Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) A supreme balancing oil. If the winter season READ MORE
Essential Oil Allies: Combava
Combava essential oil is most often encountered in its “petitgrain”1 form: steam distilled from the leaves and twigs of the evergreen, fruit bearing tree called Citrus hystrix of the Rutaceae family.2 The leaves of this thorny, bushy plant are quite distinct with two lobes connecting by a tough, central vein. Originating from tropical Asia, this gem of a plant is most often grown and distilled for its leaf oil in Indonesia and to a limited extent in India, Thailand and Madagascar. C. hystrix is from the ancient Greek meaning “porcupine” which translates into “spiny” and refers to the many READ MORE
Healing Balm for Little Ones
Spring is in the air and it is official; we have made it through another winter. For children, having been kept inside while dealing with the colder weather for what seems like an eternity, it is time to finally get outside and enjoy all that Mother Nature offers us; the sunshine, the fresh air, warmer and longer days - it is all very exciting! And, with this additional time outdoors - sports, park adventures, swimming, hiking, or even just fooling around in one's back yard - accidents will surely happen, because bumps, scratches and bruises are a normal part of growing up. When this READ MORE
His and Hers Springtime Skincare
Ladies and Gentlemen, the spring equinox is nearly upon us! Everyday will be filled with a bit more daylight and the Earth will be exploding with new life. This is the time to transition routines for warmer weather. We can modify our wardrobes to lighter tones and our diets to lighter plant based cuisine. It’s also a time to carefully observe your skin. For three months you have been exposed to brisk winter winds, snow, sleet and rain. During this season of rebirth listen to your skin as it adapts to the new weather conditions. Here are a few suggestions to help you get a head start. For READ MORE
Essential Oil Allies: Sweet Fennel
Fennel essential oil is obtained by steam distilling the seeds of Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce. It is mainly grown and distilled in France, Spain, Germany, Hungary and India for its essential oil. Originating around the Mediterranean basin, this hardy perennial has been introduced to and naturalized across Eur-Asia, India and North America—adapting to most temperate climates. An ancient plant, the Ancient Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and Roman cultures employed this herb for medicine and culinary uses. According to Grieve: “It has followed civilization, especially where Italians have READ MORE
Fortify Yourself Against Cold and Flu
Cold and flu season is still lingering. It stinks. Sickness is triggered by so many factors: Stress, poor diet, excess or lack of exercise, and/or the strangers breathing all over you during your commute. Most people reach for fast relief from the drugstore shelf. I used to do the same but I found when I did that, there were usually lingering symptoms. My fever and aches would be gone but I would have a stubborn sinus or respiratory infection for the next month. Once I brought essential oils into my life all of that changed. Essential oils restore balance and work with your body while drugs READ MORE
Wakey Wakey Rise and Shine
As most parents of school aged children (5 years and up) are aware, sometimes getting little ones out of bed in the morning is not as sugar coated as it seems because let’s be honest, getting ready for school isn’t always as nice as staying all cozy in your warm comfy bed. I know with my 7-year-old boy at times it can be tough, he is not such a morning person and if he could, he would prefer to get up later than school allows. Alas, school is a must, so how can we call on our plant friends to help, what essential oils are beneficial and how can we administer them into the body? Every Day Is READ MORE
Hierarchy of Evidence in Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Research
by: Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH (AHG), Clinical Herbalist and Aromatherapist In medical research, as interpreted by evidence-based healthcare practices, there is recognition of the fact that not all types of research are of equal value in regards to informing therapeutic opinions or making clinical decisions.1 Arguably the same is true for essential oil and Aromatherapy research; some research designs are more powerful than others in their ability to answer research questions on the efficacy of essential oil and/or aromatherapy interventions in humans. The ability of a research study to READ MORE
Essential Oil Allies: Ylang ylang
Ylang ylang (pronounced ē-ˌläŋ-ˈē-ˌläŋ) essential oil is distilled from the flowers of the fast-growing evergreen tree, Cananga odorata f. genuine, of the custard apple family (Annonaceae). Originating in the Indo-Malayan region, the French brought the tree to the Reunion Islands, Comoros, and Madagascar where it is mainly grown and distilled for its essential oil. The tree blooms nearly year-round, forever giving of its fragrant flowers. As night is the time when its flowers release the most essence to attract its main pollinators -- nocturnal moths -- this is the optimal time to READ MORE