Is the summer heat forcing you to retreat indoors within the safe confines of your temperature-regulated house? I know it’s tough to get out there on those blacktop streets and ride the crowded buses and trains. I use two tricks to combat this type of heat: One, I visualize something like the beach, shaded woods, or a remote lake house. The promise of these escapes do something to my breathing and pace. Two, I use essential oils that keep me cool and calm. Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var amara) - Physically cools and deodorizes the body. Energetically inspires, transforms and supports READ MORE
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Essential Oil Allies: Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa essential oil is obtained by steam distilling the flowering tops of “wild bergamot” (aka “wild beebalm”). Early American settlers called M. fistulosa “Wild bergamot” as they found the plant’s aroma reminiscent of Citrus bergamia. This plant, however, should not be mistaken for the citrus fruit “Citrus bergamia,” the photo-toxic botanical used to flavor Earl Grey tea. This plant is classified in the “horsemint” family which includes “Oswego-tea” (aka “beebalm”) (M. didyma) and horsemint (M. punctata)—their respective chemistry and aromas are quite different. You know you are READ MORE
Florals for Beauty, Self Love, and Radiance
Through the open door A drowsy smell of flowers - gray heliotrope And white sweet clover, and shy mignonette Comes faintly in, and silent chorus leads To the pervading symphony of Peace. - Whittier To me, there is nothing quite like a flower. Their beauty opens the heart, delights the senses, and heals the soul. Flowers reign supreme. Here are some of my favorite floral aromatics. Rose (Rosa damascena) The Queen of Flowers. Rose is available as an essential oil, an absolute, and a hydrosol (an aromatic water). Rose hydrosol is an affordable way to experience the preciousness of READ MORE
Free Your Feet This Summer!
One of my favorite things about spring and summer in New York is that you can stop wearing socks. I like socks for their comfort and aesthetic but if a routine such as washing and organizing socks can be shed for a handful of months, I fully embrace that! Unfortunately, there are some negative effects that may occur when you ditch your socks. Sweaty feet can stink and ruin your sneakers, and some shoes can be fairly rough on your feet leaving them dry and cracked. If you’re throwing on those flip flops, even more reason to give them a little extra attention. Naturally, there are some READ MORE
Essential Oils to Celebrate Summer Solstice
Summer solstice or midsummer, also known as Litha in pagan culture, is the time of year when Earth’s axis is most aligned with the sun, blessing us with the year’s longest day and shortest night. It is also a perfect time to celebrate fertility and abundance, to experience our full potential, unlock our creative flow, and visualize and manifest our goals. As I considered synergies that would support this intention, I naturally orbited around oils that resonate with the solar plexus chakra, and the color yellow. Our third chakra, located two inches above our navel and just below our sternum, READ MORE
Essential Oil Allies: German Chamomile
German chamomile essential oil is distilled from the flowers of Matricaria recutita and often grown and distilled for its essential oil in Hungary as well as other parts of Eastern Europe, North America and Australia. Native to temperate parts of Eurasia, M. recutita best expresses itself when grown in this type of terroir (see chemistry section). As most plants classified in the Asteraceae family, this annual plant is happy to spread its medicine by readily re-seeding itself. Matricaria comes from the Latin "matrix," meaning "womb." If you take a bi-section of the flower you will find the READ MORE
Multi-use Blend for Easy Summer Self Care
Here in NYC, as we jump from the days of trekking around in the bitter cold with layered clothing into days where we can’t take enough clothes off, a question I am often asked is “What are your plans for summer?” At this time of year, we are all thinking about escaping the city heat. At least for a brief stint. Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with this city in the summer. I’ve lived in Brooklyn my whole life, but if I were ever to relocate, being reasonable distance to a beach would be non-negotiable. On the other hand, when the heat waves do break, there is no way to describe a READ MORE
Essential Oil Allies: Rhododendron
About Rhododendron Essential Oil: Rhododendron essential oil is obtained via steam or hydro distillation from the aerial parts of Rhododendron anthopogon; its leathery leaves being the most aromatic part of the plant. Also called "Sunpati" in its native Nepal, this short, evergreen shrublet is categorized into the Ericaceae family-which includes azalea, bog Labrador tea, blueberry, bayberry and wintergreen-a commonality being these plants generally thrive in acidic soil and infertile, yet moist, growing conditions. Anthopogon is considered to be one of the smallest plants in the READ MORE
Celebrating Mother’s Day
Celebrated for over a century every second Sunday of May, Mother's day is the perfect opportunity to honor the many aspects of motherhood. There are a million ways to be a mother and that is the beauty of it. You may be a mother, grandmother, or a mother's daughter or son but all of us have some connection with the focus of this day. Whichever mother figure you are celebrating, three major themes stand out when it comes to motherhood: unconditional love, compassion and gratitude. Let us explore the emotional realm of six essential oils, and how their special aromas can help celebrate a READ MORE
Violet
Written by: Lindsey Fpausch Latin name: Viola spp. Family: Violacaea Energetics: Cooling, moistening Taste: Sweet, mucilaginous, cool, minerally The Violet by Jane Taylor Down in a green and shady bed, A modest violet grew; Its stalk was bent, it hung its head As if to hide from view. And yet it was a lovely flower, Its colour bright and fair; It might have graced a rosy bower, Instead of hiding there. Yet thus it was content to bloom, In modest tints arrayed; And there diffused a sweet perfume, Within the silent shade. Then let me to the valley go This READ MORE