Written by: Robin Kessler Graduate of French Aromatherapy Certification Course Introduction: Five years ago I became an aromatherapist. I was always interested in alternative medicine and how it could help when conventional medicine failed or was too invasive or debilitating. I felt the earth had more to give us than the use of manufactured synthetic products. I made sure my family ate well and emphasized natural foods so they would grow up healthy and wise. I tried to follow my convictions but unfortunately I became sick with a blood disease and found I had to take prescription drugs as READ MORE
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Herbs and Essential Oils for Anxiety
Discover the benefits of integrating herbs and essential oils in the treatment of anxiety with Thomas Easley and Jade Shutes Download: Anxiety Handouts 3 per page. Download: Herbs and Essential Oils for Anxiety ebook Save Save READ MORE
Learn how to blend with essential oils
Enjoy Jade's talk on approaches to blending and formulation. This talk was given at NAHA's Beyond Aromatics Conference in October of 2016. Powerpoint PDF: The Art and Science of Formulation READ MORE
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Pomegranate Punica granatum L. CAS Number: 84961-57-9 INCI Name: Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Extract Cultivation Technique: Organic preferable. Country/s of Origin: China Extraction: Cold pressing of crushed seeds or CO2 extract of seeds. Sensory Info: Yellow to reddish, solid mass like coconut oil. Shelf Life: Once opened, up to 24 months dependent upon the conditions of storage. Storage: Store in cool/dark location. Protect from exposure to, light, moisture and pests. Do not expose to extreme temperatures and keep tightly sealed. Dosage: Use at a 20-50% percent READ MORE
Study with Cathy Skipper and Florian Birkmayer
Interested in Studying with Cathy Skipper and Florian Birkmayer? Cathy and Florian are teaching a number of live classes this year. Here is their schedule. August 14th - 16th Ancient Alchemy/distillation Bozarth Mansion, Spokane WA http://botannicals.com/hands-on-workshop/ancient-alchemy/ North Carolina October 14th and 15th: Alchemy, aromatics and medicine of the soul - The Electic school of Herbal Medicine Santa Fe, NM “Aromatherapy & The Medicine of the Soul: The Wounded Healer, The Alchemical Journey and the Sacred Union” Santa Fe, New Mexico Sat & Sun READ MORE
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Written by: Amy Emnett My first encounter with Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) was a memorable one. I have been afflicted with reproductive issues since the onset of puberty. My online research, prior to aromatherapy school, lead me to this herbaceous oil. In my research, I saw that it shared a lot of the same constituents as Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). For some reason, in my mind, I thought the aroma would be similar as well. I was taken aback from the smell. I found it too pungent. So I rarely used it. But I refused to give up on this oil. I had read remarkable things about Clary READ MORE
Natural Remedies for Allergies
Enjoy our recording of 'Natural Remedies for Allergies' with Thomas Easley and Jade Shutes. Print Webinar PDF Print Natural Remedies for Allergies E-Book Save Save READ MORE
Shea butter: How to prevent shea from going grainy
So Why Does Shea go Grainy in Botanical Body Care Products? Understanding Melting Points and Fatty Acids While each plant-based butter is given a general melting point (e.g. Shea butter has a melting point of 89 to 100°F), the melting point can be a poor descriptor because butters are made up of fatty acids each with differing melting points. For instance, when melting Shea butter the linolenic, arachidic and linoleic acids melt very quickly (they are actually responsible for the slightly ‘moist’ quality of the butter), then the oleic acid, then lauric, then palmitic and finally stearic READ MORE
About Black Spruce Essential Oil
Black Spruce Picea mariana (P. Mill.) B.S.P. var. mariana Black spruce is in the Pinaceae family which includes the Pines and Firs as well as Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica). Black spruce resin was used as a chewing gum; wound healing agent; tea against sore throat; salve greased on the chest against bronchial diseases while Black spruce needles were used in tea against cough; stomach disease because of tobacco abuse. The cones were also used in tea against cold and cough (Deeg, et al. 2012). The essential oil is distilled from the needles. The essential oil is rich in the ester, bornyl READ MORE
Favorite Recipes for Aromatherapy Roller Balls
7 Great Aromatherapy Roll On Recipes I love these roll on bottles! Have been formulating away for various holiday gifts and thought I’d share. The roller ball is basically a 0.35 oz bottle with a cap/lid that contains a ball. Each roller bottle holds 9ml of base oil. Choose what you have in stock, jojoba, sesame, rosehip seed, calendula herbal oil, etc. etc. Base oils add nourishment, and may add color (e.g. avocado oil) and/or an aroma (e.g. raspberry seed oil). The possibilities are endless. The average number of drops for essential oils is between 5 to 12, depending on essential READ MORE