Essential Oil Relief for Summer Heat
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,…
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…
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….
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…
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,…
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…