Carrot seed essential oil is distilled from the dried seed of Daucus carota subsp. carota which is commonly known as wild carrot, bird’s nest or “Queen Anne’s Lace.” It is grown and distilled for its seeds in France, Holland, and Hungary. Sometimes classified as a noxious weed by some states in North America1, it has…
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…
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…
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,…
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…