So we asked our Moms what would be the best back to school aromatic aids for little ones, and for the older students, perhaps off to college for the first time. (Yes, that is our youngest grandgirl, with her daddy walking her for the first day.)

Save 10% on retail sizes of: KleenHandz, NoNitz (for unwanted scalp “hitchhikers”), Aloe Vera Gel, and Neroli Hydrosol (still the best solution for butterflies in the tummy). Trauma Oil for the inevitable bumps and bruises on the playground. Michelle says, “I think our Relax blend helps when the kids get home from school, and Sleep Ease (or Happy Dreams ) is a must at night.”

For your older ones, going away to school, a diffuser ? (the AromaStone is the least intrusive.) A Blue Tansy inhaler for new or different seasonal allergens. “ Focus ” for studying. One of our anti-anxiety blends for homesickness (my favorite is Reunité.) FluFoil later on, for winter. Perhaps Moon Days for your daughter? Fresh Aire to keep dorm room and laundry fresh and lift spirits at the same time? Also see the list for the young’uns. We never outgrow the need for KleenHandz!

All products listed above are at 10% discount this month.

Beat the Heat

Nothing cools like mint, so save 10 percent on retail sizes (15 mls) of our Organic Hungarian or our USA produced Peppermint, our brand new Australian Spearmint, Bergamot Mint (not one bit minty!) and, coolest of all, our Corn Mint from Nepal. And ALOE for a cooling carrier… (We are now offering our food grade Aloe Vera Gel in a 16 ounce bulk refill for your convenience.)

New and Back In Stock Products

First, just arrived, the first comprehensive book on the use of my beloved CO2 extracts in Aromatherapy, by Madeleine Kerkhof.

New from Australia: Lavender Hydrosol and Lavender Essential Oil “ Avice Hill ” both from our artisan distiller friend, Chris Burder. His hydrosols and oils must be sniffed to be believed! Also a lovely Australian Spearmint.

Back in Stock Carrier oils… Sesame Oil, Virgin Organic and Squalane, derived from Olive Oil.

Back in Stock CO2 extracts, Juniper CO2 and German Chamomile Select CO2. Love the aroma!

Other hydrosols, new and/or back in stock, all organically produced in the US: Basil, Holy (Tulsi) Hydrosol, Catnip (new to us!) and Monarda (herbalists call it Bee Balm).

Our new shipments of Neroli from Morocco and Rose Hydrosol from Bulgaria came in as this was being written.

Folks, I had hoped for a nice long newsy update all that is going on at Nature’s Gift these days, but there is not enough time. Enjoy the remainder of your summer!

On Friday, July 13th, use the discount code Thirteen and save 13% off all products! Kits, books, bulks, the whole shebang. (Who says Friday the 13th is unlucky?) (Sorry, no other discounts may combine with this.)

It’s only July and we are tired of summer, so let’s celebrate Christmas.

Special sale on retail sizes on all of our conifers…all the “needle oils”… Pines, Firs and Spruces, even the ones in our Private Reserve collection and our new artisan distilled Italian collection. The sale price is already marked down in our shopping cart. Someone asked about Juniper and Cypress…no because first they are not true conifers. (They don’t have cones.) And their branches don’t truly have needles, but flat evergreen leaves. Our Holiday Synergies all need reblending and aging. None are ready yet. Also, what would Christmas be like without Frankincense and Myrrh? Our full Frankincense essential oil collection, in retail sizes, our Frankincense Infused oils, as well as Myrrh essential oil, Myrrh CO2 and Sweet Myrrh (Opoponax) all at 10% off.

See our list of new, and back in stock products on our front page.

Conifer Recipes:

WINTER Solstice Blend: for diffuser

• Black Spruce 5
• Atlas Cedarwood 3
• Sweet Orange 5
• Frankincense 6
• Myrrh 4

June Curtiss’s Sleep Remedy:

• 6 drops Black Spruce
• 3 drops Clary Sage
• 2 drops Bulgarian Lavender

Pine Grove

• 2 drops pine
• 7 drops fir needle
• 4 drops juniperberry
• 3 drops cedarwood (prefer Himalayan)
• 4 drops rose absolute
• 2 drops lavender
• 1 drop basil
• 2 drops rosemary
• 1 drop palmarosa

Aromatic Quote for this month:

“Scents are surer than sights or sounds
to make your heart strings crack”

Rudyard Kipling

Enjoy your July everyone!

Our new and specials page is not yet written, so expect another newsletter shortly. But we didn’t want to wait to announce our Fourth of July sale:

Nature’s Gift will be closed for inventory July 1 – July 3. For these three days, use the discount code INVENTORY and receive 12% off every product on our website (except gift certificates.) Bulk oils, kits, all the things we seldom put on sale are included.

OR, on the Fourth of July, use the discount code FIREWORKS and receive 15% off all retail sized essential oils, absolutes, and CO2s.

Only one code per order, and please don’t ask us to make changes or additions to your order after you’ve placed it.

All orders placed in July will start to ship Thursday, July 5. We will process orders in the order placed.

Have a safe and happy Fourth everyone from all of us at Nature’s Gift.

Hello June, how did you get here so fast?

June sales

Save 10% on retail sizes of all of our favorite wood oils, Australian BuddhaWood CO2, Atlas Cedarwood, Himalayan Cedarwood, Guaiacwood, from Paraguay, Chinese Ho Wood (even our Private Reserve Alligator Juniper!) and all our Sandalwood oils.

Also, for summer fun, outdoor specials: all forms of SkeeterBeater, Sunburn Soother, Trauma Oil, for the inevitable bumps and bruises, MuscleEase for over stressed muscles, After the Bite (because you forgot the SkeeterBeater), and even our already discounted Vacation Saver Kit.

New and not to be missed

The long awaited Third Edition, Volume One of Salvatore Battaglia’s Complete Guide To Aromatherapy.

Does this replace the Second Edition ? No, It does not cover the full scope of the Second Edition. What is DOES cover is an overview “Foundation” of how aromatherapy is practiced, both historically, and at the present time, and the largest, most complete Materia Medica of any book in my collection I announced its arrival on Facebook and one quarter of our initial shipment sold in 24 hours. We will be ordering more, but order quickly to avoid a wait.

New and long awaited back in stock products

We have never had such a long list of new products. Enjoy!

Amazing new oils imported from an artisan distiller in Italy. So many of you say you want the very best, artisan distilled, ethically harvested or organic. We have put our money where your mouth is with this beautiful collection of new oils. See our Italian Helichrysum (soulstirring), also available in a 10% dilution in organic Jojoba, a beautiful Italian Lavandin, Sicilian Oregano vulgare, an amazing light translucent blue and sweetly scented Yarrow, a true rarity, Cypress FRUIT oil, (sometimes called Templin), Totally new to us Dwarf Pine (Mugo Pine), and longlasting Norway Spruce. All of these beauties belong in our Special Reserve collection, but so far we have only added the amazing Yarrow. Just enter “Italian collection” in our search box to bring up the whole collection. Please note, some of these are only available in very small amounts, some we can make available in bulk sizes. Let us know if larger sizes would meet your needs.

Two new to us Patchouli oils that Christi said I had to buy. Cindi, the book keeper said “why?” and Christi said “they are beautiful!” so of course we had to add both these beauties.

Patchouli Dark, from Sumatra, amber in color, deep and dark in aroma, and Patchouli Organic, from Indonesia, the first Patchouli we have loved that came with Organic Certification. (As always, we are not certified resellers. If you need an unbroken chain of Organic certification we can not be your supplier. That’s the way the certification process works. But the oil was USDA certified organic when we unpacked it, and we certainly have done nothing to alter it.)

A versatile new Carrier oil.. Robert Tisserand says it’s his favorite. See why.

Back in stock after being gone for five years: Organic Balsam Poplar from Canada. We also restocked our traditional deep cobalt Canadian Yarrow oil.

Back in stock, more of our beautiful Myrrh from Somalia. and, from my French mentor, more Mastic oil (Pistacia lentiscus)…lovely gentle astringent. (We refilled some of his other oils, but they were not yet out of stock.)

New Hydrosols, all organic from France: Linden, Cypress, Sage, and St. Johns Wort. Back in stock Hydrosols: Organically produced Carrot Seed and White Sage.

Back in stock floral waxes!

REFORMULATED: Fresh Aire synergy and Reunité We sold off the old, and reformulated the new. It took a lot of tweaking and a lot of testing. We are delighted to make them available to you.

News on the Fragonia™ front…John expects a harvest at the end of this year. Because we have been so frugal with our supply we are now able to offer this rare and precious oil in small bulk sizes. Thank you for being so cautious with your use of it.

Blog Update

• CO2 Herbal Extracts
• CO2 Aromatics – Part 5
• CO2 Aromatics – Part 4
• CO2 Aromatics part 3

Facebook Snippets

We announced our participation in the June AromaBox from AromaGirls, LLC. (And we recommended this curated collection very highly.)

We shared a link from The Tisserand Institute giving a simple explanation of how CO2 extracts are produced.

A blog article about our Rhododendron Oil from Nepal, by the NY Institute of Aromatic Studies.

Lots of announcements of new products. Photos and product descriptions get announced on our Facebook page as we explore them. Following us on Facebook gives you first shot at new goodies.

A cross post from a Quora question I answered: What essential oils are good for anxiety ?

And lots of chatter about the new Battaglia book. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Third Edition, Volume one.

Our Clients Say

Sandy Barrett writes about our SoftHands Liquid Soap:

“Good Morning, Everyone! I know I’m not around much anymore, but had to share my new discovery. Early on in this journey, a good friend here made soap, and I started off buying hers. She then coaxed me until I was making my own. Then the grandkids started coming, and as the saying goes, “ain’t nobody got time for that!!”
Long story short, it’s been a rough winter on my hands, w/copious amts of hand washing and sanitizing. No amt of moisturizer was helping them recover from that assault.
A few days ago I was looking through NG’s site and noticed Softhands Liquid Soap and ordered a 16 oz bottle. It’s going to take awhile before these hands no longer look like old fishwives’ hands, but I had to share the instant relief from achey, dry, cracked skin. It feels wonderful!
My sense of smell is not quite up to snuff, as I recover from a MILD case of pneumonia. Normally I am not fond of the lingering odor of Castille soap, so was pleased to see it wasn’t an ingredient. My nose doesn’t register ANY odor from this, and Marge provides directions on adding your own favorite scent to it. So that’s my tip, if you’re like me and haven’t time to make your own, give NG’s liquid soap a try! Have a Wonderful Day!”

Steve Huanq wrote about Neroli and Petitgrain, “Thanks for always being a great source of quality oils. I am looking forwards to trying the Bitter Orange oil! Your Petitgrain is also wonderful for background work diffusing when I don’t want to dip into the Neroli ;). I save a few drops of ‘liquid gold’ because Neroli literally shimmers in the air to me and can turn around any dark mood.” I love this. Neroli is truly such a unisex floral.

Sheryl Karas, of MamaLoveOrganics wrote of our German Angelica Root, “You were right, Marge. This Angelica is awesome! Perfect for what I use it for and quite similar to one I used a long time ago. I know it IS expensive but I only use a drop or two at a time in my products. I JUST redid the math for my formulas and I had just barely enough leeway in the pricing to make it okay because I got a cheaper price on my bottles recently. So it’s okay, and it’s worth it! I use Angelica in my two MOST popular flower essence aromatherapy formulas: ‘Support for Troubled Times’ and ‘Releasing Worry and Fear’“. See her creations on her Mama Love Organics shop on Etsy is probably best: www.etsy.com/shop/mamaloveorganics

Joann from New Jersey wrote, “Also, want to tell you I found a new use for That’s Better when I recently had a sore throat. Applied some to the outside of my throat bye, bye sore throat. Blessings to all. Joan ”

I love the recommendations for new uses of our products! Thank you all for sharing.

Blends For Him: (from a 10 year old newsletter)

Years ago there was a woman named Cat on some of the soap and/or toiletries lists. I’ve not seen smiling typeface around in a long long time. Back around the turn of this century I snagged some of her formulas… If I had her email address I’d ask for permission to share them…since I don’t…I’ll apologize later!

Please remember… all of these will need diluting before using on the skin!

Vanilla Sandalwood
3 parts vanilla absolute
2 parts sandalwood e.o.
1 part patchouli e.o.
(if desired, add a touch of jamine or rose abs.)

Bay Rum
5 parts West Indies Bay (pimenta racemosa) e.o.
1 part orange e.o.
1 part clove or allspice e.o.

Dark Moon
2 parts myrrh e.o.
1 part sandalwood e.o.
1/2 part patchouli e.o.
touch jasmine abs.

Bay-Patchouli
4 drops West Indies Bay
2 drops Orange Oil
1 drop Dark Patchouli.

Forest Blend
3 parts fir needle e.o.
2 parts cedarwood e.o.
1 part juniper berry
1/2 part cypress e.o.
1/2 part patchouli e.o.

“Aromatic (or not) quotes of the month”

I’m thinking of one dear friend who will be reading this, who lost someone dear not long ago. I know she misses him a lot. And remembered a quote that helped me during a time of loss… Carly Simon:

“Life is eternal
and Love is immortal
and Death is only a horizon
and a Horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.”

In honor of our Patchouli and Sandalwood… the Eastern oils…

“A puff of wind, a puff faint and tepid and laden with strange odours of blossoms, of aromatic wood, comes out of the still night. The first sigh of the East on my face. That I can never forget. It was impalpable and enslaving, like a charm, like a whispered promise of mysterious delight…. The mysterious East faced me, perfumed like a flower, silent like death, dark like a grave.”

Joseph Conrad

And a third quote… one that is the “quote of the month” on a calender we were given… that seems to fit who and where we are today:

“Dedication: It is the effort of many that creates the ripples that can move mountains.” I wish I could send you the picture that accompanies this quote…a deep forest ravine, with a plunging waterfall. Ultimate serenity.

We all wish you a serene June!

Save 10% on all of our floral essential oils, absolutes, and CO2 extracts. Retail sizes only, ie, 2, 5, and 15 mls. Please note, some of these are in very short supply. If they say “out of stock” that’s the truth! Also on sale, our array of floral waxes. See the complete list on our front page.

New and long awaited back in stock products

New and long-awaited on our book list, my mentor Madeleine Kerkhof’s CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy.

From Nepal, the long awaited Spikenard and Palma Rosa, both ethically harvested and sustainable. (More Valerian, as well, but we have not quite run out of that.)

CO2s: Delightful Thyme Select, Orris Root CO2 Select, and Organic Vanilla (after a long absence.)

From Spain, Organic Eucalyptus globulus (too long out of stock!) From Madagascar, more Katafray and Clove Bud, from Italy, Bergamot FCF, and from France, Cypress and Styrax (Liquidamber) from Honduras.

Also more of our organic Geranium Bourbon hydrosol, and, in case you missed the announcement in April, a fresh distillation of our beloved Australian Rosemary Hydrosol, now also available in 16 oz bulk refills.

Back in stock and better than ever, our Complete Beginner’s Kit. We’ve added some of our favorite accessories for your blending success.

Marge’s Book

We have a limited number of copies. Of course I’ll sign it for you!

Blog updates

I had been asked earlier this year to compile my writings about CO2 extracts, so late in April we started a series of blog articles.

• The first two are about the CO2 Lipids – fixed oils. and more on Lipids.
• The first of a series on the CO2 aromatics, mostly Select extraction and similar to essential oils.
• Took a break to write about an emergency query that we keep getting. Common sense and Canines.
• Back to the CO2 Aromatics Chamomile through Cumin.
• May’s first blog was part 3 of the CO2 aromatics series.

Please note, this is an ongoing series. Our goal is to publish a new post each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That’s the goal, I expect sometimes reality may intervene. You may keep up with the series here. New posts are always announced on our Facebook page, and in our Twitter feed.

Facebook Snippet

• Two classes (next weekend) in Atlanta. Cathy Skipper and Florian Birkmayer offer Aromatherapy for Trauma & Addiction followe by Aroma and Alchemy of Menopause. May 11 – May 14.
• Victoria, of Bois de Jasmine teaches how to candy violets and other blossoms.
• A good graphic showing suggested dilution for various purposes.
• Recipe for an old fashioned posset, using your favorite flower.
• Which method of application when? More from Tisserand.
• Estrogenic effects of Tea tree or Lavender ? (in a word.. NO!)

Of course our FB followers are also the first ones to hear about new arrivals, shortages, general goings on.

Aromatic quote of the Month – for the May Flowers:

“And because the breath of flowers is far sweeter in the air (where it comes and goes, like the warbling of music) than in the hand, therefore nothing is more fit for that delight than to know what be the flowers and plants that do best perfume the air.”

F. Bacon

Have a marvelous May everyone!

We are so tired of winter. We are welcoming springtime with all the green leafy scents that say “SPRING” to us.. not the lush florals… but the first hints of green after Winter’s barrenness.

Save 10% on retail sizes of the following Harbingers of Spring

Rhododendron, Violet Leaf, vivid Ironbark Eucalyptus, Lemon tea tree, and Lemon eucalyptus, Coriander (the sunshine spice!), Bergamot Mint, Balm Mint Bush, Beeswax Absolute, Galbanum, the “rites of spring” oil, Rosalina, light and delicate.

And for Spring Cleaning: Tea tree, Manuka, Geranium, Palma Rosa (did you know those last two were powerful germfighters? We tend to overlook them.)

Skincare Sale

For winter weary skin, we are putting ALL of our skincare products on sale. 10% off retail.

Make your own moisturizers? Save 10% on all of our individual carrier oils, infused oils, and butters.

(When the seasons change from Winter’s dry cold to Summer’s hot mugginess I like to switch to lighter oils for moisturizing and cleansing. Perhaps you do to? This is your time to stock up.)

Book Sale

My mentor Madeleine Kerkhof is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her company, and her 10th anniversary of providing AromaCare products this year. In her honor, we are discounting her landmark book, Complementary Nursing in End of Life Care. Save 10% from March 1 – 20, while current supplies last. (Yes, the shipfree discount code will apply!)

New Fixed/Carrier Oils

Moringa, Meadowfoam

New Essential Oils

Eastern Hemlock, from Canada, and Ajowan CO2 from Germany

Back in Stock

We’ve restocked goodies from our supplier in India: more White Ginger Lily, more Blue Lotus Absolute, and finally a good Holy Basil, Apricot Oil infused with Golden Champa (lovely floral body oil!) now available in a 16 oz bulk refill. And, from a USA distiller, specially distilled for Nature’s Gift, a new batch of Patchouli Hydrosol.

Blog Updates

• A guest blog article about our Frankincense Sacra, by my teacher Cathy Skipper: She writes of “the deep, calm, pure, peaceful groundedness of frankincense,” I loved what she wrote and asked permission to share it.
• Affiliate Links ? why we don’t do them.
• Children suffering from anxiety and insomnia ? (No wonder, look at what’s happening around them!)

Facebook Updates

• The big event of February, my young friend Nyssa did a filmed interview. Delved into some ancient history, and some very timely events. This is the first interview of a subscription service for “Sylla’s Inner Sanctum” where my friend and mentor Sylla will be sharing.. all sorts of goodies. I enjoyed being interviewed and hope you will enjoy listening. (Warning..it’s LONG!)
• A link to a quick Elderberry Syrup recipe in the InstaPot. (yes, you can use the stovetop, too.)
• A “rise and shine” diffuser blend for little ones.
• “The Scented Djinn” wrote of Galbanum, our Rites of Spring oil, and gave permission to share. (Justine is a gifted perfumer.. her book is referenced on her page.. GREAT for the fledgling perfumer!
• My mentor, Madeleine Kerkhof (see the book sale, above) will be teaching in Washington State in October.
• More opportunties to learn. Cathy and Florian will be teaching in Atlanta, in May.
• We did a pair of Facebook Live Videos, making aromatherap inhalers in quantity. Beginning here, and the second half, methods of assembly, here.
• Web MD publishes a warning article about EO misuse.

These are just a handful of the tidbits that are shared with our Facebook followers every month. And, of course, they are the first to see announcements of new and back in stock oils. Remember last year, for awhile, we did a “Mondays With Marge” series, where folks posted questions and we would answer them on Monday evening? We are planning a weekly or biweekly Facebook live where folks can ask questions, and I’ll try to answer them. Stay tuned, and follow us on Facebook.

Our Clients Say

Black Sacra

Hello Marge, I needed to tell you that I received my new Black Sacra Frankincense today and OH MY….time stopped still and when I came back, I found myself not just holding the bottle but cradling it!! Such a precious oil. It deserves to be held so lovingly.

Thank you for making it available to us again. Next purchase…the new Black Sacra hydrosol I see you have now. I will be ready for it!

With much gratitude, Chrystyna

German Angelica Root

Sophia Rose writes, The Angelica Oil is divine. I have only just smelled it so I can give you my first impression. My feeling with this Angelica Root oil is that I experience it as one that connects me deep and securely into the depth of the earth but also up to the Angelic Realm. My experience of Angelica up until this one is it connecting me into the earth but this is the first oil that I feel also connects me to the Angelic Realm. This is how I just experienced this oil. I know it is said to be the oil that connects to the Angels and this oil has done that for me, I experienced this very clearly energetically. So I am over the moon delighted to have this very special treasure.

She went on to write about other oils in our Private Reserve collection, and, I am completely and totally intoxicated and in love with the Bitter Orange Oil. Wowzer, how gorgeous is this oil!!!!!!!!!! I love all the oils, the Pine/Pine Cone is beautiful, the Black Spruce is a delight, all the oils are gorgeous.

Happy Dreams

We are seeing positive reviews on Facebook…people whose little ones (toddlers, typically) unable to sleep through the night. Diffuse Happy Dreams for a few minutes before bedtime and voila, a good night’s sleep for Mommy and child. I love that this is helping people!

Quote of the Month

Love is the only flower that grows and blossoms without the aid of the seasons.
Kahil Gibran

May you have a refreshing and renewing Spring Equinox and may your March become a Lamb, not a Lion!

Valentine Sale

On Wednesday, February 14th, use the discount code “Romance” and save 14% on all retail sized products. Bulk products, special books, and kits are not included in the sale. Only one discount code per order, please.

February Sales: Save 10% on retail sized oils selected to help keep you healthy

Ravensara aromatica, our favorite antiviral, Ravintsara (perhaps better for respiratory viruses), Melissa (Lemon Balm), Spanish Oregano, Manuka, Germ Beater and Germbeater spice, KleenHandz, Galangal CO2, most effective for sinus infections, Guava Leaf, a relatively unknown antibacterial, antimicrobial, Eucalyptus radiata, Benchmark Thyme, proven effective against MRSA, Bay Laurel (sometimes called Laurel Leaf), Rosalina (gentle, wonderful for children), Lemon Myrtle, and of course, our Flu Foil blend.

Back in Stock

We had sold out of so many, this list is a mixture of “Back in Stock” favorites and new delights.

AGARWOOD… ethically farmed from Thailand: A new batch of Indian Sandalwood, Sandalwood Tamil 2017 (We only have a little, so no bulk or wholesale ’til the larger shipment arrives, midmonth.) Back again, a new distillation of our beloved Black Sacra Frankincense oil. (and its hydrosol!) A small shipment of Ruh Khus, Wild Indian Vetiver, while we await samples of the new distillation.

CO2s: a long list, some of which have not yet been put online because we have not had time to evaluate and research them. but, online and available for your pleasure: Borage Seed CO2, Caraway Seed CO2, Calendula Total CO2, Carrot Seed CO2 (so much more aromatically pleasant than its distilled counterpart.) More Helio carrot, new Celery Seed CO2… (can an aroma make your mouth water? This one did!), Chia Seed, Cocoa, Coffee, Coriander, Evening Primrose, Indian Frankincense, Galbanum, Hops, Kiwi Seed, Pomegranate Seed, Raspberry Seed, Rose Hip Seed, Seabuckthorn Seed oil, and Turmeric CO2. (We also have samples of some new, to us, CO2s that we will be adding as soon as possible.)

From Thailand, in addition to the Agarwood mentioned above, more Kaffir Lime Rind, more Fingerroot, more Guava Leaf, just in time for our “keep you healthy” sale.

We have restocked our hospital grade Aroma Blanks (inhalers), guaranteed phthalate free. And since we finally have enough inhalers, our new Emotional Trauma Blend has been so well received that we have added it in an anointing oil (carefully adjusting to prevent photosensitization from the Angelica Root) and in an inhaler, to keep in your pocket as need arises. We have also added an inhaler of our respiratory aide, Deep Breath, again for convenience and portability.

New, just for us, SoftHandz soap. We were given a gift, a liquid soap that went on the bathroom sink at work. We loved it, and the crew insisted that we order more. “Well, if it’s that good, shouldn’t we make it available to everyone?” So we did.

Tampa Area Friends

Thursday Feb. 15 from 5 til 7 join Sylla Sheppard-Hanger, Nyssa Rhiannon Hanger, Marge and whoever, at UPWARD SPIRAL, 6718 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa 33610 for visit and talk about the oils, and perhaps some oil sniffing… Perhaps mosey across the street to the Mermaid Tavern for dinner after? Sound like a plan? Some of our Facebook friends have already joined our little group, but I wanted to invite the newsletter readers too. Please let me know via email if you plan on making it. It should be a fun gathering!

Blog Updates

Since our last newsletter, Christi shared her experience with Aromatherapy for Pet Birds.
We have several articles about the best selling oils and other products in 2017. If you want to see what the rest of our community is buying, see the lists here.

February Quotes

“February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March.”
Dr. J. R. Stockton

“Late February, and the air’s so balmy snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled into early blooming. Then, the inevitable blizzard will come, blighting our harbingers of spring, and the numbed yards will go back undercover. In Florida, it’s strawberry season— shortcake, waffles, berries and cream will be penciled on the coffeeshop menus.”
Gail Mazur, The Idea of Florida During a Winter Thaw

(And THAT is why I am going to Tampa!)

Sale for the Month

Because now that the holidays are over, many of us fall prey to the midwinter doldrums, or even SADD… Seasonal Affective Depression Disorder.

With this in mind, we offer our array of curated Citrus Oils… the citrus smilebringers. All retail sizes are at a 10% discount this month, to lighten your spirits. We also include our Citrus Smile synergy, a blend proven to ease depression, and our delightful Blood Orange Hydrosol.

New Products

A list of treasures in our new category, Nature’s Gift Private Reserve. What is our Private Reserve? The very best of the best, often oils that in the past we would have kept for ourselves. We are proud of all of our oils. But sometimes we come across a “star of stars.” Often these beauties are too expensive to buy for resale. In the past, we bought tiny amounts for our own enjoyment. In keeping with our goal of offering the best of each oil, we thought we should also make them available to you. Some were only available in a few ounces, from dedicated artisans. Others might be an extremely fine distillation from our normal producer. Others are very expensive specimens that we debated purchasing. They are not for everyone. But they may be for you..

Included in our new Private Reserve category, new to us this New Year

• Alligator Juniper Wood from an artisan producer.
• Angelica Root a stunning aged organic specimen from Germany. We had at first bought just a tiny bit for our emotional trauma blend, and then decided to make it available to you.
• Arizona Corkbark Fir, very rare, there are only one or two producers of this treasure.
• Black Spruce from Canada, an extraordinary batch from our usual supplier
• Black Sacra, from Oman, our remaining stock, after inventory.
• Douglas Fir, another fine artisan distilled oil, amazingly aromatic.
• Bitter Orange, distilled, from a Egyptian distiller, delightfully complex anxiolytic.
• Southwest White Pine Cone, Christi’s favorite new oil.
• White Sacra (White/Silver) from Oman, simply must be experienced.
• White Sage, grown in Southern California, artisan distilled in the Pacific North West.
• White Fir, another artisan labor of love.

Other new produsts:
Rhatany Root CO2
Galangal CO2

Back in Stock

Juniper Berry, a new to us, organic production from our favorite Bulgarian distiller.

Cape Chamomile, after a long wait, organically produced in South Africa

New, and very different Himalayan Lavender, intensely floral.

Expanded Sampler

Our Frankincense Infusion Sampler now contains SIX different infused Frankincense oils, Sacra white/silver, Sacra Brown, Sacra Green and rare Sacra black, Serrata infused using Indian Frankincense, and a lovely Carterii infusion, using Boswellia carterii, from Somalia, the most traditional Frankincense resin.

New Blend

We have decided, based on requests, to make our Emotional Trauma blend available. You may have read about this originally in our blog.

Found in Inventory

We thought they were long gone: but have found limited (sometimes extremely limited!) supplies. The shorter lived products (all with more than a year’s life left to them) have been drastically reduced while supplies last.) But if you hesitate, they may be gone.

• Christmas Bliss – lighthearted Fir codistillate. Great for respiratory and emotional support.
• O Christmas Tree – Christi’s blend of wild evergreens to celebrate the season. We thought they were gone.
• Frankincense Sacra Black (see our Private Reserve Collection, above.) We thought we had oversold during the Thanksgiving sales, and took it offline. When the dust settled, there were a few remaining bottles.

Blog Update

We haven’t had time to write much during the busy pre-holiday rush, but did post a couple of articles you may find interesting.

We listed our Thanksgiving Sale Best Sellers (and found some surprises!)

“Once more with feeling” – the perennial question – “Are your oils ingestible?”

And to start 2018 – a dose of gratitude, that we have the opportunity to make a difference.

Facebook Gleanings

The sort of thing we share with our Facebook followers (as well as the first notice of new arrivals, of course.)

Throat soothing popsicles – Ginger, Chamomile, Lemon, Honey.

Food as Medicine – GINGER The efficacy of ginger *as a food* is based on the content of gingerols… which are found in good proportion in the CO2 total that is extracted from naturally dried (not artificially dried) roots.. but not in the EO. (side note… if the ginger rhizomes are dried with heat, the resulting extract will be high in the phenolic shogals and burn… the high gingerol extractions are much more gentle)

Good winter advice from my friend Sue Pace.

A free download of last minute aromatic gift suggestions.

Should we be using the most potent antimicrobial EO’s with wee ones?

Perfumer & Flavorist writes of Agarwood.

(See what you miss by not following us on Facebook ?)

Our Clients Say

(Copied from a January newsletter more than a decade ago.)

Hints and tips for fighting colds and the flu (or at least keeping yourself more comfortable!)

For my nose when it got raw from blowing, I put on Heli 10%, waited a bit for it to soak in, and then Shea on top of that. After the second time, the pain went away and it didn’t hurt to blow anymore. Now tonight I’m going to try MuscleEase in the tub to see if it will help the soreness in my stomach and chest from coughing. They *feel* like muscle cramps but I’m not sure if that’s what they really are.

My comment: When I’ve had a bad cough, my diaphram ends up really hurting, and I’ve found MuscleEase helps ease the pain. Courtney isn’t fond of the smell of the MuscleEase massage oil, but swears by our MuscleEase Bath Salts for aches, pains, and congestion. (the high amount of Eucalyptus in it probably helps with the decongestant effect.) (We no longer produce bath salts… just dissolve some MuscleEase synergy in some Polysorbate, or even liquid soap, blend into Epsom, Dead Sea, or Himalayan salts, and add to a warm tub.)

Years ago June Curtis wrote the following:

My order arrived on Wednesday and got put to immediate use since we both have colds. I quickly concocted your “Hints and Tips” blend of Ravensara, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Leaf and Lemon Myrtle for the diffuser. Relief was swift and the room smelled wonderful! This is a definite “keeper” to stave off the New Mexico bacteria and viruses that are new to our immune systems. Thank you too for the sample of Clove. I hesitated to order that without testing lest my blends turned out to smell like Easter Ham! My fears were groundless since it’s a pleasant oil, much softer fragrance than expected, but a little goes a long way.

A month or so ago, Kristi Kusek wrote

I just wanted to drop you a little note to tell you how much I love your Manuka oil! I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and noticed it was recommended for use with CFS – so I gave it a try well over a year ago. It has become a staple oil for me that I use in almost any blend in some quantity. I definitely feel that the use of essential oils, especially Manuka, has helped to keep me from getting those nasty recurrent viruses that I had suffered from for years prior to this. In fact, my poor husband has the flu right now and I am diffusing a blend of ravensara, manuka, cinnamon bark, clove, and lemon myrtle to help him get better faster and to keep me well! I feel confident that it is helping to clear the air of those nasty germs.

Old Time Sore Throat Remedy (not aromatherapy, but sounds helpful so we’re passing it along

Sore Throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Six years ago, Dorothy Murphy shared this formula on an aromatherapy discussion list

2 drops Ravensara
1 drop Euc. Radiata
1 drop Palmarosa
1 drop Myrtle

dilute in 10 mls of Carrier oil, preferably a combination of ones high in Vitamin C like Rosehip Seed. Put on chest and throat and lymph node areas under the ear/jawline and on the lung reflex area of the feet.

Another flu/cold bath formula from a client who asked not to be named

Colds and Flu ENERGIZER
10 drops Ravensara
10 drops Eucalyptus
4 drops Peppermint
8 drops Rosemary

Blend together, add one quarter (8 drops) to a warm bath. This would be a stimulating blend for when you can’t afford to just go to bed. The peppermint and Rosemary will help you get moving again.

And with those notes, we come to the end of this newsletter, marking the beginning of a New Year. Please, all of you on the East Coast stay safe and warm during the coming storm, and may all of you reading this have a New Year blessed with peace, joy, love, and an abundance of all good things.

Thank you for letting us continue to do what we do.