by Karen on July 15, 2010
This past weekend we went on a four-day horse pack trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area called the “Danaher.” We covered about 45 miles. Not wanting to be parted with my essential oils for this length of time, I assembled a “Back Country Survival Kit.” This kit includes:
- Mosquito repellent
- Allergy – Inhaler
- Pain & deep bruising relief
- Sore Muscle blend
- Sleep and Restless leg blend
- Constipation blend
- Diarrhea/Nausea/Vomiting
- Cold and Flu stock bottle
- Hand Cleanser in Aloe Vera Gel
For carriers, I included 1 oz. of Jojoba and 2 oz. of Lotion.
I also took along a bottle each of Lavender and Peppermint. Lavender is great for instant spot relief of bug bites (heat) and Peppermint is great for instant bloating/nausea relief and sunburn relief.
The following is a very effective mosquito repellent that we had the opportunity to test!
Wild Roses were abundant
Recipe:
5 drops Peppermint Mentha x piperita
5 drops Cypress Cupressus sempervirens
15 drops Rose Geranium Rosa damascena/Pelargouium Roseum X Asperum
10 drops Pine (Siberian Fir) Abies sibirica
10 drops Catnip (Optional) Nepeta cataria
15 drops Eucalytpus Citradora Eucalyptus citriodora
10 drops Cedarwood Juniperus Juniperus virginiana
5 drops Patchouli Pogostemom cablin
Place in 4 ounces of Organic Peppermint Hydrosol in a PET plastic spray bottle and add 20-30 gtts of Solubal Disperser.
One of the highlights of my trip was rocking in the hammock reading: Awaken to Healing Fragrance, by Elizabeth Anne Jones. It was so fun to ready about how Hatshepsut, Cleopatra and Esther might have used essential oils. (Eight more women to go!)
Wow! What a weekend. If I can just burn this experience into memory and remember the beauty, peace and solitude on a not-so-beautiful day. Thank you for sharing my experience!
Please share your experience with essential oils in the “back country,” whether its hiking, camping, backpacking or horse packing.
by Karen on June 28, 2010
Rose hydrosol (rose water) is a humectant that adds and helps retain moisture in the skin and has been known for many generations as a wonderful toner for the skin. When making your own lotions it adds a soft beautiful floral aroma and many skin healing properties. This distiller produces such an incredible hydrosol, if you love rose, this will delight you!
These pictures are from India where our current Rose Hydrosol is distilled. The roses are grown in the area of Pushkar/Ajmer in Rajasthan which is famous for their roses. Enjoy the roses of Rajasthan which have a very unique aura.
Rose centifolia is distilled year round from the virgin land of the Rajasthan deserts. This rose is the pink color rose that has made this area so famous.
Our Rosa damascena hydrosol is distilled from a darker rose. This is only distilled this time of year and is available for a short time. It has a beautiful soft aroma. As I poured the hydrosol, I could see beads of essential oil intertwined with the hydrosol.
Garden
Rose Plucking
Rose hydrosol is also known to promote emotional balance and a sense of well-being. Great for PMS symptoms as it is cooling! It can be used on its own as a perfume or you can add essential oils to the hydrosol. Fresh Rose hydrosol has also been used in desserts and beverages.
Suzanne Caty in her book, Hydrosols, the next Aromatherapy, states, “Experimental in many applications as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women…combat PMS, cramps, and moodiness by virtue of its balancing effects on the endocrine system. Treats the autonomic nervous system and makes you “feel so good.” ”
Emotional and Energetic Qualities
- Eases shock, grief and depression
- Soothes anger
- Heals deep despair
- Soothes and heals the heart
- Brings a feeling of love
Edward Rose
Rose Hydrosol is very stable and has a shelf life of two years or more. All hydrosols should be stored in a cool place and even in the refrigerator if you live in a hot and humid climate.