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:

  1. Mosquito repellent
  2. Allergy – Inhaler
  3. Pain & deep bruising relief
  4. Sore Muscle blend
  5. Sleep and Restless leg blend
  6. Constipation blend
  7. Diarrhea/Nausea/Vomiting
  8. Cold and Flu stock bottle
  9. 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.

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Rose Hydrosol

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.

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Kombo Butter, Rich & Healing

June 24, 2010

Kombo Butter comes from the seeds of a tropical tree called Pycnanthus angolensis, also known as the “African nutmeg” and is harvested between December and April.
It is a little known butter that has many wonderful healing properties due to its high Myristoleic acid content used to treat pain in the muscles and joints.  Myristoleic acid [...]

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New Essential Oil For the Rose Lover

June 15, 2010

Rose/ Geranium co-distill Rosa damascena/Pelargouium Roseum X Asperum
This is a beautiful co-distilled of Rosa damascena and Pelargouium Roseum X Asperum essential oil.  The delicate Rose petals from Belgium are unsprayed and the Geranium from South Africa is organic. This rare combination has all the qualities of both the soft and intriguing Rose and the slightly [...]

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Under New Management

June 8, 2010

In the spring of 2010, Karen Williams worked closely with founders Andrea Butje and Cindy Black to transition into ownership of Aromatics International. After studying and working with Essential Oils for many years, Karen has developed a natural love for the oils. Karen has dedicated her life to helping others through diet and health [...]

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Essential Oil Safety: A Brief Refresher

June 7, 2010

As suppliers of essential oils we are dedicated to knowing exactly what we are buying and selling. Testing every batch of oil we purchase with GC/MS technology assures purity and the gives us the exact chemistry of each oil. We believe this process is vital for medicinal blending and for quality assurance.
In order to ensure [...]

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Blending Basics

June 3, 2010

Using Essential Oils in a Bath
Salts: Add the essential oils into a bath salt. (Sea Salt and Epsom Salts are nice.) Add 8-10 drops total of essential oil to each ounce of salt. Use 1 tablespoon of that blended salt in a full bath.
Milk: Add 3-4 total drops of essential oil to a cup of [...]

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Essential Oil Aromas: Learn the Lingo

June 1, 2010

Top Note
The first smell to arise from a blend and evaporate quickly. The top note fragrance is usually light, fresh, sharp, penetrating, and airy. They add brightness to a blend. The aroma of top note oils reminds me of wind chimes or a flute. Top notes stimulate and clear your mind, uplifting your energy.
Examples: Bergamot, [...]

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