The Aromatics International Blog

The Nepalese distiller of these two oils has formed a farmer’s cooperative where local and indigenous people participate in cultivation and production of medicinal and aromatic plants. These people have significantly raised their socio-economic status as the cooperative is providing employment and promoting cultivation in community forest and private land owned by the farmers. All the Nepalese oils are beautiful oils with a deep connection to the culture and history of this amazing country.

Xanthoxylum- Zanthoxylum armatum

Himalayan healers use Xanthoxylum essential oil mainly in treatment of respiratory diseases and digestive stress. They also say that its regular use improves the voice quality! The aroma is beautiful and uplifting.

Xanthoxylum is high in a component called Linalol. Linalol high oils offer us profound healing for infections, pain, swelling, spasms, allergies and injury. The oil is also deeply calming for the nervous system. It can be used daily and is a wonderful tonics for health.

Xanthoxylum is wonderful for an upset stomach, menstrual cramps, pain and muscle spasms. It is also very healing for allergies, colds and flu, especially if the person is experiencing aches and pains, coughing and difficulty sleeping.

• Antidepressant/uplifting
• Anti-spasmodic
  
• Analgesic
• Anti-inflammatory - reduce inflammation
• Antiseptic - assists in fighting germs/infections
• Anti-bacterial - destructive to bacteria
• Cooling
• Digestive
  
• Immune stimulant - stimulates functioning of immune system
• Sedative
• Tonic - strengthens and restores vitality
• Nourishing for the skin

Allergy Support Recipe

10 drops Xanthoxylum
5 drops Black Spruce
5 drops Niaouli

Blend these oils without any carrier, making a “stock bottle.” Add drops to a cream, oil, bath or candle diffuser. Put a drop in your shampoo or add to an unscented liquid soap.

Rhododendron- Rhododendron anthopogon

The rhododendron that grows all throughout the USA and Europe is actually native to Nepal! The plant has many traditional medicinal uses such as using the leaves and flowers to make a tea for a sore throat, a cold or to relieve a headache. The plant also has spiritual uses.

The essential oil is calming and grounding. It is used in skin care and added to shampoos for healthy hair. It is wonderful to diffuse, or to add to unscented lotions and bath salts.

The oil is a good decongestant, and is antispasmodic for the respiratory system. It also is known to help reduce inflammation and is a nice tonic for the adrenal glands.

There is research that suggests Rhododendron essential oil may support liver function (hepatic metabolism)

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-bacterial
• Decongestant
• Nervous system tonic, sedative
• Grounding

Liquid Soap Recipe
20 drops Rhododendron
20 drop Lavender
20 drops Orange

Blend into 4 oz of castile soap and use for washing your hands. We keep ours by the sink in the kitchen and bathroom.

Tags: distillers, Nepal, Niaouli, Rhododendron, Xanthoxylum

This morning I had the good fortune to pour out White Pine and Hemlock oils. I had one of those famous aromatherapy experiences where the scent brings you back in time, to people, places and events left in a safe spot somewhere in the web our minds and memories…

When I was kid, my father and I planted dozens of pine trees around our pond behind our house. The trees were an attempt to restore an area disrupted by bulldozers.

We planted primarily white pines and then a few precious hemlocks. This was my first tree planting experience. I loved the process, and the hope of a pond surrounded by pine trees. As time passed, year after year, the seedlings and I grew up together. I fell in love with the graceful beauty of the hemlocks and soft needles of the white pine. They gave me a place to reflect, to find shelter and comfort through trials and tribulations of becoming.

My father and I took some of the extra white pines to my grandparent’s house, where we got back to work planting more trees! A certain white pine by a tiny rock formed pool in their backyard became my favorite tree. My grandmother referred to it as “Cindy’s Tree”. Decades prior she had stuck willow twigs in the bog behind her home,

I referred to those now huge willows as “Grandma’s trees.” Whenever I visited my grandparents, I visited my tree. The last walk I took with my grandmother was over to that tree. It had grown to a massive height, we stood there for a few long precious moments, arm and arm, in harmony with each other and the tree. After she passed on, I planted a fresh white pine in her backyard, in a space left barren by the passing of her old willows.

Trees have always had a special place in my heart. Since that first experience around the pond, I have carried on the tradition of planting pine trees at each of my homes. I love the calm, quiet and steadiness of pine trees. Their endless patience with the wind, rain, snow and ice storms, their gracious gift of shade and scent, form, protection, privacy and pure natural majesty.

So there I was this morning, at “work”, pouring out the hemlock and white pine while I was transported through time and space to my past, to a visit with my grandmother, my father, and with my long time friend, the white pine.

So many trees and plants offer us such unique gifts, of presence, kindness and kinship through their aroma. It is my true pleasure and good fortune to spend so much time with them, in all of their glorious forms.

Aromatherapy Thymes is for all who care about plants, healing and the planet. Aromatherapy presents the holistic approach to well-being, applying ancient recuperative, revitalizing and beauty therapies to relieve the stresses of life as effectively today as they have in centuries past. Filling a niche never before covered, it answers the lifestyle needs of a growing market segment.

1. What inspired you to start Aromatherapy Thymes?

Aromatherapythymes.com was launched in the late 90’s as a resource site for consumers interested in learning about essential oils and how they are integrated into the art and science of what is called Aromatherapy. The response was overwhelming, so the magazine was a natural progression. In the beginning, I found it very difficult to understand Aromatherapy so I knew if I felt that way others did. I took classes, went to seminars, and for well over 15 years I became eagerly committed to learning everything I could about Aromatherapy.

My goal truly was to make consumers aware of how important Aromatherapy was and is, and to offer the latest research, industry dialogue, and general information in a reader-friendly style and format. I knew I wanted to put out a magazine that could be placed in any area of your home and always be a reference guide.

2. What are some of your favorite aspects of the magazine?

I really love the essential oil profiles and the letters from our readers. I find that so many people enjoy essential oils and I am really surprised at the responses we get. It really makes us feel good that consumers have so many favorites and care so much about the therapeutic benefits and uses of particular oils and actually use them.

We are trying to lay out the magazine to capture the essence of what Aromatherapy is all about through design, choice of colors, and formatting.

3. What are your goals/visions for the next few years?

To maintain our position on the newsstands and in stores with continued growth. I recently started doing a blog talk radio show, and in the late fall we will venture into documentaries and television. Aromatherapy is a misunderstood word. I feel the process of extracting essential oils is quite amazing and I have gained so much respect for the farmers and laborers. We must also face the trade issue, and be aware that there are so many oils that are on the endangered species list. We can’t ignore the argument that the demand for essential oils can result in unscrupulous business dealings in countries that produce them.

I think about essential oil safety issues everyday. I want consumers to be able to walk into a health food store or order essential oils online and not have to question the ‘purity’ of the oil and I will continue to bring all these issues to the forefront. We are just touching the surface of a very huge and unlimited market, very similar to Martha Stewart’s position when she successfully launched Martha Stewart Living and tapped into the enthusiasm for all around home improvement, comfort and style.

4. How do you decide what to write about?

The initial step is picking the essential oil profile and from there everything else seems to fall into place. Of course, we try to coordinate each issue and essential oil with its proper season of use. With the exception of our featured essential oil profile, topics that are currently being discussed in the industry are always considered first and foremost. We are always on the lookout for up-to-date research and articles that cover holistic health issues, even if it is not directly involving aromatherapy because overall health and well-being keeps us all connected.

Again, because the publication is published four times a year (starting in 2008) we keep track of what essential oil is best for any particular season. Editorial meetings are generally where we go back and forth to make our final selections on what should be included in the issue.  We feel very honored to have so many outstanding manufacturers, distributors and aromatherapy companies sharing information.

5. Did you imagine the magazine would become so successful so quickly?

I feel like Aromatherapy Thymes was needed on the newsstands, but didn’t have any idea the response would be so huge. I do believe it has filled a niche that was missing. The success doesn’t seem easy because the challenges were and are still so great. Any time you are doing something new you may face obstacles, but it is amazing to see and feel the support and energy from all over the world for Aromatherapy Thymes.

Success means different things to all of us, but being able to take an idea and never waver on it and see it to fruition truly is success. To be voted in the “Top 30 Notable launches of 2007” by Mr. Magazine out of 900 magazines launched truly made the staff smile. It felt good because our journey to the newsstands has been an experience. I’m actually working on my first book titled “No One’s Going To Buy An Aromatherapy Magazine! My Struggle And Triumph To The Newsstands.”

When I started Aromatherapy Thymes I didn’t know how to get to the newsstands but I knew we would get there. I thank the subscribers and consumers for supporting us and keeping us on the newsstands. It has taught me your passions are all you have to give, and if you don’t try you’ve already failed. There’s a lot ahead for Aromatherapy Thymes, but a lot is behind us.

6. What impact would you like the magazine to have on the Aromatherapy community?

According to the feedback, we’re making a difference. Only time will tell what the impact will be, but if people are communicating and discussing important Aromatherapy and holistic health issues we will be very satisfied. If growers, distillers, retailers, and consumers are a little closer—in the sense that they have more authenticity, trust and access to each other—then we’ll feel the magazine has accomplished part of its mission. As we continue to connect with consumers and advertisers, the word will get out that Aromatherapy is about healing the whole person and can be enjoyed and used in every area of our lives. The key is implementing Aromatherapy into your life correctly. That’s the message.

Visit Aromatherapy Thymes to Subscribe!

Tags: aromatherapy thymes, Essential Oils, interview, press

My son suffered from eczema as a baby and has sensitive skin. He also has a severe peanut allergy. As a result, I’m always very cautious about what I put on his body! This month, I had the fortunate experience of personally testing Andrea’s bug spray blend recipe.

The first thing I noticed is that this blend smells very nice. Since it’s made up primarily of Frankincense hydrosol, the aroma is very resinous. If you aren’t familiar with the scent—think a mixture of church-smells and burning incense. I was a little worried that my toddler would be put off by the scent, but he loved it!

The sensation is extremely refreshing. We’d been out of the pool for a while when we gave it a try, and everyone was getting very hot from the muggy weather. My son loved the feeling of the gentle spritz and wanted to help me spray it all over him.

With many bug-borne illnesses a concern this time of year, pediatricians continue to recommend bug spray with a low content of DEET. DEET is a pesticide that scares me, but I will admit that if large mosquitoes are a major problem and I absolutely have to be outdoors, I will resort to mainstream bug repellents. These work, but they need to be used properly. Do not use on your hands since you can ingest the residue. Additionally, make sure that you shower you and your children very thoroughly the moment you come inside. DEET should not remain on the skin for any longer than you absolutely need it to.

Now back to the good stuff!

We weren’t experiencing mosquito problems when we used Andrea’s blend, but we were experiencing tons of gnat and “no-see-um” bites. The spray worked wonders on these small, annoying bugs!

Unlike commercial sprays, you do need to reapply often. There are no harsh chemical additives to make it stay on your skin. The good news is, it smells very pleasant and it feels wonderful to reapply. If you’ve ever used an expensive face or body refresher spray, you know the feeling.

Best of all? I knew my son could enjoy some sticky watermelon without me worrying that he was going to accidentally ingest harsh chemicals. (That being said, I still refrained from using much on his hands and when we used it on his face, we didn’t spray directly but wiped it on there gently.)

Andrea’s bug spray gets a hearty thumbs up from me and my family!

Indrani’s Ayurvedic Face Mask is made from the purest of herbs and plants with no chemical additives or artificial substances. Each ingredient has been carefully selected for its property and potency. The mask deeply cleans, firms, exfoliates and nourishes the skin, leaving a warm and healthy glow.

The mask is packaged as a powder that can be combined with a variety of liquids to make a product customized for any skin type, making it uniquely suited for use by any woman.

Dry skin: mix with milk
Normal skin: mix with honey or rose water
Oily skin: mix with orange or tomato juice

Ingredients: Lodhra, Indian Madder, Sandalwood, Turmeric, Indian Sarsaparilla, Licorice, Saffron, Frankincense and Vetiver.

Tags: face mask, Frankincense, products, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Aromahead Institute
School of Essential Oil Studies
Instructor: Andrea Butje

Ready to start a new career or enhance your existing practice? This course is perfect for massage therapists, nurses, health practitioners, or those who simply love to learn!

Enjoy a casual and relaxing setting and a small class format that fosters knowledge and camaraderie.

Aromatherapy Certification Program - 15 day class in 3 session format. This class is held in Sarasota, Florida.

Dates

September 3-7
October 1-5
November 5-9

Please contact us for more information or visit the Aromahead Institute site for more information and to register. Class size is limited - only a few seats remain

The ACP (Aromatherapy Certification Program) prepares students to become professionally qualified in the therapeutic uses of essential oils through an inspiring and intensive 15-day training. Students learn to confidently work with over 60 essential oils. The program is a fun and intensive learning experience.

The Aromatherapy Certification Program was established in May of 2000. The National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) has national educational standards for Aromatherapists and approved the program to provide Aromatherapy Certification Training.

Sarasota offers great lodging opportunities and wonderful beaches and restaurants. Whether you’re a local or you travel for the class, you will have the opportunity make great friends and learn in a casual, fun environment.

Tags: ACP, aromahead institute, education