Intoxicating beauty.

We have a beautiful Rose bush growing outside our family room window. I’ve been watching as first, the buds appeared and then, those beautiful, full flowers bloomed, taking in the sight of each perfect layer of petals and enjoying them every time I walk past. As an aromatherapist and an amateur nature photographer, I am drawn to the Rose like a bee and cannot get enough of it! I find it’s aroma to be like a big hug -soothing and warm- and it’s appearance so pleasing to the eye that I could photograph it all day and never get bored. As the Rose’s place in cultural history attests, I am not alone in my adoration of what Greek poet Sappho called “the Queen of Flowers.” Although it is difficult to grow and vulnerable to pests, 150 million rose plants are purchased each year worldwide. Roughly 85% of Americans say the Rose is their favorite flower.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for their benefits to physical and emotional health. Many, but not all, plants contain essential oils that invite pollinating insects and protect them from pests and disease. We humans also benefit from essential oils’ ability to promote well-being and to fight a wide range of bacterial and fungal species. In Aromatherapy, we use Rose Absolute (a solvent-extraction of the oil) or Rose otto (a steam distillation of the flower’s petals). In either case, it takes pounds of plant material to obtain even the smallest amount of oil: 25-30 roses for one single drop! Due to the amount of work that goes into producing it and the low oil content in the blooms, Rose essential oil commands a high price. It is also highly concentrated: a little oil will go a long way. When I use it in my aromatherapy products, too much of the beautiful scent can quickly become overpowering, and I have found it best to use Rose essential oil in small quantities. It’s high Monoterpenol content makes it, among other things, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and an immune system stimulant. Emotionally, Rose is balancing, it eases feelings of depression or profound sadness, is soothing to the heart, and encourages feelings of love…something it is most commonly associated with.
Rose is a wonderful essential oil for use in skin care products, especially for mature skin, due to its cooling and healing properties. Two to three drops of Rose’s rich, floral aroma in one ounce of an all-natural, unscented lotion make a pampering face or hand lotion. A more affordable option is Rose hydrosol, also known as flower water. This is the water that is collected after distilling Rose otto and it has all of the therapeutic properties of Rose without the high cost. The hydrosol makes a luxurious facial toner to be used after cleansing, to calm the hot flashes of menopause, or any time your skin or mood needs a boost. Add one ounce Rose hydrosol and half an ounce of aloe vera gel to a 2 ounce spray bottle. Fill the bottle with filtered water and shake to combine, making sure to close your eyes while using. Both your skin and your spirit will feel nourished! Nature has given us such a gift in both the beauty of the rose as well as the exquisite essential oil contained within!
I recommend buying essential oils that are distilled from organic or pesticide-free plant material from a supplier that tests their oils and has some training in Aromatherapy. It’s a good idea to seek the expertise of a certified aromatherapist with any questions you may have. If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me through my website or Facebook page.

References: aromaticsinternational.com
aromaweb.com
lilysrosegarden.com
wikipedia.org

I decided to make the “Upset Tummy Blend” this past fall after a nasty stomach bug went through our house. It was really tough to watch my little ones get sick, especially when I didn’t feel well either.

The blend of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum ct linalool), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Lemon (Citrus limon) helps reduce the urge to throw up and slows the incidence of vomiting. This blend has a wonderful combination of anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic constituents, in particular: Linalool and Geraniol, which help to calm the smooth muscle of the belly. Ginger relaxes tight muscles and warms damp, internal issues so is perfect for use with digestive problems. Lemon is astringent, also perfect for situations where excess moisture is present, and is known to relieve the discomfort of nausea. Many constituents found in these three essential oils are also supportive to the immune system.

This blend has an earthy, yet warm and uplifting aroma. It is blended at a dilution safe for children over the age of 5 years, but can also be used by adults experiencing nausea. I suggest a few drops (3-5) rubbed on the belly in a clockwise direction from the sternum (this is the direction the digestive tract takes) when symptoms of nausea or vomiting appear. Apply a warm wash cloth or heating pad over the belly once you’ve applied the oils to help with relaxation.

My sincere hope is that you nor your child(ren) will not need to use the “Upset Tummy Blend”, but it’s here if you do!

To begin with, there are two easy options for taking to school.  A simple hand sanitizer of 2 oz. aloe vera gel and 10 drops Lemon essential oil can remove germs, support the immune system, and enhance mood.  An inhaler (similar to the Vicks inhalers found in drugstores) of essential oils like Lemon, Orange, Lavender, and Eucalyptus, used throughout the day, is a portable way to ward off colds and other illnesses going around.  For kids bound for college, a First Aid kit of natural products is definitely in order.  Filled with essential oil blends for issues such as headaches, cuts and scrapes, sleep support, anxiety relief, and colds and flu, you can be sure they’re well cared for when you can’t be there.  (See the notes section of Sweet & Woodsy Aromatherapy’s Facebook page for a natural immune system boosting recipe!).  Sending them off with aromatherapy-based cleaning products for the dorm room is another great way to help ensure good health while away at school.

For children with anxiety over attending school for the first time or an upcoming test, the quickest method for relief is through inhalation.  For a young child, a few drops of essential oils such as Lavender, Roman Chamomile, or Bergamot (on a cotton ball carried in a Ziplock bag) can help soothe any fears.  For older children, an inhaler with these oils is a smart option because it easily fits in a pocket.  Diffusing these same oils at home can also help reinforce a feeling of calm when the blend is used at school.

Aromatherapy is a helpful tool to use while studying.  As the connection between new ideas and scent is developed during learning, that same scent can trigger the memory when it comes time to take the test.  Diffuse Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, and Rosemary essential oils (or a blend of them) while your child studies to help with concentration, to stimulate the mind, and digest new ideas.  On test day, a few inhales of the same blend will help your child recall the information they previously studied.  (These essential oils are best used with kids over 5 years of age). 

Aromatherapy is an easy, natural, and effective way to support your child’s school experience at any age and throughout the year.

Happy Market Vendors

This summer, I’ve had the opportunity to be a vendor at one of our local farmers’ markets. I’ve always enjoyed being a customer at this particular market, so wasn’t sure I’d enjoy being on the other side of the booth. I worried about things like whether I’d be able to get up at 4am, setting up my 10’x10’ tent by myself, and the most worrying of all: what if I just plain didn’t like it? Luckily, I loved it from the start, and my “neighbors” are some of the nicest people I could hope to spend 5 hours with each week. I learned quickly that we all help each other set up those unwieldy tents and we look out for each other’s stands in order to do a little shopping of our own before it gets busy. I also learned that, for many of the vendors, attending farmers’ markets is a labor of love. Dina, who sells some of the most beautiful garlic I’ve ever seen along with other summer produce, began coming to this market in order to help her father man their booth. Now that he is in ill-health, she wakes up unbelievably early to harvest the day’s goods and gives long-time customers an update on her Dad’s health. The enthusiasm with which she talks about a head of garlic is infectious and her respect for it is obvious. Marion, to the left of me, is 90 years old (!) and has been a farmers’ market vendor for at least 20 years. She and her late husband sold her handmade kitchen towels and flowers and plants from their yard; every Saturday, she continues to load up her car with freshly picked flowers and decorative items. The time she spends at the market each week is also for socializing with old friends, enjoying the community she’s been a part of for so long. Most of the vendors who make up this market are from small, multi-generational farms, lending an even greater sense of community. The idea of buying local becomes very important and real when I see how much time and care goes into growing produce for sale to the public, not to mention trying to make a living doing it.
Bringing Sweet & Woodsy products to the market has been a fun and eye-opening experience for me…getting to know customers personally and educating them about aromatherapy is quite satisfying. The personal interaction the market forges between vendor and customer is the perfect venue for a small, local enterprise such as Sweet & Woodsy. Shopping at farmers’ markets supports local businesses, farms, and families, helping strengthen the community, especially in these tough economic times. Shopping at farmers’ markets provides access to fresh, regionally-grown produce, important for both our physical health and our community’s health. I have really enjoyed not only getting Sweet & Woodsy’s name out to the public, but getting to know my fellow vendors, customers, and becoming a part of the fabric of the farmers’ market experience. I encourage you to seek out your local public market and produce stands to support not just your family’s well-being, but the well-being of other families and of your community.

Lemon’s Latin name is Citrus limon and it belongs to the plant family Rutaceae.  Other members of this plant family include oranges, limes, and grapefruits.  It is believed that the first lemons were grown in China and India where one of its uses was as an antidote to poison!  Lemons were brought to the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and, in the 18^th century, their Vitamin C content was found to help combat scurvy among sailors.  The essential oil of the Lemon (and other citrus fruits) is obtained by cold-pressing the rind.  As the essential oils do come from the rind, it’s important to purchase those oils derived from only organic or unsprayed fruit to ensure no pesticides are present.

Lemon essential oil is high in two chemical components: d-limonene and beta-pinene.  Limonene has been shown to possess both anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, is an expectorant, supports the health of the liver, and has the ability to stop the initiation, and slow the growth of, tumors.  Beta-pinene is calming to the respiratory system and supports the immune system when inflammation is present.  Additionally, Lemon is effective at relieving nausea, is anti-fungal, an air purifier, and by increasing circulation, can relieve muscle pain.  For household cleaning, it can be used as a wood cleaner and polish; I apply 3-5 drops to a dry paper or cloth towel for dusting all surfaces.  Lemon oil is also a fabulous degreaser.  I love to tell the story of how, while our house was for sale, I spilled red spaghetti sauce on white carpet.  Instinctively, I grabbed my bottle of Lemon oil, applied it liberally to the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes.  All of the sauce came up easily and, afterward, there was no sign anything had been there.  Amazing!

On an energetic level, Lemon is uplifting and sunny, reducing tension or depression, and promoting an open energy.  It can be added to any essential oil blend you are making that is too heavy with another aroma in order to balance it.  A citrus essential oil usually has a shelf life of about 1 to 2 years, if kept in a cool, dark place like a refrigerator.  After this period, it can be used in cleaning products, but should not be used on skin as it can cause a rash or other skin irritation.  Always remember to avoid the sun for about 12 hours after applying Lemon essential oil to your skin due to the risk of photosensitization. 

As you can see, Lemon has many uses and is an important staple of any essential oil collection! 

References:  Aromahead Institute, School of Essential Oil Studies ACP Manual

                       www.wikipedia.org

It’s definitely not easy raising two babies at the same time, but we developed a rhythm, an understanding…as I’d hoped we would…which made life with two a bit easier.  I do look forward to sleep SOME DAY, but am grateful that the reason I’m losing sleep now is because of my children and not due to worry.  I am grateful for every hug, kiss, smile, tear, laugh, new word, and, occasionally, even the temper tantrums: all of these interactions prove to me that I am, indeed, a Mother; the best and most difficult job of my life.  I love every minute of it as I love my two sweet little peanuts more than I can say.

Aromatherapy Cleaning Products

I think it’s safe to say that Spring is just about here.  I even opened the windows yesterday to let the warm breeze in, new and refreshing!  On days like this, many of us get the urge to clean…to purge the heaviness of winter in anticipation of the good weather ahead.  Why not use this new season as an opportunity to try a new way of cleaning?  A way of cleaning  that is natural, good for your health, and smells fantastic? 

More and more, research is showing that the chemical cleaners we’ve come to know and love are really terrible for our health, over time leading to everything from asthma, infertility, and even cancer.  It makes sense to use cleaning products made with simple ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils…especially so if you have children.  One of the great things about the Sweet & Woodsy line of cleaning products is the peace of mind they provide…no chemicals or harsh odors and no worry about what they expose you, your children, or your pets to.  You can also be sure of their cleaning power.

Lemon essential oil is a wonderful degreaser, supports the immune system, and brings the sunshine inside!  I have used it to pick up spaghetti sauce off of white carpeting!  Afterward, you couldn’t even tell it had been there!  I make both the Multi-Purpose Spray and the Window & Glass Cleaner with it.  The acetic acid found in white vinegar gives natural cleaning products disinfectant and bacteria-inhibiting strength.  And the Tea Tree Abrasive Scrub is a total treat to use!  Baking soda is a strong deodorizer and a great natural ingredient when combined with anti-microbial essential oils.  To be honest, I really don’t like to clean, but I do find it a lot more enjoyable with wonderful, all-natural products.  Happy Spring!  Happy cleaning!

Our Lavender Baby Bottom Balm contains:

• organic Jojoba oil-this is actually a wax that is similar to the oil naturally produced by our bodies.  It’s moisturizing and is easily absorbed by our skin; the balm goes on smoothly and isn’t greasy.
• organic Calendula-infused olive oil (made by Mindy)-traditionally, Calendula was used by physicians for its anti-bacterial properties to treat skin infections.  Also called ‘pot Marigold’, this yellow flower is known for it’s ability to heal and soothe the skin.
• Beeswax and Shea butter-(both organic) combine to soften and coat the skin as well as to provide anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal protection.
• Lavender essential oil (from unsprayed plant material)-is added at a safe dilution for use on even the newest babies!  Lavender regenerates skin cells helping to clear acne, skin infections, and to heal scars.   I have witnessed first hand (no pun intended) it’s power to calm a burned finger almost instantaneously and it is invaluable for any issue pertaining to the skin.

The Lavender Baby Bottom Balm makes a wonderful gift for a new Mom-one she can also use to combat dry hands from frequent hand washing.  Two great things about using natural products are: they can be used with peace of mind, and they work!

*Beeswax and cloth diapers do not play well together!*