LOGIN
Category: Essential Oil Profiles
-
Muses, Memory, and Apollo: The Marriage of Inspiration and Form
Every creative act begins long before the first word, brushstroke, or even idea. It begins as a stirring that insists on being expressed. In this cycle of articles and podcast episodes, we have already descended with Persephone, whose sovereignty was forged in the depths; we have stood with Lilith, the first movement of awareness who…
-
Artemis, Instinct, and the Cool Intelligence of Violet Leaf
This post is a companion to Season 5, Episode 5 of Essential Aromatica, where I explore aromatherapy through a mythic‑ecological lens — connecting plants and seasonal rhythms with depth psychology and story. May’s Flower Moon marks the moment when instinct rises again, and this episode turns to Artemis and Pan to understand that return: Artemis…
-
Atlas Cedar Essential Oil
Cedar’s Medicine for a Deep Winter Season Deep winter has a way of slowing everything down — the body, the mind, the pace of life. This year, I’ve been living inside that deep‑yin stillness more than usual. The death of our beloved dog Nikki, an urgent health diagnosis for someone close to my heart, and…
-
Rhododendron Essential Oil: Nepal’s Frankincense
Rhododendron Anthopogon: Tranquil Resilience from Himalayan Peaks Rhododendron essential oil is obtained via steam or hydro distillation from the aerial parts of Rhododendron anthopogon; its leathery leaves being the most aromatic part of the plant. Also called “Sunpati” in its native Nepal, this short, evergreen shrublet is categorized into the Ericaceae family—which includes Azalea, Bog…
-
Yarrow Essential Oil
Beloved Yarrow. Its history is intertwined with human civilizations and the Earth’s ecology. From “the old English “gearwe” (which morphed to “Yarrow”) to casting its dried stalks as part of I ‘Ching divination, it has been a protective green ally spanning physical and spiritual healing over centuries and across cultures and continents. This article highlights…
-
Combava Essential Oil and Its Holistic Aromatherapy Applications
Common Name: Combava | Latin Binomial: Citrus hystrix This article focuses on the essential oil derived from Combava (Citrus hystrix) leaves, known for its purifying, cleansing, and protective qualities. Discover the key therapeutic benefits, distinctive characteristics (its personality), and aromatherapy blending ideas. Exploring Combava Essential Oil: Its Origin and Various Names Combava essential oil is…
-
Green Myrtle Essential Oil
Grace, demure, gentle, alluring, joyful. Who’s that about? Of course I’m describing Green Myrtle’s essence! Just looking at Myrtle’s flowers may spark immense joy and coax bright smiles! Notice how its flower’s stamens delicately fluff out like fireworks! Sure, Myrtle may seem showy at first glance, but it doesn’t show off or act bossy or…
-
Discovering the Beauty Benefits of Rose Oil for Skin: A Natural Toner and Moisturizer
In the vast universe of natural skincare, Rose Oil, specifically Rosa x damascena or Rose Otto, is a bellwether of holistic beauty. Distilled from the petals of the Damascus rose, Rose Otto essential oil embodies the perfect harmony of nature’s power and gentleness. Together, let’s delve into the heart of Rose Oil, unveiling its benefits…
-
Patchouli: The Scent of the ’60s and Its Modern Revival in Aromatherapy
Patchouli, with its rich, earthy aroma, is often nostalgically remembered as the quintessential scent of the 1960s – a symbol of free-spiritedness, peace, and love. However, this distinctive essential oil, distilled from the dried, cured and lightly fermented leaves of Pogostemon cablin, a mint family member, has transcended its historical timestamp to become a staple…
-
The Power of Scent: How Aromatherapy Can Change Your Mood with Neroli
Aromatherapy is rooted in century-old practices of aromatic medicine and herbalism, alchemy, chemistry, perfumery and pharmacy. Modern aromatherapy, which took shape in the 1930’s, plays a significant role in modern wellness, namely by utilizing the profound power of aromatic botanical extracts (essential oils) to influence mood and overall health. Among the myriad of essential oils…
-
Unveiling the Citrus Charm: The Benefits of Bergamot Oil
As we dive into the enchanting world of aromatherapy, we often encounter essential oils that are popular and widely used, like Lavender and Eucalyptus. Today, however, let’s turn our attention to a less heralded but equally fascinating member of the essential oil family: Bergamot. Known for its refreshingly uplifting citrus aroma, Bergamot oil, derived from…
-
Plant Talk with Sweet Fern
Discover the Sweetness of Sweet Fern! Sweet Fern is an aromatic plant endemic to North America offering many virtues, such as soil ecology enrichment and stabilization. Within traditional medicine and modern aromatherapy its essential oil, rich in terpenes such as β-Caryophyllene, has calming, warming, and clearing qualities that may be experienced through inhalation or topical…
-
Saro Essential Oil
There’s much more to the aromatic world and essential oils than Eucalyptus and Tea tree, no matter how lovely those plants of Australia are. Earth’s varying and vast regions host an array of plants, including aromatic plants, who have grown and evolved to suit those locations. Plants are a direct expression of “sense-of-place,” a reflection…
-
Vetiver Essential Oil
Oh Vetiver! There is so much to appreciate about you and the essential oil obtained from your gorgeously long roots. Not only are you one of the few root oils of aromatherapy, but you also have cooling qualities that are nearly unparalleled and invite a calm that is different from any other calm. Sure, you…
-
Learn About Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
Do you know Sweet Marjoram is related to Oregano and just as powerful in its own right, with its own characteristics that set it apart? I like to think of Sweet Marjoram as the yin to Oregano’s yang. This aromatic plant talk profile takes you from the gentle sun loving plant to its softly powerful…
-
Plant Talk with Cistus Essential Oil
Welcome to the land of Cistus ladaniferus, a place to learn from the short, sticky, resilient shrub that graces hot and arid locations such as Spain and Portugal. Known since ancient times, Cistus invites you to a space of healing and contemplation. Also known as Rock Rose, this plant has a lot more to share…
-
Plant Talk with Palmarosa Essential Oil
There is much to admire about Palmarosa grass and its pearly inflorescence. In my mind, Palmarosa is the yin to Lemongrass’s yang. This Plant Talk article features the many virtues and applications of Palmarosa essential oil including essential oil blending ideas. An Abundantly Fragrant Resource Palmarosa essential oil is obtained by distilling the fresh, wilted,…
-
Plant Talk with Basil Essential Oil
There is much to know and love about Basil. This Plant Talk article features Sweet Basil’s many virtues, highlighting Basil essential oil and how to incorporate it into essential oil blends and life overall!
-
Plant Talk with Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Oh Ylang ylang! Often times called “flower of flowers” and “poor man’s Jasmine” it is one of the few aromatic flowers that can be distilled to obtain an essential oil. Many floral “oils” of aromatherapy and natural perfumery are technically “absolutes”, which are traditionally solvent extracted. Why is this so? So many flowers such as…
-
Plant Talk with Laurel Essential Oil
Can you remember your first encounter with a specific plant and its essential oil? Laurel is one I still feel in my bones. To this day the same sensation arises each time I am with essential oil of Laurus nobilis. It helps me release the ideas of “should” and “could.” It gives me a gap,…
You must be logged in to post a comment.