by Susan McDonald | Aug 28, 2020 | Essentials Oils, Focus on Ingredients
It is reassuring to find spices in our spice closet that are healing and that promote a strong immune system. Ginger is an important one, and in addition to the powdered spice rack, can be found easily as a fresh tuber (root) on our grocery...
by Susan McDonald | Aug 5, 2020 | Essentials Oils
We all know jasmine as that seductive fragrance from the evening blooming flower used in Hawaiian leis and in expensive perfume. Although there are about 200 species of jasmine, only 2 of them are used frequently to make essential oils or create fragrances...
by Susan McDonald | Jul 8, 2020 | Essentials Oils
Helichrysum italicum Helichrysum is often referred to as “strawflowers.” Where I spend summers in northern Wisconsin, I see Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis nubigena) growing along the roadside. They make lovely winter nosegays, because, when dried, they...
by Susan McDonald | May 29, 2020 | Essentials Oils
Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua or Ferula Gummosa) essential oil has been harvested in Iran for several thousand years by collecting the gum resin exuded when the plant is injured. The plant heals itself by producing a gum resin to seal the wound. It is an umbelliferous...
by Susan McDonald | Feb 19, 2020 | Essentials Oils
Citrus fruits make wonderful refreshing essential oils. The essential oils areproduced by cold pressing the rind of the grapefruit. This is a little different from essential oils that are distilled. It is also unusual for the fruit of a plant to be used for the...
by Susan McDonald | Dec 23, 2019 | Essentials Oils, Focus on Ingredients
Santa Claus used to leave an orange in the heel of my stocking on Christmas morning. Oranges occupied a special space with candies and nuts. Now that they are available in grocery stores everywhere, they seem more commonplace and less cherished. Though...
