The Natural Artisan

Reigning Roses

2009-03-24T13:03:00.004-04:00

Reigning Roses

Featured Ingredient:
Rose Otto Essential Oil is steam distilled from fresh rose petals. In addition to its lovely intoxicating, floral aroma, Rose Otto Essential Oil, Rosa damascena, is known for its balancing effect on female hormones, its ability to calm the mind and its comfort for those suffering from grief or the loss of a loved one. Within aromatherapy work, Rose Otto Essential Oil is used in anti-depression blends and blends for menopause and irregular cycles. It is also useful in facial formulations as it helps with dry, maturing skin and wrinkles.

History:
Exotic and rare, known as the “Queen of Flowers”, it takes 60,000 rose blossoms, picked in the early hours of dawn as they are unfolding, to gain 1 oz. of Rose Essential Oil. The harvest is rushed to the distiller and the oil crafted immediately.
The origin of the Rose can be found in ancient Persian gardens, and Persians were the first to distill Rose water from the petals. According to legend, the Rose Essential Oil was discovered when Nour-Djihan, a Persian princess, married Mogul Emperor Dhihanguyr. The canals around the wedding party had been filled with rose water (imagine!!), and as her and her lover enjoyed the waters in a small boat she noticed a thin film on its surface – Rose Essential Oil.

Recipe:

Rose Passion Repairing Elixir

1 ounce of Passion Flower Oil
15 drops of Rose Hips Co2 Extract
5 drops of Rose Otto Essential Oil
3 drops of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
2 drops of Mandarin Essential Oil

Directions: Mix all of the ingredients in a 1 oz glass bottle with a dropper. Gently shake around to mix ingredients and let sit for 24 hours to let aromas develop.

Benefit:This formula is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin C, and high in essential fatty acids. With regular use, it will improve the skin’s elasticity and reduce wrinkle formation

Usage: Apply at night after cleansing. Can be layered under favorite moisturizer for added benefits.

Remembering Rosemary

2009-03-16T19:15:00.005-04:00

Featured Ingredient:

Rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

has stimulating properties that are purported to increase skin cell turnover, circulation and also brain power. The scent is uplifting and stimulating which can in turn diminish mental fatigue and improve mental clarity.
Back in 2002, when I was in my Esthetican program, we literally had a major test once a week so we were always cramming. The group at my table passed around a little vial of Rosemary essential oil to inhale as we focused on the subject for that week. I can’t say for sure that it was the Rosemary that helped, but the students at our table consistently received better scores than the rest of the class.

History:

In the Middle Ages, Rosemary was burned for fumigations that were used to drive away evil spirits and protect from plague.

Recipe:

Rosemary Hair Oil

4 ounces of Jojoba oil
20 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
5 drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil
2 drops of Clove Essential Oil

Mix all of the ingredients in a plastic bottle with a dispensing cap. Shake well and apply to roots. For best results, leave on at least 30 minutes before washing hair. For added benefit, gently warm oil in hot water bath or microwave before applying.

Use this recipe for dry scalp, dandruff, eczema, or when ever you want an aromatic pick me up.

Lovely Lavender

2009-03-08T18:09:00.000-04:00

The Natural Artisan
Creating Natural Aromatherapy Products for Your Body and Home
by Stephanie Barron founder of Artisan Naturals http://www.artisannaturals.com/

Featured ingredient: Lavender (Lavendula Vera )

Lavender is one of my all time favorite botanicals. I use it in many different applications from soap making, candle making, skin care formulas, and gardening. I even cook with it -I have even considered infusing vodka with it and making "healthy" martini, but decided against it because I thought the compound effects of the lavender and alcohol may be too relaxing!

Although the color of the flowers are purple, the scent is more "green", and very clean. In skin care and aromatherapy my favorite variety is Bulgarian , it has a softly rounded bouquet and not as medicinal as others.

History
The word “Lavender” is derived from the Latin word lavare meaning “to wash” Dating back to ancient Roman times, Lavender was used to scent the water in Roman baths. Lavender has also been used throughout history for medicinal purposes, and in the preparation of food dishes. Today, it is mostly used in the aromatherapy and perfume industries.
Therapeutic Value
Regarded as one of the most used essential oils, Lavender oil is useful in many different applications. The oil from the lavender flower contains certain chemical compounds that are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, calming to the senses and gentle to the skin.

Used in skin care
In skin care, Lavender is very useful in calming redness or irritation caused by burns, eczema, acne, diaper rash, cuts, bug bites and muscle pain. Lavender essential oil is one of the very few essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin undiluted.

Recipes

For the skin

Lavender Oatmeal Mask

Can be used to calm dry, cracked, irritated, sunburned, chicken pox, diaper rash skin conditions

2 TBS of colloidal or finely ground oatmeal
2-1/2 TBS of liquid of choice (herbal tea, water, yogurt, aloe leaf juice, aloe gel, honey)
5 drops pure Lavender essential oil
Mix well and adjust the amount of liquid until desired consistency is reached. Apply to area of the skin to be treated and leave on for 10-20 minutes.

For the home

To insure a restful night’s sleep, simply apply 2-3 drops of Lavender on your pillow before turning in. Deeply inhale the calming aroma- and relax!