Essential Oil Archives - Page 7 of 7

10X Orange Essential Oil

May 26, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I’m super excited; our 10Fold Orange Essential Oil just arrived to the warehouse.

What’s 10Fold? And, why would you pay more for it? Because it’s super concentrated and best of anything, lasts in cold process soap. 10X Orange is a form of concentrating the oil and removing much of the lower boiling components. The higher the number, the more times it’s been folded, or concentrated. Our 10X Orange is folded via fractional distillation. The still filters out the unnecessary components (or in this case, lower boiling point components) and concentrates all the “good smelling” components that really stick in your cold process soap. Unlike tradition citrus essential oils, this orange will actually smell good in your cold process soap after you’ve made it. We use it at .7 to 1 ounce per pound of soap and it smells juicy, ripe and delicious.

Distillation Method: Cold Pressed
Country of Origin: Canada
Part: Peel
Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis
Warnings: Can be irritating to eyes
Edible: Yes (kosher)

Sea Salt Foot Scrub For Mom

May 2, 2009 Filed Under: Soaks & Scrubs

Ingredients
2.5 oz – 3 oz. Dead Sea Salt (fine grained or medium)
2 Tbsp. Purple Jojoba Beads
1 oz. Golden Jojoba Oil
1 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
2 drops Vitamin E Oil
2-3 drops Vanilla Select Fragrance Oil
2-3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (2nd distill)
4 oz tin or container

Step 1: Mix all ingredients together and package it in a cute container (we used a 4 oz tin). Really, that’s all you do! Remember that you can use any fragrance oil combination that you want. I’m partial to our creation though. It’s minty, sweet and refreshing.

Directions: After soaking feet in the Fizzy Foot Soak, rub a generous amount of the sea salt scrub on your feet and ankles (or your Mom’s feet!). Apply more pressure for a deeper exfoliation. The smaller grain provides an even, smooth exfoliation and the medium grain salt is a rougher, shorter scrub. Rinse off with hot water. Pat dry. Hold tight and wait for tomorrow’s recipe on making a foot balm.

Want to use our labels? Print them here.

Lori Nova’s Top Ten Essential Oils

April 14, 2009 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Big thanks to Lori Nova from The Nova Studio for this Guest Blog. Lori is going to be teaching her amazing swirl technique and colorant class at the Soap Intensive Weekend at Otion this year. Class attendees are in for a huge treat. Lori’s Guest Blog is below:

While preparing for my upcoming 2-Day Soap Making Boot Camp, I began to realize that there are some essential oils that are crucial to me for Cold Process Soap Making. Even though I occasionally use oils that are not on this list, without these oils I would be hard pressed to make amazing soap at an affordable price.

The reasons that I use/choose these oils time and time again is…

1) they smell great in CP soap,
2) they are reasonably priced and I can afford to buy a 16 ounce bottle of them, and
3) many of them blend well with each other, creating dozens or more of possible combinations.

Here’s my Top 10 List:

1: Lavender(use .7 ounces per pound of oil/fat)
2: 5-Fold Sweet Orange (use .5 ounces per pound of oil/fat)
3: Petitgrain (use .5 ounce per pound of oil/fat)
4: Lemon (use .9 ounces per pound of oil/fat)
5: Litsea Cubeba (use .5 ounces per pound of oil/fat)
6: Spearmint (use .5 ounce per pound of oil/fat)
7: Lime (use .9 ounces per pound of oil/fat)
8: Peppermint (use .5 ounce per pound of oil/fat)
9: Rosemary (use .5 ounce per pound of oil/fat)
10: Anise (use .5 ounce per pound of oil/fat)

My favorite COMBINATIONS with these ten Essential Oils:

~Lemon & Litsea Cubeba
~Lavender & Litsea Cubeba
~Lavender & Any Citrus (Orange, Lemon, Lime, etc.)
~Lavender & Any Mint
~Lavender & Rosemary
~Rosemary & Lemon
~Rosemary & Spearmint
~Lime & Spearmint (aka Mojito)
~Anise & Lavender
~Anise & Sweet Orange
~Petitgrain & Sweet Orange
~Peppermint & Lemon
~Peppermint & Spearmint (aka Doublemint)

How to figure out how much essential oils to use in Cp soap making:

Refer to “my list” above about for how much is recommended to use per pound of oil/fat.
How many pounds (of oil/fat) does your recipe have?
Let’s say you are making a 4-pound batch of oil/fats (fyi – 4 pounds = 64 ounces)
You multiply 4 x the amount of E.O. recommended.

To demonstrate, I’ll use Anise & Lavender.
Anise is recommended at .5 per pound of oil/fat.
So… 4 (lbs of oil) x .5 = 2.0 ounces of Anise (if you were using only Anise for the entire 4-lb batch).
and 4 (lbs of oil) x .7 = 2.8 ounces of Lavender (if you were using only Lavender)
Since you are using a combination of oils, divide each by 2.
So for Anise, it’s 2 divided by 2 = 1 (ounce of anise for the whole batch, in combo with lavender)
So 2.8 divided by 2 = 1.4 (ounces of lavender for the whole batch, in combo with anise).

So the end result for an Anise & Lavender Soap would be:
1 ounce of Anise AND 1.4 ounces of Lavender

Remember – these are guidelines for Cold Process Soap Making only and this is only a place to start. After making your first batch, if it comes out smelling more like one oil and you want it the other way around, feel free to adjust the amounts until you find exactly the scent you are looking for.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post and find it helpful in scenting your Cold Process soap.

Please feel free to post a comment below and share your favorite “can’t live without” essential oils for CP soap making and also the combinations you love the most.

Bramble Berry in Woman’s Day Magazine

January 13, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

“Live Well Every Day” and create a pampering essential oil body scrub with ingredients from your kitchen. Women’s Day Magazine loved it and I hope you do. It’s on newsstands now so you can pick up your copy or I’ve copied just my little portion below.

“It’s easy to create a pampering body scrub,” according to Anne-Marie Faiola, DIY beauty expert of Bramble Berry, a beauty supplier. The ingredients you need are right in your kitchen. This weekly scrub will shed scaly skin and promote healthy glow.

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
10 drops essential oil

Combine ingredients and gently rub over your body. Concentrate on areas prone to dry, rough patches, like elbows, knees and heels. Rinse off and pat dry.

Need help finding an essential oil right for your skin? Check out our essential oils here . You can also mix and match oils and exfoliants to create your own recipe. Check out Bramble Berry’s fixed oils here and exfoliants here.

I’m in Seattle today, running from meeting to meeting (and writing this on the fly in a Starbucks across the street from my next meeting). I haven’t been able to give the next “Kickstart Your Business in 2009” post enough editing to make it valuable for you so look for that lesson tomorrow after I’m happily back in Bellingham. As for today, I’ve been learning a lot: I met with an angel investment strategist to get the skinny on raising money in 2009, gave a presentation to the Women’s Professional Organization about utilizing social media in business and now am getting ready to meet with my unofficial boad of directors about an energizing new soapy business idea I have for Bramble Berry. Their feedback will be helpful in moving forward.

I’ll “talk” to you all tomorrow. Happy Soaping!

We Love Our Commentors!

December 28, 2008 Filed Under: Business Musings

The last five days off have been glorious, filled with family time and much laughter. I feel less stressed out than I have since my honeymoon! The time off has been delightful. Thanks for the break. But, it’s time to get back to work (inventory at Bramble Berry and Otion this week) and get focused on what will help move me forward in the New Year. Like last year, I’ll be soliciting you to tell me what your goals are for the new year. Fifty-four of you chimed in last year and I’m hoping for even more this year. Expect this upcoming week to be filled with tips on best practices for meeting your goals in the new year. And, like last year, I’ll randomly award one commenter a goody packet of essential oils, overpoured and underpoured colorants and random mis-pours from the Bramble Berry warehouse.

I’m telling you this now so you have a few days to plan the upcoming year and spend some time thinking about the things that will really move you forward in your personal and professional lives. Quality goals take planning, effort and quiet contemplation. Take some time in the next few days to plan your goals out and then, on Wednesday, hopefully you’ll share a few of them with the Soap Queen community.
I also have goodies for those of you that comment faithfully and often on my posts. I really appreciate the feedback (and need it to know what you’re interested in!). I know it takes time and effort to read this blog and comment. I don’t take your participation for granted. In the last week, 36 of you have given of your time and commented on posts. In a randomly drawn number (by my husband), Mary from Annie’s Goat Hill will get a little package of Bramble Berry love headed her way, including samples of all five of our Lavender Essential Oils, three Labcolors, our latest fragrance Marrakesh and a sample of our not-yet-released Salty Marinerr fragrance. Thank you for participating in the Soap Queen blog. It’s an honor to have your readership.

Blue Chamomile EO in Soap

December 13, 2007 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

When My Skin Soap Studio blogged about her luxurious soap bar that included Blue Chamomile, Bergamot and Vetiver Essential Oils, I was intrigued. I wouldn’t have the guts to make a soap with Blue Chamomile Essential Oil – it’s $505 per pound!

Tracy was generous and sent me a bar of the soap. It smells deep, musky, sophisticated and unlike anything I’ve smelled before. In addition to the super splurge on the essential oils, she has extra skin-loving oils in the recipe (Avocado, Mango Butter, Babassu, Sesame, Macadamia Nut) to make a well-formulated bar that leaves the skin feeling moist and supple.

As you can see from the photo below, it’s a smooth, even bar of soap. In the shower, it lathers well with a dense bubble structure that washes away cleanly. The smell is heavenly with unique layers of exotic scents bubbling up everywhere.

The little vial (in the top photo) is a bottle of one her exquisite Amber Sambaca. Her all-natural perfume blend is a complex blend of Arabian Jasmine Sambac, Mandarin, fresh Ginger, Orange and Rose absolute with final notes of Vanilla Bean Oleoresin, and Vetiver. It warms on the skin and turns into an entirely different scent after a few hours of wearing.

If you are still stumped on what to get that special someone for Christmas and you’re not making your own goodies, consider getting some of the of the unique and special blends that Tracy designs at My Skin Soap Studio.

Making Herbal Deoderant

October 1, 2007 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

My friend Jody recently told me that she uses Ylang Ylang and Frankincense Essential Oil instead of regular aluminum-based deodorant. It sounded like an interesting idea. After all, there are some very limited links to Alzheimer’s and aluminum. Though the links aren’t conclusive, if something all natural that I can make myself at home can replace traditional antiperspirant, it sounds like something worth trying. As a bonus, Jody always smells great!

For the first trial, I designed a recipe using traditional lotion bar ingredients (olive oil and beeswax) and some (hopefully!) odor-absorbing powders (Tapioca Starch Powder and Sodium Bicarbonate) and essential oils of Ylang Ylang and Frankincense.

Why those two essential oils? Because Ylang Ylang is a purported aphrodisiac. Putting out pheromones instead of sweat seems like a good idea. Frankincense Essential Oil because it has natural anti bacterial properties and smalls considerably better than Tea Tree essential oil. Both the steam distilled and the CO2 extracted Frankincense essential oil versions were used in this recipe.

Check back this week for updates on making herbal deodorant and the report of the first few days of no antiperspirant.

Skeeter Beeter Tips for Summer using EO’s

July 17, 2007 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I am taking a Medical Aromatherapy Course and will be finished with my coursework on Thursday! One of the most interesting things from today’s lesson was about Palma Rosa Essential Oil as a mosquito repellent.

This quote was taken directly from the study, published in the Indian Journal of Malariology in 1995.

Field studies were carried out to determine the relative efficacy of repellant action of vegetable, essential and chemical base oils against vector mosquitoes. Results revealed that essential oils viz. Cymbopogan martinii martinii var. Sofia (palmarosa), Cymbopogan citratus (lemon grass) and Cymbopogan nardus (citronella) oils are as effective as chemical base oil namely mylol.

The application of Palma Rosa (pure, 1 ml) reduced the feeding rate of the mosquitoes from 35.8% to 0.4% with caged mosquitos. For mosquitoes flying around outside, the Palma Rosa protected the (unlucky!) volunteers for a full 12 hours at a 96.3% efficient rate.

Elsewhere in Skeeter Beeter news, Bramble Berry’s synergy Bug-Be-Gone essential oil blend is getting some rave reviews. We just got this note from D. Harris:

Hi Anne Marie,
I would like to praise you on the Bug Be Gone Synergistic Blend. It helped put romance back into my marriage. I could not join my husband outside in our beautiful backyard at night because of the mosquitos and Deet didn’t work well for me and I can’t stand the smell. You sent me a bottle of Bug Be Gone courtesy of HSMG 2007 Conference. After using it I was able to sit outside under the stars with my husband. The smell is very nice and my husband likes it too.

That’s good news for all of us that like to stay bite free in the summer while keeping our skin as safe and healthy as we can. Nagging reminder: when using essential oils, always follow proper safety precautionsfor use and storing.

Essential Oil Safety Guidelines

July 9, 2007 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

General Guidelines for working with essential oils

– keep away from fire or naked flame
– store in a cool place
– keep out of sunlight
– plastic bottles are a no as they allow the essential oil to evaporate and take on the plastic smell; additionally, plastic bottles generally collapse as they start to absorbe the essential oil
– expensive essential oils should be kept in the fridge
– wash your hands after using essential oils
– if you mix your essential oil with a fixed oil to make it skin safe, keep in mind that your fixed oil has a shorter shelf life than your essential oil and may go rancid. Always mix in small batches.
– essential oils can stain and also remove nail polish and furniture finish
– have an eye rinse station nearby. If you get essential oils in your eyes, use milk or a carrier oil first to help neutralize the oil and then move on to water
– essential oils are generally not soluble in water
– essential oils do not mix well with computers, pets, children, furniture, carpet and even indoor plants
– make sure your bottles are labeled correctly
– use caution when working around essential oils if you have any open cuts or wounds
– essential oils can negate the effect of sensitive homeopathy remedies
– some essential oils are photo sensitizers, like bergamot, orange eo and most citrus essential oils
– only buy your essential oils from a reputable place. If you can find rose essential oil for $5, it’s not real.
– if you are pregnant, be extra careful with essential oils during your first trimester
– when working with undiluted essential oils, keep a good air flow in the room
– always have a fire extinguisher near by. Essential oils are volatile, flammable liquids.

Essential Oils Enhance Your Life

June 19, 2007 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

I pored over our sales reports for the last few months today. I realized that our essential oil line has been sadly underutilized in sales lately. I’m unsure if it’s because we started out as a fragrance oil company ten years ago and are mostly thought of as primarily a fragrance oil company. Or if it’s because our pricing/quality is judged as sub par. If it’s the latter, someone please put me out of my misery and tell me.

I’m half way through my certification for Medical Aromatherapy and loving the course! These are some things I’ve learned lately:

* Removing parts of the essential oil (for example, removing terpenes from essential oils to make them more friendly to perfuming) hurts the overall effect of the essential oil. The whole sum of the parts for essential oil is important to keeping their full therapeutic value.

* Famous researcher Paolo Rovestsi showed that inhaling essential oils of rose and lavender reduced feelings of depression and anxiety. Imagine combining that research with a brisk 30 minute run or walk outside to try and combat depression without prescription drugs!

* Only 1% of flowering plants produce an essential oil in any significant amount.

If you’d like to be introduced to Essential oils, Bramble Berry carries the neatest little starter essential oil starter kit. It has everything you need to start exploring the world of aromatherapy.

We also carry a huge line of essential oils, organic essential oils and synergy blends. I am currently burning the Calming Synergy Blend in my bedroom in the evenings and am loving the scent and effect.

Some ideas for improving your life through essential oils:

* put a 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil on freshly laundered socks before tossing into the drier. Your entire load will come out smelling of calming lavender.

* fill a bowl with water. Put 15 drops of an uplifting essential oil like Peppermint, Bergamot, or Lemongrass into the water. Inhale deeply to wake yourself up and then soak a washcloth in the aromatic water. Wring the wash cloth out, toss it on the floor of your car and enjoy the fragrance all day as the washcloth dries out.

* Make a nighty-night linen spray by mixing 2 oz distilled water with 20 drops of Calming or Sleepy Time Synergy Blends. Shake well before use each and every time and of course, test on an inconspicuous place on your linens before dousing your entire bed. It’s impossible to predict which fabrics will bleed and fade.

There are many more uses for essential oils in soaps, lotions, face and body preparations and massage (to name a few!). Watch for more posts about using essential oils in your daily life. I am very inspired by my Aromatherapy Certification Course and look forward to sharing more essential oil tidbits over the next few months.

Annoying customers all over America

April 26, 2007 Filed Under: Business Musings

Remember the dream of having a machine that would puff out a fragrance just at the right time during a movie to enhance your movie experience? The promise of the smell of a windy beach wafting through your living room right as our hero was sweeping our insipid heroine off her feet? That dot.com went bust.But, Wal Mart is back with the idea. Supposedly, by early summer, Wal Mart will be selling DVD’s with electronic kits that release smells at key moments during a movie.
I’m a bit dubious of this concept. Mostly because there are 3500 approved ingredients for fragrances that are used for skin applications and countless more for air fresheners. I suspect only a very small # of those aromachemicals can be put in their little box (and I’ve seen a mock up of it – it’s little, the size of a video tape). If only a limited # of the oleoresins used for manufacturing fragrances can be put into the box, this means that the end user will be left with simple formulations that smell somewhat like a windy beach, or a cherry pie, or mechanics grease but the end result will be subpar. Like smelling a very bad rose fragrance compared to a sophisticated blend by the world’s finest perfumer.

My thought is that the general public will not be placated by hideous, simple, synthetic blends that are mean to mimic what they’re watching on screen. Then again, betting against Wal-Mart doesn’t seem that smart given their amazing run.

Oh wait. Didn’t they just report that sales were down for the first time in years?

Trip to Rome anyone?

March 29, 2007 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Apparently, archaeologists exploring Cypress have found the world’s oldest perfume factory. Spanning over 40,000 square feet and thought to employ over a dozen people, the factor even had its own oil pressing machinery. Scientists have recreated some of the fragrances based on bits of materials and finished products that they found on site. The fragrances are on display at the Capitoline Museum in Rome.

Hungarian Lavender Essential Oil

February 27, 2007 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Our latest crop of Hungarian Lavender Essential Oil is in the warehouse and it is absolutely divine. It’s smooth, mildly camphorous and sourced from a very small family farm. We’re proud to add this Lavender to our line and think it’s an essential part of anyone’s EO toolkit or bodycare line.