Essential News

Aromahead Institute is coming to Ithaca NY!

We recently bought a beautiful house and four acres of land in Ithaca, NY. We are renovating the house to create a teaching space for Aromahead Institute's Aromatherapy Programs (taught by Andrea Butje), and for Long Life Happy Life's advanced anatomy and bodywork classes (taught by Cindy Black). This idea has been in the works for over a year now, so you can imagine our excitement at finding the perfect place! It is in a beautiful rural setting, and only 10 minutes from downtown Ithaca. Ithaca is a popular summertime destination with incredible gorges, waterfalls, state parks and excellent food. There are a wide range of lovely places to stay, from bed and breakfasts to hotels and camping.

We will be teaching classes during the summer and early fall in Ithaca, and spending the winter living and teaching in our current location, Sarasota, Florida. The Ithaca class schedule will be posted on Aromahead.com within a few weeks. The Sarasota schedule is already posted through spring 2010.

We are already planning the new decks overlooking acres of beautiful land, and gardens that will be filled with aromatic plants, herbs and flowers!

Business Scents

Spotlight: International Directory of Essential Oil Distillers

The International Directory of Essential Oil Distillers currently features contact information for 50 different distillers from 20 countries. New essential oil distillers are added to directory regularly. Each distiller has his or her own page with the distiller's personal stories, photographs and importing information. Click here for a free tour . (Visit the Demo link on the top.)

I have been importing essential oils since 1998, and have personally worked with most of the distillers and distributors listed in the directory. In order for a distiller to be listed on the directory, they have to have at least some organic, unsprayed or wild crafted essential oils. I also ask for samples of a few oils and have them tested with GC/MS . I talk extensively with the distiller and then work with my web team to add the distiller's company to the website. This service is free for the distillers, while the website is supported through the subscribers' fee of $250. If you are interested in buying essential oils in bulk (over 1 liter per oil), the directory is an incredible resource.

This project is a labor of love and we all learn so much with each new distiller we "meet." I love finding new, wonderful essential oils from countries all over the world to sell through Aromatics international. I have the chance to visit distillers and their farms, and you can too! I have been to countless different distilleries in France, an amazing Helichrysum distillery in Corsica, a Bergamot distillery in southern Italy and recently visited an amazing distillery in Canada. I recommend visiting a distillery; it is such an inspiring experience!

Essential Oil Chemistry: Oils High in 1,8 cineole

Essential oils are made up of hundreds of natural chemical components. These components are an important part of the essential oil's therapeutic action. When we study essential oils and how to use them medicinally, one of the considerations is the chemistry. Understanding the chemical components helps us to understand how the essential oil might work therapeutically. There are many aspects to the incredible benefits essential oils offer us; the aroma, the energy of the oil and plant, the plant part the oils comes from, the plant family...and the chemistry. A deeper knowledge of the chemistry of essential oils is one way to expand our understanding of aromatherapy and how to use the essential oils. Visit our blog to read more.

The Genus Cinnamomum

I am always fascinated by plants and essential oils that have the same genus and different species. We find this with common oils such as Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus, radiata and dives), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia and latifolia), Myrrh and Opopanax (Commmiphora myrrha and Commiphora guidotti).

Let's look at two amazing yet less-popular essential oils: Tamala (Cinnamomum Tamala) and Suganda Kokila (Cinnamomum Glaucescens). Cinnamomum is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the plant family called Lauraceae. What do these oils with the same genus have in common and how are they different from each other? Visit our blog to find out.

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