This past weekend we went on a four-day horse pack trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area called the “Danaher.” We covered about 45 miles.   Not wanting to be parted with my essential oils for this length of time, I assembled a “Back Country Survival Kit.”  This kit includes:

1. Mosquito repellent
2. Allergy – Inhaler
3. Pain & deep bruising relief
4. Sore Muscle blend
5. Sleep and Restless leg blend
6. Constipation blend
7. Diarrhea/Nausea/Vomiting
8. Cold and Flu stock bottle
9. Hand Cleanser in Aloe Vera Gel

For carriers, I included 1 oz. of Jojoba and 2 oz. of Lotion.

I also took along a bottle each of Lavender and Peppermint.  Lavender is great for instant spot relief of bug bites (heat) and Peppermint is great for instant bloating/nausea relief and sunburn relief.

The following is a very effective mosquito repellent that we had the opportunity to test!

Wild Roses were abundant

Recipe:
5 drops  Peppermint  Mentha x piperita
5 drops Cypress  Cupressus sempervirens
15 drops Rose Geranium Rosa damascena/Pelargouium Roseum X Asperum
10 drops  Pine (Siberian Fir)  Abies sibirica
10 drops  Catnip (Optional)  Nepeta cataria
15 drops  Eucalytpus Citradora  Eucalyptus citriodora
10 drops  Cedarwood Juniperus  Juniperus virginiana
5 drops  Patchouli Pogostemom cablin

Place in 4 ounces of Organic Peppermint Hydrosol in a PET plastic spray bottle and add 20-30 gtts of Solubal Disperser.

One of the highlights of my trip was rocking in the hammock reading:  Awaken to Healing Fragrance, by Elizabeth Anne Jones.  It was so fun to ready about how Hatshepsut, Cleopatra and Esther might have used essential oils.  (Eight more women to go!)

Wow!  What a weekend.  If I can just burn this experience into memory and remember the beauty, peace and solitude on a not-so-beautiful day. Thank you for sharing my experience!

Please share your experience with essential oils in the “back country,” whether its hiking, camping, backpacking or horse packing.

Rose hydrosol (rose water) is a humectant that adds and helps retain moisture in the skin and has been known for many generations as a wonderful toner for the skin. When making your own lotions it adds a soft beautiful floral aroma and many skin healing properties. This distiller produces such an incredible hydrosol, if you love rose, this will delight you!

These pictures are from India where our current Rose Hydrosol is distilled.  The roses are grown in the area of Pushkar/Ajmer in Rajasthan which is famous for their roses.   Enjoy the roses of Rajasthan which have a very  unique aura.

Rose centifolia is distilled year round from the virgin land of the Rajasthan deserts.  This rose is the pink color rose that has made this area so famous.

Our Rosa damascena hydrosol is distilled from a darker rose.  This is only distilled this time of year and is available for a short time.  It has a beautiful soft aroma.  As I poured the hydrosol, I could see beads of essential oil intertwined with the hydrosol.

Rose Plucking

Rose hydrosol is also known to promote emotional balance and a sense of well-being. Great for PMS symptoms as it is cooling!  It can be used on its own as a perfume or you can add essential oils to the hydrosol.  Fresh Rose hydrosol has also been used in desserts and beverages.

Suzanne Caty in her book, Hydrosols, the next Aromatherapy, states, “Experimental in many applications as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women…combat PMS, cramps, and moodiness by virtue of its balancing effects on the endocrine system.  Treats the autonomic nervous system and makes you “feel so good.” ”

Emotional and Energetic Qualities

• Eases shock, grief and depression
• Soothes anger
• Heals deep despair
• Soothes and heals the heart
• Brings a feeling of love

Edward Rose

Rose Hydrosol is very stable and has a shelf life of two years or more.  All hydrosols should be stored in a cool place and even in the refrigerator if you live in a hot and humid climate.

Kombo Butter comes from the seeds of a tropical tree called Pycnanthus angolensis, also known as the “African nutmeg” and is harvested between December and April.

Unrefined Kombo Butter

It is a little known butter that has many wonderful healing properties due to its high Myristoleic acid content used to treat pain in the muscles and joints.  Myristoleic acid is also used for arthritis and gout. Kombo Butter comes from West Africa and has a beautiful unusual color that I describe as a deep chocolate burgundy that almost has a dark blue hue.

Listed below are a few notable properties:

• anti-inflammatory

• antioxidant

• antifungal

• anti-allergic

• antiseptic

I like to make a body butter or whipped butter with Kombo butter adding essential oils that would assist with joint pain relief.  I apply this after a rigorous day of horseback riding or gardening to help ease the stiffness from overused muscles.  Sometimes I rub in on my hands and fingers if they are feeling stiff and painful.

I love the texture of Kombo butter as it is silky and absorbs easily into the skin.  The aroma has been described by some as smelling fruity, and others say it has the aroma of burnt caramel.  My personal experience with it smell is earthy, with a hint of mushrooms.

The texture isn’t hard and flaky like cocoa butter but rather wet and thick with the ability to be spooned into a container, slowly sliding off a spoon.  (Kind of like a pudding!)  It is somewhat grainy.

It is important to buy this butter unrefined to enjoy the benefits that it offers us.  Store in a cool dark location or in the refrigerator.  It will last a minimum of two years.

Whipped Shea and Kombo butter

Recipe:  Whipped Shea and Kombo Butter

Use:  For inflammation and pain in the muscles and joints.

14 ounces of Shea Butter
2 ounces Cocoa Butter infused with Plai (Central)
2 ounces Kombo Butter
1 ounce Jojoba Oil

Directions: Melt the Shea and Cocoa Butter in a double boiler.  Add the Kombo butter and Jojoba oil.  Place in the refrigerator until cool and the top begins to slightly harden.  Begin a series of blending on high speed for 3-4 minutes, resting for two minutes. Continue this for approximately 20-30 minutes until you obtain a gorgeous whipped butter!

Add essential oils of choice.   Suggestions are:

Sugandha Kokila (Cinnamomum Glaucescens), Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis), Coriander – (Coriandrum sativum) and Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)

Rose/ Geranium co-distill Rosa damascena/Pelargouium Roseum X Asperum

This is a beautiful co-distilled of Rosa damascena and Pelargouium Roseum X Asperum essential oil.  The delicate Rose petals from Belgium are unsprayed and the Geranium from South Africa is organic. This rare combination has all the qualities of both the soft and intriguing Rose and the slightly woody and uplifting Geranium.  Co-distilled means that they take part Rose Petals and part Geranium, distilling them together, creating an amazing synergy.   I would describe it as a rich and heady aroma and slightly spicy.  The color of the oil is a surprising color of dark green.  It’s beautiful!

Rosa damascena

Rosa damascena has the most diverse therapeutic properties of all essential oils.   A few of the traditional uses are for hormone balancing during menopause, cooling for hot flashes (can also mist the hydrosol), calming, cleansing, and purifying the reproductive system. Rosa damascena can also be emotionally uplifting and a tonic for the nervous system, along with helping to support the relief of tension, irritability, headache and constipation.

Rosa damascena is a very complex essential oil with more than 300 chemical compounds.  It takes approximately 60,000 roses to produce one ounce of Rose Otto or to put it another way, 4,000 kg of flowers  yield 1 kg. Rose oil.  Rose has always been and still is a symbol of love and beauty.

Geranium Leaves

Geranium originates from South Africa and has many wonderful skin and nervous system properties.  Geranium is perfect for helping us to become more in touch with the creative side of our minds.  A delightful aroma that is described as one of the “mothering” personalities-a person who is always ready to take care of someone or something.  Easy to be around!

When putting a few drops of this co-distilled essential oil into my face mask, my skin feels slightly tingly and very alive.

I love this feeling as it is an excellent emollient, softening and hydrating.   Try putting a few drops into unscented lotion.

Andrea Butje from Aromahead Institute has contributed this recipe:

Summer Skin Nourishment

6 drops Rose/Geranium co-distill
5 drops Orange
1 drop Ylang Ylang

Blend into 1 oz of pure coconut oil

Enjoy this for after sun exposure or just for an everyday skin nourishing treat.

1. Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 2nd edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 2003

In the spring of 2010, Karen Williams worked closely with founders Andrea Butje and Cindy Black to transition into ownership of Aromatics International. After studying and working with Essential Oils for many years, Karen has developed a natural love for the oils. Karen has dedicated her life to helping others through diet and health education. Healthy lifestyle changes are a key part of Karen’swork. She has studied extensively as a Certified Aromatherapist, Registered Nurse and CFM—working with breast cancer survivors. Inspired by the business practices established by Andrea Butje and Cindy Black of Aromahead Institute, Karen continues Aromatics International’s dedication to supporting organic farmers and essential oil distillers in countries around the world.

Laren, Karen’s husband and partner, takes great pleasure in working behind the scenes at Aromatics International. He helps Karen keep the inventory stocked, and packs and ship oils. Laren is a Certified Prosthetist (maker and fitter of artificial limbs) and Certified Orthotist (maker and fitter of braces). He enjoys photography as a hobby and
being outdoors. Karen and Laren love horseback riding together in the backcountry of Montana, which is where you’ll find them on summer weekends. They have two grown children—Jenny and Jaren—and an awesome son-in-law, Evan.

As suppliers of essential oils we are dedicated to knowing exactly what we are buying and selling. Testing every batch of oil we purchase with GC/MS technology assures purity and the gives us the exact chemistry of each oil. We believe this process is vital for medicinal blending and for quality assurance.

In order to ensure safe use of essential oils, please take note of the following precautions for the oils sold on this website. There may be important precautions for essential oils that are not sold on this website. The potential safety issues of an essential oil depend on the chemistry of the oil you are using, the dosage and frequency the oil is used, and the method of application.

• Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis ct camphor, and Spike Lavender, Lavandula latifolia, should not be used with anyone who is pregnant, who is vulnerable to epileptic seizures, or has high blood pressure.
• All essential oils should be used very respectfully during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Special consideration should be given to the first trimester and for women who are prone to vulnerable or high-risk pregnancies. Again, any use of Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis ct camphor, and Spike Lavender, Lavandula latifolia should be avoided during pregnancy. Use essential oils with pregnant women only under guidance of an Aromatherapist and/or medical professional knowledgeable about essential oils and pregnancy.
• A good rule of thumb for the public is to always dilute essential oils in carrier oils before applying them to the skin or a bath. Use a total of 1-18 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier. If undiluted essential oils are used on your skin, you may experience tingling, a rash, mild to severe irritation, or burning sensations. Immediately apply carrier oil to the affected area and wipe off. There are appropriate uses for essential oils neat (undiluted) that educated Aromatherapists will understand.
• You may want to alternate the essential oils you use. Daily use of the same blend of oils all over your body for more than a few weeks is not recommended. Try alternating your favorite blends every few weeks.
• A safe guideline for young children, unhealthy elders, and those with serious health conditions is that essential oils should only be diluted to a maximum of 1%, (a total of 5-6 drops of essential oil to 1 oz of carrier oil).
• Another important guideline is to not use essential oils directly on the fur or skin of any animals. Aromatics International does not promote the use essential oils on any animals, in any way, without the advice of a veterinarian who has studied essential oils.

Using Essential Oils in a Bath

Salts: Add the essential oils into a bath salt. (Sea Salt and Epsom Salts are nice.) Add 8-10 drops total of essential oil to each ounce of salt. Use 1 tablespoon of that blended salt in a full bath.
Milk: Add 3-4 total drops of essential oil to a cup of milk. Add the milk to your full bath.
Jojoba oil: Add 3-4 drops of essential oil to a tablespoon of Jojoba oil and add to your full bath.
Using Essential Oils in a Spray

In a 2-ounce spray bottle filled with water add 10-15 drops of essential oils and spray freely in any room.

Using Essential Oils in a Steam

To do a steam, add 1 drop of essential oil, or 1 drop of a blend of several essential oils, to a bowl of steamy water. Make sure the water is just steaming, not boiling. CLOSE YOUR EYES and lean over the bowl and breathe in the oil. To enhance the effects use a towel over your head to create a tent to hold the steam in.

If the water feels too hot, let it cool first!

Top Note

The first smell to arise from a blend and evaporate quickly. The top note fragrance is usually light, fresh, sharp, penetrating, and airy. They add brightness to a blend. The aroma of top note oils reminds me of wind chimes or a flute. Top notes stimulate and clear your mind, uplifting your energy.

Examples: Bergamot, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, and Orange

Middle Note

Called the “heart” note, these oils give the blend aromatic softness, fullness, and can round off any sharp edges. Middle notes can have both top and base note aromas within them. They are harmonizing for your blends. Middle notes provide balance both physically and energetically. They are soothing and harmonizing for the mind and body.

Examples: German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Helichrysum, Lavender, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Ravintsara, Siberian Fir, and Rosemary

Base Note

These oils provide a deep, warm, grounded quality to your blend. They function as fixatives by reducing the evaporation of the top notes. Base notes add intensity to a blend and often have an earthy aroma. The aroma rises slowly to your nose unlike top notes, which penetrate quickly. Base notes are used to relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia. They are calming and grounding. Most oils derived from woods, resins, and roots are base notes.

Examples: Opoponax, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Vetiver, and Ylang Ylang
Combining Notes
When blending, add one drop at a time to your blend, then mix and smell. Allow the blend to unfold slowly and inform you about what oils to add and how much. We often need much less essential oil than we might imagine. Remember to keep track of the blends you make by recording which oils you used and how many drops of oil. When you finish the blend and want to make it again, you will have the recipe!