Sweet orange oil is the most commercially important of the citrus oils and is produced in very large quantities. The majority of oil production is destined for the flavour industry where it is used in juices, soft drinks, candies and pharmaceutical products.

In the early 1900’s the perfumery industry used vast quantities of this oil in fragrance formulations for soaps, detergents, toiletries and perfumes, but over the years sweet orange met the same fate as most of the other citrus oils and was replaced by synthetics.
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Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy and intangible magic that fills the Season of Goodwill. It is experienced in the delightful decorations, glorious get-togethers with family and friends, and the sheer feeling of joy you get from giving and receiving gifts. It is also a special time to delight the senses with wonderful aromas too.
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Patchouli essential oil (Pogostemon cablin) is unmistakable, and for those of a certain generation its sweet earthy aroma will often trigger happy memories of the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Adopted by the counterculture that began in the USA and quickly swept the western world, patchouli will be forever associated with hippies, psychedelia, Hare Krishna and marijuana; although not necessarily all of those or in that order!
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The Thymus genus belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is highly complex, consisting of over 100 different species known by more than 300 common names. The species of thyme used for the production of various ‘thyme’ essential oil is Thymus vulgaris, and is believed to be an improved, cultivated form of the wild thyme which originated in the mountainous regions of Spain and Europe.
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Until quite recently, tuberose absolute was considered to be the most expensive natural flower material available to the perfumer, and was quite literally, worth its weight in gold. Due to improvements in cultivation and extraction techniques, the price over recent years has eased and this accolade now possibly belongs to the more rare Narcissus absolute. Thankfully, due to its rich, hypnotic fragrance, a little tuberose goes a long way in aromatherapy. Read more…

There are approximately 250 natural species of Pelargonium, with thousands of hybrids and cultivars, and surprisingly few of these species have a truly pleasing fragrance. Pelargoniums are believed to be of South African descent, but due to massive hybridisation after their introduction to Europe in the 17th century they now bear little resemblance to their original parentage. Read more…

Neroli essential oil is extracted from the fragrant blossoms of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium sub.sp amara), and has a beautiful aroma that appeals to men and women alike. In common with rose and jasmine, neroli oil is a complete fragrance in itself and forms the heart of one of the worlds most enduring perfumes, ‘Eau de Cologne’.
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A panic attack can strike without warning and without an obvious reason, bringing with it overwhelming, sometimes paralyzing fear and terror. The experience is far more intense than a feeling of being ‘stressed out’, and terrified victims often report that they thought they were going crazy, losing control, or even having a heart attack.

Panic attacks range from feelings of uneasiness to immobilizing bouts of terror. In this extreme state people experience white-knuckle, heart-pounding terror that strikes suddenly and without warning. Since they can’t predict when these attacks will happen they may live in constant worry that another one could strike at any time. Read more…

Sandalwood (Santalum album) is one of the oldest of all known aromatic materials and has a history that dates back over 4,000 years. Highly revered as a sacred fragrance by many religions around the world such as Buddhism and Hinduism, its wood has been used to make religious artefacts and fragrant incense for a vast range of devotional ceremonies.

The demand for this highly sought-after timber has led to over-harvesting, and over the past 10 years the availability of the heartwood that’s required for extracting the essential oil has diminished significantly. Read more…