Local Stores Carrying Ingredients

In my search for ingredients to create my bath products, I came across the following establishments having some of the ingredients that you can use for making your bath products:

(1) Country Sun Natural Foods
440 California Avenue
Palo Alto, Ca
(650) 324-9190
Monday - Friday 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday 9 am to 7 pm, Sunday 10 am to 7 pm

In the bulk section they carry Arrowroot powder, Anise Seed, Calendula Flowers, Cinnamon Chips, Chamomile Flower, Hibiscus Flowers, Passion Flower, Poppy Seed, Red Rose Petals, Rose Hips, Lavender and Red Raspberry Leaf.

I just want to warn you that you may get sticker shock on the price per pound on these items. For example, Lavender was $38.58 per pound. Sometimes they will have things on sale.

(2) Crossroads World Market
720 San Antonio Road (cross street Middlefield)
Palo Alto, Ca
Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 7:30 pm; Saturday 10 am 7:30 pm; Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

In the bulk section, they carry Citric Acid (1.89/lb); Course Salt (1.29/lb); Crush Mint (12.99/lb); Poppy Seed (2.99/lb).

(3) Elephant Pharm (closed as of Sept. 2008)
4470 El Camino Real (Near San Antonio Road)
Los Altos, CA 94022
Phone: (650) 472-6800
Pharmacy Phone: (650) 472-6801
Fax: (650) 472-6802
Website: http://www.elephantpharm.com/
Monday - Saturday 8 am to 10 pm; Sundays 9 am - 9 pm

I heard about Elephant Pharm through Juniper Tree, but never went there because at the time there were only two locations: Berkeley and San Rafael. This location in Los Altos just opened up recently and finally I got the opportunity to visit the store.

They do sell the Aura Cacia and Simpler Organic brands of essential oils just like Whole Foods Market and Sun Country. They also sell Oshadhi Essential Oils which are a professional masage type of essential oil, so they may not work in your bath products. You may want to consult with a staff member on this.

In the back of the store, they have a whole wall of herbs that you can purchase. They have a variety of herbs including Chinese Herbs. Some of the herbs I saw that you can purchase for your bath products are Dead Sea Salt (Bath Salt Blend); Calendula Flowers; Rose Bud and Petals; Hibiscus Flowers; Lemon Verbena; Lavendar Flowers, Peppermint Leaf; Spearmint; Licorice Root; Organic Orange Peel. You can also purchase Beeswax (for perfumes, etc.); Kaolin White Clay (for Dusting and Body Powders) and Benonite Clay. They even sell Muslin Bags for your tub teas. The sizes available are small (3x5), medium (4x6) and large (6x8). All prices for the herbs are priced by the pound.

Also, what is nice is that they offer free classes on a variety of subjects. Check out their website for classes you may be interested in.