What is Bergamot?

I offer students in my classes Bergamont essential oil to scent their bath and body products. I was wondering more about this popular essential oil. The only thing I knew that it was from the citrus family. But according to Wisegeek.com:

"Bergamot is an aromatic oil found in the peels of the fruit of the bergamot orange, a citrus tree which flourishes in Italy. The oil is used in essential oil preparations, skin care products, and as a food flavoring, most notably in Earl Gray tea. The flavor of bergamot is floral and rich, with a faintly bitter or astringent flavor. The oil smells of fresh citrus, and is pale gold in color. Caution should be used with oil of bergamot on the skin, because it tends to increase photosensitivity, and the skin may be damaged if it is exposed to excessive light.

The bergamot orange, also known as Citrus bergamia, is native to Southern Asia, but was introduced to Italy, where it flourished. Attempts to cultivate it in other regions have not been nearly so successful, with Italian bergamot oranges producing the bulk of commercially used bergamot. The peels of the oranges were dried and added to early flavored teas, and essence of bergamot was also extensively used in perfumes. The mild citrus scent and flavor are quite appealing to some consumers, leading to enduring demand for bergamot.

Southern France also hosts bergamot trees, which are small and unable to cope with extremely cold weather and frosts. The fruit of the bergamot orange itself is intensely sour, and it is often used in jams, preserves, and other sweet dishes to counterbalance the sugar. The true value lies in the peel, which has rich deposits of oil. Dried, the peels are used in some cosmetics and foods to add flavor, and the peels are also pressed when fresh to extract the essential oil, which is usually sold in concentrated form. Bergamot orange peel is also sometimes sold in a candied form, along with other citrus peels.

As an essential oil, bergamot is believed to be uplifting and energizing. It is often included in essential oil mixtures which are designed to reduce stress, energize, and treat depression. Bergamot can be included in incense, used in an essential oil diffuser, or added to baths, in moderation. The oil is also included in skin care products, and like other citrus oils, it is faintly astringent and toning. Pure oil can be harsh on the skin, and bergamot oil should always be diluted before being applied.

Pure bergamot oil is readily available from many natural food stores and distributors of essential oils in both cold pressed and steam distilled varieties. The dried peel can be found in food specialty stores, along with candied and jellied variants. For consumers who are concerned about sustainable farming practices, many bergamot growers offer organic alternatives to conventionally farmed bergamot."

Hope this gives you insight to Bergamont like it has me. I will have to try to use this essential more often. Of all of the essential oils besides rose, the citrus family like sweet orange and tangerine are my favorite.

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-bergamot.htm

What is Myrrh?

You may have heard Frankinese and Myrrh alot, but do not know what Myrrh is? According to Wisegeek.com,

"According to the Bible, the wise men who visited Jesus shortly after his birth brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While gold and frankincense are fairly well known to most people who hear the Christmas story, myrrh is another story. Myrrh refers to the resinous dried sap of a number of trees of various Commiphora and Balsamodendron species. The Commiphora myrrha, the most common source of myrrh, grows natively in Somalia and eastern Ethiopia. The word myrrh comes from the Hebrew murr or maror, which means "bitter."

Myrrh was a symbolically appropriate gift for the baby Jesus because it was used in embalming at the time. Therefore, while gold and frankincense symbolize the infant's royalty and divinity, respectively, myrrh makes reference to His future death. Myrrh was extremely valuable in the time of the Roman Empire, when Jesus was born, and it was used as an incense burned during funerals until the 15th century. The Roman Emperor Nero reportedly burned a year's supply of myrrh at the funeral of his wife, Poppea Sabina, in the year 65 CE.

Myrrh has also been used in mixtures of incense and perfumes since ancient times, a practice which continues to the present day. It has an earthy, bitter odor when burned. Quality myrrh can be identified by its dark color and sticky texture, which indicates a large amount of the fragrant oil that produces a scent when burned. Myrrh can also be found in salves for skin irritations, perfumes, toothpaste, and other toiletries.

Another use of myrrh that dates from ancient times is as an additive to wine. The resin is also an ingredient in the Italian spirit Fernet Branca, created in 1845 by Maria Scala as a medicine. The drink is very popular in Argentina and San Francisco, and it is commonly mixed with cola."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-myrrh.htm

Romantic Essential Oil Blends for Soaps

These romantic soap blends are great in a variety of products. What separates these kinds of blends from others is their tenacity and sensual aromas. I typically do not like to use expensive essential oils in cold process soap making because only the most tenacious essential oils survive saponification. It is important when formulating soaps with essential oils to make a test batch of say 1/2 - 1 pound of soap first to see how the essential oils fare.

In giving the cons of using essential oils in soaps, let me say that the benefits far outweigh the detractions. Firstly, and especially when making soap using melt and pour bases, that the therapeutic effects of the essential oil is preserved. Plus, though some essential oils dissappear in cold process soapmaking, yet for essential oils that stay, the scent tends to last longer than fragrance oils. Some examples of essential oils with killer dry downs that may survive months and even years in storage are: patchouli, vetiver, clove, clary sage, ylang-ylang and nutmeg.

These essential oil blends are all sensuous blends with tenacious dry downs. Ideally, these would be perfect added to melt and pour soaps and other body care products. Very pricey essential oils may be substituted with fragrance oils. One alternative in using these essential oils is to use the pure essential oil blends for skin care products and perfume sprays and use the fragrance oil/essential oil blends for cold process soapmaking.

Cupid’s Bower
1 tsp sandalwood essential oil
1 tsp. patchouli essential oil
1 tsp vetiver essential oil
1 tsp musk fragrance oil (see links at bottom of page for shopping source)
¼ tsp rose, neroli, or geranium rose essential oil

Siam
1 tsp sandalwood essential oil
1 tsp ylang ylang essential oil
½ tsp ambergris or musk EO (substitute ambergris or musk EO with musk fragrance oil)

Dragon’s Blood
2 tsp sandalwood essential oil
1 tsp patchouli essential oil
1 tsp frankincense essential oil
1 tsp myrrh essential oil
¼ tsp rose geranium essential oil

Vintage Rose
2 tsp rose essential oil or rose fragrance oil
1 tsp patchouli essential oil
1/8 tsp nutmeg and clove essential oil
1 tsp lavender essential oil

Mediterranean Geranium
1 tsp rose geranium essential oil
1 tsp patchouli essential oil
1 tsp bergamot

Flower of Jove (carnation)
1 tsp ylang-ylang essential oil
1 tsp clove essential oil
1/16 tsp black pepper essential oil (add more if the carnation is not spicy enough)

Resources

Essential Oils and fragrance oil

Royal Aromatics -- Outstanding company. Will send samples. Located in Neptune, New Jersey. They do business with those who need one pound to several hundred pounds of essential oil and fragrance oils. Also, they handle orders for custom formulations and duplicates.

Sweetcakes -- Sweetcakes is a hidden gem. One of the best kept secrets of the trade for those who formulate and sell exquisite perfumes. Their Egyptian musk is the best. Also, they have an outstanding sandalwood that would give the real sandalwood essential oil a run for its money.

Romantic Molds
Bramble Berry - One of my favorite suppliers. Outstanding customer service. See them for romantic molds and a wonderful valentines day soap kit.

Source: Permission to reprint by Winsome Tapper, Soapmaking Editor, www.Bellaonline.com/site/soapmaking.

Soap Fragrance Oils - Making Your Own Custom Scented Bath Products

Why don’t you consider making soaps scented with natural essential oils in your own home? While it might seem difficult at first, it just might turn out to be one of the easiest and most relaxing things you’ve ever done. Essential oils and herbs are a way to bring plants’ healing properties into your daily routine. Frequently used in aromatherapy, you can also bring essential oils into your life by making your own soaps.

Some essential oils have stimulating fragrances, while others have completely the opposite effect and can help you relax. Every essential oil has distinct and unique properties. For example, rose oil comes in handy for treating sore throats, sinus congestion, or puffiness. Rosemary helps treat physical and mental fatigue, rheumatic pains and aches, and respiratory problems such as asthma.

Each of the natural essential oils has specific, beneficial properties. Chamomile has long been used to help with digestion, but many people don’t know that it helps ease premenstrual pain as well, and applied to the skin, it will help clear up acne, eczema and other sensitive skin problems. Eucalyptus is administered orally to help coughs, colds, bronchitis and viral infections; when applied to the skin, it eases muscular aches. Many people find geranium oils useful for healing sores, infections, and other skin problems. And lavender not only smells pleasant; it can also be useful for soothing headaches, healing bruises and insect bites, and reducing swelling.

Sandalwood not only smells great; it’s calming and soothing, and can help heal dry, cracked lips. Jasmine helps you when you’re feeling down, and neroli treats anxiety and insomnia, and will help improve your blood circulation as well. It’s a good idea to try to find ways to bring essential oils’ beneficial properties into your life.

Herbs are low-growing aromatic plants that can be used either fresh or dried; these include annuals (which must be seeded each year) as well as perennial herbs (which survive the winter to grow again in the spring). Usually, it’s herbs’ leaves that are used to enhance skin care products’ benefits.

For more on handmade herbal soap making as well as candle making and other do-it-yourself crafts visit the soap making resources center at Pure and Natural Soaps where you’ll find articles, recipes, instructions, ideas and tips.

To discuss these and other craft projects visit the Soap Making Forum - a community message board for soap and candle making as well as other crafts and do-it-yourself projects. Discuss techniques, share ideas, learn new methods, post your favorite recipes and meet new friends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

Tested Bitter Creek Fragrances

If you wondering if a certain scent from Bitter Creek would work in your cold process soap recipe, here is a link that contains the notes of fragrances used:

http://www.candlesupply.com/cpnotes.html

Has anyone ever used fragrances from this company? Would you care to share your experiences with us? I am always interested in learning about other company's products. Because I may want to purchase from them in the future.

Aromatherapy- Know the Power of Fragrances

Aromatherapy is an ancient art that has been used for thousands of
years as an aid to physical and emotional well being. Aromatherapy and
its use can be traced back as far as the ancient Egyptians, who took
advantage of essential oils therapeutic powers. Aromatherapy has also
been used for a very long time in the Far East and China.

Effects of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbology and the study of "aromatherapy" may best be considered in these four areas of application:

Aesthetic - the effects essential oils have on the beauty of skin
and hair.

Psycho - the effects aromas have on our moods and feeling; known as aromachology.

Holistic - the integration of the divine into the body, mind, and spirit.

Medical - the effects essential oils have in enhancing and
maintaining a state of homeostasis.


Method of application

An essential oil is a liquid distilled from the leaves, stems,
roots, flowers, or bark of a plant. Essential oils, which are used in
Aromatherapy, are very concentrated, and therefore, they are usually
diluted with carrier oil, such as almond oil. Essential oils, in their
purest form, tend to be very expensive, because the amount of oil present in
plants is extremely small. For example, 440 pounds of fresh lavender
flowers yield only 2.5 pounds of essential oil of lavender. Aromatherapy and essential oils can be used for many purposes, such as to calm or rejuvenate the body and mind.

The use of aromatherapy can be seen as part of a lifestyle choice
-- a lifestyle that allows for pleasure because a moment of pleasure is
healing. Pleasure is described as a source of enjoyment. Why deny
yourself the pleasure and the benefits of a feminine fragrance such as
Rose from Morocco or Bulgaria?

By understanding how to apply aromatherapy in daily use, you can
enjoy the scents and help to maintain a system of preventative care for
you and your family's long-term well-being.

About the Author

For more information, visit these sites: http://www.aromatherapyinfocenter.com http://www.perfumeinfocenter.com


Source: ArticleTrader.com

Create Your Own Essential Oil Fragrances

By Eu-Leh

If you want to try your "nose" at creating your own blends of essential oils for your soaps and candles, it's not hard. Whether you're an experienced aromatherapist or new to scent blending, you can create your own complex scent blends that will make your soaps and candles smell wonderful with a scent that is uniquely yours. Grab a notebook and let's get started.

Here's How:

1. Choose a combination of essential oils. (You can also try this with simple fragrance oils.) You can choose based on having at least one top note, middle note, and base note, or just choose several oils that you think will go well together. This is all about experimentation.

2. Open the oils and the small glass jar. You may be able to get a preview of your scent blend merely by having the three bottles open at the same time.

3. One at a time, dip the tip of a clean cotton swab into the fragrance or essential oil. Squeeze any excess oil from the swab on the lip of the bottle.

4. Place the swab in the glass jar.

5. Repeat for each of the essential oils you want to add to the blend.

6. Make sure to write down each essential oil you include in the blend.

7. Walk away from the jar and wait a few minutes.

8. Come back to the jar and gently sniff the air above the jar. This will be the scent blend in its early stage of development. Take notes on your thoughts about it. Is one oil overpowering the others? Do two of them seem too similar to tell apart?

9. Put the lid on the jar and leave it in a cool, dark place. After a few hours, open the jar and smell the blend again. The scent should have mixed further and "matured" a bit. Take further notes on your thoughts about the blend.

10. Put the lid back on the jar and leave it again in a cool, dark place. After about 48 hours, open the jar and smell it again. The scent blend should be fully mixed and "matured" by now. Take further notes about the blend.

11. Make corrections to your blend. Perhaps try two parts of oil A and one part of oil B. Or add some oil D to your blend of A, B, and C. Try the blend again until you find the perfect combination.

12. Last, but not least, try the blend in a candle or soap, and take notes on how it works in them.

TIPS:

1. Try to get equal amounts of fragrance or essential oil on each cotton swab, and make sure your they are completely clean - or else you'll risk contaminating your essential oils.

2. Instead of cotton swabs, you can use an eye dropper or disposable pipette and a paper towel, but you must use a fresh dropper or pipette for each essential oil.

3. Don't stick your nose into the jar to smell the blend. Let the scent rise from out of the jar.

4. Sniffing coffee beans or ground coffee will cleanse your scent receptors. (Yes, just like cleansing your palate.) Sniff some coffee beans in between tests and you'll get a more accurate reading on the scents.

5. Experiment, experiment, experiment! Don't be afraid to try odd combinations, or combinations that don't adhere to the top-middle-base note ideal. Above all, be sure to take good notes!

What You Need:

An assortment of essential or fragrance oils
A small jar with an airtight lid
At least one clean cotton swab for each scent oil in the blend
A notebook to record your results

Source: http://entrepinoys.blogspot.com/2007/07/create-your-own-essential-oil-fragrance.html, candleandsoap.about.com, photo from life.uiuc.edu