Jeanne Rose Explains the Copper Distiller

What Is It?

‘It is black, smooth, light and porous and differs but little from wood in appearance. The fumes of it, burnt, keep serpents at a distance and dispel hysterical affections... A decoction of this stone
in wine is curative of toothache...’
- Pliny, Natural History, 1st century AD

Find out by reading this fabulous post at Art of Mourning.

http://wp.me/pPzeJ-pD

Gnarly Bitch Soap

Indulge yourself in the pure debauchery of Anastasia's crations.  Gnarly Bitch has long been a favorite of mine, not only the soap but also the body butter.  Patchouli, Vanilla and Cacao - and sometimes Ana throws in something to throw you for a loop....like Neroli!  YUM.  Visit Anastasia's etsy store HERE.

Smells Like Winter

Patchouli, Lavenders (Croatian, French & Bulgarian), Clove, Cassia, and Ginger.  This is what's scenting Mockingbird Manor on this chilly winter day.

Book Review: Aromatherapy Treatments by Jeanne Rose

Jeanne Rose, The Grande Dame of AromaHerbalism has released a fabulous compendium of herbal, aromatherapy and other complimentary treatments! The material in the book comes directly from Jeanne Rose’s personal files spanned over the last 40 years. 40 years!  There aren’t that many experts in the fields of Aromatherapy and Herbalism who can say they have 40 years of writing, published works, consultations, and experiences behind them.  Having seen Ms. Roses’s files myself I am amazed (but not surprised) that she was able to pare it down to 200 invaluable pages.

Written in Ms. Rose’s legendary style you will learn to treat your physical, mental and emotional self as a whole using complimentary therapies through the use of herbs, aromatherapy, hydrosols, diet, nutrition, spa and massage.  Recipes for salves, massage oils, baths and more are included as well as an excellent formula for the dreaded Neti Pot.  Dreaded on my part that is, but with the formula given it is a much better experience! 

Aromatherapy Treatments is different from any of Ms. Rose’s other books in that the ailments covered are done so much more in-depth, sometimes 2 or 3 pages if not more covering a single subject. My favorite part of the book would be the 38 pages devoted to Asthma, the Respiratory System, Allergies, Sinuses and Bronchial treatments.  Another favorite would have to be the handy reference charts that are throughout the book as well for a variety of conditions and ailments.

Missing from this book would be information on PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome) which seems to be so prevalent these days included in the section for Women. However there are sections on Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes, both a part of PCOS that I have found to be most helpful. 

On a daily basis I find myself referring to Aromatherapy Treatments.  If not to re-read it, then to look up treatments for my family or recipes to make preventative salves, sprays and massage oils.

For someone who is advanced in aromatherapy and herbalism Aromatherapy Treatments is a must have reference for your library that you will refer to again and again.  For someone who is new to aromatherapy and herbalism this book is not a replacement for the study of essential oils and herbs.  It will however, spark your curiosity (and perhaps even awe at the power of AromaHerbalism) to learn more about the use of herbs, essential oils and other complimentary therapies.  Who better to learn from than The Grande Dame?

Aromatherapy Treatments by Jeanne Rose $209  

 To order please visit http://www.jeannerose.net/books.html

Note:  I have learned that this will be the first of 3 volumes that are to be released by Ms. Rose.  By the time she is finished it will be quite an amazing collective compendium!

Where has the time gone?

I have been away from my blogs for oh, about the last month! It's been crazier than usual here at Mockingbird Manor and the last two weeks have been filled with sick Oompa Loompas.

Imagine if you will - the madness of not being able to go anywhere except for the grocery store (less than 2 minutes from my house), Walgreens or the elementary school.  For 2 full weeks!!

It's not as if I were able to actually get anything done either.  Being nurse, maid, mommy and daddy takes it's toll.  If it would have gone on a single day more you would have found me sitting in the middle of the road, rocking back and forth singing 'Mary Had a Little Lamb."   The experience has left me quite proficient in the 'whineeze' language though.

Anyhoo - needless to say I was reaching quite a bit for my oils.  Rose and Frankincense . Oooooh how decadent is that?  Jasmine and Clary Sage.  Deeevine. Time was also spent sitting and just sniffing different oils.  Like Gollum I pulled my special oils out, the ones I kept hidden, with eyes glazed over - whispering to the oil how much I appreciated their gorgeous scent.......opened one up and then inhaled.  Scentgasmic I tell you! Spikenard with 1 single drop of Bulgarian Rose oil given to my by Jeanne Rose in 1996.  Frankincense from the year my first child was born.  Zdravetz, Rose with Cassia, Italian and Neroli given to me by MG.  I always go on about vintage Patchouli oil and there is definitely a reason for it.

Wondering how to get your own scentgasmic vintage Patchouli?  Well, the truth is my precioussses you must invest some time into it because I am not about to give mine up!  Buy yourself a good sized bottle of Patchouli from a reputable source.  (CH-Imports is a good place to start.)  Take HALF of whatever you buy, put it in another amber or cobalt bottle, LABEL it along with the date, where you bought it from and then put it away.  Forget that you even have it! Use the other half of the oil saved for whatever you need it for.  Aromatherapy, perfumery, skin care, etc.

Every 6 months or so take a peek and sniff at it.  Right down the changes you notice and after a while of doing this you'll have something that still smells like Patchouli, but it's very different than a newly purchased bottle of Patchouli.  After years have passed you will find yourself like me.  Hoarding it, talking to it, and using it for only very special blends!

Letting certain oils age, especially perfume blends is what most people aren't willing to do.  The Pretty Poison: Belladonna perfume potion blend I have is over TEN years old!   The older it gets, the deeper, more sultry and sexy it gets.  So I've been told ;)