Aromatherapy


Balsam Poplar

Balsam Poplar buds

Sticky and aromatic Balsam Poplar buds

Young Balsam Poplars

I have been looking for this tree, Populus balsamifera. I wanted to get to know it and make an oil with some of its buds, a traditional medicine. Today I found a small stand and have permission to harvest.  The trees are a bit invasive where they are and so need to be managed and smaller ones removed so we can work together, a best case scenario! So grateful.


Scar oil

Rosehip seed oil, Argan oil, cistus and helichrysum essential oils. All organic. Blended to help reduce scarring and promote healing of damaged skin.
In dram (3.75ml) tap dropper amber glass.
I like the way the lines of Light knit together, just the way we want the skin to heal.
So thankful to be of service to those in need.

Scar oil lines of light

The lines of light


Frankincense resin oil 1

This is Dalzielii Frankincense resin extract, after the tears have been hydro distilled for their essential oil, and after the water soluble gum has been removed.  The aroma is pure and regenerative, just what I need right now!  This is a resin extract dissolved into oil and the result is full of aroma and the healing properties of Boswellic acids.

frankincense resin in oil
Frankincense resin dissolving in hot oil.

After about 1/2 hour, it’s dissolved and there are a few bits and pieces of bark floating about.  I filter out about one tablespoon and this goes on the wood stove, where as it warms it continues to fill the house with wonderful aroma.

dissolved resin of frankincense
Dissolved resin of frankincense with bits of bark
bark and resin bits
Bark and resin bits

Now I have a 1:3 ratio of pure oil to use as-is, as a base for salves, or in other new creative ways I might find to share with others. This is another amazing gift provided to us by nature.

We use only the finest fair-trade frankincense resins, sourced directly from Dan Riegler at fairtradefrankincense.com. Dan deals directly with local harvesters in Africa, ensuring that the local communities, whose people are the true caretakers of these botanical treasures, are fairly compensated for their work.

I encourage you to read Dan’s posts to learn more:


Almonte Farmers’ Christmas Market December 8th and Cheerfully Made Saves Christmas December 21-22!

Yay!  The time is here for Holiday Markets and I have some extra special items to make everything smell and feel good!!

The Almonte Farmer’s Christmas Market is this Saturday, December 8th  from 9-2 at the Almonte Community Centre.

Special Holiday Gifts: Lotion Bars, Frankincense, and Diffuser blends

In addition to our regular stock, I have created really nice gift packs, sets of diffuser blends, and a new luxurious lotion bar with Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, and Palmarosa essential oil that is great for dry skin and excellent for cuticles!

I love working with the resins of evergreens and yesterday we hand-harvested our own Spruce resin and combined this dissolved traditional remedy with some of our own steam distilled essential oils, along with sustainably harvested fir and cedar oils to create our Winter Woods Salve, a favourite among our customers, family, and friends!

Ancient Gifts Salve
Ancient Gifts Salve: Frankincense, Myrrh, and Cinnamon Bark

The resin of Frankincense has been a special remedy and joy for me and this year I have some extra special infusions just for the holiday markets!  Ancient Gifts oil and salve are each their own unique aromatic treasure.  No need for potpourri as these are rich, warming holiday treats!

Cheerfully Made Saves Christmas

Two weeks later, on December 21st and 22nd, we are very excited to participate in the Cheerfully Made Saves Christmas market at the Bell Sensplex!!  Tickets for the night market on the 21st must be purchased in advance, and can be bought here.  We (and many other vendors) will be offering some specials for that night only, and everyone who attends the night market will receive a tote bag and two raffle tickets.

frankincense, Myrrh, and Cinnamon bark
Frankincense, Myrrh, and Cinnamon bark
Almonte Farmers Harvest Market, November 10, 2018
Almonte Farmers Harvest Market, November 10, 2018
Cheerfully Made Saves Christmas