Introducing Our New "Desert Queen" Collection

After the life changing experience of desert dwelling and studying plant medicine in Baja California Sur we are excited to announce the arrival of our latest desert sourced collection, "Desert Queen". 

The various therapeutic benefits of the carefully crafted ingredients include protecting, nourishing, repairing, and hydrating properties. So far the line includes:

"Baja Blooms": A Sun Spritzer/Tonic/Toner to quench thirsty, skin w/ Aloe Leaf, Lavender, White Sage, Dill, and Vit E

"Vision Quest": A concentrated Wild Rose and Clary Sage eye cream to repair and smooth fine lines w/ organic CO2 extracted Chia Seed Oil which is a natural form of CoQ10. CoQ10 is not only necessary for producing cellular energy, but also for defending cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. 

"Earth Ship: A potent face oil w/ organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil and other fibroblast stimulating ingredients to encourage the production of elastin,  and smooth skin, like Vit E, Dill Seed oil, and Yarrow. 

"Arroyo Magic": A medicinal indigenous clay (barro) sourced from Baja that cleans impurities from the pores thanks to its antibacterial properties, as well as its incredible ability to bind to the debris in your skin and pull it out like a sponge. It can also contain minerals like silica (delays aging), alumina (absorbs impurities), iron and calcium (promote cell renewal). Therapeutic Juniper Berry essential oil in Jojoba is included in the kit which has cleansing, calming, and grounding properties.

Sweet Dreams and Goodnight Irene

Western medicine is finally catching up to prove ancient, 5000+ year old Ayurvedic practices! In a long 5000+ year old story short we need sleep and dreams to find balance in our physical, mental, and emotional health. As a child my parents would sing the "Goodnight Irene" lullaby when it was time to "Hit the hay". I would cry and throw fits as I resisted, not wanting to miss out on any of the action. Now, bedtime is my favorite part of the day and I look forward to blissful sleep while dreaming fantastical escapades. Plus tomorrow is always a new day!

Modern Science

What inspired this wellness post on the subject of sleep was an invite from my friend, Anna to attend an intriguing lecture last night hosted by OHSU's Brain Institute as part of a series for “Brain Awareness Week”. Dr. Robert Stickgold, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Director, Center for Sleep and Cognition Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center ) presented his current work which looks at the nature and function of sleep and dreams from a cognitive neuroscience perspective, with an emphasis on the role of sleep and dreams in memory consolidation and integration, and how defects in these processes contribute to psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia. In other words, prior to this research modern medicine has looked at insomnia as a side effect of these disorders. Dr. Stickgold studies suggests the opposite.  Lack of sleep and dreaming could be a contributing factor to the cause of these disorders.Some other points of interest included findings from one of Dr. Stickgold studies where groups of people played the game Tetris. Some of the subjects had severe amnesia w/ zero function of memory recollection yet several reported elements of the tetris game showing up in their sleep/dream state when interviewed right after waking. This helped to give “sense” to what possible action had occurred the day before because certain subjects felt they must have been playing the game.

Lastly, the main highlight from many varies studies all pointed to our performance, recollection, and other skills shooting off the charts after a good night dream and sleep. When regular healthy subjects were time tested on mazes, puzzles and other challenges over and over the results were about the same with a tiny percentage of improvement after having the opportunity to take the test multiple times. Given a nights sleep the same subjects performance had improved up to 50%.

Sadly, as it goes the overall performance of certain cognitive and motor skills are greatly reduced after subjects do not get a night of sleep and dream. This research is especially helpful advocating for better shifts in the workforce like, ER doctors and nurses who are on 24 hour shifts at times. 

Cortisol is called the "stress hormone" (often called, "the death hormone.") because it is secreted during times of fear or stress, whenever the body goes into the fight or flight response. It is is made in the adrenals. The general hustle and bustle of society today and the required ass busting it takes just to stay above water taxes the adrenals, producing stress and cortisol levels to skyrocket. In the morning we want cortisol levels to be high, waking us up and giving us the energy to get through the day. Cortisol production should gradually decrease through the day, until it reaches its lowest levels late in the evening ideal for bedtime. However, if cortisol levels do not decrease in the evening, because the stress response is triggered and doesn’t shut off cortisol production, it can affect a peaceful rest, inducing sleep disorders. In addition Cortisol creates chronic to severe inflammation that eventually causes premature aging. Cortisol suppresses another important, DHEA, the "youthing" hormone. 

Ancient Ayurvedic Solutions to Promote Sleep

 Living a natural lifestyle, with plenty of self-care can greatly support wellness of body and mind. Ancient ayurvedic practices can help reduce stress, support adrenals, regulate cortisol levels and and promote a healthy sleep/dream state. These wellness lifestyle practices include healthy diet (no caffeine/sugar, breathwork (alternate nostril breathing), exercise (yoga practice), meditation, oil massage (Abhyanga), and using adaptogenic herbs as supplements.  Russian researcher Professor Israel Brekman established the definition of Adaptogens. They are harmless plants with no side effects. They increase the general capacity of the human body to adapt to stress and they increase resistance to disease. They are not localized to a specific body organ but have a "normalizing" effect (restorative rather than curative) on the imbalances caused by physical or emotional stress.

I personally, sleep soundly at night and have never had an issue w/ insomnia. I also apply these Ayurvedic practices in my life on a daily basis. There are many adaptogens to explore but my main go to source has been using essential oils. There are 98 published medical studies on the subject of essential oils and sleep. Essential Oils are adaptogenic and can be used aromatically, topically, and sometimes internally to bring balance to the body and support a myriad of systems. Find a trusted source to buy EOs because they are not all created equal. I choose a company w/ the highest quality, pure therapeutic grade essential oils. They use rigorous testing criteria, ethical sourcing through a “Co-impact Sourcing initiative”, and are on a bold mission to further the advancement of essential oil useage around the world from hospitals to our own homes through science and education.  

Essential Oils

Calming Essential oils like Lavender and Bergamot are rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds that have well-known relaxing properties.Use: Diffuse aromatically in the bedroom to create a peaceful environment, perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. They can also be used topically and to calm the nervous system, promote relaxation, and lead to a restful sleep. Try placing two to four drops of Lavender or Bergamot essential oil in a warm, herbal foot bath and have a nice soak about 30 minutes before going to bed.

Alpha Pinene, a major constituent of coniferous tree essential oils support Rapid Eye Movement (REM) state during sleep. This is helpful considering nightmares and other night terrors occur during this sleep phase.Use:  White Fir, Black Pepper, or Spruce can be used topically on the back of the neck or massage on the bottom of the feet to promote relaxation. Aromatically usage includes placing a few drops on the pillow to support, a deep restful sleep.

Marjoram oil has been associated alleviating panic and may help against snoring.

In conclusion, we are happier, healthier, and maybe even a better version of ourselves from the previous day if we can get a good night’s sleep. There are many natural tools at our fingertips to support us in this process.. Please do not turn to big Pharma which have a plethora of terrible side effects and can cause more harm than good.

Reference:

Forsch Komplementmed. 2015;22(1):43-9. doi: 10.1159/000380989. Epub 2015 Feb 19:  Effects of bergamot ( Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.) essential oil aromatherapy on mood states, parasympathetic nervous system activity, and salivary cortisol levels in 41 healthy females. Watanabe E1, Kuchta K, Kimura M, Rauwald HW, Kamei T, Imanishi J. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25824404

α-Pinene, a Major Constituent of Pine Tree Oils, Enhances Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Mice through GABAA-benzodiazepine Receptors. Yang H, Woo J, Pae AN, Um MY, Cho NC, Park KD, Yoon M, Kim J, Lee CJ, Cho S. Mol Pharmacol. 2016 Nov;90(5):530-539. Epub 2016 Aug 29. PMID: 27573669

Nurses experience of aromatherapy use with dementia patients experiencing disturbed sleep patterns. An action research project. Johannessen B. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2013 Nov;19(4):209-13. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.01.003. Epub 2013 Aug 17. PMID:24199975 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24199975

98 other published research articles on sleep and essential oils: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=sleep+essential+oils&cmd=DetailsSearch

OHSU Lecture Series for Brain Awareness 2017 /Dr. Robert Stickgold PhD https://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/brain/in-community/brain-awareness/lectures-events/sleep-memory.cfm

Just sleeping like a log. Don't even mind a husky on my head after an essential oil treatment to promote blissful sleep.

Dancer in the Dark

Yes, Dancer in the Dark is a great film starring one of my favorite women in the world, Bjork as she plays the endearing/heart wrenching role of a blind mother. This post is not about a film though, but a similar theme of facing fear, embracing the unknown, and submitting to that which we can not see, the darkness. It’s also about diving deep to do the work on ourselves, the “shadow” work. Lastly, I would like to explore the theme of bats, which are the true “dancers in the dark” but I will get to that.

As I have just trail blazed off to start a new life in Baja California Sur, alone (solo human, but w/ my dog companions Tanka and Hooj.) I don’t really know how I ended up here besides doing what I do best which is following my heart.  After growing deep roots in Oregon for the last twenty years and raising a daughter it was a bold thing for me to break out of my comfort zone but there were so many things not working. I felt that no matter how much work I was doing on myself the transformation could not happen there. Life had become unsustainable w/ the cost of living on the rise and the migration of people that moved to Portland the town was busting at it’s seams. The city I once loved was a war zone, and I could no longer afford it. My body finally shut down after a third part time garden job left me w/ a back injury this past summer, and one that I could not seem to heal. This was a huge wakeup call considering I am an active, healthy person, who eats well, does yoga, believes in self-care and natural health so I must be invincible? Right?

So it was more of a big push than a decision of my own to find a new home. My daughter and I have never been apart so that part was hard, but she is exercising her independance tooth and nail to be on her own and thinks she does not need me right now.. She said straight up, “Mom, you really need to move to Mexico like you've always wanted to do.” I think it might have been me asking her to help me put on my underwear one day when my back went out that sent her over the edge, but you don’t have to ask me twice. I was also a bit attached to my stuff. I had let these things define me.  Still just material though right? These small tokens were worth the trade off for mountains, desert, desolate beaches, whale watching from bed, daily dips in the ocean and stargazing like never before. Like I said..I have the follow my “heart thing down”.

Now that I am here it’s even more beautiful, peaceful, and fulfilling than I had imagined. The days are filled with so much sparkling light, and natural wonders it seems there can’t be anymore more beauty to discover until the next day I wake up to find more awesomeness.  It’s desert-mountain-ocean scape all in one. The Pacific ocean is this deep, jewel toned sapphire color which I call “baja blue” and the water is very healing to experience 24/7. It’s the first thing I see when I wake up and then I go play in the waves. This is my daily bathing ritual which saves on water since this resource is limited here. The sand is specked w/ sparkling gold flakes that shimmer into the infinite wild . Even as I try to stay home and work there are no walls seperating me from the sea as the home is an “open” floor plan. As I write here and now there are whales jumping about and it’s that sunset time of day where the mobula rays do their flapping parade jumping up from the water into the air one leap at a time. I love the flippy flop noise they make and can hear them coming a mile away!  

Even when I can’t see the ocean there is the constant presence as I listen to her roar at night. It is the night time here where I am still not settled.  As heavenly as I have describe of the days where rocks me in her loving arms I have so many fears which come up for me at night because it is so dark. West towards the sea there is nothing between me and the next thing except for thousands upon thousands of miles of water and darkness. Then with the open desolate desert there is nothing really around me in the other directions (except for a few houses in the far distance.) Just more darkness. It is very intense.

I am reminded of a childhood vision I had of seeing “the Boogie Man outside” when I looked out of the window at night. I will never forget that figure. He stood by a tree in the yard. I was really afraid of the dark as child because of this, and had not really noticed until just weeks ago, after really experiencing darkness again that I still had this fear. A few years back I read Daniel Pinchbeck’s psychedelic encounter he describes in the book, “Return of the Quetzalcoatl” where he meets a spirit, Mr. Iboga, after taking an African hallucinogenic root which is now be used to treat severe addictions. Mr Iboga has appeared to many others who have also describe him in in the same aesthetic. This was MY “boogie man” to a tee! Mr. Iboga is known to be the “PRIMORDIAL WISDOM TEACHER OF HUMANITY!” I guess this spirit does great w/ Q & A so next time if I see him maybe I will say hello.

As far as this actual realm goes there are the animal creatures I am getting use to here in my desert oasis. My guy friend, Stephen was here with me the first couple of weeks and even then I was scared to be outside at night in fear of getting stung by a scorpion, or attacked by wild coyotes. I pretended to collect driftwood for my next macrame project but I was really looking for the best ass kicking stick I could find. He made lots of fun of my wild imagination. He is in Mexico City now, and I just watched a video of him eating a scorpion!  One night we scooted our chairs out from the covered patio to enjoy the night. The sky was lit up w/ the New Moon in hiding, there was nothing but stars. Some stargazing was worth facing my scorpion fear until the giant desert bats came flying by right in front of our faces. Bats were not even on my radar, but I was on theirs! Since all of the walls are actually glass sliders that open up my home to the great outdoors I was concerned about the bats flying into the house, but Stephen confirmed we were safe from the bats. I don’t want to quote him on this but he might have even said they would not come in. The little, scared girl in me was appeased and I put that fear to rest.

Oh the darkness! It gets such a bad name. Like “light” must mean good, and “dark” must mean bad. Well fast forward a couple days and my bat fear came to fruition. Stephen informed me that big bat did fly right inside,but he was so couth to get it out before I even knew. If I had not grilled him (repeatedly) as to why he got up and starting sweeping in the middle of the night I may not have never known. He never technically saw the bat leave either so I brace myself now every time I open the closet. I also close up everything as soon as the Sun sets to prevent this from happening again. One of my dear friends was even just recently treated w/ a multitude of vaccines because she sat on a bat by accident in Oregon so call me crazy but people can get bit by bats.  

Even with these precautions another bat JUST got trapped inside as I had left the slider barely cracked for my husky. Stephen is gone now, so I am truey facing my fears alone.

THIS IS A SIGN. WHAT IS THE TOTEM MEANING OF THE BAT? WHY DOES THIS THEME KEEP SHOWING UP?

WHAT HEALING DOES MY SPIRIT NEED?

WHAT DOES THE MEDICINE OF THE BAT OFFER?

Ina Wilcoot writes a beautiful piece here about the bat as a symbol of rebirth and facing our fears. The message is exactly what I needed to help connect what I have been both working on in myself and some missing pieces of the puzzle . http://www.shamanicjourney.com/bat-power-animal-symbol-of-rebirth

“Bat’s wisdom includes shamanic death and rebirth, initiation, viewing past lives, pollination of new ideas, transition, understanding grief, the use of vibrational sound, camouflage, invisibility, ability to observe unseen, secrets. Shaman initiates go through a ritual death, sometimes with the aid of teacher plants and/or fasting. Here they confront their fears and are reborn without their old identities. Bats help us to release fear and patterns which no longer fits within our pattern of growth.

Bat flying into your life signifies that transformation of the ego self is about to occur, the end of a way of life and the start of another. This transition can be very frightening for many, even just to think about. But you will not grow spiritually until you let go these old parts of you that are NOT NEEDED. Facing the darkness before you will help you find the light in rebirth. The bat gives you the wisdom required to make the appropriate changes for the birthing of your new identity.

Bats have needle like teeth and can sometimes be rabies carriers, an infectious disease of the blood. It can cause a person to go mad. Fears that are permitted to spread, unchecked will in the end saturate our system, and can create a kind of madness within our lives. Bats reflect the need to face up to our fears.”

So it’s not all fun and games in paradise as I have so much work to keep doing on myself. There is the easy stuff, like letting go of patterns that are no longer serving me by completely uprooting my life, and then there is the hard stuff like the “death of ego” as described above and the “rebirth”. I feel like there are many parts of me that have yet to be born! Before I had even left Oregon I had started to research what is known as “shadow work” which tends to fit into this “what lies in the darkness” theme that has come up for me now.  We have all of these parts of us that we have hidden and buried deep into our subconscious in fear of not being loved. We can have total gems, or parts of ourselves waiting to be discovered and shine. This resonated so much w/ me but I had a hard time finding out how to do this work.

The moon is getting close to full so there is more light out there in my desert realms at night and I am working on facing my fears of the dark. I remember that the whale friends are still out there holding up that love grid. I even had to walk through the darkness quite a ways last night to retrieve Tanka who usually sticks close to home. I could see him just laying there lifeless quite a ways out. I thought for a minute he had been struck by a rattlesnake as he was laying by a snake hole (fuck you fear), but no he was basking in the moon beams as if under a lunar spell. It will be our first full moon here so I shall see how wolfy he gets in the next couple of days.

Now after the Sun sets I try to focus on the amazing night sky. I have been enraptured each night as Venus rises. Mesmerizing! She beams so bright that the ocean lights up in her glow. She is like a mini Moon but w/ Venus beams instead of Moonbeams. As this planet of love and creativity just entered into the unconventional and independent sign of Aquarius for the next few weeks am star struck. Venus in this sign is a reminder to : let us be friends and lovers. Let's experience love at first sight. Let's embrace freedom,expression and get experimental in creation.

So in conclusion, besides doing shadow work, art projects, dancing under the moon, and starting a "dark" themed perfume label to face my fears, and embrace the dark unknown, I have noticed my other senses such as hearing has become more refined. There is actually an orchestra of sound that fills the night between the waves crashing and the desert creatures chirping. It's nice.  I also keep making connections here and met a wonderful neighbor who owns much of this property and has been in the area since the 1960's. He is nothing but good vibes and he has really helped me to feel safe and secure. He built a giant industrial swing on his property which is a thrill of a ride. When I asked him how he dreamt the design up, he responded that he was put here to experience as much fun and joy in life and help others do the same. His family, son,daughter and grandson) have just arrived to make a home here too so I am feeling like I have an adopted family here now that are just a hop, skip, and jump through the field of cacti if I am ever in need. 

Quote of the Day

Can't you just smell the rain? 

EO Spotlight: PETITGRAIN

The botanical name for the orange plant is Citrus Aurantium. The French name Petitgrain means ‘little grains’ or ‘little seeds’. It acquired this name because Petitgrain essential oil was initially extracted from unripe oranges that were just in the size of cherries. No part of the citrus plant goes to waste.

Typically essential oil of orange is cold pressed from the peels and if you have ever smelled the divine floral scent of neroli it is the flowers which are distilled from this same plant for a completely different aroma. Petitgrain is also from this same orange plant but it’s the leaves and twigs that are now distilled for yet another lovely aroma that can be described as fresh, floral, and slightly herbaceous.

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”

— Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Since the primordial times, this oil has been considered an aphrodisiac and important ingredient of the classic ‘Eau-de-Cologne’. It is still extensively used in the perfume and cosmetics industries due to its remarkable aroma. Numerous Complementary and Alternative Medical systems have recorded the traditional use of this oil for supporting digestion, nervous exhaustion and skin disorders. English herbalist Gerard suggests bitter juices of Citrus fruits for treating venomous bites, stings and worms. Theophrastus, the antique book talks about the use of oranges for scenting fabrics and warding off moths.

The chief constituents of this oil are gamma terpineol, geraniol, geranyl acetate, linalool, linalyl acetate, myrcene, neryl acetate and trans ocimene. Because of these therapeutic compounds Petitgrain has been used throughout time to promote health.

• May help support healthy cardiovascular function*

• May provide antioxidant support*

• May support healthy immune function*

• May help promote a restful sleep*

Three ways to use this oil include:

1. Health benefits as a massage oil or bath oil: Abhyanga or Ayurvedic massage is the ultimate therapy for relaxing the mind and comforting the body with the use of Ayurvedic essential oils. Skin is the best channel that aids the blood passage to absorb the therapeutic properties present in such essential oils and pass it on to the entire body and the psyche. A classic Ayurvedic massage is known to augment blood circulation, calm the mind, promote mental energy and enlighten the soul.

2. Benefits to the system when added to vaporizers or diffusers: Fragrance, scent, aroma, smell or odor, whatever form it may be has a strong impact on your sensory receptors  followed by the entire behavioral and emotional set-up. Adding 2 drops of Petitgrain essential oil to your air freshener, diffuser, vaporizer or burner will help you in attaining greater heights as it boosts the intellectual power, helps restore emotions, instills self- acceptance and self-love.

3. Nourishes your skin as a trusted topical application: Petitgrain essential oil is lighter and refreshing than Neroli or Bitter Orange oil, making it more suitable for skin problems when 3 to 4 drops of this oil are added to skin care creams and lotions. Petitgrain oil plays a vital role in skin care as it helps clear skin blemishes, acne and oily skin. When used after a bath it keeps your skin moisturized all through the day.

By sourcing this oil through my doTERRA store you are helping small farmers while protecting the environment. This is because doTERRA is sourcing their Petitgrain from Paraguay through their Co-Impact Sourcing® initiative. doTERRA is able to support needed rural community development projects and provide diversified income for small-scale farmers. This approach provides an economically viable alternative to clear-cutting land, dramatically helping to protect the remaining patches of the Atlantic Rainforest in eastern Paraguay.

To purchase this oil visit my oil store at my.doterra.com/elegantsavage

(*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.)

"Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" aka the Matcha Coconut Milky Mud Mask

Eisai, the monk, who brought Matcha green tea to Japan (circa 1200a.d.), said that it was:

                       "The Elixir Of The Immortals"

What is Matcha Green Tea?

In it’s simplest form, Matcha green tea is pure stone ground green tea leaves. A practice that has been perfected for over 1000 years by Japanese Monks.

Matcha tea is approximately 10X stronger than regular brewed green tea, and so it has extremely powerful therapeutic effects on the body. Matcha also contains high amounts of L-Theanines—a unique set of natural amino acids found almost exclusively in Matcha, known to reduce stress and anxiety, heightens the concentration to help provide increased mental clarity and focus.

Matcha contains over 70 times the anti-oxidants of fresh orange juice, and over 9 times the beta carotene of spinach. According to the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity), which is the method of measuring antioxidants in food developed by the National Institute of Health.

Matcha has a ORAC rating of roughly 1300 units per gram. This makes it one of the highest among the super foods and looking at the table below, you can see that Matcha Green Tea contains more antioxidants than all of the other antioxidant-rich foods combined!

According to the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity), which is the method of measuring antioxidants in food developed by the National Institute of Health.

Skin Benefits?

The antioxidant content of matcha like polyphenols and catechins battle and control the harmful effects of UV radiation and free radicals, helping greatly in protecting the skin from sun, wind and all extremes in weather conditions. Also protecting against inflammation in the body, these antioxidants also help eliminate acne and other types of skin eruptions and roughness. The strong presence of the EGCG antioxidant in matcha slows cell degeneration to impede the aging process, promoting smooth, tight skin that retains moisture and natural, smooth color tones.

Throughout the last three to four weeks of their growing time, right before harvest, matcha (camellia sinensis) leaves are keep covered for protection from the sun. This results in greater chlorophyll production which is responsible for the vivid green color of high caliber matcha. It also makes matcha a strong detoxifying agent for the bodies of users, cleansing the body’s entire system of toxins and hazardous chemicals or other impurities, leaving the skin glowing and radiantly clean.

Various natural or organic substances found in matcha have powerful antibiotic action for the body’s great benefit. These ingredients include catechins, Vitamins A and C, calcium, protein, iron and potassium. As these cleansing agents clean the internal system, they purify and smooth the skin, too, eliminating any blemishes or rashes. A healthy immune system also promotes clear, well-hydrated and youthful skin with good elasticity and resilience.

MATCHA MAKES A COLORFUL AND EFFECTIVE SKIN MASK

MATCHA GREEN TEA POWDER + COCONUT MILK + PETITGRAIN / PINK PEPPER ESSENTIAL OILS

This facial mask is very soothing and uplifting while it’s detox and purification properties will do wonders to rejuvenate your skin and complexion. If I was to name it I would have to call it "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" because it is the total CURE. While a heaping tablespoon of spring green matcha green tea powder supplies the antioxidants, cleansers and detox agents, a few drops of petitegrain and pink pepper essential oil will heal and revitalize multiple layers of the skin. The coconut milk hydrates and softens delicate tissue. The many healing properties of this mix will help reduce any scarring or imperfections in skin surface, and your entire face will feel renewed and fresh.

It also alleviates wrinkles and may even prolong or eliminate their formation when used regularly over an extensive time period. While this facial treatment is not intended to result in an overnight makeover, you will see gradual, but steady skin improvements with continuous use.

MY BLUE HEAVEN

BLUE TANSY INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT

I have recently sourced organic, steam distilled Blue Tansy essential oil (Tanacetum annuum) for my Cote d' AZUR Face Oil and Blue Nile Body Balm. It has been such a beautiful oil to work with because of it's therapeutic effects and it's intense, opaque blue color.  Both of these properties are due to a healing compound present known as chamazulene.

Blue Tansy essential oil is useful for treating burned, irritated, inflamed and damaged skin. I have been using to decrease my pore size.  It's chamazulene component has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful antioxidant. Additionally it can help calm anxiety and nervous tension when diffused or inhaled. This may be an under statement because I experienced first hand it's calming effects after spilling a bit on my hands and clothes. I had an outer body experience as the stress melted I was either swimming in an ocean of euphoria or had found

“my blue heaven!”

This safe Tansy oil (Tanacetum annuum) should not be confused with Tansy oil (Tanacetum vulgare), which is toxic and should never be used in aromatherapy due to the toxic levels of thujone content. 

Adulteration of this oil is common due to it's high cost. Distillers or distributers try to add a toxic solvent to extend the oil in a sneaky way that is hard to detect. I have almost one exclusive source for all of my essential oil needs because this source is a leader in the industry producing the purest oils on the planet and invests in rigorous testing methods like GC/MS on every single batch. Unfortunately, my go to source does not sell Blue Tansy, so I was on a hunt and gather mission to find the best out there. 

I found this video from the world's leading essential oil expert, Dr. Robert Pappas helpful. It was a great reminder that though we live in a time where we have great technologies like Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry for testing there are still simple ways to also pre- evaluate an oil for purity like "Sensory" Evaluation" or "Physical Analysis". I tried out these simple methods in my apothecary (photo from above) and was pleased to find the Tansy I had purchased was not cut. It was empowering to use my own senses to say the least and Blue Tansy will forever be part of my daily beauty regime. Besides the euphoric feelings my skin is also happy. 

Xanadu's Oasis

You have not experienced Heaven on Earth until you have smelled pure, therapeutic grade, uncut, undiluted rose, geranium, or grapefruit essential oil essence. The floral scents drift me away to a dream like place where there are castles in sky and many gold drenched maidens!

Pink champange lagoons flow sweet as sparkle kisses. A poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge called the "Kubla Khan; or, A Vision in a Dream: A Fragment" describes  it best when painting a picture of a place called "Xanadu".

The term also invokes visions of roller skating, galactic Aussie singing beach babe muses yet also reminds me of a sprayfoam model home of the future I once visted while on vacation in the Wisconsin Dells as a kid.

The "Xanadu" of Coleridge’s poem though was actually believed to be a paradise Summer capitol retreat for the ancient Mongolian ruler Kubla Khan as described by Marco Polo who may have visited in 1275 AD. A line that rings true, and is one of my favs states:

““For he on Honeydew Hath Fed and Drunk the Milk of Paradise”.”

Where is your paradise? Do you have an escape, or special retreat? What does your Xanadu look like? How does it feel to find your Eden? It's easy to find your "Oasis". Just sit back and relax your mind. Connect through visualization to all the things that you love, and that make you FEEL GOOD! Connecting to that "Feeling" is a powerful way to use the "Law of Attraction" to bring in more more good things! The essence of what we desire isn't that person, place, or thing it is THAT FEELING that these objects bring! Use this ancient, secret formula to attract all that you desire. My Xanadu looks something like the illustrations by John Kirlay posted below!

"In Xanadu" by John Kirlay

I am re-launching an indulgent line of juicy, botanical, and pure skin care goods to help spirit you away to your own Shangri la and attract ALL that your heart desires. I find that even though I have this sacred information I need to paint my #DREAMLIFE, it's hard to get into that visual, creative, feel good space if I have not been nurturing my body w/ plenty of self care! Setting time aside for Self-Love is key! 

“Setting time aside for Self-Love is key! ”

Stay tuned. I hope you will try one my Xandu's Oasis creations. The ingredient's used were selected to support youthful skin, and the aroma is intoxicating, uplifting, and promotes a higher state of wellbeing! If you would like to learn about some of the ingredients sourced please go to this link! http://elegantsavage.us10.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=9f46478e61d16e521c349dd18&id=aaec29a2b0

Savage Scents

“DRINK THE MILK OF PARADISE and find yourself in an Eden like this!”

Rendezvous at Falls Head" by John Kirlay