Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Blog - AromaTalk

Hydrosol Profiles Now Available On AromaWeb

I'm pleased to announce that AromaWeb has just launched a section that includes several especially helpful hydrosol articles. The new Hydrosols Directory also offers profiles for about 35 different individual hydrosols.

A hydrosol is the aromatic water that remains after producing an essential oil via steam or water distillation. (Some plants are specifically distilled for the resulting hydrosol instead of the hydrosol being simply a byproduct of a distillation.)

Hydrosols are water-based and are far less concentrated than essential oils. Hydrosols are a highly beneficial addition to those that practice holistic aromatherapy as well as for those that strive to use natural ingredients whenever possible for personal care applications and fragrancing work.

Visit the new Hydrosols Guide and Directory on AromaWeb

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Therapeutic Grade and Aromatherapy Grade Essential Oils Do Not Exist

There is no governmental regulating body that grades or certifies essential oils as "therapeutic grade" or "aromatherapy grade."

Throughout the years, I've noticed a number of companies that use the terms therapeutic grade and sometimes aromatherapy grade. But until recently, I hadn't given these terms serious thought.

I've been a member of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy(NAHA) for a number of years. Upon recently renewing my membership, I spotted that their membership application/renewal form prohibits membership to those companies that use these terms. I applaud NAHA for taking this stance, and it was this policy that lead me to take a fresh look at the terms therapeutic grade and aromatherapy grade and realize how meaningless and confusing these terms can be to consumers.

Click here to read the full article on AromaWeb...

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TOMORROW July 21: AIA Teleconference Featuring Marge Clark of Nature's Gift

A little birdie (Ann McIntire Wooledge, AIA's Central Regional Representative) recently shared the following:

"Marge Clark of Nature's Gift with her vast amount of knowledge is going to be our speaker at the monthly Alliance of International Aromatherapist's teleconference on Wednesday, July 21. You do need to be a member to participate in these conferences, and if you have the slightest interest in true aromatherapy then this is a great organization to join. Robert Tisserand is head of our research committee, plus we have many other well-know names, such as Marge, who participate and give monthly conferences. We will have a publication coming out soon."

On behalf of AromaWeb, I'm honored that Marge Clark's company Nature's Gift, Inc. is AromaWeb's longest running and presently largest advertiser (over 10 years!). Marge was also a remarkable mentor to me in my aromatherapy beginnings pre-AromaWeb. Marge is a delight to converse with and learn from. Don't miss this teleconference!

Learn more by going to AIA's Site...

Oppose the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act

UPDATE:
The Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Bill failed in hearings today, 3/1/2010. For excellent coverage, read Update: HB 10-1248 Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Bill Fails in Committee on the Winged Seed blog and dM's ongoing coverage via Indie Beauty Network and the Indie Business Blog.

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I'm in favor of legislation that more actively protects consumers against misleading claims and deceitful marketing. I'm also in favor of sensible legislation that protects consumers from unknowingly purchasing and using toxic products. But my key phrase here is sensible legislation. Most anything that we use or consume can be hazardous or carcinogenic if used in excess. Body, mind, spirit and overall well-being is all about balance.

One particular foolish act of legislation, the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act, is shaping into a bill that will make it illegal to sell personal care products that contain any cancer causing ingredients within the state of Colorado. Put as simply as possible, a good number of natural ingredients can be considered cancer-causing per this bill's language - simply because they contain very trace amounts of constituents that are considered carcinogenic. But the amounts of carcinogens are typically so tiny that the quantity of botanicals used would never reach the level needed to pose harm, and the benefits of many of these natural ingredients far outweigh these trace hazards. A loose comparison falls along the lines of banning apples because apple seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide.

Robert Tisserand explains the dilemma well in his blog post entitled Tunnel Vision.

I still have much to learn regarding the intricacies of this legislation, and I have many initial questions. If put into law, it leaves me wondering at the total impact this will have upon the natural personal care industry especially artisans and small businesses. And the problem could magnify if other states follow in Colorado's footsteps. It also leads me to wonder how this could potentially impact the sale of natural ingredients in Colorado. If many natural personal care products can no longer be sold in Colorado (or at least not sold by small artisans who will have more difficulty competing against large scale commercial manipulators), it leads me to wonder if we could see an increase in Colorado consumers purchasing the raw ingredients to make natural products themselves. Those are my raw, preliminary questions.

I don't live in Colorado, I am not a lawyer, and I don't sell personal care products. I love making my own products and sharing recipes via AromaWeb, but I don't offer any products for sale. Someday, I may. If big brother approves (sarcastically speaking).

For more information and views on the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act, read the following blog posts from these valued AromaWeb supporters:

• Oppose the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act
  - Indie Beauty Network
• The Colorado No Product Law
  -Nature's Gift
• Time To Nip It In The Bud: OPPOSE Colorado House Bill 1248, the Safe Personal Care Products Act (also includes a thorough list of many more blog posts)
  - Samara Botane
• Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act :: Take Action Immediately
  - Essential Wholesale

Even if you do not live in Colorado, I encourage all consumers, artisans and personal care businesses to make their voice heard. Donna Maria Coles Johnson, founder of the Indie Beauty Network is a strong voice for indie artisans and small businesses (and is a long time advertiser of AromaWeb). You can keep abreast of the latest news regarding this act by visiting the Indie Beauty Network and the Indie Business Blog.

To Make Your Voice Heard:
Colorado Cosmetics: Template Letter You Can Edit And Use (With Contact Information)

Happy 15th Anniversary Online to Nature's Gift!

Wishing Marge Clark and the entire staff of Nature's Gift a very happy anniversary tomorrow, January 15, 2010. Marge Clark, President of Nature's Gift, has been involved within the aromatherapy community at large for ages. Marge has actively participated, networked and helped others in an array of online communities/message boards/mailing lists devoted to aromatherapy. Marge is author of Essential Oils and Aromatics: A Step-by-Step Guide for Use in Massage and Aromatherapy, available through Amazon.com and directly through Nature's Gift.

Marge has an excellent reputation for sourcing superior quality and precious essential oils available through Nature's Gift, for her essential oil knowledge and is known for her passionate, unique writing style. Nature's Gift has been an advertiser and supporter of AromaWeb since its beginnings, and is AromaWeb's longest running advertiser. Marge is a wonderful mentor and was a source of encouragement to me when I originally launched AromaWeb in 1997. Her passion and love of aromatherapy shines through in all she does for Nature's Gift and the aromatherapy community at large.

On, January 15, 2010, to celebrate their 15 years online, Nature's Gift will be featuring a generous 15% discount on a collection of their books including Marge's book Essential Oils and Aromatics: A Step-by-Step Guide for Use in Massage and Aromatherapy. She'll even sign it for you. For more information and to view the discount code that you need to use at checkout, visit Nature's Gift and view the details on the home page.

Alliance of International Aromatherapists 2009 Conference CDs and Proceedings Manual On Sale

Since I wasn't able to attend this year's Alliance of International Aromatherapists conference, I'm thrilled to be able to spoil myself by purchasing the conference audio CDs and proceedings manual while supporting the AIA with the purchase. Order one or more of the CDs/manual for yourself from the AIA by December 4 to save a few dollars and get free shipping!

Visit the AIA's 2009 Conference Audio CDs Page To Learn More and Place Your Order: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/bookstore_2009_conference_CDs.htm

Learn More About the AIA: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org

Aromatherapy Calendar of Events Now Available

AromaWeb's Aromatherapy Calendar of Events is now live on AromaWeb. I still need to directly let event planners including the schools & educators that appear within AromaWeb's Schools & Educator Directory know about the calendar's availability, but it will become a helpful at-a-glance resource for viewing aromatherapy courses, conferences, seminars and other events of importance to everyone within the aromatherapy community.

With AromaWeb's significant traffic volume each month, AromaWeb is the ideal resource for spreading the word about upcoming aromatherapy events.

The Aromatherapy Calendar of Events can be easily accessed via AromaWeb's purple header and footer navigation bars displayed at the top and bottom of each page throughout the site.

2009 International Clinical Aromatherapy Conference Now in Progress

The 2009 International Clinical Aromatherapy Conference is in progress starting today until Monday, October 19, 2009. The conference is being held at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake and Conference Center in Crystal Lake, Illinois. For more information, visit the Alliance of International Aromatherapists Web site.

I wasn't able to plan to attend due to personal and professional obligations. I'm not only disappointed that I can't attend, but I'm also disappointed that I missed blogging about the conference a couple weeks ago as I originally intended.

I anticipate finally adding the new Aromatherapy Calendar of Events to AromaWeb very soon. It's going to be a fantastic way for AromaWeb to spread the word about upcoming aromatherapy events and classes!