Essential Oil Explorations
Join us as we demystify essential oils in our monthly Essential Oil Exploration Series as part of the Inner Sanctum Membership.
Learning with the mind is one thing, but you can also experience these oils through your heart with our Essential Oil Meditations and through your hands via our Favorite Recipes.
We will be using both Sylla Hanger’s The Aromatic Practitioner Reference Manual and the second edition of Tony Burfield’s Natural Aromatic Materials: Odours & Origins to examine each oil. Together with these two books and Sylla’s collected wisdom, we hope to give you great insight into aromatics—one oil at a time!
How to get the most out of your explorations:
- Have the essential oil Sylla is talking about nearby. If it’s not labeled on the bottle, check with your supplier about where the oil is from, how it was extracted, and what plant part is used.
- Cross-reference what she shares alongside what you know about the oil.
- Leave any questions you have in the comments section on the page of that exploration.
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Clove Bud Exploration
Clove Bud is a great anti-infectious oil—especially during the winter months. Find out where it comes from and how best to use this warming oil.
Tea Tree Exploration
Part of the Myrtaceae family, Tea Tree is steam-distilled from the leaves and growing tips of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. Learn all about Tea Tree in this month’s Exploration.
Spearmint Exploration
Part of the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family, Spearmint is steam-distilled from the flowering tops of Mentha spicata. Learn all about Spearmint in this month’s Exploration.
Rosemary Exploration
Vetiver Exploration
Steam-distilled from the dry roots of Vetiveria zizanoides, Vetiver is a soothing, earthy oil. Learn all about Vetiver in this month’s Exploration.
Lavender Exploration
Lavender is one of the most widely-used essential oils. Find out why in this Exploration.
Geranium Exploration
Geranium is truly one of Sylla’s “all-time favorite plants.” It’s always been a staple in her home garden and in her essential oil repertoire. Find out why she’s loved it for oh-so-long.
Blue Tansy Exploration
Blue Tansy is one of our favorite anti-inflammatory oils, but it is sometimes confused with other, less safe oils. Find out what makes true Blue Tansy, learn about it’s chemistry, therapeutics, and so much more.
Sandalwood Exploration
Sandalwood is an aromatic that’s been used historically as well as in the rebirth of aromatherapy in the 20th century. Find out about its many uses, its sustainability and conservation status, and the difference between the several types.
Spruce Exploration
There are several different types of “Spruce” on the market, and some are from completely different plants. Find out the differences and how to use them with our Essential Oil Deep Dive.
Neroli Exploration
Explore the sweet bouquet of Neroli. Learn about its chemistry, plant origin, and how to use it therapeutically.