Once I learned the lingo (EO stands for pure essential oils, FO is for synthetic fragrance oils), I began my quest for scent blends and my own "line".  I signed on for an aromatherapy class, hoping to get a basic knowledge of the beneficial properties of plant essences. The teacher had lots of handouts on scent blends for achieving moods and healing, and passed around a few different scents made up into balms, then a set of chakra oils. She had mixed a scent blend in a spray bottle and spritzed us all with it, asking how the blend made us feel. The essential oils she dropped into water in her spray bottle provoked well being, relaxing us all to the point where we fairly oozed out the door.  I felt sorry for the next class, hoping they weren't scheduled to have a test.  We certainly learned the power that these oils provide.  

One of my class members works at the Wellness Store, in Carlsbad, NM, a pharmacy run by two pharmacists who not only take wonderful care of their patients, they also provide aromatherpy and herbal healing advice. The line of essential oils they carry is called Tisserand, out of Petaluma, California.  Not only do they have all the oils, they also have CP soaps, candles, balms, bathing products, salves, hair supplies and massage oils. The pharmacists have a Tisserand book of "recipe"  blends that help to relieve all kinds of ailments, as well as provide general health, well being, and cosmetic benefits. The oils are top quality, and very expensive. I learned quickly that 
these would be the oils I would use in skin care products that stay on the skin such as lotions, massage oils, and balms. Couldn't use them for soaping or I'd never turn a dime! I did have to break down and put some in my lavender soap one time, and to this day I can smell that batch apart from the others... it's a little medicinal in its scent. I learned by ordering from different companies which EOs work well and stay with the soap.  

I learned to be very careful using EOs, doing things like keeping the lid on the bottle. Once I'd uncapped the bottle, waiting for trace, and watched in horror as 2 ounces of lemon EO spilled out. I scooped up as much of it up as I could and threw it in the bowl, ignoring how the EO had picked up some newspaper ink as it ran off the counter.  I also learned to use METAL measuring spoons after melting a plastic spoon, and also to never use a Nyquil cup to measure out the EOs, as I watched the EO eat right through the bottom of the cup.  Now I have droppers for the oils, as I don't want to see the oils run down the side of the bottle after pouring it into spoons. I also learned that using an infusion (placing herbs in a bottle of 
olive oil that I let sit for a week or two) of the same herbs for which I have an essential oil helps the scent to go a little further in the soap. This way I have the healing properties of not only the essential oil of the plant, but the flowers, leaves or roots, too.  

The following is a list of the essential oils that I've used and had success with in my CP, and have given the appropriate bubble rating. Please remember that I am a newbie and am still making my way through a list of suppliers. Some of the bigger suppliers require a hefty minimum for me, so as I sell my products I'll have more money to start with the big companies such as Lebermuths and  Herbal Accents. 

Next month I'll take you on my journey for fixed oils! In the meantime happy spring, and happy soaping!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tisserand 
 
Frontier 
 
Aura Cacia  
 
Amrita 
 
Glorybee 
 
Majestic Mountain Sage 

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