Osmanthus – Heaven on Earth

Posted on May 18, 2016 by suzannerbanks

I walked past the osmanthus bush in the back lane today. It’s in bloom, in a warm Sydney autumn. I don’t know how I can endeavour to explain to you how beautifully mesmerising the scent of this plant is – but I’ll try.

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Osmanthus fragrans

Here it is! Osmanthus fragrans, part of the Oleacae family. What else belongs in this family? Oleander, olives and jasmine.

As a small white flower (depending on the species the flowers can also be orange), just like jasmine, it’s hard to believe the intoxicating scent is so powerful. But it is.

Imagine jasmine, gardenia, frangipani all rolled into one, then add apricots, the secrets of the universe and unicorns, and you may come slightly closer toward this deep exotic floral perfume.

The leaf

“Osmanthus fragrans flowers are also known as gui hua. These tiny dried yellow blossoms are among China’s most heady and intoxicating flower blossom fragrances. China’s great flower-scented teas were developed during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Osmanthus, jasmine, rose, orchid, lotus, gardenia and wintersweet were all used to delicately scent batches of tea.”

Jann Erik Nilsson

Flower in broad daylight

“Osmanthus fragrans is associated with a number of Lunar legends in China, which makes it symbolic at the time of the Chinese Moon Festival which is held in September under the symbol of Osmanthus Flower and is also called Osmanthus Festival.

In the warmer parts of China, the plant continues to bloom non-stop throughout the winter to spring. During the nights of the peak season for the flower, Chinese families used to gather in their yards to eat moon cakes, while the grandmother of the family told traditional stories about the Moon, the sweet Osmanthus and the figures of Chinese legends.

According to those legends, there live on the Moon the Fairy Chang E and a Jade Rabbit which is Chang E’s pet, a Giant named Wu Gang and a huge Osmanthus Tree (Osmonth).”

Jann Erik Nilsson

The bush in the back lane

Osmanthus is a native of Asia, particularly China and Japan, and is even the mascot tree for some cities in both these countries. Having said that, this pic above was taken in the back lane today. The end of Autumn and 27 degrees. Hello global warming!

I have walked this lane for the past 10 years, never knowing what the beautiful scent was. I am embarrassed to tell you abut a year ago, I had to ask a natural perfumery group the question – “what is this plant?” As soon as I found out, I realised I had detected the scent many times before in various locations. I had always thought it was coming from this palm ……

The palm

Osmanthus is sold as an absolute and it’s often expensive. I’ve seen it advertised from as much as $32 for 1ml, $121 for 1gm, and as little as $22 for 10 mls. This is definitely an oil I’d encourage you to try.

So there you have it – from scented Ming Dynasty teas to lunar legends, this flower is beloved of the world. If I’ve helped one person discover this wonderful tree and perfume, it’s a job well done I reckon.

Thanks again lovely readers. Do you have a favourite scented plant?

Flowers in Purple

Posted on May 11, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hi natural beauties! This week I am republishing a post that Portia Turbo from Australian Perfume Junkies curated for me. Because I’m busy. That’s my excuse. And the pics are all by me, and they are gorgeous! Thanks nature x

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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Hi APJ,

I’m looking though my photos and everything seemed to be purple. Peaceful, perfect, poignant purple.

Purple: Photo Essay

Flickr

“I might just stop talking again and not do interviews.”

Prince

Vale Prince

Ode to Juniper

Posted on May 4, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello natural beauties, I’ve missed you. Today I salute juniper; the bush, the berry, and the essential oil. I have been known to walk into a bar and ask for a juniper and tonic, (accidentally). I find myself going through periods of time when I just can’t get enough of this amazing oil. Let us give some love to juniper …

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Dried juniper berries at a spice shop in Sydney

“The fire. The odor of burning juniper is the sweetest fragrance on the face of the earth, in my honest judgment;

I doubt if all the smoking censers of Dante’s paradise could equal it. One breath of juniper smoke, like the perfume of sagebrush after rain, evokes in magical catalysis, like certain music, the space and light and clarity and piercing strangeness of the American West.

Long may it burn.”

“Desert Solitaire “, Edward Abbey

“Summertime, oh, summertime, pattern of life indelible, the fade-proof lake, the woods unshatterable, the pasture with the sweetfern and the juniper forever and ever . . .

E.B. White

Juniper in the fog, somewhere

“He was at ease in his skin, at ease in his shoes, which were cut out of the same doeskin as his gloves; his foot in its elastic prison could stretch, could bend, could feel itself alive. His beaver hat was pulled down over his eyes & kept out the landscape; he was smoking dried juniper, after the Algerian fashion, in a little clay pipe & letting his thoughts wander at their will …”

“Lacfadio’s Adventures“, André Gide

Dried juniper berries in bottles – lovely

“Probably one of the earliest incenses used by Mediterranean Witches. Its berries were used with thyme in Druid and grove incenses for visions.”

Paul Kendall

“Juniper

spontaneous lightness

I’ve always used juniper to release negative energy, watery emotions. When you can let go of emotions and energy that do not serve your highest good, it is easier to find a more positive vibe. Juniper is an oil that tends to trigger the action of spontaneous lightness”

“Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils”, Suzanne R Banks

sparkly, fresh juniper

“If you want an oil as a champion of “protection” juniper will not let you down. Juniper has the scent of sophistication.”

“Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils”, Suzanne R Banks

Roses Are Always the Queens

Video

Hello lovers of beauty and scent! I have recently experienced some beautiful roses – the old fashioned kind you might find in a suburban garden. The shape and colours are as diverse as the magnificent fragrance emanating from the petals. Here are a few of my finds …

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Last week I was in Goulburn, a country town about 2 hours south-west of Sydney. It has beautiful architecture and a gorgeous park right in the centre. There is a lovely rose garden in the park, and I set about smelling all the roses that were blooming. It was a warm autumn day and these apricot roses were divinely fragrant ….

A different rose, in the same park, about 2 years ago

A beautiful bunch of small roses at my friends house a couple of weeks ago were so beautifully perfumed- often the little roses don’t have a scent.

Little roses, big scent

When we acknowledge the beauty of a rose, we acknowledge the beauty within us.

The rose is the Queen.

Embrace roses and rose essential oil to enhance your experiences.

You are the Queen of your life – play this audio to remind yourself!

A bunch of mixed roses in a cafe. The large pink rose had a mild scent but the little white ones didn’t

And finally, the rose leaves us another gift when she returns to back to where she came from – the rosehip. This fruit grows after the flower has died, and gives us wonderful rosehip oil – the perfect skin moisturiser.

Rosehip in a back lane in Sydney

Thank you roses.

Myrrh Doesn’t Really Want to be an Essential Oil

Video

Hi aromatic geniuses! I was making a perfume today and a few drops of myrrh is in the recipe. I realised last week I’d run out, and had to rush to the shop to buy a little bottle, late Friday afternoon. Anyway, patience is a virtue when it comes to myrrh.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Here’s the thing….. myrrh is a resin that’s tapped from the tree. It is then steam distilled into an essential oil for us to use in our healing lotions and potions.

But the older the little bottle of myrrh gets, the thicker and more gooey the oil gets.

myrrh resin – pic via Pinterest

Initially the deep red oil, distilled from the deep red resin, is thin and easy to use.

Then, in all its power, it starts to harden up. Commiphora myrrha (or Commiphora molmol), really just wants to be a resin. So when I was making my perfume I had to take the plastic dropper out of the bottle, soak it in boiling water to clear the resin from it, and use an eye dropper to get a couple of drops. (This is after waiting for about 5 minutes for one drop to comes out of the bottle – ugh!).

Check out my video on myrrh, and how I feel about The Man with Two Brains:

the resin of myrrh

It is related to frankincense, as they belong to the same family, Burseraceae, but they really behave differently, Frankincense is quite happy being an oil thank you very much.

Myrrh is the healer of wounds. This makes sense when we look at its strength and its overwhelming desire to get back to its natural state. By healing a wound (whether emotional, spiritual or physical), we are returning to our natural state of health.

Do you use myrrh oil? Or do you prefer to burn the resin as an incense?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

An Aromatic Sign from the Universe

Posted on April 13, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello dear friends. Today I saw a sign. An Aromatic sign. What was it’s meaning? Was I the only person that saw it? Read on to find out more …

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Rosemary on the hospital lobby floor

I was leaving a busy Sydney hospital this morning, and as I was walking and looking down I saw this sprig of rosemary.

Initially I thought “take a pic”, but kept walking.

A second later I said to myself “you’re an Aromatherapist its your duty to show respect”.

I walked back and took this photo.

I thanked the rosemary.

I watched as people walked around it for a few minutes.

I wondered if they were also showing respect to this powerful plant.

I saw a sign. I wonder if anyone else did?

Flowering rosemary in dappled sunlight at Hyams beach

Rosemary = remember.

Remember? Huh? Remember what?

“Remember” is a term often used by spiritual people, spiritual movements and those on the path of evolution to signify that we have been here before. It may be in a parallel universe, and/or a multidimensional existence in all directions of space-time. It can be seen as a tool to stimulate DNA evolution and therefore the evolution of mankind into the next age on earth.

Rosemary is also used in aromatherapy to stimulate memory and brain function, to warm the muscles and stimulate blood flow to all parts of the body.

So whatever you believe, rosemary is sent to help us remember something and get moving.

Flowering rosemary in my client’s garden

I need to remember how fortunate I am, with every breath.

What do you need to remember today?

A (Botanical) Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Posted on April 6, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello aromatic enthusiasts! I hope you’re doing well after the equinox, settling in to a new season. I am lamenting the loss of summer, but it’s still quite warm here so I have been lucky enough to still see the frangipani blooming, the rosemary flowering, and smell the sweet pungent murraya. Here are a few pics from my past week ……

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Frangipani in the neighbourhood

A lavender loving bee at my friend’s house

Hyams Beach south of Sydney still holds the Guinness Book of Records whitest sand in the world!

Flowering rosemary in dappled sunlight at Hyams beach

Huskisson, NSW

Murraya in the rain in Sydney

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could smell these beautiful, natural scents! I’m sure in the future we will be able to insert the fragrant data into our communications, and that will be very cool when it happens.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

Andre Orchison – Everyday Aroma Hero

Posted on March 23, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Meet Andre, an Everyday Aroma Hero. He’s from Pretoria, South Africa and loves using essential oils! By day he is an RMA Clerk, however this has varied over the years. He has been a sound engineer, an antique clock parts salesman and a bus driver. On the side, and with the goal of going full-time, he is the founder of TGM Products, aka The Garage Man. Focused on quality, hand-made natural men’s grooming products.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Andre rocking the motorbike in South Africa

Andre lives with his wife and young son outside Pretoria South Africa on some farmland.
He loves living here and says “it’s a bit of the country side right next to the big old city.”

Andre loves using essential oils in shaving products, especially in an aftershave, even if he haven’t shaved. He likes blending them into other products too, like shaving soap.
He is going wild experimenting with essential oils but isn’t quite ready to share any blends yet ………

Andre’s market stall

Success!

Andre was selling aftershaves at his market stall, and a “bloke” came up and asked if his product would really help his razor burn, and almost raw skin after shaving. Andre explained to him what the blend of oils would do and he bought some. Success! The gentleman is no longer complaining of the irritated, red, painful skin he used to have after shaving.

The night market in Equestria, Pretoria

Failure?

Andre made an aftershave blend that was just a tad on the overly strong spicy side….

The beautiful Vall River where ANdre and his family have camped with fabulous memories

The beautiful Vaal River where Andre and his family have camped creating fabulous memories

“If I could tell someone how wonderful essential oils are: They are like food for your skin and body. As you use commercial and synthetic products your skin responds to them but it is not natural. Your body does not recognise the ingredients, It is just like “Oh, okay thanks”. Once you use an essential oil your skin and body are like: “Hello! I like is stuff. I know how to use this. This is good stuff, I need this. I am using all of this. Gimme me more!”
And before you know it, it expels the synthetic stuff and craves the natural stuff and you just end up feeling so great.”

Thanks Andre I couldn’t have said it better myself!

You can find Andre here:

Blog: garagemen
Facebook: TGMProducts

Be an Everyday Aroma Hero – find out more here.

Ode to Lavender

Posted on March 16, 2016 by suzannerbanks

I can’t help myself when I see lavender – I MUST take a pic! I MUST behold it’s beauty and power! I MUST stand in its presence, if only for a few seconds. There is something wonderful, almost magical about this flower named by the Romans after the word ‘lavare“, meaning “to wash”. This beautiful herb has a long history with humans – cleansing, fortifying and healing us.

All hail lavender!

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

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and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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Caught on camera somewhere in Sydney

Forgiveness is the smell that lavender gives out when you tread on it

Mark Twain

it always seems to me as if the lavender was a little woman in a green dress, with a lavender bonnet and a white kerchief. She’s one of those strong, sweet, wholesome people, who always rest you, and her sweetness lingers long after she goes away.

Myrtle Reed

The Pobble who has no toes
Had once as many as we;
When they said, ‘Some day you may lose them all;’–
He replied, — ‘Fish fiddle de-dee!’
And his Aunt Jobiska made him drink,
Lavender water tinged with pink,
For she said, ‘The World in general knows
There’s nothing so good for a Pobble’s toes!’

Edward Lear

Lavender at my local market

The Legend of Four Thieves Vinegar

One version goes that in the 1630’s, when the plague was raging in France, the town of Toulouse was beset with looters. Four looters were apprehended, but rather than punish them, the judge offered them a deal. Amazed at their continued health after wandering though homes and businesses abandoned by their terrified (or dead) owners, the judge offered to let the thieves go if they gave him the secret of their resistance to the plague.

What was their famous secret? It was a vinegar made from thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender. This infusion was termed thieves vinegar. Although garlic was added to the mixture later, this basic infusion became famous and was used for hundreds of years across Europe, both internally and externally, to provide protection from the dreaded plague.

http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com.au

To make a perfume, take some rose water and wash your hands in it, then take a lavender flower and rub it with your palms, and you will achieve the desired effect

Leonardo da Vinci

lovely lavender

But you, you foolish girl, you have gone home to a leaky castle across the sea to lie awake in linen smelling of lavender, and hear the nightingale, and long for me.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

“London life was very full and exciting […] But in London there would be no greenhouse with a glossy tank, and no apple-room, and no potting-shed, earthy and warm, with bunches of poppy heads hanging from the ceiling, and sunflower seeds in a wooden box, and bulbs in thick paper bags, and hanks of tarred string, and lavender drying on a tea-tray.”

Sylvia Townsend Warner

Lavender’s blue, dilly, dilly, lavender’s green

When I am king, dilly, dilly, You shall be queen

Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?

‘Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so

Old English folk song and poem

Lavender in Sydney

Lavender is the little black dress of the wardrobe

Suzanne R Banks

Do you love lavender?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

10 Recipes for Your Essential Oil Diffuser

Posted on March 9, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hello authentic humans! I’ve just turned on my vapouriser and somehow I’m still surprised after 20 years that it makes such a glorious difference in the home, or office – any space really. Here’s a few recipes to embrace the new season and expand your consciousness too, with a few drops of essential oil ….

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble Booktopia AU Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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A diffuser or vapouriser is a motorized machine to disperse essential oils throughout your space. There are so many wonderful designs now that it can be fun to have a few to choose from – hey some vapourisers may you suit your mood better than others, and even the recipe you’ve decided to use too. Some are colourful and have LED light displays, some are wood or bamboo and add a more natural vibe.

Diffusing essential oils is a great way to relieve stress, calm children and pets, and beautify your home.

Bamboo and lamp diffuser from – http://aromatherapydirect.com.au/products/glass-bamboo-dome-diffuser

To Scent Your Space, my ratio has always been:

In a traditional oil burner with a candle or a diffuser add 25 drops of oil.

However many diffusers say to only use a few drops, so use your intuition and see how you go with your own diffuser, how long it lasts, and whether you want to use more or less next time. If you are using a traditional vapaouriser with candle (often referred to as a “burner”), then 25 drops is a good ratio as it takes a lot longer for the oils to disperse.

There’s A Light

having a bad day? – This too shall pass

Orange 8 drops

Rose Geranium 8 drops

Lavender 5 drops

Patchouli 4 drops

Pre-Party Party

Mandarin 8 drops

Lemongrass 7 drops

Rosemary 5 drops

Ylang Ylang 5 drops

Sexy black diffuser from http://puzhen.com

Date Night

Bergamot 12 drops

Cedarwood Atlas 8 drops

Jasmine 5 drops (don’t use 3% in jojoba as it will clog your machine. Only use pure essential oil as the jojoba could mess with the mechanics of the machine))

My House Smells Weird I Need Essential Oils

Lemon Myrtle 10 drops

Geranium 6 drops

Palmarosa 6 drops

Cedarwood Virginiana 3 drops

A natural solution from http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Ultrasonic-Bamboo-Diffuser/dp/B0157FZN8G

Super Nature Girl

Lemon 10 drops

Peru Balsam 8 drops

Cypress 4 drops

Australian Sandalwood 3 drops

Body Warmer

Black Pepper 8 drops

Lavandin 8 drops

Lime 6 drops

Clove 3 drops

A cute little diffuser ball from https://www.dusk.com.au/home-fragrance/product-type/ultrasonic-aroma-diffuser

Settle Down You Ratbag Kids

Petitgrain 8 drops

Marjoram 6 drops

Frankincense 5 drops

Cinnamon 5 drops

Vetiver 2 drops

The Sick Room

Peppermint 6 drops

Lavender 9 drops

Orange 10 drops

Aladdin’s Lamp style diffuser from http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Woodgrain-Ultrasonic-Humidifier-Aroma-Air-Mist-Aromatherapy-Diffuser-Purifier-AU-/291402216822?hash=item43d8ecf576:g:xWcAAOSwBahU~WXI

Brainiac

When you need to study or even wake up!

Rosemary 10 drops

Basil 5 drops

Tea Tree 5 drops

Siberian Fir 5 drops

Lovely

Indian Rosewood 8 drops

Roman Chamomile 6 drops (don’t use 3% in jojoba as it will clog your machine. Only use pure essential oil as the jojoba could mess with the mechanics of the machine)

Vanilla CO2 6 drops

Mandarin 5 drops

The diffusers shown above are just some examples of all the different types of machines available on the market today. There are some Australian links, but it will be easy to find great vapourisers nearer to where you are, just by looking on the Internet with your search engine.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Tag Archives: beauty

Osmanthus – Heaven on Earth

Flowers in Purple

Purple: Photo Essay

Ode to Juniper

Roses Are Always the Queens

Video

Myrrh Doesn’t Really Want to be an Essential Oil

Video

An Aromatic Sign from the Universe

A (Botanical) Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Andre Orchison – Everyday Aroma Hero

Ode to Lavender

10 Recipes for Your Essential Oil Diffuser

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Purple: Photo Essay

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