Herb Information

This select herb information highlights our all-time favorites based on tried and true experience.

This page is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the herbs and essential oils on the market; rather it is our attempt to share the 'best of the best' herb information with you, as well as to share great tips for using herbs for aromatherapy and medicinal purposes. We want you to benefit from our time and experiences with many different herbs and essential oils by sharing this condensed herb information with you.

Balsam of Peru - This oil is harvested from a tree indigenous to the Peruvian Andes, and possesses numerous healing properties. On the skin, it combats eczema, chapping, and infections. Balsam of Peru is a featured ingredient in our Baby Soap. (A favorite among grown-ups too!) You'll love the earthy, exotic, lingering fragrance from this woodsy-vanilla scent. Our Balsam of Peru essential oil is a steam distilled product of El Salvador.

Bergamot - A second cousin of 'Bee Balm', this herb grows wild in the United States. It's oil produces a fresh, orange/lemon/citrusy, slightly floral aroma, and is featured in our Friendship Soap. As a homeopathic, Bergamot is recommended for acne, abscesses, anxiety, boils, cold sores, cystitis, depression, halitosis, itching, loss of appetite, oily skin, psoriasis, and stress relief.

Calendula - Commonly known as Pot Marigold, Calendula is an excellent herb for the skin. It aids healing of inflamations, bruising, and burns. It is extremely gentle, even for children. It is a featured ingredient in our Sandalwood Calendula Soap . While some sources of herb information state that Calendula is the same as the commonly grown Marigold, this is incorrect. Calendula is a seperate and unique plant.

Chamomile - Soothing, Anti-inflamitory, promotes sleep. Chamomile tea is wonderful with a bit of honey for sleeplesness or a tummy ache. Both the dried herb and the essential oil can be added to create a relaxing bath. This herb is gentle enough for children and even calms restless little boys! Experience the benefits of Chamomile in our Serenity Soap or Chamomile Lavender Complexion Soap for dry skin.

Clary Sage - Stress-Relieving, Reputed to regenerate skin cells. Less commonly used than other essential oils, reliable herb information regarding Clary Sage can also be more difficult to obtain. The essential oil is extremely relaxing. It is great in a diffuser or added to a warm bath. The heady, earthy aroma is a wonderful aid to winding down at the end of a long day or as a sleep enhancer. Clary Sage is featured in our Lavender-Clary Sage Soap and Bath Salts .

Comfrey Root - Great for bruises, bites, any swollen skin that is not an open wound. This herb can be used as a poultice, infusion, or tincture. Great to take the swelling out of spider bites! Comfrey Root is usually purchased in the dried bark form. While it may be a challenge to locate this herb, many sources of herb information agree with us regarding the effectiveness of this herb in the reduction of swelling, and it is well worth the search.

Eucalyptus - Antiseptic, Stimulant. Eucalyptus essential oil makes a great steam inhalation to clear a stuffy head. In soap, Eucalyptus provides extra cleansing power and stimulates the skin. It's branches make a fresh aromatic addition inside the home and in floral arrangements.

Geranium - Cell Regenerative, Antiseptic, Refreshing. We use this in our wake-up bar, blended with Litsea Cubeba. Geranium essential oil is also great in a diffuser; it gives off an uplifting aroma. For a whole-house scent, add a few drops to your air conditioner filter. You will be amazed at the uplifting aroma that wafts throughout your home with each filter change. For further reading, we recommend this Geranium herb information , including a great mssage oil recipe .

Lavender - One of the most popular and well-known essential oils, herb information on this versitile plant abounds. Lavender is extremely gentle; the essential oil can be used directly on the skin (most essential oils cannot). The essence is relaxing and is reputed to be an anti-depressant. We enjoy diffusing it in our home, as well as adding a few drops to a warm bath. A patch of Lavender grows year round by our front walk and it's fragrance is enjoyed by all. Lavender is featured in many of our products, including Lavender Silk Soap.
Here's a Lavender Plant growing in my herb garden.

Patchouli - Earthy, Relaxing, Calming, Heals skin infections. Patchouli essential oil is great in a diffuser, and also makes a great herbal soap - especially popular with men. Check out our Patchoulli Oatmeal soap . We've found that customers either love or hate it - there is seldom middle ground. Widely used in the 60's, many find it a plesant reminder of days gone by.

Peppermint - Antiseptic, Decongestant, Refreshing. Peppermint essential oil is a favorite around the holidays. If you like peppermint, try our Peppermint Candy soap . We also have Peppermint Bath Salt available in three sizes.

Rosemary - Great for muscle pain, Refreshing, Stimulating. The essential oil is great in the bath for those mornings when you need a little help waking up. Rosemary and sea salt also make a great foot scrub. Our products include both Rosemary Soap and Rosemary-Lavender Soap. In addition to Aromatherapy and medicinal uses, Rosemary is great in the kitchen - try fresh Rosemary sprigs with Chicken or Potato dishes for a great treat! Search for cooking herb information to find great recipes featuring this versitle herb. If you are interested in additional herb information, check out this Rosemary Article and wonderful Rosemary Pasta recipe.

Sandalwood - Soothing, Healing, Antiseptic, Anti-Depressant. This essential oil is an all time favorite - especially for men. For a great Sandalwood soap, try our Sandalwood Calendula Soap. We also offer Sandalwood Bath Salt available in three sizes.

Slippery Elm - Also known as Red Elm, Moose Elm, and Indian Elm, this small tree is abundant across North America, but surprisingly missing from many common sources of herb information. The medicinal properties of this tree are found in the inner bark, which is ready for harvest when the tree is about 10 years old. Internally, Slippery Elm is a wonderful digestive aid, calming the stomach and encouraging restful sleep. On the skin, it is extremely gentle and healing. This herb is featured in our Baby Soap, and our Chamomile Lavender Complexion Soap for dry skin. Additional herb information, including amazing stories about and uses for Slippery Elm cam be found at Troubled Times.

Soapwort - an interesting herb that creates a lather when the leaves are rubbed together or infused into a strong tea. It is reputed to heal skin complaints, most notably eczema. It is relatively obscure, and not easily found in many sources of herb information.
If you are interested in additional herb information for Soapwort, try this recipe for Soapwort Shampoo.
Here's a Soapwort Plant growing in my herb garden.

Sweet Orange - This is one of our favorite essential oils for both diffusing and use in skin care products. It has a citrusy, sweet scent reminiscent of orange peels. It's aroma is uplifting and reputed to contribute to emotional balance and well-being. Sweet Orange is is featured in our Friendship Soap. Homeopathically, Sweet Orange is recommended for colds, constipation, dull skin, flu, gums, mouth, slow digestion, and stress. For additional herb informaion, including recipes using Sweet Orange Check out this Sweet Orange Herb Information.

Tangerine - Fresh and uplifting in the diffuser as well as in bath products, this is a wonderful oil. It is fresh, sweet, citrusy, similar to the aroma of tangerine peels, but more concentrated. Tangerine Essential Oil is is featured in our Friendship Soap. Like most essential oils, Tangerine Oil should not be applied directly to the skin.

Tea Tree - This essential oil is a strong skin antiseptic. We like to use Tea Tree essential oil blended with Jojoba for a skin repairing massage... be careful - a little goes a LONG way. For a great antiseptic soap including Tea Tree oil, try our Skin Rescue Soap. Additional Tea Tree herb information, including great massage oil recipes are available.