Its a subject related to Pheromones. Many plants have effects on our moods thus effecting our actions. Scent is a strong memory and mood enhancer.

I grew up around herbalists who practiced homeopathy and was taught a lot about the medicinal practices with flowers herbs plants and roots. I have many recipes that were left to me by my grandmother but most of them center around the healing properties so they dont smell great. Not mixes you would make to create a pleasant scent or perfume but mixes with a purpose.

Aromatherapy became more of a interest as I got older and as I learned about it I realized my grandmother and great aunts did use it they just didn't have a name for it LOL

Now I buy most of my EO's but once in a while when the urge strikes I make them. The ones you buy are much more potent though but just like with mones more is not always better.

Anywhoo I figured it would be fun for the ladies and gents who are into any of these subjects to share recipes, methods old ways, new ways and any info they want to talk about in these two subjects.

Anyone make there own EO's I dont have a still but my grandmother did. She made her EO's with it and my grandfather made whiskey LOL

As she got older she used other methods. These are the ones I learned.

I use clear mason jars just because we have them all over the place LOL Fill it half way with oil, Safflower usually because some other leave to much of a scent of there own.

I pick the flowers right before they open fully. Mamam told me to do it in the morning right as the sun rises. I cut the heads off and fill the rest of the mason jar making sure the oil covers the top. Leave it in the window sill in the sun for a week.

Then drain the mixture through some muslin or jelly paper. Saving the oil in a new mason jar and fill it again with new flowers and repeat the process until the scent seems strong enough for me. Usually takes a month.

Again the scent wont be as strong as a store bought EO but strong enough to use in making a perfume or aromatherapy.

Infused method

Put flowers in a glass bowl in safflower oil place on top of a pan of water on the stove making sort of a double boiler. If you have one of those you can use it to. Heat on low to med for a 2 to 3 hours. Now you can use a wine press which I have but they are expensive. Put a cheese cloth in the wine press and pour the mixture in then use the wine press to extract the oils. My grandmother hand pressed which is messy.

Whooo a lot of work huh LOL Makes you appreciate being able to just pop online and buy them. I remember her having a slew of oils she made in little glass bottles. Just the thought of the time spent on making EO's not to mention soap, candles, tinctures poultice's and all the hundreds of other things they hand made back then amazes me. How the heck did they find the time ? Its fun and I love making things by hand but I dont think I would have survived in the olden days.

Well thank the goddess its easier now.

some of my favorite recipes for aromatherapy.......

For meditation

Lavender, Frankincense, Sandalwood, and Cedarwood

5 drops each in a oil burner. Just a warning my kids complain it smells like a funeral LOL

Romance.......

Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Jasmine, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Vetiver and Ylang Ylang.

3 drops each in the oil burner to set the mood. My husband thinks its funny when I burn this one because he knows what he is in for and cant stop grinning.

I like to make lotions. I buy some pure unscented shea butter from soapcrafters and add rose, jasmine, neroli and sandalwood for a nice stimulating sensual lotion.

Ok peeps add your recipes and such.................. I will add some more later.

Tisha