Prima Fleur Essential Oil: VERVEINE

Verveine Essential Oil [Prima Fleur No. 296] is from Morocco, steam-distilled from the leaf. This is a richly complex, delicately herbal and lemony scented oil. Even a small amount adds great depth, tenacity, and sophistication to a blend. It is used for healing skin care. Our Moroccan Verveine oil is distilled by a family-owned distillery near Meknes. Considering the yield is very low - about 0.3 to 0.5%, the price is remarkable, especially for what it adds to a blend.

 

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

 

 

Prima Fleur Essential Oil: LEMON MYRTLE

Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil [Prima Fleur No. 370] contains high amounts of citral, up to 95%, and used to treat sinus infections and respiratory problems, and externally for athlete’s foot, acne, itching, and applied to an aching tooth. Use it in healthful blends and soaps for the lovely lemon odor. It is a slightly yellow oil, clear, non-viscous and watery, semi-intense odor (5-6 on a scale of 1-10 ), citrus odor predominating, some herbaceous and mildly woody back notes. Strong aromatic citrus peel taste.

 

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

 

Global View: "Takulandirani" (Welcome) to Malawi, Africa

Malawi is famous for its slogan “the warm heart of Africa” because of its warm, friendly people and abundant natural resources. Located in southern Africa, bordering Tanzania in the north, Mozambique in the east and south, and Zambia in the west, it ranks among the world’s most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 85% of the population (over 13 million) living in rural areas.

We currently purchase a beautiful rose geranium oil from a community grower in Malawi. Our Rose Geranium Essential Oil [No. 157] is certified under the USDA’s National Organic Program as well as EU certified through BCS OKO-Garantie GMBH Germany. This oil is a gorgeous emerald green with heavy notes of rosy floral and herbal-infused honey.
 

Planting rose geranium crops in the fields of Malawi.

An abundant crop and the native workers who harvest it.

There are more than 700 varieties of cultivated geranium; however, most are grown for ornamental purposes only. The oil producing species are P. graveolens, P. radens and P. capitatum. Pelargoniums are native to South Africa, and the Sotho used a paste made from the leaves to treat wounds and abscesses. The well-known geranium oil "Bourbon" is produced from the cultivars Rose, which is a hybrid of P. radens and P. capitatum.

Distillation process ... and the final beautiful essential oil.

Between 300 and 500kg of plant material is required to obtain about 1kg of essential oil. Most of the essential oil glands are found in the leaves. After cutting, the plants are partially dried leaving less water to be vaporized and extracted from the plant material during the distillation, thereby increasing the yield of oil. Geranium oil has been described as a natural perfume complete unto itself. It is often used to scent soaps and detergents because, unlike many other essential oils, rose geranium's aroma profile is not readily affected by the alkaline nature of soap products. Rose geranium varies much across strains and distillations, in part because the plant is greatly influenced by the climate and soil in which it grows.

A borehole for running water ... food distribution.

We have recently received reports from the Rotary Club of Limbe and Gift of the Givers, two African-based organizations that have been developing community projects to improve the living standards of this profoundly poor area. Projects include improving agricultural production, water quality and sanitation, healthcare, education, access roads, as well as food and vitamin distribution, donations of solar lighting (many villages in the air have no electricity at all), and developing income-generating activities. We are proud to be part of the solution in this area as we contribute to this effort by supporting the growers who produce such a remarkable essential oil.

 

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

GET GLOWING! by Ann Mincey

When was the last time you felt your inner ‘glow?’

After a great workout, dining on colorful and nutritious foods, awakening from a great night’s sleep?

Finishing a term paper, correctly answering several Jeopardy questions, debating a topic about which you feel passionate?

Rocking your baby to sleep, sending a gratitude note, sharing an intimate moment with your beloved?

Paying your monthly obligations by click or mail, balancing your checkbook, booking the long-desired dream vacation?

Ann Mincey glowing in Laguna Beach, California

Sitting in stillness and meditation, singing with others in Sunday morning worship, reading or listening to an inspirational speaker and feeling the resonance of his message?

These and a million other experiences are examples that affirm the truth that your inner glow - that sense of content, satisfaction, love -  is always ready to flood your being and spill out into your world.

When I first knew that this kind of ‘glowing’ was possible was in 1978 when I saw the first photo of the planet Jupiter printed on the cover of a news magazine. It looked surprisingly similar to the skin photomicrographs I had seen in the laboratories of Redken, where I was employed.

I began to read of the atmospheric elements of Jupiter and realized that we are, as Carl Sagan once said, “made of star stuff.” And when I attended my first yoga class I stood in the balanced “star” pose.

To my amazement, I realized that we look like the stars, are made of the same elements of the stars, and when we stand with arms and legs extended, we form a five-pointed star. Every atom of the universe moves out of the way so we can be in our space.

That truth alone sets us ‘glowing!’

When all these elements come together for you, you’ll suddenly realize, as I did, that each of us is a star  with a unique place to ‘glow.’  We no longer need to live in the lie of comparisons.

All we need do is pause to appreciate the multitude of glow opportunities in each of the five major areas of our lives ~ physical, mental, emotional, financial, spiritual ~ as we experience them each day. When we do that, the ‘glow’ that radiates from within us will easily spill over to those we encounter throughout our day. And they will be ignited and inspired to get their own glow on.

Start now! GET GLOWING!

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Ann Mincey is the author of the book “Get Glowing – You Are a Star Right Where You Are," available through Amazon. Ann has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions in business, philanthropy and leadership, has been a contributing writer to several beauty industry magazines, and has been quoted in Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, American Salon and other publications. After 32 years as Redken's global brand ambassador, Ann is now Director of Beauty and Spirit for Shape Your Life and Destination Rejuvenation resort/retreat programs.