Just in time for summer, we created an exclusive, luscious sweet synergy: Honeybell. This synergy blends some common and less common essential oils into an exquisite feast for the senses and a truly unique experience.
Honeybell brings you a fresh and fruity aroma, and a juicy, sparkling citrus bouquet with a bit of woody and herbaceous tones rounding it out. This synergy comes out of the bottle with a delicious burst of berry.
Honeybell’s Background:
Honeybell contains some favorite familiar oils such as Orange Sweet and Grapefruit Pink and Lime Steam Distilled. But we also wanted to add a little something extra special to make this synergy really pop, so we added Buchu, Cognac and Galbanum essential oils to finish this blend. Each helps to create an amazing symphony of scent.
With that in mind, here is little background on these three less common oils:
Buchu (Buchu Betulina)
Buchu is distilled from the dried leaves of a small shrub native to South Africa.
These leaves have traditionally been used to support a healthy urinary system and to ward off pests. Steffen Arctander, an expert and author of natural perfumery, wrote that Buchu is “primarily extracted into tinctures, oleoresins and other extracts for the pharmaceutical industry.”
Because only small amounts of Buchu are distilled into essential oil overall, it isn’t easily available for everyday use. Arctander notes Buchu essential oil is “prized in small amounts in the fragrance and flavoring industries for its strong, pleasing scent of blackcurrant,” which he further describes as an aroma of “penetrating, tart berry.”
Buchu essential oil also has an important place in working with the spirit, and can be used to support a sense of stability, especially in situations that are uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
Cognac (White Vitis Vinifera)
Cognac (one of the finest brandies), is created to very strict specifications, and named for the Cognac region of France. The white grapes used in Cognac are first fermented into wine, and then distilled twice before being placed in a wooden barrel to age much like whiskey.
Cognac Essential Oil is distilled from the fermented grape tissue remaining in the barrel once Cognac has aged . This makes for a scent highly prized by high-end producers in the perfume and flavor industries.
Arctander describes Cognac Essential Oil as an “intensely strong, almost harsh-fruity, oily-fatty, yet green-herbaceous odour of outstanding tenacity and great diffusive power….rectified, it is used in flavors and perfumes to give “lift” and fresh-fruity natural notes in liquors, fragrances.” Because Cognac has such a powerful and penetrating aroma, it’s only used in small amounts.
Galbanum (Ferula Galbaniflua)
Galbanum essential oil is distilled from a gum resin extracted from the stem of a large herb native to the Middle East and Western Asia.
The resin itself has been prized since ancient times for its therapeutic and spiritual benefits for wound care, skin issues and respiratory support.
According to Valerie Worwood the Galbanum resin was “one of the ingredients in the anointing oil instructions given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.” Galbanum resin was also used by Hippocrates for its healing properties, and prized by physicians in the Middle East.
Galbanum distilled into an essential oil is still prized today for perfume making. Arctander notes its odor is “intensely rich green, woody balsamic with a dry undertone.” Only small amounts are required to bring the green note that Galbanum gives to a scent, because of the strength of the aroma.
In aromatherapy, Galbanum essential oil is great for body (and mind) when used for skin care, respiratory ease, and to soothe the nervous system, especially with worry and nervous tension. For the spirit, Joni Keim recommends using Galbanum to support a sense of stability and personal strength.
Honeybell’s Benefits:
So, now that we’ve discussed what makes Honeybell so great, let’s talk about its benefits beyond the scent!
Honeybell is exceptionally soothing and relaxing and can help lift your mood or promote a positive outlook. Because it’s very calming to the senses, you can reach for Honeybell to help reduce worry and nervous tension.
When diffused, Honeybell helps boost your outlook with a sparkling scent, brightening your day.
Blending Honeybell:
Honeybell shines as a natural fragrance to uplift the spirits and soothe the senses. In addition to adding to your diffuser, or carrying with you in a personal aromatherapy inhaler, you can also add Honeybell to personal care products for luscious self care. Just add Honeybell at 1% dilution into your favorite carrier.
KidSafe®: No
Cautions: Not safe for pregnancy and nursing.
Here are some suggestions for using Honeybell to get you started:
Honeybell Body Wash
- 18 drops Honeybell Synergy (or 9 drops per 1 oz carrier for 1% dilution)
- 2 oz unscented, natural body wash
Add to a PET plastic squeeze bottle and shake hard to mix
Honeybell Lotion
- 18 drops Honeybell Synergy (or 9 drops per 1 oz carrier for 1% dilution)
- 2 oz Olive Lotion – Unscented Base
Add to a PET plastic squeeze bottle and shake hard to mix.
Honeybell Solid Perfume
(from the enclosed Product Details Sheet)
- 2 T Beeswax pearls
- 2 T Organic Jojoba Carrier Oil (or carrier oil of your choice)
- 20-25 drops Honeybell Synergy
Melt beeswax over a double boiler. Stir in carrier oil. Remove from heat. Stir in 20-25 drops of Honeybell Synergy. Pour into small tins or jars and cap tightly to cool.
Sources:
Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: the Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health & Well-Being. Fall River Press, 2014.
Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin. Pathfinder. 1960.
Keim, Joni, and Ruah Bull. Aromatherapy & Subtle Energy Techniques: Compassionate Healing with Essential Oils. CreateSpace, 2015.
“Cognac (Drink).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 May 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognac_(drink).
Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin. Pathfinder. 1960.
Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: the Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health & Well-Being. Fall River Press, 2014.
Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: over 800 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health, Beauty, and Safe Home and Work Environments. New World Library, 2016.
Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin. Pathfinder. 1960.
Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: the Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health & Well-Being. Fall River Press, 2014.
Keim, Joni, and Ruah Bull. Aromatherapy & Subtle Energy Techniques: Compassionate Healing with Essential Oils. CreateSpace, 2015.
