How To Make: Peace Of Mind Body & Bath Oil Blend

This is a lovely aromatherapy blend combining essential oils that promote relaxation, well being, peace of mind and comfort. The blend is in an organic sesame oil base which makes it a great choice for a body oil, massage oil or a bath oil.

This makes a very nice hand made gift. An 8 ounce bottle of this blend lasts many months as a bath and body oil and has a fairly long shelf life if kept in a cool dark cabinet when not in use. It could last a year or longer.

For Peace of Mind Blend, you will need:

- 8 ounces of Organic Sesame Oil

- a blue glass 8 or 16 ounce bottle/lid

- Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil

- Clary Sage Essential Oil

- Organic Cedarwood Essential Oil

- Sweet Basil Essential Oil

- Wintergreen Essential Oil

Blend 20 drops of Organic Grapefruit Essential oil into your Organic Sesame Oil base. Drop in the Grapefruit, put the cap on your bottle and gently shake. Next add your Clary Sage Essential oil. 12 drops. Add 12 drops of Organic Cedarwood aromatherapy oil, 8 drops of Sweet Basil and 4 drops of Wintergreen. Fasten the lid tightly and shake the blend gently. Let it sit for 30 minutes before applying to your skin or bath to allow time for the essential oils to bind.

Rub Peace Of Mind oil onto your chest and temples at bed time to slow down a racing or restless mind. Use for therapeutic massage, foot massage. Use 1/2 ounce to a full ounce in a warm bath to release mental and emotional stress. Enjoy...

DIY Holiday Gifts: Energizing Aromatherapy Salts

Aromatherapy salts make a great holiday gift or party favor. If you make your aromatherapy salt blends in big batches to portion out in a dozen or more containers, you can really stretch your gift list dollars!

Have fun blending your salts. It is not time consuming and there is lots of room for variation and creativity. Get the kids involved!

This recipe yields approximately 6-12 gifts depending on the size jar you choose. Substitute 6 ounce clear potpourri bags to yield more gifts from your batch.

This blend can be used for smelling salts and foot soaks. Not recommended for a body soak (too tingly) due to the quantity of peppermint oil.

Aromatherapy has many well being benefits, including stress relief, relaxation, increased energy, relief from headaches, PMS, insomnia and much much more.


You will need:

• 12 cups salt
• 32 drops Organic Peppermint essential oil
• 32 drops Organic Rosemary essential oil
• 16 drops Lemongrass essential oil
• mason jars and lids
• sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine clippings
• decorative ribbon or raffia

Dump your salt into a big mixing bowl. We recommend using Epsom salts, Sea salts or Himalayan salts for their healing and pain relief benefits. Choose a bowl that will not be reused for food. The essential oils will forever flavor any future foods blended or served in this bowl. A clean beach bucket or paint bucket will work for mixing also.

Drop your Organic Peppermint essential oil, Organic Rosemary and Lemongrass and blend thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Let the blend sit for 10-30 minutes and portion out into your mason jars or potpourri bags. Tie the containers with a bow and tie or tuck your decorative sprigs onto the container. Use a marker to write on the jar or a note card with instructions for use.

Instructions for use: Inhale this energizing blend as needed for a boost. Use 2-4 tablespoons in warm water for an energizing foot soak.

Do have the window open while you make your energizing salt blend. These essential oils will seriously pep you up. Rosemary and Peppermint are powerful natural stimulants, so use sparingly to avoid getting over stimulated. If you suffer from insomnia, do not make this blend at night. You may feel as though you drank coffee before bed.

Lavender Aromatherapy:11 Amazing Properties

Urban Sanctuary's lavender lime essential oil blend is a great stress and headache remedy

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  Lavender is the most loved and most utilized essential oil for aromatherapy around the globe. Lavender's wide spread use is due to its incredible versatility and because it's easier to use (can safely be used "neet") than most any other essential oil available on the market. Lavender has a very rich global history. Lavender essential oil is highly effective in treating stress as well as a broad range of physical ailments. It is an amazing beauty agent. And, most noteable of all, lavender carries potent natural medicine.

Lavender is:

1. a potent natural pain reliever
2. an agent of healing and relaxation
3. a head ache remedy
4. an effective way to ease P.M.S.
5. activating for the immune system
6. an allergy and sinus remedy
7. a mood stabilizer and nervous system tonic
8. an effective anti depressant
9. a skin cell regenerator that prevents scarring, wrinkles and stretchmarks
10. a first aid kit treatment for wounds, insect bites and burns
11. safe for pregnant women

Basil: Healing For The Mind and Body

Basil has a vast array of strengthening and medicinal properties and there are many ways to make good use of its potent healing and life giving compounds. The plant originated in the Middle East and Asia. Basil is now being cultivated across the globe and over 100 different varieties have been raised. Its very popular as a culinary herb and in aromatherapy products. Basil can be found in medicinal tinctures and compounds, aromatherapy blends, hair oil and shampoo,soap, massage oil and sports rubs.

Basil contains a powerful compound proven to stabilize blood sugar, improve respiration and increase circulation. That compound is called cinnamanic acid. Lemon scented basil, cinnamon basil, red Thai basil and camphor like varieties each have their own unique chemical make up. However, the basic medicinal properties remain constant from strand to strand.

When ingested, as a culinary herb or supplement, basil has the capacity to aid the body in fighting colds, flu and viral infections, much like echinacea.Basil is an incredible immune system booster. It also combats bowel inflammation and rheumatiod arthritus.

 Essential oil of basil and standardized extracts are the most potent form.Utilizing basil aromatherapy or extracts will give you  rapid access to the medicinal benifits as well as the emotional recharge that basil can provide. Here are some of the common benefits:

• relief from allergies
• muscle soreness
• joint pain
• head aches and migranes
• nausea ( even from chemotherapy)
• rattled nerves
• mental fatigue
• cold and flu symptoms
• indegestion

Basil is known for its uplifting properties. Basil aromatherapy can help with lack of confidence. It has been said to "taketh away sorrowfulness" and to be "good for the heart" (Gerard).

Aromatherapy That Boosts Energy: 8 Great Choices

Urban Sanctuary's uplifting aromatherapy blends include Lavender Lime and Obnoxiously Strong Peppermint.

Aromatherapy can put a little pep in your step when you're running low on energy. With tax season coming to a close and pollen season in full swing, many of us are feeling a bit fatigued. Energizing and refreshing aromatherapy blends can serve to stimulate your senses and jump start your brain naturally. No sugar crash. No caffeine burn out. And when used properly, aromatherapy has no negative side effects. Quick and easy. Isn't that nice...?

Many of the uplifting essential oils on the list below ease sinus headaches, allergies and fatigue. Choose from the oils on this list to get a lift for yourself.

• Rosemary
• Lime
• Tea Tree
• Basil
• Peppermint
• Geranium
• Pink Grapefruit
• Lavender

There are many convenient and effective ways to use aromatherapy. Urban Sanctuary has many blended aromatherapy products to chose from as well as single notes. Stop in for a consultation and test out a few scents. Go with the ones that make you feel the best.

Sandalwood Aromatherapy Benefits

Urban Sanctuary has Sandalwood soap and candles available for purchase and features a Sandalwood Scalp  massage.

Sandalwood is a very precocious essential oil with great medicinal and fortifying properties. It is one of the most expensive essential oils on the planet, to harvest, because the Sandalwood tree must be at least 30 years old before it produces any of the sweet oil. Sandalwood trees are considered sacred in several of the countries where they thrive and that limits the availability and increases the value in the world marketplace. The effects of the oil are incredible and well worth the effort, if you can find a small vial to purchase and use at home.

Sandalwood aromatherapy is great for scalp and foot massage, because it pacifies the nervous system and brings calm and focus to scattered, fragmented energy. Sandalwood oil is both calming and cooling for overactive skin. It is healing and balancing in cases of inflammation, insomnia, frayed nerves, lack of sex drive, a racing mind, lack of focus, anxiety, dry skin, dry scalp and itchy scalp. Here are some of the primary benefits in list form. Sandalwood oil is commonly used to promote:

• peace
• balanced nerves
• restful sleep
• meditation
• sex drive
• calm
• confidence
• healthy skin
• healthy scalp
• focus
• spiritual fortitude

Sandalwood has been used throughout the ages in meditation practice. It is known for heart healing and opening. It's also a powerful aphrodisiac.

Sandalwood can be found in many soaps, candles, bath and cosmetic blends. It has a sweet woodsy scent that is slightly masculine with out being overpowering. It is popular with both men and women.

Try a Sandalwood Scalp and Neck Massage at Urban Sanctuary. Or stop into our store and sample our Zum sandalwood soap and candles. Call 706-613-3947 to inquire or book yourself a massage and spa service. We are open seven days a week, in Athens, Georgia to provide the perfect place to unwind...

Nettle Remedy Oil: A Winter Wonder for Dry Itchy Skin and Achy Joints

Nettle Remedy Oil can be purchased at Urban Sanctuary. Shop our Farmesthetics products online.

Nettle (Urtica Dioica) has been employed for centuries in both the Eastern and Western worlds to treat allergies, skin irritations, internal health problems and arthritis. Nettle leaf is commonly prescribed in Germany to treat bladder infections, kidney stones, allergies and arthritis. It is very popular in Austria, England and China, as well. Nettle is a wonder cure for skin irritations and achy joints. Recent studies conducted at the National School of Naturopathic Medicine, in Portland Oregon, show that Nettle is extremely effective for treating allergies with little to no negative side effects. Try Nettle Remedy Oil for:

• achy joints
• stiff fingers and toes
• high blood pressure
• allergies
• childhood eczema
• dry scalp and dandruff
• sciatica
• bronchitus
• bursitus
• bladder infections
• cold and flu

Nervous tension and many of the above ailments are well remedied with topical application Of Nettles Remedy Oil. Take a hot bath with 2-4 capfuls in it. Try scalp massage, abdominal massage, a chest rub, neck rub, hand and foot massage or a full body massage with Nettles Oil. These methods of application will allow you to reap the healing benefits for yourself.

Call Urban Sanctuary at 706-613-3947 to book yourself a massage incorporating our Farmesthetics Nettle Remedy oil or to purchase a bottle for home use. View our foot massage, scalp massage, specialty massage, products and gift certificates online. Urban Sanctuary has been voted Best Day Spa in Athens, Georgia 8 times! We are open 7 days a week. Be kind to yourself. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary... 

Add 2-4 caps full of Nettle Remedy Oil to a hot bath for relief from arthritis, dry itchy skin and nervous tension.

Chamomile: One of Natures Best Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Urban Sanctuary carries a multitude of bath and body products with  chamomile essential oil, as well as the tea.

Chamomile is one of nature's most powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Chamomile soothes, calms and cools both body and spirit. The tea is wonderful for upset stomach, insomnia and nervousness. Both the tea and essential oil are very healing and soothing.

The medicinal and beauty benefits of chamomile were well-employed in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. Chamomile tea is used today all over the world as a digestive aid, immune system booster, sleep aid and stomach soother. The essential oil and herbal infusions of chamomile can be found in high quality beauty products, especially cleansers, masks, creams and soothing tinctures for the face. Chamomile has anti-septic properties, which in combination with its ant-inflammatory properties, makes it very effective in clearing up acne, eczema and skin irritations. It is a key ingredient in many sensitive skin products for the face and is often used to treat rashes and burns.

Less known uses of chamomile include treatment of muscle spasms, joint and muscle pain, cleaning of cuts and wounds, support in dealing with diabetes and hyperglycemia and relief from headaches. Almost anything that could be brought on by excess inflammation, heat, agitation or nervous tension is likley to be healed by chamomile. The following list includes a variety of ailments very well treated by chamomile:

• enlarged capillaries
• puffy skin
• allergies
• joint pain
• muscle spasms
• inflammation
• muscle soreness
• nervousness and anxiety
• hyperactivity
• depression
• indigestion
• headaches
• insomnia
• joint pain
• burns and rashes
• skin irritation and break outs
• weak or compromised immune system
• diareaha
• ulcers
• PMS
• menstrual pain

Chamomile essential oil has a very pungent medicinal scent. One drop of chamomile essential oil has the potency of 300 cups of the tea. That being said ,the essential oil aroma is not soft and sweet like the aroma of chamomile tea. It's quite harsh smelling and is best when diluted or blended with base note essential oils and a carrier oil or cream.

If you don't currently use chamomile at home, try incorporating it into your health, wellness and beauty routines at home. Here are some ideas to try:

• lay moist tea bags on your eyes for puffiness
• soak in a blended chamomile bath to improve sleep
• use sensitive skin products with chamomile for irritation and redness
• drink the tea to relax and boost immunity
• soak your feet in chamomile tea, bubbles or blended salts for PMS or stress relief

Call Urban Sanctuary with questions or email candice@urbansanctuaryspa.com for a list of chamomile infused products available through our store.

Tea Tree Aromatherapy

                                Clarifies Lungs and Sinuses

  Tea Tree essential oil is non-toxic and has a wide range of uses. The Australian tree that it comes from is a relative of Eucalyptus. The two essential oils are similar in scent, but Tea Tree is softer than Eucalyptus and much smoother. While each has distinct cosmetic and medicinal properties, both essential oils provide great cold & flu relief as well as good immune system support. We carry both at Urban Sanctuary in our gift store.

 There are two things that stand out to me about Tea Tree essential oil. Tea Tree is second to none for relief from dust & mold and allergies. It's also the only essential oil (apart from Lavender) that can be applied directly to the skin with out harm. Other aromatherapy oils need to be blended into a carrier before being applied or else burning & scarring could occur. Tea Tree is very versatile, in part, because of its ability to be applied neet. This makes it essential to first aid kits.

  Here are some of Tea Tree's uses:

• cold and flu remedy
• good for sinuses
• non irritating antiseptic oil
• eases mental fatigue
• treats acne, rashes and skin wounds
• fights lung and sinus infection
• great for foot fungus, foot soaks and tired feet
• great for scalp massage

  At Urban Sanctuary, we have many services and products incorporating Tea Tree aromatherapy. One is our Tea Tree Eucalyptus bath aromatherapy blend called To The Rescue. It's our house-made cold remedy. We also have foot soaks, candles, bubbles and organic body wash containing the essential oil. My favorite Tea Tree fix of all time is our Tea Tree Eucalyptus scalp massage. It's completely revitalizing. View our entire menu of services online or call Urban Sanctuary to inquire at 706-613-3947.