Why I think hydrosols should be in your medicine bag for baby care.

How to use hydrosols to help you care for you and your baby's wellness. There is nothing more stressful to parents when you have a child that won't sleep or is sick and that is inconsolable.

Hydrosols are a safe form of aromatherapy for you and your family. Hydrosols have almost an unlimited range of use; they can be used on a daily basis and even with the elderly, children and pets. Why not use these safe medicinals?

Did you know that before the eyes can focus clearly, a baby sense of smell is, it's most important sense, especially in the first few days after birth, while bonding with parents and food sources. Also during the first year, as the other senses, become a tuned and develop, smell, slowly decreases in importance, but the olfactory sense remains highly acute and sensitive, and what may be a mild odor for an adult may be overpowering for a child.

Hydrosols are a much better option for babies and toddlers than essential oils, in virtually all instances. They are safer, easier to use, non-irritating, and gentle. Hydrolats are a wonderful addition to our pharmacopeia as they are powerfully effective while having few safety concerns. Their primary drawback is that they have shorter shelf-lives, often ranging from 12-24 months. Keeping hydrosol containers clean and in the refrigerator helps keep them fresh and effective as long as possible. Since I like to use the hydrosols internally I look for pure preservative free floral waters.

The safe list: not all hydrosols are suitable for use on children, and they should never be administered to children under 10 in the manner suggested for adults. For children, less than two years of age, use only lavender, Roman chamomile, and German chamomile. After that, use your common sense and be guided by the child. Children sense of what is right for them has fewer filters, than our own, and if we listen to them, we will learn. Lets take a look at the hydrosols I just mentioned above.

Hydrosol #1 - Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Hydrosol

Aroma and Taste A floral, sweet scent; instantly recognizable, although it has an added strong honey overtone and is deeper, more base-note-like, than the oil. If in Azure summer sky at 4 PM, how to smell, this would be it. The taste is very Sophie – sweet, like eating, dried lavender, and I find many people do not like the flavor unless it is sweetened or blended.

Stability and Shelf Life Quite stable. Usually lasts at least two years, frequently longer, although this may vary with the growing conditions. The odor, if nothing else, may start to degrade after 18 to 20 months.

Properties and Applications I generally recommended lavender for external use application only. It's not harmful if taken internally, but does not taste very good. There are many other better tasting hydrosols with similar properties that can be used internally. The pH is normally close to that of most "balanced"cosmetic products, making it a ideal for every skin type on a regular basis. You can add to ready-made skin-care products, it will not alter their intended properties and adds a delightful fragrance and it's own beneficial cooling and healing therapeutics. Lavender is rightly famed for its regenerative effects on damaged or fragile skin.

It's sweet and happy aroma makes lavender a natural for children. Use it to cleanse, cuts, and scrapes (for adults, too); a lavender kiss really makes it better. Use it to calm, cranky, moods, and green and into tearful tantrums, and add it to bathwater or spray it directly on the bed before a restful night sleep. Little girls love to have their own perfume in this one, won't cause allergies or skin reactions. Lavender is fabulous for use with babies from birth and can be added to the bath, used to clean the babies bottom, or combined with Roman chamomile for a diaper rash. A mist in the air in the babies room, or a spritz on parents clothing before tucking in will help make naps and bedtime easier to achieve. Combine with Roman Chamomile for the ultimate baby blend.

Hydrosol #2 - Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) Hydrosol

Aroma and Taste Extremely sweet, honey, like aroma, and taste. Even more Apple overtones than the oil but softer, more delicate. Occasionally it will have a green or, more hay like aroma.

Stability and Shelf Life Very stable, easily last for two years or more, although it is so popular that stock rarely lasts that long.

Properties and Applications One of the best all purpose, waters, right up there with lavender and Melissa. Roman chamomile is the number one choice for baby care. It can safely be used right from birth, in the bath water, and is a soothing mist for bedding. Mothers can use it diluted to wash the breast area, and in addition to helping prevent cracked and sore nipples, it's calming properties will make feeding time even more relaxing.

Diaper rash, redness, and pain can be soothed with dilute, chamomile, or use neat applications of a 50:50 blend of roman chamomile and lavender waters to compress the tender skin. New mothers can use it in a compress or a sits bath for postpartum relief. You can also make homemade wet wipes for babies and young children, and you should always include chamomile. When teething starts, add 2 to 3 drops to a big bottle of water to help calm diarrhea, and stomach upset. You can rub the gums with diluted chamomile frequently to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain, and to help soothe the associated crankiness. Children adore the flavor of sweet chamomile, and will soon ask for it as they recognize the relief it brings. Spritz a light mist over the blankets are in the air of a child's room, and it will help children sleep. Because of its effect on the nervous system, chamomile is a useful aid in stress, reduction, depression, relaxation, insomnia, and aggravation.

"Roman Chamomile is the number one choice for baby care." – Suzanne Catty.

Hydrosol #3 - German or Blue Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Aroma and Taste A slightly sharp, very green top note followed by a chamomile tea, middle aroma, and a cool, wet, bottom note. A complex and somewhat vertical aroma. Undiluted, a green tea, bitter, sweet taste, with a very gentle, floral edge, but most of the bitterness disappears in dilution, leaving a wildflower honey aftertaste. Totally different from Roman chamomile.

Stability and Shelf Life Quite stable; at least 14 months, but owing to the difficulty in acquiring this hydrosol, this is based on minimal data.

Properties and Applications A major anti-inflammatory both internally and externally on all types of tissue. Use this alone with lavender hydrosol for bad burns or if blisters have already formed on a burn. Very serious burns requiring medical attention will often the standards, but try to get some blue chamomile water on the wounds before wrapping and at each change of bandages to speed up the healing and reduce inflammation. All skin conditions with redness benefit: rashes, burns, sunburns, itching, even some eczema and psoriasis.

Roman chamomile is usually a better choice for children, although difficult skin conditions, topic, dermatitis, childhood, eczema, and the like may require the extra strength of German chamomile. As it is even more sedated than Roman chamomile, just a few drops in a child's bath, will slow him or her down. It can be combined with neroli hydrosol for hyperactivity and added in tiny amounts of juice or drinking water. German chamomile is extremely energetic, powerfully, calming, and emotionally comforting.

Dilute, Dilute, Dilute.

Remember, you can dilute, dilute, dilute if your unsure. Add one drop of hydrosol to 1 tablespoon of distilled water. Take one drop of that mixture and add it to a tablespoon of distilled water. Now add one drop of this second dilution to your babies preparation; it is less than one five-hundredth of a drop of pure hydrosol. That is about the dilution you can start with, and if it has little effect, you can always add 2 to 3 drops of your first diluted blend until the desired response is elicited. But do you give the "remedy" time to work. These are not pharmaceutical drugs, and should not be expected to act in the same way; apply, wait, and observe before you use more. You could try this for babies who have trouble sleeping, using Roman chamomile in their bottle, or apply it to their feet, wrists, or back with a little massage.

Hydrosols should be in your medicine bag for you and your family.

I recently had a friend that just had a baby and I wanted to make her some thing that she could use for any baby blues that she may be having that would be safe to use while breast-feeding. Check out this video below to learn how to make a baby blues blend and learn how Roman chamomile can help soothe your sore nipples from breast-feeding. I would love to read some of your comments on how this information helped you or someone you know.

** Some information was take from the book Hydrosols The Next Aromatherapy by Suzanne Catty**

WHAT ESSENTIAL OILS CAN HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER ?

Some people sleep like a log (me), some sleep for a bit then wake up for hours and lay there ( my husband ) and others toss all night and don't get a wink.

Let's explore what essential oils and their chemical components have sedative effects. Maybe just maybe they will help you get some zzzz's also make ya feel revitalized in the morning.

Are you not getting seven hours of sleep at night? You’re not alone. According to the CDC, more than one-third of Americans don't get enough sleep. A single night without sleep isn’t usually a big deal, but too many sleepless nights can lead to more serious conditions. Longer term, too little sleep contributes to increased mortality and has been linked to most chronic diseases. In America, an estimated fifty to seventy million people (15 to 20 percent) suffer from sleep disorders. This isn’t just an American problem, a recent study in the Netherlands uncovered that 27.3 percent of all people age twelve and above had some type of sleeping disorder. We literally have a global epidemic on our hands, this is something we need to take seriously because of the ramifications of sleep deprivation are sobering.

So which are you? Good Sleeper, someone that stays awake for some hours or the toss and turn type?

One chronic health condition can increase your risk for developing another. So as I researched about the effects of chronic insufficient and perpetual short sleep (less than seven hours per twenty-four-hour- period) is:

• Associated with a range of negative health and social outcomes, including poor performance at school and work.

• The known reason of several leading causes of death in the United States: cardiovascular disease, COPD, cancer, accidents, diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and hypertension .

• Responsible for causing roughly 5 percent of all obesity cases in adults.

• Known to cause a tenfold increased risk of premature death.

Research is clear that adults need at least seven or more hours of sleep per night to experience optimal health and well-being. Our Circadian rhythm is also known as our sleep/wake cycle. It is basically a twenty-four hour internal clock that runs in the background of your brain and cycles between alertness and sleepiness at regular intervals. Brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration and other important biological processes are determined by this cycle. Your circadian rhythm is disrupted when things get in the way like jet lag, daylight savings time or pulling an all nighter. When your sleep rhythm is off you can feel out of sorts, groggy, irritable and it can make it harder to pay attention and it can affect your eating habits and your bowel regularity. Yikes non of that sounds fun, not having enough sleep can really jack you up.

To take a sedative drug or not?

Unfortunately, many people with sleep disorders are prescribed sedative drugs, like benzodiazepines, which were originally designed to reduce anxiety. There are problem with these drugs. Benzodiazepine use has been associated with 35% increase in developing cancer. This drug is also highly addictive. No thank you! Over-the-counter drugs. Most of those sleeping pills are antihistamines. There's no proof that they work for insomnia, and they can cause some drowsiness the next day. Essential oils work, much better, and without side effects!

What are some lifestyle habits for overcoming your sleeping issues?

You can start by sticking to a regular sleep/wake schedule. Make an effort to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day. This reinforces your body's natural sleep/wake cycle. If you start off your day hurried, stress, overwhelmed, groggy, and tired. You'll most likely crash into the bed the same way. Try to set the tone with a short prayer, meditation, or positive affirmation before sleep and when you rise in the morning. Having a relaxing essential oil routine can do wonders for your sleep and an uplifting essential oil routine for the morning as well. Below we will get into what oils can hopefully help you get to sleep and to help you wake up faster. First here are a few things you can do to help increase your odds of getting a great nights sleep.

1. Take a midday nap. Research has shown that, for healthy younger people, taking a short nap can reduce sleepiness, enhance memory consolidation, prepare your mind for learning, boost executive functioning and is linked to emotional well-being. Be careful not to overdo it, napping too long (more than 30 minutes ) could prove to be counterproductive.

2. Limit your fluid intake at night. Try to avoid liquids an hour before bedtime so that so you don't wake up to use the bathroom. I would avoid drinking coffee or any caffeinated beverages after 2 pm.

3. End the day with herbal tea. Make your last drink of the evening a nice cup of soothing caffeine free sleepy-time tea. Here is a recipe you can try 👇🏽

SLEEPY-TIME TEA

1 tablespoon of Aromatherapy Hydrosol German chamomile

1 teaspoon Aromatherapy Hydrosol Linden/ Lime Flower

1 teaspoon of honey

1 slice of lemon

Put hydrosols and honey in a mug , fill with hot water (not boiling) then add your lemon. You can also add the Germain Chamomile hydrosol to hot milk but omit the lemon. This is especially good for people with peptic ulcers. Enjoy trying this recipe.. Good night!

4. Avoid late-night eating. Having a heavy or large meal within a couple of hours of bedtime can cause discomfort that might keep you awake. A little snack is OK, however. A small helping of nuts, bananas, dates, or tuna can help with a decent nights sleep. These foods are high in nutrients that promote sleep. The rule of thumb is don't eat after 7 PM.

5. Avoid nighttime technology. I know this is gonna be hard for a lot of people, but this means no computer games, using your phone, or watching TV for at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime. Technology, emits, blue light, which interferes with brain signals that help you sleep. Plus, your body thinks you're not ready for sleep when you're engaged in these activities.

6. Create a tranquil sleep environment. Declutter your bedroom. Remove computers and TVs if possible or at least turn them off prior to bedtime. Turn off your Wi-Fi router and put your phone on "airplane mode". These electromagnet magnetic frequencies can disturb your sleep cycle. Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature, it is conductive to a good night sleep. And make sure your bedroom is dark as possible.

7. Be comfortable in bed. Hard mattresses aren't always the best. Comfort also extends to what you wear. Don't sleep in tight fitting clothes. They can cause irritation, and sweating and otherwise disturb your sleep.

8. Take a warm bath. It always relaxes the body, especially when you add essential oils to your bathwater. Here is one of my favorite essential oil blends that have a sedative affect on the body.

TKO Sleep Blend

1 drop ylang ylang essential oil

1 drop atlas cedarwood essential oil

1 drop lavender essential oil

1 drop vetiver essential oil

1 drop valerian essential oil

First run your bath water and add some epsom salts. Turn water off then add your essential oils. As you get in let the oils coat your body. Let your body soak in all of these sedative essential oils.

If you do not have all of these oils, it's OK just use another sedative essential oil. Here is some choices you may already have. Roman chamomile, blue chamomile, lemon verbena, patchouli, sandalwood, neroli and ponderosa pine. You can also grab our Rest Bath Salt or Rest Sugar Scrub ( If your not a bath person ).

9. Burn the TKO Sleep blend in a diffuser in your room or any of the other oils I mentioned above. I would set the timer on your diffuser for 1-2 hours then shut off so you can avoid developing sensitivities to the essential oils you're burning.

10. Make a roller ball blend to roll on before sleep. Try this Insomnia Blend

Insomnia Roller Ball Blend

2 drops mandrin essential oil

2 drops lavender essential oil

1 drop frankincense essential oil

1 drop cypress

Base oil like coconut oil, jajoba or olive oil Enough to fill the roller ball bottle.

Add the essential oils and then base oil. Add roller ball cap and roll on the bottom of your feet ( big toe is your head according to reflexology ), back of knees, on the pulse points of your wrist and behind your ears.

Getting a better nights, sleep is arguably the most overlooked but effective way to keep your body healthy. With quality sleep, you'll be able to recuperate and regenerate beautifully from long days full of stressors and worries. Let essentials help you get the sleep that you need. If after trying a few of these strategies mentioned above and you are still not enjoying the sleep that you need to feel rested and energized when you wake up in the morning. Then there is probably a deeper issue that needs to be addressed. Most likely you will have some anxiety and stress in your life that needs to be managed, and it is with that in mind that we move onto that subject next week.

I encourage you to try the suggestions mentioned and I Invite you to leave a comment, or click button to take you to our home page where you will see the pop up to sign up.

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THIS IS FOR ALL THOSE PREGO LADIES OUT THERE.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."14I "praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."15 Psalms 139:13-18

Becoming a mother can be extremely joyful and at times extremely fearful. If it's your first child you will think they need every gadget out there. You will soon discover they would be happy with some item that wasn't made to be a toy. From one parent to another you will have times that often you feel like your not doing anything correct. Try not to be overwhelmed about what products are safe for your kiddo, it is really simple. If you don't recognize an ingredient then don't by it. I wish that I knew about the use of Aromatherapy when my kiddos were babies. I looked for products that were as natural as possible. After I received my Masters in Aromatherapy I had gained so much knowledge, I created my very own Aromatherapy Baby Product line it's called AB BABY.

PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY.

Pregnancy may entail a plethora of minor problems such as back aches, swollen legs, heartburn, indigestion, and insomnia. Pregnant ladies need some spoiling. Here are some marvelous Remidies, which can be massaged into your back by your partner or friend on a regular basis, which will alleviate physical problems at the same time as uplifting your spirit.

Pregnancy Back Rub Blend

Essential oils you can use in your blend are Rose or Geranium, Lavender and Roman Chamomile. The dilution of oil needs to be at 1% that equals to 1 drop of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of base oil like jojoba, grape seed you can even use olive oil. If you want to add more than one essential oil like lavender and chamomile then you would use 1 drop of lavender and 1 drop of chamomile in 8 teaspoons of base oil.

• Rose or Geranium 1 drop

• Lavender 1 drop or Roman Chamomile 1 drop

• 8 teaspoons base oil of your choice

I remember well, the heaviness of pregnancy. Perhaps only women who have experienced it, can now know how the tiredness seems to penetrate every part of the body. The uplifting qualities of essential oils are a great help after a tiring day when the legs are swollen in the back aches. Pregnant woman should use only 2 to 4 drops of essential oils in a bath. You can choose your favorites, or try the very relaxing combination of one drop of chamomile and one drop of lavender in your bath.

If you experience morning sickness you can make a spritzer with spearmint hydrosol and spritz it on your pillow before bed or spritz in the air to help calm the nausea. Here are some essential oils you can use to combat nausea coriander, cardamom, lavender and fennel (at 1/3 the dosage of the others). You can add 1 drop of the essential oil choices into a bowl of hot water then cover your head and inhale. Make sure you close your eyes. If that doesn’t sound appealing then you can simply add 1 drop to a tissue and keep in a baggie to inhale as needed.

To help prevent stretch marks you can try this recipe below:

Prevent Stretch Mark Oil

• Mandrin - 4 milliliters ( 0.8 tsp )

• Rose hip seed oil - 20 milliliters ( 1.33 tbsp )

• Hazelnut oil - 200 milliliters ( 13.3 tbsp )

Massage into the skin from the second through the ninth month of pregnancy .

Healing stretch mark oil

• Clary Sage - 1 millileter (1/4 tsp)

• Rosemary ct Verbenone - 2 milliliters ( 1/3 tsp )

• Rose hip seed oil - 20 milliliters ( 1.33 tbsp )

• Hazelnut oil - 40 milliliters ( 8 tsp )

For healing stretch marks from previous pregnancy. Massage the oil into the skin with a loofa sponge for a period of 3-6 months.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HYDROSOLS.

The word hydrosol is a chemistry term meaning "water solution." It is derived from the latin hydro meaning "water" and sol for "solution". The chemistry term does not refers specifically to a distillate, and can be applied to any aqueous solution.

In the world of Aromatherapy, hydrosols are also known as hydrolates, hydrolats, floral waters, and plant waters. When aromatic plant material is steam distilled, the water becomes infused with the plant’s water-soluble components. Hydrosols are far less concentrated than essential oils, have very few safety concerns, and most are gentle enough to use on children, elderly and pets.

We are water. By volume, our bodies consist of up to 70% water at mid-life; although it is very interesting to note, that if you count the molecules in the human body, the water molecules account for closer to 99% of the total molecules. Could this be the magic behind hydrosols? I believe our bodies recognize them as "self" and invite them in. So how can we put this floral waters to use? There is almost an unlimited range of use; they can be used on a daily basis. Topically, we can use hydrosols in bottles with atomizers for facial and body spritzers. Simply fill a sterile bottle or atomizer with your choice of hydrosol or hydrosol blend and wet the surface of your skin before you apply. This method is probably the most popular use for hydrosols. Hydrosols work well as compresses, poultices and clay masks. If a heat compress is needed you would warm heat the clean cloth with hot water then add the hydrosol on the cloth before applying; this will help the essential oils in the hydrosol from dissipating to fast. You may also keep clean cloths that have been presoaked with hydrosols in the freezer for a fast and handy cold compress.

Inhalation is also a powerful way to these distillate waters. You would often use hydrosols in the instances that essential oils would be overwhelming or not allowed such as hospitals or in hospice care. You can use these floral waters as room sanitizers ( both atomizers and in wipes) they show promise as effective anti-microbials, and they smell so much better that the alternatives.

Energetically hydrosols can have a profound effect on mood and space clearing. Here is an expample, a therapist can "set the mood" for a session by diffusing or spritzing in the room before the client session. Also you can "clear" the energy of the space after your client leaves for the next client.

Internally, hydrosols can be taken in a couple of ways, from drinks to ice cubes. You can make flavorful and medicinal ice cubes make sure you label the bag before you store them. The ice cubes can be stored for a few months in the freezer. Peppermint hydrosol (I would only spritz on face while pregnant not ingest) or Lemon Verbena ice cubes make a wonderful addition to ice water or tea. Lemon Verbena Tea or a tea made with hydrosol has many great health benefits and is a wonderful overall pregnancy tonic. It supports joint function and your immune system, reduces inflammation, aids digestion, improves sleep quality and helps to relieve feelings of anxiety. Hydrosols definitely have a place in the kitchen and in my opinion they are much easier to cook with than their essential oil counterpart.

AROMATIC CHILDBIRTH.

Aromatherapy has gained popularity among nurses seeking methods to enhance patent care and provide a positive patient experience. In 2010 - 2014, women's health nurses from nine Indiana hospitals completed the educational program, and the following thousand aromatherapy interventions provide pre-and post Aromatherapy intervention data. All Aromatherapy interventions were measured, utilizing a pre-and post Likert scale focusing on patients effectiveness readings for anxiety, nausea, pain, and grief. Throughout the collection of this data, no negative side effects were reported. Maternal, allergies, medical history, and scent preferences, always informed the essential oil selection.

All Aromatherapy interventions were external, done with 2% dilutions in unscented, white lotion, or jojoba oil (1 % anternatal Mandarin) of the following essential oils: Lavandula angustifolia, Mandarin orange (Citrus reticlata ), Rose Otto, Poets Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum ), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Spearmint (Mentha Spica), Frankincense (Boswellia Carteri), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum

Nobile). The nausea interventions with peppermint and spearmint were at a 2 % dilution for safety reasons were kept away from infants.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) hydrosol is anti-inflammatory and can be used as a compress with cypress for varicose veins and in a sitz bath for hemorrhoids and excessive or painful menstrual periods, or postpartum healing. Clary Sage hydrosol can be used during the birth process you can make a hot compress with 250 mL of undiluted clary sage hydrosol, three drops of clary sage essential oil, and three drops of blue tansy oil; apply it to the lower, abdomen and back during contractions for really amazing pain relief. If the birth is taking place in water, skip the essential oils; add the hydrosol directly to the tub and put some in the mothers drinking water. Do not use clary sage, if you are hypertensive.

Roman chamomile is the number one choice for baby care. It can safely be used right from birth in the bathwater, and as a soothing mist for bedding. Mothers can use it diluted to wash the breast area, in addition to helping prevent cracked and sore nipples, it's calming properties will make feeding time even more relaxing. Babies will soon associate the aroma of chamomile with mommy and yummy. Roman chamomile can also be used as a compress or sits bath for postpartum relief.

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION.

Childbirth is a difficult and exhausting process. A female goes through a lot of hormonal, physical, emotional, and psychological changes throughout pregnancy. Tremendous changes occur in the mother's familial and interpersonal world. After childbirth, a mother can experience varied emotions ranging from joy and pleasure to sadness and crying bouts. These feelings of sadness and tearfulness are called "baby blues," and they tend to decrease over the first 2 weeks after delivery.

Around one in seven women can develop postpartum depression (PPD). While women experiencing baby blues tend to recover quickly, PPD tends to be longer and severely affects women's ability to return to normal function. PPD affects the mother and her relationship with the infant. Maternal brain response and behavior are compromised in PPD.

As many as half of PPD in new mothers go undiagnosed because of conflict in privacy and not wanting to disclose to close family members. There is also a stigma around new mothers in that disclosure may lead to abandonment and fear of lack of support. If you are experiencing some "baby blues" here is a few diffuser blends to help uplift your spirits.

BANISH BABY BLUES SYNERGISTIC BLENDS

Blend 1

• Geranium 5 drops

• Neroli 10 drops

• Grapefruit 15 drops

Blend 2

• Bergamot 5 drops

• Rose 2 drops

• Clary sage 5 drops

Blend 3

• Grapefruit 10 drops

• Geranium 8 drops

• Mandrin 5 drops

Keep your diffuser burning for an hour then take a break for 30 mins and burn again for an hour.

I hope that you picked up some things that can help you during your pregnancy, birth process and postnatal care. Keep exploring the many ways you can help your health by using aromatics to enhance your life.

Until next time.