Add mint and be merry

27 Dec

Spearmint flowers

TweetThose of you who’d like to reward yourselves with a glass of mojito after a hard day’s work or a long week of trying to make ends meet should know very well how Spearmint gives the magic to that refreshing drink. That’s the story of Spearmint.  It has long been used to uplift the mind [...]

Amyris awakens the dreamer in us

22 Dec

Amyris balsamifera, flowers (photo from "Plants of Viñales: A pictorial guide")

TweetAmyris helps you develop an understanding of what it means and feels to be in “Divine Right Timing.”  Amyris anchors the state of openness that promotes new thoughts and allows new ideas to form and encourages the realization that you have the power to create and direct your life and destiny.  Amyris saturates the aura [...]

The scent of the spiritual, the scent of Sandalwood

15 Dec

Sandalwood flower by JM Garg

TweetBeing in tune with your inner self, your environment and the forces you cannot see but feel gives one a spiritual balance.  Regardless of religion, people are continuously finding ways to achieve this balance, especially at a time when everything is fast-paced, noisy and convoluted. Meditation is still one of the best ways to get [...]

Frankincense: a perfect gift

15 Dec

Flowers of the Boswellia tree (photo by Scott Zona)

TweetAt the start of the holiday season, we took a quick look at some Christmas scents.  As we near the big event, it is just right that we take a closer look at these scents, and right now the spotlight is on Frankincense. Frankincense, also called “Olibanum”, is most famous as an incense.  In fact [...]

Wintergreen

15 Dec

Wintergreen by Mark Serfas

TweetThe Wintergreen plant is called as such, since it remains green throughout the winter.  Right now, plants that share the same quality are better known as evergreens.  Wintergreen also goes by other names such as Checkerberry, Mountain tea and Teaberry.  Tea is closely associated with it, because its leaves are brewed and drank to cure [...]

Davana for December

1 Dec

Davana flowers (Photo from India mart)

TweetDecember, the month of Christmas and the last one of year, has finally arrived.  It is spent on celebrating the holidays, the year that has gone by and the new one on the way.  For most people it is the perfect time to reflect and do something amazing. To match the special quality of this [...]

Greet the coming winter with Allspice

28 Nov

Pimenta dioica (Photo from Trade Winds Fruit)

TweetOr bid the fall farewell with it. Allspice in cuisine is best known as a baking spice.  We taste it in the cookies, puddings and pies we eat in our holiday merriment.  We also like to put a dash of it in our apple cider and eggnog. An English explorer coined the term “Allspice”, because [...]

Wormwood: when bitter is better

28 Nov

The Absinthe Drinker by Viktor Oliva

TweetWormwood is best known as the key ingredient in Absinthe, the alcoholic beverage that gained popularity and notoriety for being an addictive drink that induces the drinker to acts of violence.  Its defenders argue that much of the negative reports about Absinthe were exaggerated and that it is not Absinthe but over-drinking that caused the [...]

A timeless décor: apothecary jars

19 Nov

Candy Buffet Apothecary Vases & Jars (Photo from Koyal Wholesale)

TweetApothecary mainly refers to pharmacy and the person who prepares and sells medicinal substances.  Apothecary jars are covered jars usually made of glass and are used by the pharmacist to store pharmaceuticals.  They are very attractive and their simple elegance have made them a timeless home décor.  Right now they come in different shapes and [...]

A sage choice: Spanish sage

15 Nov

Spanish Sage (Photo by Cillas)

Tweet“Sage is singularly good for the head and brain, it quickeneth the senses and memory, strengtheneth the sinews, restoreth health to those that have the palsy, and taketh away shakey trembling of the members.” —English surgeon and herbalist John Gerard, 1507 John Gerard may be speaking about Sage plants in general, but when it comes [...]