Alaska Essentials

12/08/2025

ESSENTIAL OILS AND YOUR SKIN – How to Protect Your Skin in the Winter
Essential oils are powerful plant extracts that can do amazing things for your skin—especially when they’re properly diluted in natural carrier oils. Pure, simple ingredients like plant oils, butters, and waxes work with your skin’s natural chemistry, unlike many synthetic ingredients that can disrupt it. When you choose organic, natural carriers to blend with essential oils, you help nourish your skin while avoiding unnecessary chemicals.
Winter can be especially tough on skin, particularly in the northern climates. Cold temperatures and dry air pull moisture from your skin, leaving it dehydrated. When humidity drops, your complexion can become irritated, dry, sensitive, or flaky. Indoor heating only makes things worse by reducing moisture even more.
The good news? A thoughtful winter skincare routine can help keep your skin healthy, comfortable, and radiant all season long. Here are a few recipes that I’ve come to love:

Basic Facial Cleanser
Yield: 1.5 oz.
Ingredients:
1 oz. Aloe Vera Gel 2 oz. Castille Soap2 oz. Jojoba Wax
1 teaspoon White Clay
1 drop Tea Tree
1 drop Lavender
Directions:
Combine all carriers in a bowl. Incorporate clay and blend well. Add essential oils. Transfer the mixture to bottle or jar with a lid and label. Shake before use. Dampen your face with warm water, dispense a small amount of cleanser into your hands, and wash your face as you would with regular soap. Rinse and enjoy clean, smooth skin!

Aloe Avocado Facial Cleanser
Yield: 1.75 oz.
Ingredients:
1.25 oz. Aloe Vera Gel25 oz. Avocado Oil25 oz. Jojoba Wax
1 teaspoon Green Clay
1 drop Frankincense
2 drops Lavender
Directions:
Combine all carriers in a bowl. Incorporate clay and blend well. Add essential oils. Transfer the mixture to bottle or jar with a lid and label. Shake before use. Dampen your face with warm water, dispense a small amount of cleanser into your hands, and wash your face as you would with regular soap. Rinse and enjoy clean, smooth skin!

Aloe Cream
Yield: 4 oz.
Ingredients:25 oz. Beeswax
1.25 oz. Jojoba Wax
1 oz. Aloe Vera Gel
1 oz. Coconut Oil5 oz. German Chamomile Hydrosol
12 drops Lavender
2 drops Mandarin
2 drops Bergamot Mint
Directions:
Melt beeswax and jojoba together in a stainless steel bowl in a double boiler. Add the coconut oil and melt. Combine the aloe and hydrosol in a separate bowl. Once the waxes and coconut oil are melted, take the bowl off the heat.
Use an immersion blender and slowly add the aloe/hydrosol mix to the melted wax and oil. Blend to your desired texture. The cream will get a bit thicker once it cools. Stir in the essential oils and fill jars with cream and label them.

12/04/2025

Tonight is The Full Cold Moon, it is called the Cold Moon because after tonight the temperature will start to drop rapidly. It is also known as The Oak Moon and Yule Moon. This is an especially special Full Moon because it is the final Full Moon of 2025. This will also be one of the biggest and brightest Moons of the year.

The Full Moon tonight will also be a Supermoon. The Supermoon occurs when the Moon is the closest to the earth more than any other time of the year, making the Moon appear up to 30% bigger and brighter than usual. The Supermoon not only affects nature such as the tides and wildlife it also affects us, our emotions will be heightened, our senses will be sharp, things that were hidden or in the shadows can now be seen. A Supermoon amplifies the effects of a normal Moon, we will be feeling ultra-sensitive and emotional at this time.

Tonight's Full Moon is in the sign of Gemini, it will be an intense highly charged Moon filled with strong emotions coming to the surface, don't hold them back let them out, this is a time of release, of letting go and being our own true authentic selves, let the world see the real you. Something has been building inside of us and now is the time when the energy of the cosmos demands that we let it out.

This is a particularly lucky Full Moon, so don't be afraid to go for the things you want, lady luck is shining on you right now so be ready for all that the universe is ready to gift you, open your hands and your heart and take your universal gifts. Don't be scared to dream big and ask for more. Be positive and open yourself up to allow the good to come in to your life. Be ambitious, go for what you want or put plans into place to get what you want in the future. You will have an inner strength now that will pull you through anything that comes up against you.

This is a time to look back on the year passed and reflect on all the lessons we have learned and the people who have come and gone in our lives. As we come to the end of this year we should use the energy of this Full Moon to energize ourselves for the coming Yule and New Year. All the inner work you have focused on this year will now be the foundation for bringing more power, love and energy into your life in this creative, forward-moving period. On this Full Moon we can truly bring in change and transform ourselves to be who we want to be, we will feel braver and more confident than usual. Good fortune will be on your side. Let your thoughts and desires manifest into something real.

This Full Moon brings light to whatever was hidden in the darkness or buried within the subconscious such as emotional pain or our deepest desires, but once awareness happens you are able to make realistic changes. Our emotional levels move like strong turbulent waves in the ocean during high tide for some on this Full Moon in Gemini, we may feel at a cross roads in our lives and are unsure of which path to take, trust your instincts and let them guide you. Emotional reactions may be strong, energies may feel irritable or uptight, but don't worry this will soon pass.

We are amidst great times of transformation which are heralding major new beginnings. Change isn't always easy or comfortable and it’s constant, so we must strive to keep our balance during these changing tides. Embrace the changes coming and steer them in a positive direction.

Let the air element of Gemini blow away any negativity, let the energy of this Full Moon sweep over you and heal your spirit, use it to heal you both emotionally and physically. Let the moonlight bathe and sooth you, body and soul. Seek a balance of light and dark and see the truth in your life however much it may hurt, only then can we do something about it. Now is a time of reaping the rewards of all the hard work we have put in this year and try and relax a little and let the current take you to a new and exciting New Year.

Have a blessed Full Moon, may the Goddess watch over you.

12/01/2025

Use Aromatherapy to Boost Your Immune System and Stay Uplifted Through the Cold & Flu Season!

Many cold and flu viruses first enter through the nose. With every breath we take, tiny airborne viruses can land inside our nasal passages, which act like a main "doorway" into the body. Essential oils are one of the best ways to help stop these germs before they take hold. They can boost your immu...

11/22/2025

Alaska Essentials is at Kenai Classical School Hioliday Craft Fair today

11/05/2025

6 Ways Clove Bud Oil Fights Viruses

Traditionally used in herbal medicine for its warming, purifying qualities, clove bud oil (Syzygium aromaticum) was often diffused in sickrooms or added to steam inhalations to help clear the air and support the body’s defenses. Its rich, spicy aroma signaled strength and protection—and modern research now echoes that wisdom.

These findings come from a new review published in 2025 (Chen et al.) on the antiviral potential of eugenol, the main component in clove bud oil. Researchers reviewed a wide collection of studies and compiled their findings. They found:

1. It blocks viral entry: Eugenol can attach to viral proteins—the parts that normally bind to our cells—and prevent the virus from getting inside. This means it can stop infection before it begins.

2. It slows viral replication: Once a virus is inside the cell, it hijacks the cell’s machinery to make copies of itself. Eugenol interferes with that process, weakening the virus’s ability to multiply.

3. It calms inflammation: Many viral infections cause inflammation—sometimes dangerously so. Eugenol can tone down this overreaction by blocking key inflammatory pathways in the body, especially the NF-κB pathway, which controls the release of inflammatory molecules.

4. It reduces oxidative stress: Viral infections often create oxidative stress—a flood of unstable oxygen molecules that damage tissues. Eugenol’s antioxidant power helps neutralize these free radicals and protect cells from harm.

5. It induces autophagy—the cell’s cleanup process: “Autophagy” is a normal process where cells recycle damaged parts. Some viruses hijack this process to help themselves replicate. Eugenol helps restore balance, preventing viruses from turning this system to their advantage.

6. It protects tissues from viral damage: Eugenol helps shield the body’s tissues from damage caused by infection. It can protect the heart, lungs, and other organs from viral inflammation and cell injury by stabilizing cell membranes, improving blood flow, and supporting the repair of damaged tissue.

Research is still evolving, but it’s fascinating to see modern science affirm what herbalists have known for centuries: the clove bud carries protective wisdom within its aromatic heart. While it doesn't replace medical care when it's needed, clove bud essential oil can be an important addition to your winter wellness routine.

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Share this post with a friend who loves natural remedies!

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Safety Note: Because eugenol is a phenol, clove bud oil can easily irritate the skin or mucous membranes. Always dilute it well in a carrier oil before topical application, typically at no more than 0.5% for general applications. That’s about 2–3 drops per 1 fl oz (30 ml) of carrier.

- We prefer to avoid using this oil for children under 10, or any person with sensitive skin.
- Avoid if you have a clotting disorder, are taking an anticoagulant drug, and after surgery.
- Avoid if you have impaired liver function.

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Chen, M., Nie, Y.-K., Liu, X.-Y., Liu, Y., & Guo, D.-Y. (2025). Antiviral properties of the natural product eugenol: A review. Fitoterapia, 185, 106674

10/31/2025

Alaska Essentials is at Sterling Senior Center’s Holiday Craft Show. Check out our locally wild-crafted personal care products November 1-2.

Get ready to shop local!🎁 Join us for our Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar on November 1 & 2 from 10:00am to 4:00pm each day! You'll find unique gifts, handmade crafts, festive treats, and everything you need to kick off the holiday season. Come support local vendors and find those perfect one of a kind presents! Grab your gift list and we'll see you there!

10/31/2025

10/16/2025

10/10/2025

10/10/2025

Our brain and gut are deeply connected. When stress settles into the mind, the body responds—and digestion is often one of the first systems to falter.

I’m reminded of our student David, who struggled with severe gut issues that disrupted every part of his life. His doctors couldn’t find anything wrong until a new practitioner finally diagnosed him with IBS. Every case of IBS is unique, with its own triggers. For David, it was stress—specifically, the long hours and constant pressure of his job.

During a much-needed vacation, he discovered essential oils. What started as curiosity turned into relief. He noticed that as his nervous system calmed, his digestion followed. He could eat a wider variety of foods again and felt like himself for the first time in years. But when he returned to work, his symptoms came roaring back.

Eventually, David made a hard but powerful choice: he left the job that was making him sick. He devoted himself to learning aromatherapy.

David’s story is a reminder that healing often begins with safety—when the body no longer feels under threat, it can finally rest, digest, and repair. Sometimes, the path to better gut health isn’t just about what we eat, but how we feel.

Aroma supports us by working directly with the limbic system—the brain’s emotional center and the bridge between mind and body. When we inhale essential oils, their chemical messages travel along the olfactory nerve to influence heart rate, breathing, and the release of stress hormones. In this way, scent becomes more than fragrance. It becomes communication. A gentle reminder to the nervous system that it is safe to soften, to release, and to trust the body’s natural rhythm again.

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Have you read my guide on Essential Oils for Digestion? It tells you which essential oils can help, and offers recipes for using them safely.
---> Comment BELLY and we’ll send you a link.

10/04/2025

10/03/2025

Cardamom oil is a wise digestive ally.

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) has been prized for centuries as a spice and a digestive aid, and modern research helps explain why. Studies show that cardamom oil has both gut-stimulating and gut-calming effects, depending on the body’s needs. This is thanks to its interaction with cholinergic and calcium channels (Gilani et al. 2008). It has also demonstrated antispasmodic action on smooth muscle, helping to relax cramping in the intestines (Al-Zuhair et al. 1996), and can reduce gas and flatulence.

Cardamom also shines in easing nausea. Inhaling cardamom oil, often in blends with ginger or peppermint, has been shown to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (Battaglia, 2018). Its aromatic compounds appear to block certain pathways of nausea while calming the nervous system.

Additionally, cardamom may have a protective effect on the liver, influencing detoxification enzymes and promoting healthy bile flow.

Safety notes: If oxidized, cardamom oil may cause irritation or sensitization. It may antidote homeopathic remedies. Use with caution on children between 5-10 years old. Care must be taken when using it for asthmatics.
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---> Get our guide, Essential Oils for Digestion: Natural Support for a Healthy Gut
---> https://aromahead.com/blog/essential-oils-for-digestion

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Refs:
Al-Zuhair, H., El-Sayeh, B., Ameen, H. A., & Al-Shoora, H. (1996). Pharmacological studies of cardamom oil in animals. Pharmacological Research

Battaglia, S. (2018) The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Third Edition) Vol I: Foundations & Materia Medica. Zillmere, QLD, Australia. Black Pepper Creative Party, Ltd.

Gilani, A. H., Jabeen, Q., Khan, A. U., & Shah, A. J. (2008). Gut modulatory, blood pressure lowering, diuretic and sedative activities of cardamom. Journal of ethnopharmacology