New Treasures - Frankincense Infusions

Sometimes folks send us gifts.  Mostly clients who have been clients for years, have become friends, and are sharing samples of goodies they have made with our oils. Sometimes people who would like us to carry their products. (And we say a very polite no thank you because we don't offer other people's blends and products.)  And sometimes we get goodies from people we really don't know well at all.

Sacra Resin

This happened awhile ago. A young man I had encountered on FB asked if I would be interested in some Frankincense infusions of various types of Frankincense resin.  Of course I would.  I have read about infusing, decided it was FAR too much work for me, and continue to use my wee bit of Sacra resin in water upon occasion.  I had not encountered the infusion.

He wrote the following, and how could I refuse? "The resin gets powdered and double boiled into a carrier oil, the oleo part and the essential oils end up into the carrier oil (with a lovely scent), with most of the boswellic acid and incensole. Everybody loves the essential oil of Frankincense, and I've seen the boswellic acid in powder form, but nobody really talks about the infused oil, which I think is extremely powerful. I'm not going to talk about boswellic acid , cancer, etc...what I find even more intriguing is the fact that this infused oil is extremely calming (probably incensole, incensole acetate) , extremely grounding ...I'm a person very in tune with my body , and I absolutely love this infused oil ...and so does my girlfriend.

Here's a short story: my girlfriend uses raw coconut oil as body moisturizer ... in the beginning when I start making the oil , because she also loves the fragrance of it (I was infusing Serrata resin into raw coconut oil) , she decided to use the infused oil instead of her coconut oil...after she applies it on large areas of the body (right after a shower when the skin is so absorbent) , she comes to me and she says "I'm stoned "...after she told me what she did, we were both laughing, we didn't know how powerful the oil is, I asked her to describe how she feels , and her description was that was very similar to how she would feel, back in the high school days, when she smoked marijuana, very very relaxed. Basically she overdosed on Frankincense...I also make the oil strong, 1:3 resin to oil.

In my opinion , used in the right concentration ,this oil could be very useful for any person with anxiety, high stress , agitated , high strung . ..could probably be used as an enhanced carrier oil for any relaxing /calming mix next to the appropriate essential oils .

For me personally, I have found that has a bunch of other positive effects, that I will not talk here, will leave it for some other time, if that would be any. I like it in a facial moisturizer , I also use it for the boswellic acid in a post workout muscle/ligaments massage oil.

When I'm talking about "calm" , it's not a sedative calm it's a very grounding , clean calm . I personally start using it before playing intense basketball , as I feel it improves proprioception , body awareness. I'm gonna stop right here, I apologize if I wasted much of your time with this email , but I have felt that I should share all this information with somebody with more clout. If you find any of this intriguing , I'm willing to spend my money and time to make some of this infused oils and send it to you."              

Now... if someone emailed you that, could you turn it down? of course not!          

A few days later comes a box with all sorts of goodies.  Now, some were infused in Coconut oil, solid at room temperature. Interesting, but, not something that excited us. Some were infused in Virgin Coconut Oil, and although I am sure they contained the resin, all we could smell was the yummy coconut.  Interesting, but not very.

OH.. a wee bottle of Sacra infused in Fractionated Coconut Oil.  OH..  I want, I want I want! Christi (our true Frankincense lover) just glowed.  Jim smiled when we had him test it. (We KNOW something is right on when Jim smiles!)  Oh YES.

Serrata Resin

Now. we wanted more.  But even more than that, we wanted YOU to have more.  (When asked what we do, my favorite answer is, "we find beautiful aromatics and share them online.:)

So, after a LOT of discussion,  our young friend's investing in a more of Resin, we have two beautiful aromatics to share with you.

What is involved in creating this beauty?    First you import the resin.  then, you GRIND the resin. Very, very fine. Think Sand.  Golden sand (Serrata) or white sand (Sacra). Perhaps corn meal texture?  When producing a little bit of infusion for his own use, my friend could use a dedicated coffee grinder.  For a LOT of Resin? He invested in some tools. (No, I don't know what, some of it is his secret.)   Grind the resin.  (I don't have pictures of the ground resin. We'll add them next time.)

Infuse in warmed oil.  Let stand, in a double boiler arrangement.  Until you have decided it's stood long enough.Then let stand some more.

Serrata being infused, The swirl is particles of bark floating to the surface.

Sacra turns the oil milky white initially.

Filter, first through a 20 micron filter, then, again, through a 10 micron filter. Slowly. Very slowly.  (My friend says there is "sludge" left. His girlfriend uses the sludge as a scrub.  He makes a foot soak out of it.  Next he will measure the sludge.  And send me some of it!) 

A lot is lost. Not everything dissolves.  This time he did not take precise measurements after straining. We know how much went in. We do not know how much was lost to the "sludge."  Next time.  (I am saying next time because I believe that you will love this infusion as much as we do!  We want you to love it so we can commission more. And next time we will be much more scientific.)

After filtering?

Sacra, filtered.

Serrata, filtered

Remember, these started with colorless, odorless Fractionated Coconut Oil as the base oil.

 95 ounces of Fractionated Coconut oil.  38 ounces of Serrata Resin.     Or 115 ounces of Frac and 46 ounces of Sacra Resin.


Packaged to ship to us: 

Shipping back. ARRIVAL

Sacra, Measured

Serrata, Measured

Upon arrival Jim measured them in.  3120 and 2500 mls, respectively, of sheer bliss

As you can see from the photos above, there is a LOT of loss. (He shipped it back in the containers we shipped his Fractionated Coconut in.  We are rebottling in glass. We do NOT know the content of essential oil in this infusion, but my nose says that it is very strong.  Like our Blue Lotus infusion it will be sold in glass bottles.  I would not risk it, even in Pet plastic. I wanted to use an eyedropper to cap the bottles, but I am afraid the aromatics may react with the rubber bulb, so an EO bottle with an orifice reducer it shall be.

Also, based on our experience with the small samples our friend sent us earlier, that started this whole thing?  We believe that the microscopic particles of resin NOT filtered out will continue to dissolve. We believe that this will grow stronger as it ages.   We can't prove that, but the older infusion is aromatically more powerful than the fresh one.   Contrary to his statement above, my friend used a 2.5:1 ratio this time. More resin, less carrier,  sheer bliss!


This is the Frankincense spoken of in holy scriptures, the Frankincense of the Bible. Not the distilled essential oil, that I love, but the infused oil.

We are hoping that we will go through this whole "production" very quickly. My friend has invested in more resin, based on my enthusiasm.

We have asked our favorite analyst if it is possible to analyze these oils to find the "nonvolatile" components, the Incensole Acetate, found in the CO2 extract, but not the Essential oil, and the Boswellic Acid, so often cited in research studies, but not found in either Essential Oil or CO2.  It is, however, extracted in an oil infusion. It's possible, but extremely costly.  Perhaps next time?

The infused Sacra is, to my understanding, high in ß-caryophyllene. It also contains Incensole acetate and Boswellic acid, although at, I understand, a lower level than the Indian Serrata.  It is lovely, and smells like the soul of Frankicense sacra. Unmistakeably sacra, and wonderful.

The infused Serrata, on the other hand, is much higher in Boswellic Acid,  and contains little or no Incensole acetate.

Aromatically... if you love our Frankincense Sacra essential oil when we have it in stock, you are going to fall in love with this infusion.   It smells like the best Frankincense Essential Oil you have ever imagined.     The Serrata is softer, and aromatically much more appealing than the essential oil from the same resin.  (The Serrata is our artisan's favorite, he describes it as"lacking any citrusy, floral notes ...more black pepper/cypress notes in it, and some "animalic"notes too.)

It is a perfume strength oil, my friends, a little goes a long long way.  I am using it full strength to dab on some "skin things" that I would like to have gone. Results to come.  If you want to use it as an all over body oil, PLEASE dilute it way down.   

Use it as a base for perfume, it lasts wonderfully well on the skin.  Touch a drop to your third eye when meditating.    Rub some into a sore muscle.  Add a bit to your favorite skincare serum.  Thicken some with beeswax for a healing balm.  (Not a lip balm, it does not taste good!)

Enjoy.  I hope you will be as intrigued by this story, and fall in love with these infusions just like we did!

You may read more about, and order, this lovely Serrata here. 

More information on the Sacra infusion that started this journey is here.

Emotional Trauma

Serenidipity. Sometimes there is a need, and we have JUST the perfect thing.  Although we wish we had not had to.

Roberta is one of our staffers in Production.  On Monday night, in her apartment parking lot she was robbed at gunpoint.  The story is here. She was thrown to the ground, badly bruised, and, of course,

traumatized.  We could help her with the physical bruising (She says "That's Better is another miracle blend.") but she didn't share the emotional toll until Wednesday afternoon.  Since the incident, she had been afraid to shut the light off at night.  She said she could not sleep, because whenever she closed her eyes, she saw the man's face.  When she did doze off, her sleep was ruined with nightmares.

And I remembered a blend we had decided not to present.

Some of you know we have been working on blends to present for a pilot Aromatherapy program at our local Alive Hospice.  Their second priority that they would like to address with Aromatherapy is Agitation/Anxiety.

Every blend must have published clinical research to support each ingredient, so I've been spending a lot of time combing various databases.  We had designed one blend that I knew would be effective. The research was there, the personal and anecdotal experience was there.  Jim and I blended it.  We didn't LIKE it.  We tweaked it. We added more of this.  We added more of that.  I was bound and determined to stay with the original four oils selected.  We tweaked some more. Finally we had decided to give it up, not to present it. We did NOT like it, and I can NOT be enthusiastic about an oil or blend that I dislike.

We put it aside and decided on an alternate for our Hospice pilot program, one that the Hospice staff is already familiar with and enjoyed.

What I didn't like in this blend is the aroma of Angelica Root. Even at only 1/30th of the entire blend (one ml out of 30) it overwhelmed the other anti-anxiety oils.  But I knew this was exactly what Roberta needed.  You see, Angelica is cited in some research studies as an effective anti-anxiety agent, but I have been taught that it works by "shutting down" the emotions; actually preventing you from "feeling your feelings."  Normally, this is not a healthy reaction, but sometimes it is exactly what is needed, at least for a short period.   At any rate,  I gave Roberta a bit of this blend to see if she liked it. She didn't LIKE it, but she said,yes, I could use this.   During the day, she frequently sniffed a drop on a tissue. (We have to make her an inhaler!)  She said "She felt like something was just draining out of her, being removed."

Wednesday night, when she got ready to go bed, she brought the blend with her, again, on a tissue. Several deep inhalations,  and tucked the tissue inside her pillow case.  For the first time since the robbery, she shut off her bedroom light, and closed her eyes. She says the next thing she remembers is her alarm going off, and she had no idea what that noise was.  (Now, after no sleep for two nights, we know that she was exhausted, but the blend calmed her terrors so her body could sleep.)

We had not planned on making this blend available with our other blends for emotional healing, but due to many requests, we will be adding it to the website in January, 2018

I hope you will never need this.   but if you do... here it is.

Post script, Friday morning:  When I was double checking with Roberta to make very sure she was comfortable with our sharing her story, she said, "I forgot to tell you. Monday night the policemen suggested I take some Ibuprofen for my knee, and I did. (Marge's note, it was swollen larger than a softball.) Since then I've not needed to take anything,  Trauma Oil and Kunzea, and That's Better have eased the pain and the swelling is gone."  More evidence of the physical, as well as emotional, effects of the oils.

And by today, Friday, she is no longer inhaling the blend during the day.  It's just a bit too relaxing when she needs to stay focused.  Time to switch her to our Reunité synergy.

Which is your most relaxing Lavender?

We are asked this frequently.  And the answer, of course, depends on the chemistry, of the specific components of each specific lavender specimen.

The most relaxing chemical components in most essential oils are the Esters... in the lavender family, specifically Linalyl Acetate and Lavandulyl Acetate.  (Hint for the non-chemists among us... yes, the esters names tend to end in ATE.)


The analysis of some of our current versions of various lavenders show the following:

Lavender Variety	Linalyl Acetate Content	Lavandulyl Acetate	Total:
Wild High Altitude	33.70	3.85	37.55
Mailette	42.82	0.37	43.19
Population	38.21	4.32	42.53
Bulgarian	36.66	3.69	40.53
Abrialis	21.19	2.38	23.57
Grosso	23.77	2.42	26.19
Super	36.62	1.5	38.12
CO2 extracted Bulgarian	35.1	3.3	38.4

There are other esters found in trace amounts in Lavender oils.  Review the posted GC's and look for components with ATE in their names. And remember that a different analyst may give different results, depending on the equipment used, so these totals are not locked in stone.

Now, in the past, we have seen case studies that indicate that Lavandin Super was a more effective relaxant in a clinical trial than an oil that was supposedly a true Lavandula angustifolia. The report of the study also pointed out that there was no gc/ms or Certificate of Analysis presented with the research project, and the genesis/provenance of the Lavender oil used was unknown.  It is possible.

 Based on the chart above, Lavandin super may well be more relaxing than our Wild High Altitude Lavender.   

But if I were seeking a lavender for relaxation out of our current inventory, I would reach for either our Mailette clone, or our Population (Lavender Fine.)   Which to use would depend on personal preference. As we so often say, "Get samples and see what you prefer."

After thought:  We have used Lavandin Super in our "go to sleep" blends for years with wonderful results.   I think any of the oils in the above chart would be relaxing with the exception of Lavandins Abrialis and Grosso.  

Choose your favorite, and have a wonderful night's sleep.

A Lot About Linalool

A Lot About Linalool

Guest blog by Gail Storment

What is linalool? I have seen Linalool percentages listed in GC/MS reports, discussed under the headings of functional families, and listed as a constituent in an essential oil many times.  I wanted to know more so I started searching in my stack of essential oil books, online, asking questions, you name it…I wanted to learn about linalool!

Linalool is a monoterpenol alcohol, with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O, and a molecular weight of 154. That sounds really geeky, sophisticated and scholarly! But where does Linalool come from? Linalool is found in the Lauraceae, Rutaceae and Apiaceae plant families:

·         Ho Wood (how about 98% linalool!)

·         Rosewood

·         Lavender

·         Coriander (Apiaceae family)

Linalool is also found in plants from the Rutaceae family:

·         Bergamot 

         Pink Grapefruit

·         Petitgrain

Linalool can be anti-bacterial, anti-infective, anti-spasmodic, sedative, and relaxing, plus can aid in pain reduction. Linalool also is important for the production of vitamin E in our bodies.

Recently I read about linalool being anti-inflammatory and that stunned me. I have never read anything about the anti-inflammatory properties of linalool so I decided to learn more about this particular therapeutic benefit, verify if the information was true or just wishful thinking, whatever-I just had to know the facts.

I read the cited studies so I will share what I gathered from them so we can learn about the possible anti-inflammatory benefits of essential oils that contain linalool. A particular study from China is the one what about knocked my socks off-cigarette smoke and linalool!

Once upon a time some lab mice needed something interesting to change their routine so some brainy scientists decided to dose up these mice with Linalool by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) two hours prior to exposing them to cigarette smoke. They continued this schedule for five consecutive days. The experiment was done to determine if Linalool would protect the mice’s lungs from acute inflammation from the cigarette smoke.  After giving the mice the linalool injections, they measured the numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in “BALF” (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid). What big words these studies use and how it messes with my story big time! So a simple conclusion- it was revealed that Linalool protected the mice against cigarette smoke induced lung inflammation. See the link below for the full content of the study.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587692 

Now I will add to my inflammation discovery another study that included linalyl acetate along with linalool. Many of the essential oils that contain linalool also contain linalyl acetate so the anti-inflammatory actions of both constitutes were tested individually.

Entering this story are creatures with long tails but this time rats were used in the experiment rather than little mice. The rats had a different ailment cast upon them-carrageenin-induced edema as the inflammation! After systematic doses of both constituents (individually tested), less edema was determined. The linalool administered rats showed a more prolonged effect of reduced edema while the linalyl acetate showed a reduction of edema for only one hour after the carrageenin was given. 

Check out this link for the full story of this experiment on linalool and linalyl acetate.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587692 

After years of using essential oils with high concentrations of linalool and linalyl acetate for the therapeutic benefits we learned about long ago, we now need to consider another reason to include them in a blend. Introducing an important therapeutic benefit-anti-inflammatory…take your bow! These studies show that linalool and linalyl acetate were important indications of anti-inflammatory activity in the lungs from essential oils that contained these constituents. Now we can consider making blends for lung inflammation using Lavender, Ho Wood and other essential oils that are high in linalool and linalyl acetate.

I have a new inhaler blend to use respiratory issues and it includes two *new oils for lung inflammation.

Respiratory Inhaler Blend for Congestion and Lung Inflammation

3 drops Ravintsara - anti-infectious, expectorant, decongestant, anti-bacterial, antimicrobial, anti-tussive, mucolytic

2 drops Eucalyptus Dives – mucolytic, expectorant, anti-tussive

2 drops Laurel Leaf - decongestant, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, analgesic, sneezing and allergy symptoms.

*3 drops Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia (approximate percentages of linalyl acetate 42%, linalool 45%), analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, sedative

*3 drops Clary sage – (linalyl acetate approximately 65%) Anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, calming, sedative to help sleep while fighting respiratory issues

Submitted by Gail Storment, a self-studying student of aromatherapy

(Just a note to thank our friend Gail for sharing the results of her hard work with us all!)

Black Pepper CO2 - Nothing to Sneeze At

A Facebook discussion about the availability (or lack thereof) of Black Pepper CO2 prompted the following musings.

Black Pepper, the spice

Nature's Gift WANTS to make Black Pepper CO2 available to our clients.  Heavens, we want to use it ourselves!    After all, my two CO2 mentors both discuss it.  Madeleine Kerkhof-Knapp Hayes writes about it, and other CO2 extracts in her book, (available here), the first accessible discussion of the use of CO2 extracts in Aromatherapy healing.  And Mark Webb, shortly teaching his second class on the uses of CO2 extracts, in Rochester NY, also teaches its use.

And we have sources, both within the US and in India and Australia.   So, what's the problem? Why are we not using it?

Because we can't tell you what is in it, that's why!

The advantage of Black Pepper CO2 compared to the steam distilled oil is its content of Piperine.  What is Piperine you may ask (because I did!)  Piperine is an alkaloid, found in dried peppercorns, but not a volatile that distills into Black Pepper essential oil.  It is believed to be the component in Black Pepper that enhances absorption of the curcurmin in Turmeric.  It is the major bioactive component in Black Pepper.  For more information than you ever wanted to know about Piperine, its therapeutic uses, methods of production, limited bioavailablity, etc. see this article at the Wiley online library.

Why does this matter?  Because when working with an extract containing a powerful bioactive substance it is important to know the content of that substance!

Piperine, in excess, can cause harm, pure and simple.   IFRA limits its use in an aromatic compound to 5%.    Mark Webb taught the use of a CO2 extract with up to 10% Piperine.

So, since we were supplying most of the aromatics for Mark's first CO2 course, in Boulder,  we started our search for Black Pepper CO2.

One well known wholesaler in the US offers it. We ordered a Kilo and requested the CofA.When we received it the CofA did not show the Piperine level.  I wrote, inquiring, since I know this supplier does GC all of their oils.  The response, "We cannot run a  GCMS test on the Black Pepper CO2 due to the non-volatiles in the oil."    well, I know that.  Another chemist will analyze the CO2 for perhaps four times the cost of a kilo of the extract. I returned our Kilo of the extract. (For whatever it is worth, I know of several online vendors offering this Black Pepper CO2 that we returned. Buyer beware, buyer be educated!)

After this disappointment, my friend Mark Webb connected me with an Australian source.  I requested a CofA. They sent one without listing the Piperine content.  I asked for the Piperine content. They contacted their producer in India, and told me it was 5%. but they had less than 1/2 kilo remaining.

We imported all they had left, based on the 5% piperine in the CofA.   When it arrived we let it stand at cool room temperature.  Excess Piperine will crystalize.  The half kilo of Black Pepper CO2 was more than 60% piperine.  (I am still trying to get my money back on that one.)

The point of all this?  People are asking where they can find Black Pepper CO2 because the two people teaching the use of CO2 extracts in Aromatherapy both discuss it.

Our favorite CO2 producer (and Madeleine's source in the past) writes that they no longer produce it because the piperine content destroys their equipment.   I have talked to some Asian and Indian producers but they seem to want to state whatever percentage I am seeking in their CofA, and I don't feel comfortable with this.  It reminds me of the distillers who will ask what %age of a specific component I want in their essential oil.

SO.  Why do we not offer Black Pepper CO2?  Because we can not find a source that we can trust. Pure and simple.  It's a shame. We have tried. And we will continue trying.

Ginger, More Than a Fizzy Drink: Zingiberaceae

By Christi R. Pugh

For Nature’s Gift, Inc.

Frequently we are asked, “Why does Nature’s Gift carry so many Lavenders (Peppermints, Frankincense) or et al and why would an individual possibly need more than one type?” Understandably when one is new to essential oils, this can be confusing. (and even after years of study!)

There are many reasons, 1) No two essential oil crops are alike, even within the same family. Location, soil, climate, and many other factors can influence the outcome of a seasonal crop/plant.  2) Some genus’, such as Zingiberaceae (Ginger) cover such a wide range of uses, it is necessary to go-to different oils within the family from time to time. (Over 50 genus’, and some 1600 species within Zingiberaceae, including Ginger, Turmeric, Cardamom, and many more.) 

Mango Ginger CO2 being poured.

Mango Ginger (Curcuma amada), also known as “White Turmeric,” is just one special oil, “among the Gingers."   We all know how helpful Ginger (Zingiber officinale) can be for nausea, how warming it is, and how it can help with aching muscles, among other key uses.  And of course, in recent years, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has come into favor for health purposes, although we have evidence ancient people turned to rhizomes for a wide variety of ailments.  (Including: Stomachache, nausea, flatulence treatment via poultices and teas.) 

We added Mango Ginger CO2 in recent years for a bit of exploration after I (Christi) became curious about it.  The producer states it is antimicrobial, antioxidative, and antiallergenic with the main components of the oil comprised of: Monoterpenes, Monoterpene hydrocarbons, and the Sesquiterpene beta carophyllene, which is the purpose of our discussion today.

Interestingly, I (Christi) asked Marge to order Mango Ginger CO2 for me several years ago, as I had tried everything for pain in my wrist and thumb (trigger thumb/carpal tunnel) and the only essential oil that helped consistently was Hemp essential oil…cannabis sativa…(for pain relief, and contained no THC.)  The Hemp essential oil (Steam Distilled, not a cold pressed carrier oil) I learned, was high in beta carophyllene.  I began to research and read every GCMS (Gas Chromatography report) of any and every oil to find what else contained b-carophyllene.  I learned of Hops (didn’t try it, don’t like the smell), Black Pepper, and a few others.   Then, I began to read about Mango Ginger CO2 and had to try it! Undiluted it is somewhat thick, so we recommend using the dilution unless you are familiar with warming oils, etc.

As soon as it arrived, I began experimenting and touted its use for pain relief and inflammation to anyone who would listen! Instead, folks kept going for the costlier options, and my “discovery” just wasn’t being heeded. Finally, when two different clients had exhausted other options, I suggested Mango Ginger Co2 10%.  I had found it to be cost effective and fast acting.  When I got feedback from these clients, I was overjoyed to learn Mango Ginger CO2 was also helping them alleviate “Trigger finger,” type pain and inflammation.  An amazingly effective and cost effective remedy.

 In the past year, we’ve added Plai, as well Ginger SelectCo2 and Ginger Total Co2 to our line-up of oils, as well as Turmeric CO2 and JavaneseTurmeric Co2.  These oils offer amazing benefits for the user and we would encourage one to read more about them on our website or to request samples the next time you place an order.  

I’ve found it is easy to overlook oils from the Ginger (Zingiberaceae) family because they seem so common and numerous.  Doing so would be a mistake when this vast family of spices has so very much to offer.

Employee Appreciation Day

Today is EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION day...so we brought in lunch. from front left, around the table. Roberta... who started with us last Autumn. Roberta packs orders, does some pouring, and is learning to blend. Behind her comes Cindi, our bookkeeper, who makes me turn in receipts and has brought order out of chaos. Next, Christi, you all know her. She is our staff aromatherapist and customer service expert.("she's the nice one.") Odds are when you call she has answered. Vastly overqualified for what she does here. Around the corner is Kabrina, our baby. She packs orders, runs the mail, and brings sunshine to our day. Michelle..Her's is the "M" on your oils, our chief pourer, blender of baby balm, Shea Creme, stand in for Jim in his absence. Shawnie, brand new, after resigning as a career teacher, Shawnie is helping us out for awhile, packing orders, wrapping samples, whatever needs doing. Jim, on the end, is our production manager. Everything that happens in production, from checking in new products, keeping track of what needs ordering, and in general maklng sure things run smoothly is his responsibility. If you appreciate what Nature's Gift does, if we bring joy and healing to your life, these are the people responsible.

And in the rear, in the window, wearing Jim's chef's hat, Is Jasmine Lavender. She watches over Production when no one else is there.