Can a scent warm your home? Well, it can’t physically heat the space as the cold winter temperatures begin to creep in, but certain scents can influence us on a psychological level, making it feel warmer than it might actually be. This phenomenon is due to the common memories and experiences we share and the aromas that we associate with those warm recollections. Do you recall how you felt when you were last standing by a crackling fire fueled by dry, fragrantly resinous wood? Or when you were sitting in a kitchen with a warm oven filled with trays of deliciously spiced, baking cookies? Or when you were cupping a steaming mug of hot, cinnamon-spiced cider in your hands? Memory-scent triggers are powerfully evocative — intertwining memories that inspire recall of scents and scents that inspire recall of memories. Using essential oils that are associated with a warmth-memory trigger to naturally fragrance your holiday home is a safe and toxic-free way to create a warm and cozy holiday atmosphere. (These scents can also cleanse and deodorize the air.)

Warming essential oils to choose from:
allspice
bay
cardamom
cassia/cinnamon
clove
frankincense
ginger
myrrh
nutmeg
pine
cedarwood

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Warm Woods Diffusion Blend

Ingredients:
2 drops frankincense essential oil
2 drops myrrh essential oil
2 drops pine essential oil
2 drops cedarwood essential oil

Directions: Combine oils. Apply drops to replacement pads that come with Aura Cacia’s Room Diffuser. Reapply as needed. Or use a candle aromatherapy lamp: fill bowl with 1/4 water, add oils to water, light candle.

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Warming Spices Simmer Pot

Ingredients:
1 fresh orange, sliced
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole star anise
2 drops allspice essential oil
2 drops bay essential oil
2 drops ginger essential oil
2 drops nutmeg essential oil

Directions: Bring 1 quart of water to a steaming simmer on stove. Add whole spices and oil. Simmer to fill house with warm, pleasant aroma.

December FREE GIVEAWAY

Aura Cacia Silver Candle Lamp FREE with every online order (while supply lasts)! Click here for details.

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ESSENTIAL OIL OF THE MONTH

A Fresh Look at Patchouli

The mysterious, potent, earthy, tenacious and radiant aroma profile of patchouli makes it the epitome of a stand-alone, distinctive essential oil. Patchouli is unlike any other essential oil — and it's widely recognizable and stands out in a crowd. Some people may not appreciate the scent of patchouli, but if they really paused to study and understand the remarkable properties of the oil, they might discover a new appreciation.

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is the cognac of essential oils, growing sweeter, more heady, earthy, musky and interesting as the years go by. The oil fits neatly with the new trend in aromatics for rich, earthy, real scents. As a society, we are yearning for calm balance, yogic equilibrium and an earth-connected consciousness. If this social atmosphere had a most appropriate scent, it would be patchouli. Here are some tips and sources for incorporating the life-enhancing aroma of patchouli into your routine:

Relaxation and Meditation – Combine a single drop of patchouli with a pump of organic baobab oil and apply in the center of your forehead as a calming, aromatic anointing of your third eye chakra. Visualize the balance you are creating in your life.

Inspiration for Yoga and Exercise – Use an electric essential oil diffuser to scent your studio with inspiring patchouli. Blend in a bit of uplifting lemon, sweet orange or grapefruit essential oil to boost the motivation factor.

Exotic and Erotic Sensual Essence – Create a layered, natural essence of smoldering sex appeal by combining a few drops of patchouli, sandalwood and a floral (such as ylang ylang, neroli or jasmine) in a mist bottle with water and applying to pulse points.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

National Moment of Chill Saturday, Dec. 22

Our last National Moment of Chill is December 22nd - the last Saturday before Christmas and the shortest day of the year. Join us for a moment to relax and chill. Get details at the National Moment of Chill webpage.

San Francisco Yoga Conference, Jan. 18-20

Aura Cacia is a Silver sponsor for the Yoga Journal Yoga Conference in San Francisco January 18th- 20th. Charlynn Avery, Aura Cacia aromatherapist and educator, will be teaching a FREE class, Connecting Mind-Body-Spirit with Essential Oils, on Sunday from 2:00 - 3:00. For more information visit www.yjevents.com.