Our 27th Annual Sale, Some New Oils From Italy… and Thank You!

Can you believe it? We’ve made it to the 27th Annual 40% off Aromatherapy Sale!

There’s some new label designs coming soon to Veronica Aromatherapy!

Once again, a sincere thank you to you all for your devotion and loyal support; I am here only because of you! Thank you for your heartfelt encouragement, your stories and feedback. It’s always gratifying to hear that you’ve liked my oils, that the quality is above the rest, and how effective they’ve been for you. It gives me great inspiration and motivation to keep searching for new oils, to expand and develop my oil collection so that every year the list is more and more comprehensive—and exciting!

Supplies and Stock

Supplies this year are once again tough to come by. There were several items that I couldn’t keep in stock. We tried to hold on to the old price, but with the increasing freight and GST charges, we’ve had to raise them again. It cost me a whopping €1600 😱 on one shipment alone—just 5kg of oils—from France, due to the dangerous goods tax and handling fee! However, as much as I didn’t want to raise prices, I cannot deny the quality of the oil, or compromise their effectiveness.

I was full of worries about pricing it reasonably, and yet keep from making a total loss. I tried my best to balance these opposing forces, and hope the prices this year are not too big a climb… I feel so bad for all of you who are my loyal fans and supporters, but I hope you can understand how things have been lately.

Carriers and Sources

Due to various sourcing issues with our suppliers this year, we have a few changes to the carrier oils and lotions. On the plus side, however, we have some wonderful additions!

Carrier Oil and Gel Modifications

This year we could not obtain any hazelnut oil for our stocks, so our blends that are made with hazelnut oil will be replaced with virgin-pressed Sweet Almond oil.

We also had to make do with organic lotions rather than our usual SLS and Paraben-Free creams as our suppliers couldn’t secure the source, so our Cool Inflammation Blend will be more watery than usual. It works just as well, only that the texture is not as dry (a minor imperfection).

We almost couldn’t sell any Aloe Vera this year, but at the last minute I found another supplier, thank goodness! I literally spend half a year leading up to the sale period, sourcing for the oil collection. Sometimes I wonder if this sale will be the last, because it is getting harder and harder with the global supply chain and constant increases in costs. But I just couldn’t force myself to make do with secondhand-quality oils… I love the oils too much (even if that makes me a perfectionist)!

A New Source! Citrus Oils Direct from Southern Italy

 

By God’s grace, I’ve found a good source of organic citrus oils, direct from an artisan aromatherapy farm in the south of Italy. It’s located in San Carlo, Calabria, right at the very southern tip of the “toe” of Italy. This family-owned farm was established in 1954, in an area with one of the very best habitats for Bergamot and Citrus farming due to its unique microclimate. They aim to produce 100% pure and natural essential oils of the finest quality whilst respecting the natural environment. They use modern technology to cold press the oils, and support local citrus farmers using clean energy and water optimisation, making them one of the more evolved sustainable farms. The hand harvested fruits and fantastic climate and nurturing soil produce super-gorgeous cold-pressed oils—I fell in love immediately, and had to share this with you!

Storing Cold-pressed Oils

I have since learned that these cold-pressed oils (i.e. they have not been through any steam or heat process) have a longer shelf life, keep most of the original enzymes, minerals, and colors, and you get the wholesome goodness of the full potential of the oils on top of that.

You can keep it for years in constant cool temperatures, such in the fridge! Store them in a ziplock bag and then place them at the door side of your fridge (which is not too cold). Only remove them to bring it to room temperature once, then do not put it back again.

Citrus Oil Usage

Citrus oils generally share similar properties, such as being uplifting, good for depression, good for digestion and general detoxification, fat burning, and they tend to stimulate more urine output. You can use them in inhalation, and other applications after diluting them.

Our New Oil Selection

Of course, I am more than excited to bring all of the farm’s citrus oils (lemon, orange, petitgrain, bergamot, and mandarin) to you this year! Thank God, since it is direct from farm this year, I could keep the citrus oils at the current price without having to factor increases like in the other oils. Here are the details for a selection of them:

Bergamot Italian Organic

Citrus aurantium, var. Bergamia

Cold Pressed Version (Bergamot CP) | 10ml for $32.90

Organic and cold pressed from the rind of the fruit, this variety preserves more of the valuable aromatic properties and potency. It is good in well-being and immunity blends, as well as having the most beautiful scent for inhalation (great for combating feelings of sadness and depression), and delivers the full benefits and nutrients of the plant.

Steam Distilled Version (Bergamot SD) | 10ml for $31.90

Organic and steam distilled from the rind of the fruit. Did you ask why did I bring in the steam distilled version? Because it is non-phototoxic when it is steamed (the oil’s phototoxic coumarin compound is lost in the heated distillation). This makes it sun safe (and not the FCF-extracted version that seems to strip the Bergamot of it’s full robust smell). There is no need to worry about when to use this—especially in sunny Singapore—if you use it as a skincare or facial oil.

Bergamot oil (both versions) is one of the most excellent antidepressants (in inhalation), is a digestive (good for gassy, bloated tummy). Also good for baby-safe immunity protection: a drop or two on babies and children’s clothes before wearing, to keep them away from airborne infections. A happy and delightful baby oil; I always loved it for keeping my sons nice and calm.

Extra tips: I use a drop of lavender and bergamot to help them sleep for longer, or 1 drop of frankincense and bergamot on a tissue or clothes for anti anxiety through inhalation.

Used mostly in diffusion, inhalation, and diluted applications only. Do not apply this neat / directly on the skin.

Grapefruit White Italian Organic

Citrus paradisi | 10ml for $30.90

Cold Pressed. White Grapefruit oil helps to dissolve fats via absorption through the skin. It activates fat digesting behaviour, breaking the fat molecules down in size, and making them more efficient for transport. Good for reducing cellulite, or an overall detox from fatty deposits. Classically a bright vibrant smell, it’s a great mood-lifting oil. Found in our serums because it is excellent for acne and regulating oils in the skin. Try it in a car vent diffuser for an uplifting, happy drive.

Best used in diffusion, inhalation, or diluted applications.

Lemon Petitgrain Italian (new and rare)

Citrus Limon | 10ml for $33.90

Steam distilled from from the leaves of a lemon tree, it is truly unique, and not nearly as commonly found, unlike the regular orange Petitgrain. The smell is more fruity and sweeter than the orange, which has more bitter tones. It is more useful for perfuming and hand-crafted products, such as for homemade soaps and skincare. It is analgesic (reduces pain), good for anxiety, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiseptic, antispasm (good for cramps) hypotensive (brings down BP), immune stimulant, good for insomnia, meditation (use in a diffuser/burner when meditating), sedative, and good for stress.

Best used in diffusion, inhalation, and low dilution applications. Bring out it’s cologne-like perfume quality by combining with other citrus and floral oils.

Orange Sweet Italian Organic

Citrus sinensis | 10ml for $26.90

Organically cold pressed from the peels from Italy. Uplifting and fresh, good as a digestion aid, and detox cleansing for fat and fluid elimination. Another good oil to use for a fat burning formula, as it similarly triggers the fat digestion of the body’s chemicals, useful for cellulite and areas that are more fatty than watery typically abdominal apron, hips and thighs.

Use in inhalation, diffusion or diluted application.

Mandarin Green Italian Organic

Citrus reticulata | 10ml for $28.90

Organic cold pressed from the peels while the fruit is still green (from Italy). The ultimate pregnancy-safe and infant/baby-safe oil. It has been a long, long number of years since I’ve found a Mandarin oil that I like. The last time I had it in stock was likely 1998, in the early years of my aromatherapy journey, when my own boys were just born; this mummy had to always massage my young baby to keep them from having tummy aches! I had also used it during my pregnancy to relieve constipation, especially in the later stages.

Above: Green Mandarin

This mandarin has captured my heart with it’s beautiful, bright and refreshing, citrusy scent. I like this scent better than the red mandarin variety, which has a more mature, warmer tone. That one seems to be more “heaty”, which in my mind indicates that it’s a better fit for warming purposes, for elderly people who are more prone to feeling cold, for example. Babies and mummies often have higher basal temperatures and sweat a lot, so it’s perfect for a tummy rub for both their nervous digestions, “windy conditions”, and nice and calming for everyone! It is especially good for baby colic when combined with chamomile and lavender.

It is one of the safest, gentlest citrus essential oils for oily and acne-prone skin, for children and elders. Use it as a green, fruity perfume blend for your skin care. It is antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, antioxidant, anti-spasm (relieves cramps), calming, and an expectorant (expels and dissolves phlegm).

Use in inhalation, diffusion or diluted applications. Do not use any directly on the skin, especially on babies; always dilute before use.

Here are some other new oils recently added to the collection:

Myrtle Morocco Oil

Myrius communis | 10ml for $41.90

From: LIGURIAN VASCULAR FLORA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Steam distilled from the leaves and berries, from Morocco. Myrtle Oil smells herbaceous and eucalyptus-like, and typically used in baby cough syrups. In textbooks, it’s recommended for lung and bladder infections, and hence is good for chesty coughs, or frequent episodes of a urinary infection. It is astringent, kills bacteria, an expectorant (moves out mucous). Its antiseptic qualities make it good on acne for your skin care routine. This also makes it ideal for asthma and bronchitis. It’s mild in nature, and very suitable for children’s coughs and chest complaints, including respiratory infections.

Use in diffusion, inhalation, or diluted applications.

Lime Italian Oil

Citrus aurantifolia | 10ml for $30.90

Conventional steam distillation from the peel of the fruit. From Italy—though not from our direct supplier and farm mentioned above, it is still good. Lime can cause photo-toxicity, so the steam-distilled version will be sun safe.

I was so curious on what the lime essential oil would be like; the smell is citrus-like but not as strong as lemon (it’s milder and softer in tone). It is commonly used as a replacement for lemon in blends. The smell is fresh and sweet, traditionally used in perfuming and scenting food stuff.

It’s actions are good for regulating skin susceptible to infections, such as inflamed acne, greasy skin, mouth ulcers and warts.It’s even recommended for herpes. It is anti-rheumatic good for arthritis, good for cellulites (as it is detoxifying), good for hypertension, and for poor circulation and obesity. Also recommended for asthma, throat infections, and bronchitis as a soothing supportive oil. Definitely effective in gastric issues, to aid digestion and regulate enzyme production.

Use in diffusion, inhalation, or diluted applications.

Increased Price for Therapy Services

Sorry guys, I tried my best to hold onto the current prices, but it’s getting too hard to manage the balance sheet. I will have to increase my price by 10% to cover the GST charges in my operational expenses bills. Even though I would prefer not too, it’s just not sustainable, and doesn’t make sense if I can’t pay my essential business expenses and salaries.

The adjusted the prices will take effect at the beginning of the new year, on 1st January 2025. I hope for your understanding; I know it is really hard on us in Singapore with all the price increases, and I have tried my best to keep the price increase to a $10-15 max.

I do pray that next year will be better for all of us, and that the world will be safer and more peaceful. I’m hopeful the economy will turn around, and the cost of living will be stable and more affordable. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the collection this year, and can take advantage of the sale!

Happy Shopping!

—Veron