A Personal Journey Through Vanilla, Resins, and the Soul of Grenada
Vanilla in Bloom – Exploring CO2, Oleoresin, and Infused Oils
Hello Friend!
Grenada was a beautiful change of pace from the mountains of Montana that I call home. The azure sea was breathtaking, especially being there with family and friends.
In this week’s newsletter, join me on a sensory journey through Grenada's lush, spice-filled landscapes, where every scent tells a story of nature's richness and craftsmanship. From vanilla’s sacred essence to Peru balsam’s warming heart, we’ll delve into the aromas and blends that bring grounding and comfort. I hope these insights and recipes inspire you to pause, savor, and celebrate nature’s simple yet profound gifts.
Each morning started with shared breakfasts, and the days unfolded with us exploring together, laughing, and soaking up every moment. Walking through the lush, green mountainsides and forests filled with the scents of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cocoa, I felt a sense of joy and quiet reverence. Being surrounded by these spice trees—each with its magic—reminded me of the richness nature brings to our lives and our work as aromatherapists.
Every sense came alive on this island. The earthy sweetness of cocoa mingling with the spicy allure of nutmeg was a beautiful reminder of nature’s abundance. This experience felt sacred, with each fragrance and view carrying layers of history, care, and tradition—grounding me in aromatherapy’s timeless roots and plants’ incredible power.
Inspired by these gifts, I’m excited to share a special meditation this week—a quiet reflection on the many faces of vanilla, one of nature’s sweetest offerings.
Sacred Moment: A Deep Grounding Meditation with Vanilla’s Wisdom
Settle into a comfortable position, gently relaxing your shoulders. Close your eyes and take a few deep, soothing breaths, feeling the rise and fall of each inhale and exhale. Imagine yourself surrounded by the warmth of a tropical landscape, like the lush island of Grenada, with the scent of earthy spices lingering in the air.
With each breath, let your focus shift to the humble vanilla bean. Picture its journey from a delicate blossom to a fragrant fruit, each vine climbing gracefully toward the sun, its tender flowers patiently awaiting the touch of a pollinator or human hand. Envision the bean ripening slowly over many months, perfectly aligned with nature’s rhythm.
Now, see the bean in its drying phase, spread under the sun, each ray drawing out its deep aroma, layer by layer, revealing the essence held within. Feel the quiet strength in this slow, deliberate process—the sweetness, depth, and resilience in each tiny seed, ready to be released.
Now, envision yourself as this vanilla bean. Reflect on your own journey and the phases of growth and transformation that have shaped your inner strength. Honor the quiet moments, the slow ripening, and the resilience that has brought you here. See the potential within you—unique gifts and intentions nurtured over time, awaiting their moment to flourish.
Take a few final deep breaths, embracing this sense of calm, patience, and quiet power. When you feel ready, gently bring your awareness back, grounded and connected to nature’s wisdom, knowing that it’s your time to bloom.
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Vanilla in Bloom – Exploring CO2, Oleoresin, and Infused Oils

In this week’s blog, “Vanilla in Bloom,” I share a journey into the heart of Grenada, where we explored fragrant spice markets and lush plantations, encountering the many faces of vanilla. Vanilla isn’t just a sweet scent; it holds a timeless allure that’s comforting and intricate. As we delved deeper, I discovered that choosing the right form of vanilla can uniquely elevate an aromatherapy blend, thanks to the subtle differences between vanilla CO2, oleoresin, and infused oils.
Each type brings out vanilla’s magic in distinct ways:
CO2 Extract is a versatile form that captures vanilla’s essence with a light, airy aroma, ideal for calm and uplifting blends.
Oleoresin is rich and concentrated, perfect for indulgent, grounding blends where a full-bodied vanilla presence is desired.
Vanilla Infused Jojoba Oil offers a gentle note that nourishes the skin and works beautifully as a base in perfumes or moisturizing balms.
🎥 Interested to see how I make the Vanilla Infused Jojoba Oil at Aromatics International? Check out this short behind the scenes video here.
Whether you’re new to vanilla in blending or a seasoned aromatherapist, this post offers a deep dive into how each variety can be used to bring balance, warmth, and subtle complexity to your creations.
Read on for the whole story and how each of these vanilla types can inspire and enrich your practice.
Peru Balsam Infused Oil
Peru Balsam Infused Jojoba Oil is a beautifully versatile infusion with a unique aroma profile: warmly spiced with hints of vanilla, resinous sweetness, and a touch of radiant, balsamic depth. Much like vanilla-infused jojoba, this oil shines on its own or as a base for essential oils, adding subtle warmth and dimension to blends. Its cinnamon-like nuances pair especially well with earthy base notes like sandalwood and vetiver, making it ideal for soothing, grounding creations that evoke an exotic, comforting atmosphere.
Peru Balsam Infused Jojoba Oil is crafted from Peru balsam oleoresin, a richly aromatic resin from Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae. This resin, with warm vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel notes, is wildcrafted in El Salvador through a sustainable tapping process over 10–15 days. Though thick and molasses-like, it finds its perfect carrier in jojoba oil, bringing a deep warmth and soothing quality to your blends.
This warm, grounding roll-on blend is ideal for those moments when we crave deep relaxation and a true sense of ease. Apply it to pulse points, and let its calming energy invite you to unwind completely.
Ingredients & Supplies:
2 drops Sandalwood (Santalum album)
1 drop Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
1 drop Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum)
1 drop Vanilla Bourbon CO2 (Vanilla planifolia)
0.3 fl oz (10 ml) Peru Balsam Infused Jojoba Oil (Myroxylon balsamum)
1 - 10 ml Glass Roller Bottle
Directions:
In a 10 ml roller bottle, add all essential oils.
Fill the rest of the roller bottle with Peru Balsam Infused Jojoba Oil.
Secure the roller ball and cap, and shake gently to blend.
Apply sparingly to pulse points and inhale deeply for a moment of grounding relaxation.
A little goes a long way! Enjoy the serene warmth of this blend, embracing its calming, grounding energy.
Looking for ingredients? Here they are!
From The Vine
Question on Peru Balsam
Question: Is it safe to use Peru balsam oleoresin directly on the skin?
Answer: Avoid using it on broken skin or for extended periods, as well as on children under two years of age. Due to its potency, this resin works well in low concentrations, allowing you to safely enjoy its warming, sweet aroma.
It’s best to dilute it in a carrier oil and apply only in small amounts to a limited area. Peru Balsam infused oil is gorgeous!
Peru balsam is much gentler on the skin when diluted as an infusion in jojoba oil. This form allows you to enjoy the warming, sweet aroma without the skin sensitivity risks associated with undiluted oleoresin. However, testing a small area to ensure no irritation occurs is still a good idea.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy your day today!
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"Smell is a word, perfume is literature"
— Jean-Claude Ellena
Ellena, a master perfumer and former in-house creator at Hermès, described fragrance as “literature,” suggesting that scents—especially complex, resinous ones—tell layered stories that deepen our inner experience. In perfumery, rich resins like Peru balsam bring warmth and comfort, revealing their notes slowly, like the chapters of a calming narrative.
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