The Original Apothecary: Aroma, Memory, and Medicine

Hello Friend!

We just returned from a few refreshing days in Glacier National Park, and I feel like my nervous system finally exhaled. There’s something about those towering pines, rushing glacial rivers, and wild open skies that resets the soul. Nature, in its quiet wisdom, truly is the original apothecary.

While biking those trails and taking in the scents of nature in their pure, unfiltered forms, I wandered back to a beloved idea I’ve carried for years and feel even more committed to now. What if every healthcare environment smelled wonderful?

My late uncle Fred Lee wrote an influential book in 2004 called If Disney Ran Your Hospital: 9 1/2 Things You Would Do Differently. In it, he explored the idea that hospitals and Disney have something in common. They both provide an experience, not just a service. He encouraged healthcare systems to think more deeply about trust, comfort, and emotional care, the very things Disney does so well.

That concept has always stayed with me, and I’ve often thought we should apply the same idea to scent. What if walking into a hospital, a clinic, or even a waiting room meant being met with an aroma that calmed your body and lifted your spirit?

We, as aromatherapists, already have those tools. The invitation is to use them thoughtfully, beautifully, and boldly. Our essential oils can provide comfort, clarity, and care. Pure, vibrant aroma belongs in every space where healing happens.

Aromatic Creations Recipe

Forest Clarity Lotion Blend

As we wrap up our focus on respiratory ease and allergy support, this month’s blend invites clarity and renewal through the breath. It combines the sparkling lift of yuzu (Citrus junos), the grounding presence of hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and the soft, earthy depth of sandalwood (Santalum album).

This trio creates a quiet yet expansive forest-inspired blend with a bright, floral citrus, conifer needles, and warm wood. It’s supportive for transitions, both seasonal and emotional, and helps open space for relaxation, breath, and balance.

Ingredients
In 2 oz (56 g) of natural, unscented lotion, combine:

• 9 drops Hemlock Oil (Tsuga canadensis)

• 8 drops Yuzu Oil (Citrus junos)

• 3 drops Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album)

Directions

Combine the natural lotion and essential oils in a 2-oz (60 ml) jar. Stir gently and patiently, as the oils may take a moment to blend into the lotion. 

Blend gently and apply to the chest, neck, or upper back as part of your morning or evening ritual. This blend offers a breath of calm clarity that is rooted, expansive, and quietly uplifting.

Notes of Discovery

Essential Oils for Allergy Support

As spring’s beauty blooms, so do the challenges of seasonal allergies. You’re not alone if your eyes are itchy or your breath feels restricted. Thankfully, nature offers tools that help ease the discomfort while supporting the body’s natural response.

This week’s featured resource is Aromahead’s blog: Natural Aromatherapy Solutions for Sinus Relief and Respiratory Support. It’s a comprehensive guide to understanding how essential oils can support sinus health, calm inflammation, and ease seasonal transitions.

We’re especially highlighting the section “Which Essential Oils to Use for Allergy Support,”  a helpful reference for choosing the right oils based on your needs. Whether you're blending for a diffuser, a personal inhaler, or a chest lotion, this guide provides thoughtful insight on how to move forward with intention and safety.

Product Spotlight

Yuzu Essential Oil (Citrus junos)

Yuzu comes from Japan, the land of quiet tea rituals, forest bathing, and centuries-old natural medicine.

Pressed from the peel of the yuzu fruit, this essential oil is an aromatic bridge between citrus brightness and subtle floral depth. It brings energy and ease, like a session of meditation can leave you relaxed and uplifted.

Yuzu supports the body in various ways while delivering a gentle, joyful aroma that’s easy to love and use. It’s a beautiful companion during seasonal transitions and emotional reset.

Why we love it:

• Encourages deep relaxation while gently uplifting the spirit

• Eases muscular tension and helps calm spasms

• Soothes inflamed tissues, especially during allergy season

• Helps the body respond to immune challenges

• Naturally fights microbes and fungal imbalances (including Candida)

• Brightens blends without overwhelming them

Yuzu is an elegant and versatile essential oil that can be used in both energizing and calming formulations. It offers the rare quality of being both invigorating and comforting.

From The Vine

The Story of Yuzu: A Cultural Connection

“To understand a plant deeply is to know its story, not just its scent.”

Yuzu, a bright and soulful citrus, carries centuries of cultural wisdom and quiet comfort.

Though rare on Western grocery shelves, yuzu is a flavor and seasonal companion woven into Japanese everyday life.

What Makes Yuzu So Special?

• Origin: Grown primarily in southern Japan: Kochi, Kyushu, and Shikoku, where cool rain and mild winters nurture this thorny, golden-fruited tree.

• Aroma Profile: A vibrant medley of grapefruit and mandarin, softened by a delicate floral whisper.

• Texture & Taste: Its thick, bumpy peel hides complex, tart juice prized in everything from broths to desserts.

A Seasonal Ritual: Yuzuyu

Every winter solstice, families in Japan slip whole yuzu fruits into their evening baths, creating a moment of aromatic tranquility known as yuzuyu.

• Said to ward off colds

• Eases fatigue of the body and mind

• Brings good fortune for the coming year

• And most importantly... it nourishes the spirit

Stay Inspired!

May you experience the magic this week.