Aromatherapy Thursday - Citronella Grass

As the summer months approach, Citronella Grass will become the most popular and if not one the most popular aromatherapy treatments in the the US.  There are so many products offered to us that contain Citronella you can go to any Lowe's, Menard's, and Walmart and buy a vast array of oils, lotions, and candles.  Unfortunately most of the things offered on the market right now come in ugly packaging and utilize other cheap ingredients.  My solution is that if I need to have a lot of Citronella (back in a time I camped and lived in the mosquito ridden Midwest) I would buy the cheaper items and use them in places not readily visible.  Then I would buy the pretty things that used Citronella and have those nicely displayed on the tables and out where people were looking.

This absolutely sweet photograph of picnic along with many other beautiful photographs can be purchased at SewGoodPhotography at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewGoodPhotography?ref=seller_info

 Citronella Grass oil is so terribly popular because it is known to repell mosquitoes and other pesky insects.  Burning a candle in strategically places will definitely reduce the number of uninvited biting guests at your picnic or family gathering.  Unfortunately it is not as effective as some of the chemical products available but it is much better for you and much better for the environment.

Citronella Grass oil is distilled from the leaves of the plant Cympopogon Nardus which is part of the Lemon Grass Genus (Cympopogon.)  It does have a very different smell than Lemon Grass oil but you can smell the family resemblance.  The Citronella Grass plant originated in Indonesia but is widely grown in other warmer climates due to the popularity of the oil.

You can purchase dried lemon grass and many other dried botanicals and herbs from ETSY Shop CuriousWiccan at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CuriousWiccan?ref=seller_info

 Not only is Citronella Grass oil good for repelling insects it is a natural disinfectant (why it is found in so many other household cleaners) and has antiseptic properties.  I can be beneficial to "cleanse" a sick room or if many family members were ill at one time you could use it to clean the entire house with the hope of killing any lingering germs.

Physically when used as a message oil Citronella Grass oil can produce a warming effect that will help ease joint and muscle pain.  It can also help treat oily skin and scalps.  It is also a wonderful to use a Citronella soap after working in the garden, nothing smells better than that lemony scent and it will offer protection to your skin from any thing you may have picked up while handling the dirt.

This pretty natural soap can be found in new ETSY shop EmpireSoaps at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/empiresoaps?ref=seller_info

In aromatherapy Citronella Grass is said to have a anti-depressant effect and help clear the mind.  The light lemony scent is pleasant and and it also may remind you of family fun and wonderful summer holidays.  I know that even though I don't camp any more or have to deal with many misquotes that I still want to buy Citronella candles when I walk through the store.  The powerful scent of the many candle jars and oils calls to my nostalgia from their shelves whispering memories of summers gone by.

Here are some wonderful essential oils and handmade products from Etsy:

 

Wandering Wednesday - Jalama Beach California

Jalama Beach California is one of those places that not many people know about, even those that live in California.  It is one of those spots that you just google and say "that looks nice" but once you get there it is amazing!  It is one of the prettiest beaches that I have been to and it has many attributes that will make it a great place to take your family.

The only unfortunate part is that you have to travel a bit to get there and it may seem that you are lost but your not.  It is locate approximately 20 miles Southwest of Lompoc California in Santa Barbara County.  You must be willing to drive a long stretch through some rolling hills and farmland.  You will also want to note that as you get closer to your destination the roads will get a little more narrow and you will loose cellular services.  The neat thing about the journey is just when you are starting to think "there is no way there is a beach here," you will crest the last hill and get a panoramic view of the ocean.

There are many activities available such as whale and bird watching, surfing, fishing, and hiking.  The main attraction for me was the hiking and a leisurely stroll along the beach.  I simply liked Jalama for its beautiful shore line and ocean view.  I had so much fun looking at the little shrimp and other creatures that would get trapped in the pools that formed as the waves retreated back to the ocean over the soft rocks. 

At Jalama you have the best of two landscapes. On the right side of the beach it is rocking and great for exploring and hiking; the rocks almost look like they've been painted.  Unfortunately my camera did not capture how bright the deep bands of red, tan and beige were that ripple through the rocks.  The other side of the beach has the traditional sandy shore wonderful for the kids to play in and for you to enjoy beachcombing.

Jalama has a great campsite for those that love to rough it; most people have rated the camping as very good and report that they really enjoyed the site.  They have cabins if you don't want to bring a tent and there is a small store called Jalama Beach Store & Grill that reportedly has great burgers and has everything you'll need.  This website, http://www.santabarbara.com/activities/camping/jalama_beach/,  is very helpful for planning a trip to Jalama.  They do charge for parking which after traveling that far is good to know ahead of time.  I haven't been there for a couple of years so I am not exactly sure how much it is now.

I hope that you get a chance to enjoy one of California's hidden treasures; I am sure you will be glad that you made the trip.