Aromatherapy Thursday - Fennel

This beautiful plant marker was found on ETSY shop HouseOfWhisperingFir at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HouseofWhisperingFir?ref=seller_info

Today's featured essential oil and plant is Fennel.  While Fennel is great for pizza it has many other very useful properties.  Did you know Fennel will actually freshen your breath better than peppermint?  In fact in the Victorian period people would chew fennel seeds just for that freshy reason.  It has also been noted to treat constipation and relieve flatulence. 

You can purchase Whole Organic Fennel from ETSY shop Kat's Herbs & Knitting at http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatsHerbsKnitting?ref=seller_info

Fennel is a common plant that can be grown in most areas of the US and other countries as a perennial.  Fennel has been nicknamed the wild carrot for its carrot shaped root.  It is best know for it culinary uses but does have many great properties if included as seasoning in the diet or as a tea.  Alone (without the pizza) Fennel's flavor is very similar to anise and is very palatable.  The essential oil is made by distillation of the plant's leaves and stems.

You can purchase heirloom seeds to plant your own fennel from Etsy shop NimbleNiteCap at http://www.etsy.com/shop/nimblenitecap?ref=seller_info

Topically, fennel is often included in skin care products for its ability to freshen and brighten skin and it can also help relieve puffy eyes.

The essential oil is often used in aromatherapy to balance moods and has properties that will aid in reducing stress and tension.  It is also used to revitalize the mind and may even help with moods during the menstrual cycle.   Fennel oil and that actual plant smell very similar to licorice and the fragrance will often blend nicely with other earthy scents like basil, lavender, lemon, cedarwood, patchouli and sandalwood.

'Aromatherapy Thursday - Fennel' by ButterflyInTheAttic

This treasury can also be found in today's blog post Aromatherpay Thursday - Fennel at:

Organic Florence Fennel... cubits $3.50	Mandrake Garden Natural... MidnightGypsyA... $7.95	Fennel Grapefruit Beesw... BeehiveAlchemy $4.00	Aloe and Fennel soap BullesetMolecu... $6.95
Clove & Fennel Nursing... WashTheDayAway $5.25	Fennel (Foeniculum vulg... GabriellesGard... $2.00	Savior Salve- Sweet Fen... OliveNaturalBe... $15.00	Chai Lip Balm Tube -- H... OmShantiNatura... $4.00
Herbal Tea Blend HOOKAH... bombylbee $9.00	Twig Pencils - Natural ... twigpencil $11.95	Organic Fennel Seeds HomegrownHealt... $2.00	Fragrant & Powerful Fen... bodypure $8.00
Dead Sea Mud Complexion... bovinebubbles $5.50	NATURAL SWEET FENNEL Es... doTdo $6.00	Fennel Chamomile Facial... WashTheDayAway $10.00	Fennel Seed Powder, 1 o... SoapNSupply $1.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio

'Aromatherapy Thursday - Fennel - Part 2' by ButterflyInTheAttic

This treasury can also be found in today's blog post Aromatherpay Thursday - Fennel at:

Organic Fennel Florence... nimblenitecap $2.00	Fennel Lip Balm wildroot $3.50	Absinthe Soy Wax Single... somethinspecia... $3.49	Candle Lemon Fennel Ess... ManInTheMoonHe... $12.50
Orange Fennel Chef Soap cynthiassoapki... $8.00	Fennel Essential Oil SaharasSupplie... $6.50	Lip Balm- Sweet Fennel OliveNaturalBe... $5.00	NEW Dulce Sweet Fennel ... gabrielsaunt $13.00
All Natural Lavender Li... naiad $9.50	All Natural Lavender Li... naiad $6.75	1/4 Pound Whole Fennel ... layla $3.00	Absinthe Shea Cocoa But... somethinspecia... $8.99
Swallowing Knives: Sore... starlingbathbo... $10.00	Absinthe scented 8 oz. ... WitchCityWicks $16.00	Spearmint Lime All Natu... CindysSuds $4.95	The Due Date mihow $10.00

Treasury tool supported by threequickquestions

Outside of normal culinary uses, Fennel is a very powerful herb and essential oil that should be used with caution.  It should not be used by pregnant women and small children.  You should always consult your physician prior to using any alternative medicine, homeopathic treatments, or essential oils especially if you have conditions such as epilepsy.  Always conduct an allergy test prior to using products containing essential oils and never use Fennel oil "neat" or directly applied to the skin, this may cause damage to the skin.  When smelling essential oils never directly put the bottle or container to your nose, instead hold it several inches away and using your hand waft the scent to your nose.  Smelling directly from the container could damage the sensitive mucous membranes inside your nose.

Monday Meet and Greet the Members of the Pacific Postcards Team - VintageParisMarket

Today's Pacific Postcards Team (PPT Team) Meet and Greet features the VintageParisMarket (ETSY ID.) In this lovely shope you will find many items with that vintage Paris flair including a selection of handmade postcards and items made with vintage images from postcards. 

The Vintage Paris Market has member of the team since April of 2011.  Here a couple of their Non-postcard related items that I just love.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92462969/shabby-chic-and-high-fashion-throw

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64677617/hand-crinkled-seam-binding-packaged

Not only do they have a wonderful selection of collectibles but as you can see they have some very nice supplies also.  Above is an example of their hand dyed binding; Beautiful!

They utalize the beautiful images of vintage postcards to create sachets, gift tags and journals:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84332056/floral-postcard-original-design-gift-tag?ga_search_query=postcards&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6078119

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77741798/vintage-music-eiffel-tower-sachet?ga_search_query=postcards&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6078119

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66817625/handmade-moleskine-notebook-altered-with?ga_search_query=journal%2B-tag&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6078119

Their postcards are of photographs taken in Paris:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98451632/introductory-sale-fine-art-parisian?ga_search_query=postcard&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6078119

From VintageParisMarket's Profile:

"I am a mom of three beautiful little girls (Rita, Claudia and Natalie) and have a very loving and supportive husband. I have a Masters in Business degree and have spent many years working in banking and Wall Street. I decided to take the more creative route after my beautiful daughter Rita was born. So I quit corporate America and decided to start creating, which has always been my passion. I also have a paper crafting and scrapbooking website for 8 years now (www.creativedesignboutique.com)

Please like our Facebook page and come for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Paris-Market

I love creating vintage art that reminds me of the old Vintage Paris Market.

I spend a lot of time in my craft studio which I call my happy place..."

~VintageParisMarket

If you are interested on becoming a member of the Pacific Postcards Team please go to this link http://www.etsy.com/teams/9158/pacific-postcards-team?ref=pr_teams and click "Apply."

We have just started offering 2 different memberships: one will be for general
                        membership, for those who love postcards and collecting postcards and the other will
                        be for shops with at least 25% of their items listed are postcards. 

                       The only difference in the memberships is that the latter will be included in shop

                       interviews, BNRs and postcard related activities. We also plan on having activities for

                       the general memberships. Hope to see you there soon.