Eucalyptus Spotlight

Did you know there are 300 species of Eucalyptus trees? These trees are indigenous to Australia where the fresh leaves have been used traditionally in wound treatments, and the wood is used for making didgeridoo wind instruments. Trees are also used for making pulp and charcoal.  Eucalyptus essential oil, which is powerfully cleansing, antiseptic, and deodorizing, is steam distilled from the leaves.

Eucalyptus tree in bloom, photo by Starr. Trees can grow as high as 90 meters

Australian Eucalyptus globulus essential oil is the best quality. Due to its camphoraceous, sweet and woody scent, 75% of "Eucalyptus Oil" on the market actually comes from China where the faux oil is made from Camphor Trees. True Eucalyptus oil is refreshing and stimulating; a favorite to use in steams or bath formulas for people with congested sinuses. A 2% Eucalyptus oil room spray emulsion is extremely antiseptic, with the ability to kill 70% of airborne Staph bacteria. The oil provides a cooling and stimulating sensation useful in a congested chest rubs or lip balms for blistered lips. Below is a demonstration from Aromatherapy Oasis on how to use essential oils safely in a steam inhalation. 

There are environmental and safety concerns regarding cultivation of Eucalyptus outside of Australia. Eucalyptus has become invasive in many areas including California, where it is also a fire hazard due to the volatility of the essential oil. The Seminole Indian tribe has taken a stand against the planting of genetically engineered (GE) Eucalyptus trees in Florida. Native pine forests are being cut down to plant GE Eucalyptus, which worsens climate change and is a threat to biodiversity. People living near the GE Eucalyptus plantations are concerned with health risks from altered tree pollen and toxic chemicals used on the plantations. Eucalyptus trees are also require a lot of water. We are against the destruction of native South Eastern forests for Eucalyptus production. 

Eucalyptus globulus trees in Hawaii, photo by Starr

This Neck Exercise Works Wonders for Upper Back Pain and Stiffness

I found this helpful exercise video by chiropractor Dr. Paula Moore of PostureVideos.com at Erin Elizabeth's Health Nut News blog. I have been doing the exercise demonstrated here daily for the past week, and have noticed major improvement with some upper back tightness around the first through third thoracic vertebrae. Maybe the fact that I had only been having that pain for a few months, contributed to this exercise clearing up the tension so quickly, which was after only three days. The exercise itself takes less than 5 minutes a day. After the first day of trying it, I did a few neck rotations and experiences around 10 neck or back pops through out the day. The second day, I felt stiffness like my spine had been replaced with a rod. It felt strange but not painful. The third day, my neck and upper back just felt loose, more relaxed, and more mobile.

New Product: Lemon Laundry Soap Powder

We just added a new product to our website.  Aquarian Bath's new laundry soap is made with Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda), Aquarian Bath vegan soap scraps that have been finely powdered in our Vitamix, Sodium Tetraborate (borax), and Lemon essential oil. Lemon essential oil doesn't mask odors like chemical fragrance oils, it deodorizes and removes them.

I hope my grandmother would approve this recipe.  She took in laundry to support my mother and uncle when they were young children. 

Dorathy Trusty, Grandma Marjorie Ekstedt, and future Aquarian Bath president Cory Trusty

This laundry soap is low/no lather and can be used with top loading or side loading high efficiency machines. We currently have this laundry soap available in 1 pound biodegradable & compostable cellophane bags with a wooden scoop. One pound is enough for 42 side loading high efficiency machines or 21 top loading machines. No fabric softener is needed.

Does not contain the following:

Petrochemicals

Chlorine

Sodium Laurel Sulfate

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Phosphates

Nonylphenol Ethoxylate

Dioxane

GMO ingredients

Chemical Fragrance oils

Palm oil

Washing soda

Would you like to see this laundry soap in different sizes? Sample/travel, larger size, in jars? Please let us know by leaving a comment. 

If you are more of a do it yourself type person, then please check out this Liquid Laundry Soap recipe on our blog.

Photos from the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

 We spent yesterday at the Ponce Inlet lighthouse for the annual homeschool day. This 175 feet hand-built lighthouse is the tallest in Florida. It was first lit in 1887 after many difficulties with the construction, including the death of its engineer Orville E. Babcock who drown in the first attempt to transport bricks into the inlet by boat. Two other boats hauling bricks subsequently sunk as well. This historical site is open to the public.  It is both a museum and an active lighthouse. Here are some photos we took.

My littlest is not afraid of heights or climbing towers.

A spectacular view of the ocean and Ponce inlet. 

The preserved buildings contain artifacts that were used in early life at the lighthouse.

This little soap cage was used for sudsing up water for washing laundry and dishes.

The glass bottles and metal tools and containers really give a good idea about kitchens before the invention of plastics.

Here is a collection of old time medicines, one of which was Choroform liniment!  Eek!  

This was the medicine chest provided to the Light House keepers by the Coast Guard which contained the medicines listed above.

There were also herbal medicines on site.

Popular herbal medicines from the 1800's.  Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound and Atwoods Jaundice Bitters.

One building contains a stunning collection of Fresnel lenses from other lighthouses.  

Below is my favorite lens from an Australian lighthouse. It reminds me of a big insect.

Hope you liked the photos. What fun lighthouses have you visited?

New Containers for our Tooth Powder, Massage oil, and Mosquito Repellent

We have a new tooth powder container option for customers who have a preference for glass rather than metal containers.  Currently we just have the Cinnamon flavor available, but we will add more over time if there is demand for other flavors.

Our Lavender Massage oil is now available at our main Aquarian Bath website in glass bottles, with either spray pump tops (above), or twist on metal foil-lined lids (below).

These glass massage oil bottles are also available as options in our popular "I Heart Mom" gift sets.  

And last, but not least, our Mosquito repellent is now available in these brushed Aluminum bottles with a plastic spray pump top. I accidentally ordered 8 oz instead of 4 oz bottles, so they are double the size of the mosquito repellents that we had in PET.

Hope you like the new containers.