The Plant Magic of Ostara

Ostara is upon us! On March 20th through the 21st we celebrate the Vernal Equinox, the tipping point into spring for the northern hemisphere that is marked by relative equilibrium between day and night.

In honor of this annual occasion of symbolic rebirth, we have debuted a limited edition scent blend named for the holiday itself featuring a veritable cornucopia of cleansing and uplifting, synthetic-free, plant-derived ingredients. Ostara boasts an artfully balanced selection of seven essential oils (camphor, cedarwood atlas, cinnamon leaf, frankincense, lemon, patchouli, rose geranium, and white thyme) and sweet, dreamy benzoin resin.

But why these plants in particular? What makes this blend so utterly perfect for spring? Let's get into it!

Benzoin Resin

From the bark of the Styrax tree, benzoin resin has a sweet, rich, vanilla-like scent. It has healing, energizing, and uplifting properties, and is burned for purification and emotional balance. Medicinally, benzoin resin is an anti-inflammatory, and has been used as an expectorant (to break up mucous and induce productive coughing.)

This musky resin embodies the heady floral notes of spring, and energetically cleanses and clarifies the space where it is burned.

Camphor

From the Camphor tree, this essential oil has a singularly herbaceous and cooling scent profile. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been used for pain relief and to aid in respiratory function.

Camphor is uplifting, invigorating, and dispels negative energy. It is a powerful plant for spiritual cleansing, which makes it perfect for that post-winter refresh! In this blend, it is the cool spring breeze that lifts the scent of fresh cut grass and whirls it around the neighborhood.

Cedarwood Atlas

Cedarwood essential oil is derived from the bark, needles and berries of Cedar trees. Another anti-inflammatory oil, Cedar is also antiseptic, antifungal, and insecticidal. It is bright, earthy, and potently woody, like a newly-built hope chest.

Its energetic properties are strengthening, comforting, calming, and harmonizing.

Cinnamon Leaf

Cinnamon leaves are a good source of eugenol which can help to soothe upset stomachs, and cinnamaldehyde which is a pain reliever with anti-inflammatory properties. It is also another natural insecticide and bacteria-fighter!

The smell is musky and spicy, just like cinnamon bark. In this blend, it helps to ground the bright, herbaceous top notes, and lends a dose of passion and virility to the energy of the bouquet.

Frankincense

Frankincense resin has been used to consecrate and sanctify for centuries, and is said to balance emotional and spiritual energies. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and has been used to treat asthma, arthritis, and even oral infections.

Its scent is dry like pine sap, spicy like rosemary, and sweet like amber. In this blend, it lends a nostalgic, dusty note that evokes the sun-warmed fur of wild rabbits at silflay.

Lemon

Lemon's energetic properties include happiness, health, and purification. Its scent is sweet and zesty, evoking joy and sunshine. When life gives you lemons, you're blessed!

Patchouli

Sweet, spicy, and musky, patchouli belongs to the mint family and boasts antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal properties. Its scent is thick and intense, evoking passion and strength. Patchouli is enlivening, invigorating, and considered an aphrodisiac. Very fitting for the season of fertility.

Rose Geranium

This variety of geranium smells strongly of roses, bringing a sweet, nostalgic note to the Ostara blend. Rose geranium essential oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, and its scent has been shown to enhance relaxation and soothe pain and anxiety.

White Thyme

Another antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory power-house, white thyme has an intensely fresh scent that is spicy and herbaceous. White thyme offers an energetic boost for health, happiness, courage, and protection.

In the Ostara blend, white thyme helps to evoke the possibility of your burgeoning herb garden, the buzzing of bees, and the promise of summer.