Description

Inspired by previous trips to Bali, I concocted this citrus-mint-scented bottle of energising joy many years ago as something reminiscent of a local product I’d tried there many years before (but with my own unique twist, of course!).

Since then, and for well over a decade, I have been carrying one version or another of this in my ‘travel bag’, re-creating it in my Leafology studio via scraps of a handwritten recipe or from memory, whenever I ran out.

…I have only recently brought it out of my travel bag and into my ‘normal’ home life, cemented the formulation into one I will now never deviate from, and realised it’s too good to reserve only for ‘away’ times (or keep to myself) – I’m absolutely kicking myself for not having done so sooner!

Why lemongrass? I have a distinct memory of hiking around the tea plantations in Munnar, India, and being inspired by a Swiss lady who (although much older than the rest of the group) was fitter than all of us and endlessly positive. At the top of one steep incline, while I produced from my pocket my lip balm, and shared it around, she revealed a small bottle of neat lemongrass oil, which she suggested we all inhale and dab onto ourselves.

Immediately in love, I promptly bought a bottle of lemongrass from the nearest equivalent to a pharmacy, and have been hooked on it ever since. (Amazing what aromatherapy can do; we all climbed the ensuing hills excellently.)

To lemongrass, I’ve added peppermint (awakening joy!), cajeput (wonderfully clearing), patchouli (for that deep, intriguing base note) and based it all in an organic lemon and white tea infusion.

I will always associate this blend with holidays and adventure. It’s functional, too; I have lost count of the number of times I’ve used it to rejuvenate clothing which smells of musty backpack(!), freshen up humid bathrooms and even revamp shoes!

Uses & Directions:
Go wild with just one spritz or a few in the room, on linen, or your exercise mat or wherever strikes your fancy; it’ll make you feel alive.
For external use only. Keep out of reach of children.

 

Key ingredients:
ORGANIC WHITE TEA: produced from the youngest leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, it’s minimally processed, with a fresh, light, delicate, natural aroma.

ORGANIC LEMON: because when life gives you lemons, life is wonderful.

CAJEPUT: sharp, spicy & fragrant.

PEPPERMINT: cooling, freshening & awakening.

LEMONGRASS: zingy & uplifting.

PATCHOULI: deep, sultry, comforting.

See also:

• Firefly Gold with Sandalwood, Rose, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Apple blossom, Vetiver, Blackcurrant & Spices
• 7th Heaven with Black Pepper, Basil, Cedarwood, Apple, Rosemary, Bay Leaf & Pink Grapefruit
• Space Spray with Petitgrain, Patchouli, Sage & Lemongrass.
• Moon Mist with Sandalwood, Chamomile, Rose, Patchouli, Lavender & Nutmeg
• Yuletide Bliss with Sweet Orange, Juniper Berry, Sweet Orange, Clove & Ginger (seasonal)
• Rose Dream with Bergamot, Vetiver, Cardamom, Vanilla, Black Pepper, Ho Leaf & Pink Grapefruit

Ingredients:
Citrus limonum (Organic lemon) fruit water, Aqua, Camellia sinensis (Organic white tea), Dehydro-acetic acid with benzyl alcohol (gentle preservative),  Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) oil, Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemongrass) oil, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) oil, Malaleuca leucadendron Cajuputi (Cajuput) Leaf Oil.
Naturally occurring in essential oils: Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol,  Limonene, Linalool.