Natural Perfumes

21 Drops of Comfort

02/02/12 19:21:27

By: Olga Ikebanova and Hieronimuss

There was one common thread for the most exhibitors at the Elements showcase—the importance and authenticity of ingredients. The ever more popular roll-on collection 21 Drops is no exception, assuring the scent-addicts that the essential oils used are not just 100% natural, organic, but also “wild crafted.” This amazing product is a collaboration between creative director Amy Ilyse Rosenthal and aromatherapist Cary Caster. Amy designed the vibrant packaging—little glass containers with cool rubbery coverings in beautiful colors (many colors!) on easy to use roller-ball applicators. She developed the concept and introduced 21 Drops on the market.

Cary Caster knows the healing arts and secrets of aromatic oils and their blending. She is a clinical aromatherapist who started as a teenager climbing the trees in the desert scrub of the Utah wilderness and exploring the gifts of nature. She went on to obtain academic and clinical degrees in horticulture, anatomy, physiology, and blending from institutions in the US, in the UK and France.

From the moment you encounter one of the roll-ons you realize it's not a gimmick, and that a sophisticated and knowledgeable effort is poured in the little bottles. The concept targets your emotional states. The twenty-one little bottles are essential oils blends in a jojoba oil base designed to address a wide range of emotions between inability to focus and insecurity, to calming your cravings, friskiness or moodiness. They are all irresistible.

The products are all based on aromatherapy and the brand's site actually tells you how aromatherapy works: “When essential oils are applied to the skin, their healing components are absorbed into the bloodstream. From there they disperse to the specific organs and systems on which they work. Some of the essential oils’ components, carried via the bloodstream, can also pass through the blood-brain barrier to the limbic system in the brain, where they can influence the endocrine and autonomic nervous.” They marry the convenience of a portable little roller applicator with its medicinal effects:

“21 Drops blends address the root of the problem while easing the symptoms, combining the immediate relief we in the West have come to expect with the East's attention to underlying causes.”

These are some of the drops we tried and really liked it!

The first one was Focus. Number 9 called Focus, a blend of rosemary leaf oil, peppermint leaf oil and frankincense resin oil. The instructions said: “For Focus, apply the blend to your temples to help stimulate the synapses, and increase mental acuity.” It felt like a an espresso shot that immediately shook up your brain.

Nr 8 is named a Pain Relief and it does feel more like medical blend but with any olfactory distractions. It’s very involving with the thoughtful blend of myrrh resin oil, juniper fruit oil, ginger rhizome oil, and helichrysum flower oil. This blend apparently helps to increase circulation while reducing pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Nr 14 is called Immunity and it’s a pretty stern blend. Blended from rosewood wood oil, lavender flower oil, ravintsara leaf oil and eucalyptus leaf oil to stimulate the immune system and fight infection. The oils in this blend have unprecedented anti-microbial properties. Immunity excels as a preventative measure during cold and flu season. Perfect for travel, or any of those other times when you need a healthy boost. Our favourite!

Nr 7 is called Equalize and you feel how palmarosa grass oil and rose flower oil instantly lift your mood and slowly settle you back into a more balanced self. Again there are instructions worth following for the maximum effect: to your wrists, where the heart meridian points are concentrated and where the oils are easily absorbed, to help regain your emotional balance.

Number 10 is called Calm, and the first impression is that it suggests a different emotional state with its sense of humor, by combining orange, vetiver root and jasmine. It's a pacifier. It diminishes the drama. You are settled. You are in peace.

Finally you can take Number 18 (Sleep) with you since sleep is what you will need. This blend from sandalwood wood oil, ylang ylang flower oil, palmarosa grass oil and vetiver root which did have the sedating and and quieting effect.

"People should be aware that when they buy 'pure essential oil' they can actually become over-exposed to the oil, which can cause sensitivities," Caster warns.

The other aromatherapy elixirs by 21 Drops will help you to Invigorate, with PMS, with Strength, with Hangover, with Headache, with Passion, Equalize, De-stress, Uplift, Decongest, Change, Digest, with Will Power, Abstain and Inspire.
Loved it!

Please visit the 21 Drops website!

ALL NEWS FROM ELEMENTS:

Photo from Elements by Fragrantica, Images of bottles from 21Drops website

Hieronimuss fell in love with astrology many years ago as he saw many lives becoming enhanced with his advice and insight.

He is a Professor teaching at University in New York and a published poet. You can visit Hieronimuss at http://www.astroknowlogy.com/ with your questions and comments related to astrology.

Author: Olga Ikebanova

Biologist, aromatherapist, photographer, floral designer and passionate believer in Power of Nature.

acv43

I agree with ikebanova (no offense at all intended to you cake n' cuddles- i can understand where your coming from) I also have a science degree or at least i will after a 4 more classes ;) But many modern medicines have effective ingredients that pharmacologists were turned on to by looking at traditional medicines- in fact so many plants (especially in places of great biological diversity such as the amazon) are completely unknown, let alone their medicinal properties as tested in a lab setting.
from what i understand it is becoming a sort of trend in the world of medicine to go out to remote traditional cultures and ask about what plants they use for what cures, and then test them in labs-after all who has the time to test all the plants in the rain forest.

you make a very solid point about the placebo effect though!

Feb
13
2012

mister_chaz

Interesting. I like to believe that aromatherapy actually works: I don't think it's like universal cure, but it probably has certain influence on our psychological and physical state.

I am very interested in #9 (focus) and #19 (will power), I feel like I really need those two!

Feb
13
2012

chayaruchama

You know, it's all subjective.
If it works- I'm for it;-0
[First tenet of my Hippocratic Oath : Do no harm]

Because of the complexity of our amygdalas, what is associated with comfort in one individual may feel suffocatingly painful to another.
That's just how we're wired, neurobiologically...

These are delightful and very joyful, I think.

[BTW : I LOVE you two.]

Feb
13
2012

ikebanova

dear Cake n' cuddles! I have a science major as well and it's actually doesnt bother me to beleive in aromatheraphy which has been used for thousands of years. A lot of things science can not prove! It's not about solving all your problems its about helping your body to mobilize and react. Good luck to beleivers!

Feb
04
2012

civava

I wouldn't mind having such a nice and useful travel apothecary. It is the most lovely idea I've ever seen for this kind of product. Well done!

Feb
04
2012

cake n' cuddles

It's a cute idea, but I don't really buy into the idea that perfume can fix some of these problems. (outside the realm of aromatherapy like stress relief) For example, the immunity perfume or the pain relief perfume...what science can support their claims? These are fun don't get me wrong, but I'm not buying into the magic potion concept. Maybe some people will think they feel effects...but it's probably just the placebo effect.
Maybe I am just raining down hard on these guys because I'm a science major. But facts are facts and they don't have any supporting evidence. They didn't even bother trying to experiment to prove their claims. That's probably because they KNOW their claims are completely false and they are hoping people won't focus on the facts and buy into the "magic potion" marketing.

Feb
03
2012

Arbre Amer

I like the concept and use aromatherapy products on a regular basis. However, these use way too much package that kinda counters their eco friendly attitude.

Feb
03
2012

Euse