Hello everybody, Adam Michael here again, I hope your well and enjoy reading the latest newsletter.

New Look Hermitage

This month I would like to start by bringing to your attention the logo and label changes. This has been a very big job and taken a lot longer to put in place than I expected which is partly the reason why I didn’t get round to writing a newsletter update in October.

If you look around the site you will notice lots of new product photography (more will be added across the month) which beautifully showcases the new look products. Thank you to everyone that participated in my research and development.

This month I am going to discuss Champaca Absolute, a new favourite of mine along with Mandarin Green Fraction and I would again like to bring your attention the seasonal treat that is ‘Festive’ a blend of pure essential oils that smells simply divine. Plus I will discuss Hazelnut and Blackcurrant carrier oils. Okay here goes,

Champaca White Absolute

This material is obtained from the flowers via solvent distillation.

Champaca, botanical name, Michelia Champaca is an evergreen tree that is native to India amongst over countries.

The tree produces highly fragrant flowers which blossom all year round and are quite the aphrodisiac, plus it takes in excess of 1000 flowers to produce one 10ml bottle, thus the reason why it is a very expensive material.

It is often grown as a boulevard tree in the tropics and is frequently planted on Hindu temple grounds because it is considered sacred to the god Vishnu.

Added to carrier oils it makes for a very uplifting massage, that will soothe and relax. Champaca blends well with Jasmine and Sandalwood.

I will finish by saying I enjoy the aroma of this material to such an extent that I am going to be buying a Champaca plant with a view to growing it here in the sunny UK, yes really, I’ll keep you posted!!

Festive

To co-inside with the build upto Christmas we are now offering the ‘Festive’ blend again.

It is made from Orange Sweet, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Bud and Mandarin Essential Oils and smells truly divine. A must if you’re entertaining friends and family over the Christmas period.

Hazelnut Carrier Oil

Hazelnut oil is of very fine texture and absorbs easily into the skin leaving you with a less greasy feeling in comparison to other carrier oils.

Maybe for this very reason it finds extensive use in facial massages. It has a high content of essential fatty acids like linoleic acid and I particularly Oleic acid at upto 75%.

Hazelnut oil would seem to be very effective in tightening the skin, thereby acting as a brilliant toner.

Hazelnut oil is also liked for its astringent properties making it useful in blends aimed at treating acne.

Mandarin Green Fraction

With Mandarin oil you have Mandarin Green, Yellow and Red, known as fractions.

A simple way to explain is if we think of the Mandarin tree, first the fruit is green in colour, all the immature/weak fruits on the tree are thinned out, and these fruits are collected and processed.

At this stage the green coloured fruit is clearly underdeveloped and posses a very different natural chemistry to that of the Yellow and Red fractions which will follow in later months.

For example the green fraction contains less natural sugars which alone results in a far more sharp, bitter material. The green fruit is extremely popular within the perfumery industry. I aim to introduce this oil now in early January 2009. It maybe worth noting that the most highly regarded mandarin oil is the Sicilian distilled material, I have never sampled it as I have not yet found anyone who sells it, if you do, please let me know.

Blackcurrant Carrier Oil

Ask most therapists about GLA, gamma gamma-linolenic acid, and you will probably hear the words ‘Evening Primrose’ a zillion times.

This a shame as Blackcurrant contains a higher percentage of GLA – batches vary between 13% - 20%, it is rich red in colour, has a slight odour, it absorbs very easily into the skin and is a great material for treating sensitive, dry skin types. I rate this as one of my personal all time favourites.

And that is all for this month, regards, Adam Michael