This winter, we invite you to embrace the warmth and grounding quality of Patchouli. If we were to choose a time of year we find patchouli most vital and uplifting, it would be now. With a scent reminiscent of rich, deep earth and velvety notes of dark chocolate, patchouli is soothing to the central nervous system and calming to an overactive mind. It is relaxing, grounding and reputed to be an aphrodisiac. It also has a remarkable wrinkle-smoothing action on chronically stressed skin, with an aroma that eases the grip of tension often held in the face.
Enjoy this sumptuous “winter” collection that highlights some of our favorite patchouli infused products, including:
Whipped Patchouli Vanilla Shea Butter
There are few things more comforting to the skin than Shea Butter. Rich in essential fatty acids and other skin-loving constituents, this creamy, smooth, nutrient-dense, and protective butter is appropriate for all different types of skin. We’ve woven aged Indonesian patchouli, luscious Madagascar vanilla, and other nourishing oils into our base of Shea Butter.
Our Patchouli Vanilla Shea Butter, rich in essential fatty acids, cinnamic acid, and vitamins C, E, and K, helps many types of dry, sensitive skin conditions while providing maximum barrier protection without a heavy feeling or clogging tiny dermal pores. It is effective in soothing virtually all skin conditions.
Patchouli Vanilla Body Oil
Ground yourself this season with Patchouli Vanilla Body Oil. Rich, warm and alluring, this oil will nourish, balance and soften the skin, while feeding it concentrated, authentic moisture. We took rich, earthy, chocolatey patchouli and sweet, heady vanilla, and infused them into a foundation of lipid-rich sunflower and sesame oil. To this, we added soothing calendula blossom infused olive oil and vanilla bean infused jojoba oil. The result is a silky oil that leaves skin soft, supple, and radiant. Ideal for normal, dry and fragile skin. And most especially in those of us with frazzled nerves and stressed spirits. For best absorption and experience, apply your body oil when skin is damp and receptive after a shower or bath.
Patchouli Perfume
“Steam distilled patchouli - Pogostemon cablin - comes from the cured and fermented leaf and exhibits notes of sweet earthiness with deep chocolatey, amber-like undertones. I describe it as chocolatey because of its utter richness and aromatic complexity – great patchouli contains full, rich heart notes and exhibits an evolution on the skin that keeps you sniffing your wrist for hours. The fragrance of patchouli can soothe the nerves, calm the mind and quiet the heart.” -Evan Healy
The transition into the cold and dark seasons is one of the most important times you can incorporate botanical fragrance into your daily ritual.By offering single-note Patchouli, we are encouraging you to draw out your inner alchemist. To listen to your intuition, to your body and to layer - or not - as feels right and true to you. Botanical fragrance, in the form of Patchouli is a mighty force, and if you let it, it can help to awaken your deepest primordial power and elevate you to your highest self.
The Ritual: Rooibos Masala Chai Tea
After adorning yourself with your Patchouli Vanilla Body Oil, Patchouli Perfume and Whipped Patchouli Shea Butter, it is time to relax even deeper with a cup of spicy, calming tea. Tea rituals and skincare rituals go hand in hand. Both are rooted in ancient tradition with centuries old cultural practices and both are physically beneficial, grounding and soothing to frazzled nerves.
It is often difficult in our lives to find a calm and still moment, but when you do - seize it! Make a cup and write in your journal, sketch, read, or meditate. As with skin care, it is the intention of the ritual that really pays off. Turn off your phone, turn on some of your favorite music, and take slow, thoughtful sips. Cocoon yourself within your ritual.
Aromatic, health supporting, warming chai goes so well with this patchouli skincare ritual that we feel it should be experienced on repeat. Masala chai is mainstream worldwide but originated with Indian and Pakistani tea traditions, where warm spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and peppercorns are mixed and heated with milk. Our favorite way to experience chai tea without caffeine is with a South African Red Bush or Rooibos which are both naturally caffeine free, brimming with antioxidants and have a naturally slightly sweet finish that pairs well with the chai spices.
Don’t forget that drinking hot tea with warming spices will calm your nervous system, relax your muscles and increase blood flow to rejuvenate and nourish skin cells, not to mention, soothe the mind and body, resulting in calmer and softer skin overall. Especially during the cold winter months.
Authentic Masala Chai Tea
Ingredients for 2 cups of tea:
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1 cup of your choice of milk (non dairy is fine)
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1 cup water
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Small piece grated or chopped fresh ginger
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2 tea bags or 2 heaped teaspoons of loose organic rooibos tea or high quality black tea and 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground masala chai spice blend
Instructions:
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Bring one cup water to a boil in a pot, bring down heat to simmer and add the tea bags or loose tea leaves and ½-1 teaspoon of the chai masala spice blend and fresh ginger.
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Add milk of your choice to the pot and let simmer on low for a few moments.
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Strain and serve. Strain the tea with a sieve when pouring it into a cup or a pot for serving.
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Add a spoonful of raw honey if you prefer your tea sweet.
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Sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on top for the delicious flavor and health benefits.
Traditional chai spices offer the best balance of fragrance, warmth, and spice. The strength and quality of spices can vary depending on where you source them. This may require some adjustments to get a chai masala blend you love. Chai spice is completely customizable to your preference.
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Cardamom - Use the entire whole green pod. Cardamom is the main ingredient for masala chai. It adds much to the fragrance, so it's important to use the best quality you can find.
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Black pepper - Black peppercorns add the bit of spice and fruitiness to masala chai which gives it that zing.
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Ginger -pre-ground, dried ginger. It is the only spice that shouldn't be ground from fresh ginger, because it'll turn into a paste.
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Cinnamon - Adds spice and sweetness. Don't use too much cinnamon, it shouldn't overpower the rest of your spices.
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Cloves - The warming bitterness of cloves counteract all the sweet spices.
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Nutmeg - Use fresh nutmeg SPARINGLY. A few generous grindings with a microplane should be enough to add to your entire blend at the very end. Good quality nutmeg will still have the shell on it to preserve the oils. If you are able to get your hands on fresh nutmeg, be sure to peel off the shell first.
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Grinding your spices: You'll need a spice grinder, for finely ground spice. If you don't have one, you can also use a coffee bean grinder, food processor or even a blender. The last option is grinding the spices one by one with a mortar and pestle, which may result in coarsely ground spices.
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Keep your chai masala spices in an airtight container, and feel free to experiment with ratios, until you come up with a blend that is just right for you.
