Welcome to the inaugural e-letter from Aroma Borealis! Spring is in full swing in the Yukon, the crocuses are in full bloom, the burgundy and green fireweed shoots are flaming out of the earth and the nettles, valerian and dandelions are getting ready for a full growing season ahead.

I just spent a full day preparing my gardens and greenhouse for summer planting. The necessities of gardening are not only good soil, weather, seeds and water, but also Skeet-Addle Bush Spray, Hard Working Hands Cream, Arnica Ease Cream, and Green Aid Ointment.

Stop poisoning yourself and the planet just to get a little respite while outdoors!

With a warm spring in the Yukon our mosquitoes are also out in all their buzzing glory. I don’t use DEET, never have, never will! I can’t imagine putting a chemical soup like that on my skin to be absorbed into my body, no thanks! That’s why we came up with Skeet-Addle Bush Spray.

This non-toxic formula contains herbs and essential oils infused in witch hazel and Yukon spring water. Skeet-Addle contains Yukon wild botanicals yarrow & artemisia. Organically grown neem and catnip herbs are also included, with essential oils of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, catnip, citronella, rose geranium, and lemon grass. Spray on skin and clothes before you head outdoors! No harsh chemicals on your skin! It smells great !   

Catnip Essential Oil Study                                                                   
Catnip is 10 X more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET say researchers at Iowa State University. Researchers conducted several tests comparing catnip oil compounds, against DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) the results showed that in the laboratory that mosquitoes were repelled more by the catnip.

Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
Citronella is a refreshing and familiar scent to those who have spent time in the mosquito infested Canadian outdoors. Citronella essential oil camouflages the human scent therefore, using it topically will distract female mosquitoes from injecting their saliva into your skin. It has a fresh, herbaceous, and strong lemon scent. Citronella is also antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti- bacterial and can be used in a room diffuser for colds, flu, and minor infections.
Avoid during pregnancy. May cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Weekend Warriors

Health conscience weekend warriors are fleeing to the back country to hike, camp, mountain bike and canoe. Minor injuries may be sustained at the hands of mother nature but remember the Scout’s motto, “ Be prepared!”

Along with your bear spray, bandages and homeopathic arnica you may want to pack some essential oils that can help with common ailments such as itchy bug bites, bruises, cuts, rashes, blisters and even sunburn. Essential oils are great for this because they are compact, versatile and effective on a variety healing levels.

Individual oils like tea tree and lavender are must haves for your backpack or first aid kit and they can both be used directly on your skin without a carrier oil. Lavender is great for cuts, burns and stings and tea tree, a strong antiseptic oil, is good for just about anything that ails you. Oils such as catnip and citronella are effective at deterring insects and oils such as cedarwood can help relax and soothe the tired and sore muscles and minds of the active nature lover.


Must-Have Essential Oils


Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
First aid in a bottle! Tea tree oil disinfects and has very powerful antiseptic and immune stimulating properties. It can be placed directly on cuts and scrapes to clean, disinfect and reduce pain. Tea tree can be used for blisters, athlete’s foot, burns, cold sores, infected wounds, insect bites, rashes and warts. May be used directly on skin or with a carrier. Non-toxic, non-irritating. May cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Got too close to your campfire? Lavender essential oil is an exceptional remedy to use on burns, cuts and stings. Its healing and antiseptic properties stop the pain and will speed up your skin’s healing process. Its analgesic properties help soothe tired, sore muscles and inflammations such as insect bites. Lavender is very relaxing and balancing for both mind and body. It aids sleep and benefits the immune system. Enter your content here.