earthYARD and Native Oils Australia founder David Johnson appeared on Landline last Sunday in an overview of the Australian essential oil industry and it's forecast for Australian farmers. And we could be more proud.

Last year our big brother company (of which we share a space with) had a visit from ABC’s Landline. After a much anticipation the full segment aired last Sunday the 15th of April, 2018.

The story is an overview on the current market and the bright future Australia will play in the global market.
Of particular importance are the growing opportunities that exist for conventional Australian farmers as essential oil production increasingly becomes a viable income stream that supports diversity in harsh conventional farming climates.

earthYARD is proud to stand behind our leader and mentor David Johnson in his mission to grow the Australian grown oil industry. Click below to watch the video.

There is something about Autumn that makes us get a bit serious.

The Summer slumber phase has well and truly left and before the cold bitter winter hits we've got three whole months to prepare our homes and bodies.
I feel as though whenever Autumn comes around it doesn't just bring a change in the air and a change to our leaves, it also gives us a kick to get things done around the office.

It's been one whole year since we left the organic stamp in our rear view mirror and drove towards a new quality assurance program, one that celebrates purity and cleanliness. Is it green and clean? Yes. Is it 100% pure? Yes. Is it the best available? Yes. These three questions are the first that are asked to our farmers and the most important questions out there.
To back us up we've brought in a GC-FID (Gas Chromatography Analysis machine for those playing at home), which allows us to profile and test every new oil to earthYARD. We've called her Gertrude and she's just marvellous. It's a lot of work to implement a brand new quality assurance program but we couldn't be more pleased with the results.

Slowly over the next few months we'll be making results available for everyone so watch this space for a new hit of science-stuff.

Onto a slightly less heavy note, we really want you to tell us what's missing from our store. Are you after more beauty, more raw materials, more blends, more tips. It's your time to shine and we want to hear what you've got to say so let us know now.

GO ANSWER - IT'S REAL QUICK - WE PROMISE.

Oh, and you loved the sale category so much we made it permanent. We'll be switching things in and out of this every month so keep checking back to see what's new.

Happy Autumn earthYARDians.

Love,
Bec x

If you drink coffee, you would have no doubt heard the term Single Origin as well as its opposite term, blend.

Single Origin, in coffee, is when the coffee beans are sourced from one specific geo-location or even one specific farm. The flavours are normally more intense and defined. Basically it's as true as it can be. What you're experiencing is the unique flavour that is the coffee bean of that origin.
What happens when you blend that coffee bean with a coffee bean from a different plantation is a muddle of flavours. I'm not saying that this is a terrible thing, one of my favourite coffee blends comprises of beans from two completely different plantations, what is interesting though is the unique qualities each bean brings to that blend.

Just like coffee, an essential oil from one plantation can be completely different from an essential oil produced elsewhere.

Lavender from Australia is much higher in camphor than Lavender from Bulgaria and each of these constituents play a crucial role in the best usages of that particular oil. If you want to learn more about constituents, head to our resources section and download our cheat sheet.

Another major benefit to single origin is that it really celebrates and honours the farmer. A single beautiful quality product is produced in its entirety from one location. 

Single Origin is also a way of stamping and certifying a product to be completely pure. When something is called pure you believe it's is exactly that, not chemically or aromatically enhanced, just simple and pure. 

A few decades ago there was a trend towards cheapening a pure product to stretch it further. Cheapening occurs when aromatic chemicals and fractionated constituents are blended into the oil to make it more or less like something. This practice is fine if you're not swayed by purity and the science behind this is actually quite fascinating, but all in all it's not the real deal and the real deal does exist. Cheapened products generally end up in your commercial household products and cheap skin care items as margins can be higher and quantity for money is skewed in favour of the manufacturer.

Some fractionations occur from natural products or pure essential oils, like our fractionated coconut oil, and this in itself is just another prime example of the many uses of essential oils, but some are, unfortunately, chemically derived. It's for this reason we encourage the understanding of purity and for all the reasons above why we choose to only range single origin essential oils.

There are some amazing things happening in Australia and given that we as a country have an incredibly diverse climate, there are many more amazing oils we can produce here. These will be slightly different to their native brothers and sisters but no doubt will be amazing in their own right.

Single Origin gives to the farmer as much as it gives to the consumer. The consumer receives the opportunity to experience a truly individual essential oil. The farmer receives bigger returns and a pride in product that is unlike any other.

At earthYARD we encourage our customers to know their oils including where they come from and how they were produced.

We were so lucky to chat to Modern Hair and Beauty magazine about all things oil and beauty for their 13th issue. From the what's in it that does it, to our pick of tips for oils for beauty and even use around the house.

There is such a big oily world out there still being explored and we're only just starting to understand the importance of natural ingredients in skin care and health. Let alone how essential oils can improve every day living.

We are also super excited that natural beauty alternatives and raw ingredients are finally landing themselves on the mainstream map and we're looking forward to bringing new discoveries to light across 2018.

Keep an eye out on our resources page for new studies, products and references.

Modern Hair and Beauty magazine is out across newsstands now.

Coming up with interesting, personal and unique Christmas gifts every year can be a bit trying. Avoid the last minute dash to the department store and instead opt for one of these ideas for something different.

To diffuse or to burn. The buzz out there is that diffusing is the new burning and people are just going bonkers for these ultrasonic beauties.

There are so many ways to use essential oils from direct to chakra application, burning them, wearing them, reed diffusing them, room spraying them, atomizing them, you name it, we've done it. But the method we've stuck to is diffusing. 

What is diffusing?
Diffusing is the best way (we think) to get all the benefits of the essential oil. Diffusers use ultra-sonic technology to atomize the essential oil in water and pushes the cold steam into the room. Diffusing allows us to inhale the aromas, activating the limbic system (biology lesson alert) which is the emotional centre of the brain. Remember those times when you smell something and an emotion is triggered, freshly cut grass, baking bread, rain, essential oil inhalation is a bit like that. Emotional triggers are learned and essential oils work a bit the same way.

Diffuse Lavender and think calm thoughts, you can learn calm and trigger it by diffusing lavender. 

This is the only reason to diffuse. Here's a small list:

Remove odours, promote sleep, purify the air, create comfort, reduce cravings, support the immune system, boost memory recall, set a mood, de-stress, heal depression. It's just a small list.

Why no burn?
Heating oils can create volatility. This can dramatically change the aroma but also can burn off some of the important natural compositional constituents that carry the benefits that we use oils for. For example (Science time):

One of the constituents of Eucalyptus oil is Cineole. Cineole is known for it's anti-spasmodic benefits. It also burns off quickly and at lower temperatures than some of the other constituents in the oil. By applying direct heat to the oil the heavier volatile's are turned into resin which is left in the dish and don't make it into the air.
It was thought that this could be fixed by adding water, but the end result hardly changed.

A diffuser atomizes the enter oil.

Okay, we've sold you now how do you care for your diffuser? Simples. Use a rubbing alcohol to or a white vinegar to wipe out the inside of the diffuser which will neutralise any residual odours. That's it.

Is it safe?
It sure is. Provided you're putting good quality pure oils into your diffuser no nasty chemicals will be diffused.

What about for pets?
There are studies and reports out there that say some oils are not good for cats and dogs. Just be mindful that animals have a much better sense of smell and less is more. If your pet starts to react to the oils you are diffusing it's best to remove them form the room. Most oils are fine but best to do some research before you diffuse at home.

Cats are particularly sensitive to polyphenolic compounds which can be found in: cinnamon, tea tree, thyme, birch, wintergreen, clove, and oregano.

There have been reports of dogs being irritated by anise, clove, garlic, horseradish, juniper, thyme, wintergreen, and yarrow. 

Use common sense and dilute the oil before diffusing and monitor your pet's reactions.

We've tried and tested many diffusers and have settled on one that ticks all our boxes:

1) Auto shut off. When the water level reaches below a certain point the diffuser will automatically turn off.

2) Run time. On full speed you can get 6 hours straight run time out of our diffusers. At low speed we have reports of up to 22 hours.

3) No neon. Need we say more.

4) Quietness. You can hardly hear it. No whirring or hissing.

5) Decor appeal. Looks pretty smart on the shelf, by the sink or under a plant.

6) Affordability. No need to pay through the nose for what we believe should be in every home.

Our diffusers are $59.95 and come in two beautiful wood grain finishes. Spend over $250 with us you get one free. Now that's a pretty nifty Christmas gift.

Bec
x

We love oils. That’s a bit obvious.

A lot of what we’ve been showing you lately has been a little more swayed towards the types of products that can be created when using oils as base ingredients (queue moisturisers, cleansers, scrubs, serums, soaps, beauty products in general). This week we want to touch on how essential oils can become a necessary companion to each season and the trials and tribulations we face over the course of a year.

Right now, as we come into the warmer months, with the festive season firing up, the work year beginning to take its toll on our minds and bodies, it’s important to keep ourselves refreshed and focused. If you’ve ever worked in a large office, you will know all too well that by October the silly season has well and truly taken a hold over many of your colleagues. Lunches become longer, productivity drops, and morning hangover cures frequent more than just Fridays. Well that was my experience anyway in my early twenties working for a mass media company in Sydney.
What I found was that it was becoming harder and harder to produce consistently good work at the end of the year. The year had flown and the company I had worked for had gone through some major changes. I was exhausted. But I wasn’t prepared to stop. I knew I had to put on a brave face, attend after work events and then pull my sorry backside into my swivel chair early the next morning to do it all again.

I had an aromatherapist prescribe me a bottle of Ylang Ylang Complete oil to boost my immunity levels (which were flailing at best) and to work as an anti-depressant to drive away the feelings of anxiety and stress I had built up as a direct result of my lower productivity levels. It recharged me, energised me and kept me going until Christmas Eve when I packed up my desk for a two-week work year detox.

Picture this: It’s now January, you’ve made it through the Christmas mayhem, you’ve eaten far too much, sunned yourself a little bit more than you’d like and maybe a wine too many on New Year’s Eve. It time to centre yourself, look ahead and start making those small changes that will help to forge new pathways.
To make smart decisions about the year ahead you need a pure mind and body. Orange Oil has been used as a diuretic to help your body get rid of any excess toxins and gas. Did you know Orange Oil also has been said to promote urination which is of course is an important bodily function in detoxification. Like a car needs a service every now and again to ensure it’s in tip top working condition, so does a body. Orange Oil can tone up every system in the body. To achieve this, we recommend diffusing Orange Oil in our Orb Diffusers, adding a drop or two to laundry for a wearable tonic.

Autumn in Australia is a beautiful time of year and has always been a personal favourite of mine. It’s about early April when you can smell the air start to turn, it smells of change. If you’ve been working hard at your goals, it’s about now that you can start to see some results (depending on the goal). Things are changing, leaves are bursting with colour and it’s a more serious time of year.
To compliment the freshening air outside, Lemon Myrtle is a beautiful, rich, smooth aroma that brings the outside in. Lemon Myrtle is an anti-septic, some believe even better than Tea Tree Oil, so we recommend diffusing this essential oil towards the end of Autumn when your bodies are at risk of typical change of season ailments.
Fun science fact:
In 2004 it was confirmed that the anti-viral properties of Lemon Myrtle were critical in reducing skin lesions in children at a 10% solution. Just something to bring up at the dinner table.
Burke, Briant E., Baillie, Jon-Eric and Olson, Richard D. Essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Vol. 58, Issue 4, May 2004, pages 245-247.

Finally, we come to Winter. I don’t know about you, but as much as I try to embrace Winter, I find it desolate, harsh and dull. I’ve been very lucky in my life with Winter colds and flus. I seem to be able to avoid them somehow. I put it down to protection of oneself from the elements. I try to avoid going out if it’s miserable or windy, but there’s probably some truth in that Winter is a great time to rug up and binge on Netflix.
If you do find yourself caught out in the cold and you’ve got skin like mine you’ll notice when you look in the mirror that your face is all wind chaffed, red and sore. I know I said I was going to avoid skin care in this post, but Geranium oil is just a wonder with calming redness and soothing skin.
Also an anti-depressant, this feminine floral oil is great for increasing circulation, which if you’ve been as sloth like in winter’s past as I have you’ll understand that there is always a need to increase circulation.
Geranium oil is queen for hormonal and emotional balance and Winter is the best time to work on your inner goddesses ready to take on Spring again. Word of warning! Geranium oil is an emmenagogue which stimulates menstrual flow. Avoid when pregnant.

All four of these oils have been our favourites for getting us through the changing seasons and it’s a perfect selection for newcomers to the essential oil world.

Give the gift of courage, strength, energy and balance this Christmas with our 4 Seasons Gift Pack. Each pack comes with 1x 25ml bottle each of Madagascan Ylang Ylang Complete, Australian Cold Pressed Orange Oil, Australian Lemon Myrtle Oil and Egyptian Geranium Oil for just $51 (Save $10).