Space Clearing Products

SWEETGRASS HYDROSOL

The burning of Sweetgrass braids for ceremonial purposes has long been part of the native culture in North America. This is often what comes to mind when the species is mentioned. But the use of the plant is not restricted to North America. Aromatic plants have been used by cultures all around the world since the beginning of time. Sweetgrass was once used in Europe as a strewing herb where it was laid at the entrance to churches especially on saints' days. The practice of using the grass in European churches gave rise to the botanical name Hierochloe or Holy grass.

Sweetgrass Hydrosol is typically made with leaves harvested during the warm summer months when both the volume of leaf material and the scent is highest. It's subtle aroma and energy imprint is deeply cleansing at a level that may easily be missed by more overt tools.

A hydrosol is the condensate water that is left over when essential oils are extracted by steam distillation. Many of the important aromatic and healing components held within the plant are not captured by the oil during the process but are absorbed by the steam that is used to extract the oil, therefore adding an essential oil to water will never create a product with the same range of healing benefits as a true hydrosol. The steam eventually condenses back into water, and now contains small quantities of essential oil plus many of the water-soluble (hydrophilic) parts of the plant. This aromatic water contains the very essence of everything that was contained within the plant when it was still alive and growing and is now supercharged with more active principles than the essential oil.

African Wild Sage - Leleshwa Essential Oil

Space Clearing: This oil has a very strong capacity to clear old, stagnant energy from a room, as well as residual odors, such as those that are left from cigarette smoke and from cooking certain foods. The undiluted oil is so powerful in this application that often all that is needed is to take the cap off the bottle and leave it sitting in the room for an hour or so. This is generally how I clear hotel rooms when traveling. It can also be used as a spray, or by putting a few drops on the hands, rubbing them together, and clapping the space.

Note: if the use of this oil on the skin causes irritation, rinse the affected area thoroughly with water and then apply olive oil.

Leleshwa is a small shrub common in the Great Rift valley of East and Southern Africa. Its uses are numerous and impressive. Tests have shown that Leleshwa is extremely effective as an antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and natural detergent. Traditionally, as an herb Leleshwa has been used to heal cuts and wounds, and is also used as a natural insect repellant by many tribes. It is also reported to have been used by traveling Sotho peoples to ward off evil influences whilst traveling through a strange country. Many wild animals that live in the areas where Leleshwa grow, particularly cape buffaloes and black rhinos have been observed rubbing themselves against a Leleshwa shrub. Upon closer inspection, it is revealed that those animals, which had crushed the leaves onto their skin, were relatively free of ticks. Leleshwa also discourages the sharp biting tsetse flies. This symbiotic relationship opened new ideas as to the potential uses of this plant.