Lemongrass essential oil is extracted from natural lemongrass plants and is commonly compared to citronella oil which has very similar properties. In this article we will explain some of the benefits of using lemongrass essential oils and fragrances in the form of a reed diffuser.
Lemongrass essential oil has insect-repelling properties, making it a natural alternative to artificial chemical-based insect repellents. Place a diffuser around potential areas of breeding such as toilets, laundry and sink areas to prevent mosquitos and insects from breeding. We use a high concentration of lemongrass fragrance oils for a stronger natural lemongrass kick.
Lemongrass scent is well-known for reducing stress and anxiety, which is why most spas and balinese massage houses use lemongrass essential oils for aroma and massage therapy. The scent of lemongrass essential oils has a calming effect on the mind and is refreshing and uplifting which can improve your mood and give you an energy boost, which makes it the perfect companion for work or study. Place around your room and workspaces for greater productivity.
As mentioned above, Lemongrass scent has a calming effect which can help to enhance sleep quality through the promotion of relaxation. Lemongrass oils are also said to aid in respiratory health as they have both antifungals and antimicrobial properties.
Pristine essential oil diffusers are safe for pet-inhalation. However, do practice caution in preventing your pets from touching or consuming the fragrance oils.
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In this article, we will explain some of the benefits of using lavender essential oils and fragrances:
Lavender essential oils are commonly used for massage and aromatherapy as it is known to be relaxing and has calming properties. When used in a diffuser, lavender fragrances can help to reduce stress and anxiety, making it the perfect aroma for taking a long bath or studying.
Research shows that lavender essential oils can help reduce signs of depression and diffusing lavender oils can help improve mental wellness.
A strong lavender diffuser blend can be useful in aiding better sleep. We recommend placing a lavender scent diffuser by the bedside table to help create a relaxing environment to improve the quality of your sleep.
Lavender essential oils are also known for pain and anxiety relief. Diffusing lavender fragrance may be helpful to reduce the severity and frequency of headaches.
Pristine essential oil diffusers are safe for pet-inhalation. However, do practice caution in preventing your pets from touching or consuming the fragrance oils.
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Photo by Beyond The Ordinary
One thing I learned while in Cuba was just how quickly someone can develop genuine Cuban relationships and become profoundly involved in the deep-rooted culture that exists there. The locals who lived near the casa particular I stayed in made me feel as if I was part of the family which made the entire trip that much more memorable. While Havana is known for its rich architecture and gorgeous sights to behold, one thing I really miss are the smells. The pungent aroma of tobacco leaves dancing delicately with the sweet smell of the local guava fruit creates a rather rich and intoxicating affair. The aromatic experience was exactly what I would imagine it would have smelled like growing up in a Cuban home.
Photo by Travel Talk Tours
As for my location for the week, it was nothing short of incredible. I was in a building that was right where the Prado meets the Malecon. The Prado is a mile-long pedestrian promenade, wide and adorned with concrete benches and seats, constructed from multi-colored pavement, with a street running on either side that is home to several establishments. As for the Malecon, it’s a long sea-front area with a thick sea wall where the locals (and tourists) can sit and even lie down for a spell. While I was visiting, it was mostly locals and a few young couples, but still a sight to behold. Young children and teens played on the rocks down below, occasionally swimming out into the sea. At the other end, which was closer to where my accommodations were, marked a popular fishing spot, and not too far down the way is the famous Morro Castle.
Photo by Encircle Photos
I loved my week away from it all in Havana, and I’ll never forget how much I thoroughly enjoyed that Smokey and earthly scent that would cumulate on the street just outside my private apartment. I really loved the free and easy-going atmosphere, and granted I was only there for a week, I felt completely at home during my stay. You may be thinking that this experience must surely be expensive, but to be honest, staying in a casa particular was far cheaper than staying at a hotel or resort. If I was into the busy party scene here, I would have had plenty of vacation money left over that I could have used on taxis, restaurants, nightclubs, or museums, but alas I opted to keep it simple and focused on rest, relaxation, and mingling with the locals.
Photo by Biz Evde Yokuz
It’s easy to see how Havana is known for its rich architecture and lovely aromas. It’s a place I would love to visit again, but it’s not a trip I can afford to take often. Luckily, I don’t need plane tickets to be transported back to that memorable week I spent in Cuba. Whenever I want to revisit those streets just outside the cozy little casa particular, I close my eyes and take in a deep breath and the casa particular reed diffuser does the trick. I’m instantly reminded of that pungent but alluring smell of tobacco leaves mingling with hints of sweet guava fruit that creates a rich and intoxicating affair. Don’t just take my word for it, you can also experience living in a Cuban home with this smokey and earthly scent yourself.
Try out the Casa Particular Scent here.
]]>Do you have your map handy? If not, it isn’t really a big deal as I know of a place where it’s easy to become happily lost while soaking in the scents, sights, and flavors of an ancient mystical city. Traversing along the nearly 20 kilometers of powder-pink rammed-earth ramparts, I’ve stumbled upon an experience full of crowded souqs, where sheep carcasses swing from hooks next to twinkling lamps, and narrow, winding ochre-dusted stretches of walkway lead to you to a beautifully empty nowhere. The main vein into this mazy agora is the seemingly endless square of Djemaa El Fna, where every night is carnival night. I spent hours traversing the streets, checking out everything from snail vendors, soothsayers, acrobats, conjurers, musicians, and even hilarious slapstick acting troupes. I can honestly say that I could spend days if not weeks discovering
everything that gives this old city its spirited pulse.
Photo By: Continent Hop
Where am I? Marrakesh, Morocco, is a quite beautiful city that thrives on life, where the glorious pastel blues of the sky sings sweet songs to the peach-gold architecture that defines the landscape. Everything from the sights to behold, the flavors of local cuisine to taste, and the aromatics that tickle your nose, this city is guaranteed to provide any newcomer, or returning visitor, with the exuberant memories that we all love to reminisce on.
Deep in the heart of the city, you’ll find humble, traditional Persian guesthouses with luxurious, interior courtyards. It’s here where I was treated to the sweet and tangy scents of vibrant orange blossoms that set off nicely against the musky air. I was taken back by the immaculate tilework and intricate floral painted-wood ceilings. I could lose myself for hours studying the intricacy of the designs found around this beautiful land.
Photo By: Wego Travel Blog
From one end of this gorgeous city to the other, there is no shortage of beauty, mystery, or excitement. The Saadian Tombs are enriched by a lavish collection of marble, while the Musée de Mouassine and Musée de Marrakech provide ostentatious visuals of swirling stucco and expertly carved wood.
On my first night in Marrakesh, I opted to bed down in a riad where I slept amid the grandeur. The entire city is steeped in ancient artistry that timelessly thrives and is kept alive by the modern artisans of the souqs and the contemporary art and design scene of the majestic Ville Nouvelle. Being that Marrakesh is an old imperial capital, it’s easy to understand how it became home to some of the most exquisite examples of Islamic architecture. Among them were the most impressive the Ali Ben Youssef Medersa and the Koutoubia Minaret.
While traversing through the lively marketplaces, I was welcomed with many fragrant spices, along with the smell of garden-grown bergamot oranges. This aroma elusively danced through the comforting air to bring about an intimate and intoxicating aromatic experience that is not easily forgotten.
Photo By: Hey Explorer
Speaking of forgotten, you may find yourself getting lost among the Medinas Souqs as there are so many vendors with intricate and splendid wares laid out in a way that would be sure to please any medieval labyrinthine-planning architect. There was simply so much to take in while experiencing this magical city and among them was this magpie’s nest of treasures that can provide an optimal shopping experience for any shopaholic. Unfortunately for me, I lack the funds to visit this beautiful land as often as I would like to, as countless trips to Morocco could do some heavy damage to my bank account, but luckily I found a much more cost-effective alternative to enhance my memories of the visit and make me feel as if I’m right there on the powder-pink rammed-earth ramparts of Marrakech once again.
My secret teleportation device won’t set you back the price of a plane ticket and you can use it numerous times. My secret is Pristine's Moroccan Riad Reed Diffuser. With this aromatic pleasure, you can taste sweet scents of orange blossoms filling the musky air. The fragrant spices, along with garden-grown bergamot oranges, elegantly dance with the comfortable breeze to bring about an intimate and intoxicating experience. This is the inspiration for Pristine's Moroccan Riad scent.
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Photo by Europe Stripes
I am welcomed by the woman who runs it, a warm and friendly woman who is nothing but smiles, and I feel instantly that this is home. She hugs me to say hello and smells of vanilla bean, I ask how and she chuckles, telling me of all of the homemade delights she has been baking all morning. She’s casual in the way she speaks, not as if I’m a new guest but instead a very old friend, someone she has been looking forward to seeing again after a long time. It feels right that I’m here, and I’m excited to settle in. She shows me up the stairs of the inn to where my bedroom resides, and I duck from the beams of the ceiling – beams she tells me are older than even my great-grandparents. The walls are covered with all sorts of paintings, photographs and knickknacks, and it feels that the entire history of the inn has been positioned on these walls for everyone to enjoy.
Photo by Women's Travel Club
The room itself is beautiful, a floral bedspread on the bed and a firm sense of crispness and freshness. The window is open and I walk over to it, breathing in deeply at the smell of greenery and jasmine that floats in from the fields that it overlooks. We say our goodbyes for now and I curl up on a seat that overlooks the window as the sun begins to set, listening to the birds chirping in the hedgerows below me as I finger my way through a favourite book, feeling that I am right there with the characters. Only when the sun has fully lowered and the sparrows have been replaced with owls that I make my way to the bed, laying in between the cool sheets and nodding off blissfully into summertime dreams.
Photo by Digs Digs
I am awoken the next day by the smell of something delicious – pancakes. Once I am dressed and ready for the day, I make my way downstairs and am welcomed again by the innkeeper, she gestures over to the dining table where she has made a delicious spread of pancakes with strawberries and cream – “berries straight from the garden and cream from my own cow”, she exclaims proudly. I sit next to her and a few other guests as we eat, biting into the juicy strawberries and having to swallow moans as the cream cuts the bite to make every morsel creamy and smooth. The pancakes are fluffy and soft, and I find myself reaching for more over and over again. Being here feels like a fragrant, floral dream, and the freshness of my bedroom and the drive it took to get here continue even now, and I decide to pretend that I’m never going to leave.
]]>Among the lush forests and towering mountains lies our cozy little chateau. The property offers homely and comfortable accommodations, free WiFi, private bathrooms, closets, separate sitting areas, room service and more.
To make sure that the guests are in constant contact with the serene surroundings, all stay options come with a private balcony where guests can sip on a hot cuppa while enjoying breathtaking views.
Our driver drops us off and unloads our bags from the car as we step out and get acquainted with our new environment. The first thing we notice is the warm feeling of the sun beaming down on us as birds trickle across the vastly blue sky overhead.
Photo by www.kayak.co
We close our eyes and draw in a deep breath. Our senses are invigorated as we’re immediately hit with all the aromatic sensations of a Swiss Chateau in the summertime.
The aroma is simple yet complex. It’s like nothing we’ve ever smelled before, however, it’s comfortingly familiar. We begin to dissect the various aromas and quickly pick up on the tangerines basket in the center room. It’s not as potent as an orange, but the notes that creep through are just right and not at all overpowering. It’s sweet yet subtle at the same time.
There’s something else there though, something that adds to the sweetness with a hidden element behind it. It doesn’t take long before we recognize the sophisticated aroma of fresh raspberries. While they are sweet, coupled together with the citrusy smell of tangerines, we’re able to pick up on a little hint of tanginess in the air. It’s very pleasant as that subtle note increases our overall awareness of the sweet aromatics that currently envelop our senses. Breathing in through your nose and out of your mouth, you can almost taste the sweetness in each light sweeping breeze that continuously fans over us.
Photo by: orbisways.com
Before we head inside, we decide to walk down the path and journey further away from our vacation home. Don’t worry, we won’t go far, just a little deeper into the lush Swiss woodlands. Entering underneath the great forest canopy, the warmth of the sun is veiled, and the air becomes much cooler.
The scent of white flowers and roses add a delicate floral layer to the scents we’ve previously been enchanted by. The smell of freshly cut grass makes itself known and the earthly aroma compliments the other aromas fantastically.
It's getting late, so we head back and take our things inside. As we walk through the old wooden doors, we felt the scent of musk and the hearty aroma of cedarwood enveloping us from us. Taking a moment and standing in the open doorway you let all these smells mingle and become one. At that moment, we know that we have welcomed the whole Swiss Chateau experience.
Photo by: Investors In Property
After an amazing week away from it all out in the beautifully lush and scenic Swiss Alps, we find ourselves back in our everyday lives. This time, however, we’re recharged and revitalized. We needed that step back from the norm to put everything into perspective. Now that we’re ready to put in the work and pay the bills, we mark next year's vacation on the calendar and look forward to it wholeheartedly.
It’s nice to know that we don’t need to visit that cozy Swiss Chateau in the Alps to enjoy the experience again. All you need is our Swiss Château scent and you’ll instantly be reminded of the scents of tangerine, raspberry, and freshly cut grass. Heart notes of white flowers and roses, and the base notes of musk and sandalwood. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let our Swiss Chateau scent take you back to that summer at a Swiss Chateau in the Alps.
]]>The Maldives is frequently associated with images of lush islands, crystal-clear seas, and opulent overwater bungalows. However, a nation of islands with a rich and distinct history, language, and culture can be found outside the luxurious resorts.
Image from https://www.thrillophilia.com/countries/maldives
The refreshing smell of the ocean envelopes me as I set foot off on the docks. Maldives consists of 26 natural atolls, each with its own charming palm tree-lined island. A unique vacation destination surrounded by lagoons with pure water, Maldives offers a wide range of lovely lodging alternatives, from floating resorts to charming guesthouses.
A warm, chatty guide in his mid-twenties led my partner and I to the floating reception of the villa check-in. Large, pink and white Hyacinth flowers at the entrance set the vibes for a warm welcome with its signature robust and earthy scent. I know that our relaxing vacation has just begun.
Photos by Emiratesvacation.com
The receptionist informs us that our villa will only be ready in a few hours. We know that it was no fault of theirs, as we have arrived at the villa much earlier than the check in-time. She graciously offers us some apple slices and grapefruit juice, explaining that they were commonly traded fruits in the past.
The Maldives once formed a stop along the spice trade route that connected East Asia with the Arab world. Due to its historical significance as a major intersection, this trade hub developed itself, albeit with influences from India, Sri Lanka, Arabia, Persia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Africa. Over the years, Maldivians have incorporated these influences and developed a unique cultural identity like no other.
While enjoying the tranquillity of Maldives, one can tour the local handicrafts, historical monuments, and villages, and visit a local spa, the receptionist explained whimsically as she handed us a brochure. The idea of a local spa catches our attention, so we proceed to store our bags at the check-in and head to Alif Alif Atoll, a 20 minute Dhoni ride away.
Photos by voyageursdumonde.fr
Over the years, the Maldivian Dhoni (a traditional multi-purpose wooden sail vessel with a motor or lateen sails) has undergone refinement. The Lakudi (Sandalwood), depicted above, is a modern take on this traditional design with a prow that was skillfully built. A wooden boat, retrofitted with a Perkins Sabre 360 HP engine. Private snorkelling excursions, transport to other atolls, sunset cruises are all available to guests at our resort on this boat ride. Stepping onto the Dhoni, the arboraceous smell from the cabin removes all my doubt as to if it is worthy of its name.
The spa is another relaxing haven altogether. I opt for the traditional oil massage. In a few moments, the masseuse, together with her violet leave oils and nimble fingers, proceed to alleviate the neck pains from our long journey here, away. I enter a state of total relaxation.
Outside the resort, It is interestingly different. Maldivians, who are primarily Muslims, are highly conservative and dress traditionally. Males dress in a sarong and a white cotton shirt, and females don the customary libaa, a long dress embroidered with gold and silver thread. Additionally, even while swimming at a designated bikini beach, visitors must be totally covered while swimming in beaches on the mainland.
A great portion of the locals earn their keep by selling handicrafts to travellers like myself. The fundamental techniques utilised in lacquer works, one of the most recognizable arts and crafts of the Maldives, have scarcely changed over time. Modern dyes have replaced traditional colouring pigments in hand-drawn spinners that were used to create items. The sculpted pieces are covered in layers of lacquer, and using only basic equipment and no preconceived drawings, elaborate patterns are carved on them.
The peaceful period shortly before twilight falls. After a spectacular exhibition of vivid hues, tints, and colours combined with the striking patterns and silhouettes of the clouds, the golden orb of the setting sun has fallen below the western horizon. It's a beautiful sight to behold, standing by the ocean, with my life problems fading away by the reflection on the waterways. I become fully immersed in the experience.
Photo by Maldives-magazines.com
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On first impression, it looks like something straight out of a manga - a relaxed, peaceful country home. Just off the bustling central street, the narrow passage is discreet, burrowed amid the sumptuous lily of the valley. A brief but precise path brings me to the main entrance, one splattered with water and decorated in stone.
Photo by: Jalan.net
There it was, a time-honored sign of welcome. I take off my sneakers and enter the main hallway. The exquisite scroll of ink painting of a herd of deer on the plains brings about a sense of calmness. Male deer are the source of organic musk, and are considered messengers of gods, hence sacred in Japanese culture. I feel miles away from the world outside and thrown centuries back to the past. That’s the plan, of course.
Not many cultures in the world value traditions as gracefully as the Japanese. Yet there are not many hotels in modern day Japan that allow one to discover and experience the heart of what they once were. Not unless you chance upon a Japanese ryokan. These traditional family-owned traveler-inns where guest rest and dine stayed the way they were as the world went by.
Photo by: Jalan.net
A heady smell of talcum powder fills the room as the mistress of the inn guides me in. Talcum powder is a key ingredient of Oshiroi, a makeup foundation traditionally used by Japanese women in the entertainment industry. I explore my small apartment, which consists of a living room and a dressing room separated by somewhat torn shoji.
Barefoot, I savor the tingling coarseness of the tatami. A large window overlooks an old crape amber tree covered in vibrant pink blooms. Delicate petals slowly drop into the Hayakawa River's turbulent, foaming waves. On the Yusaka mountain across the river, the maple leaves are about to lose their vibrant green coverings in favor of unkempt tufts of bright red and yellow. The air is alive with autumnal hues.
In the ryokan, one wears a plain linen yukata as clothing. I sit on the floor beside the window. My nakai arrives with a cup of amber tea and a piece of the red bean confection known as daifuku, then gracefully exits by inching backward on her knees.
Customarily, guests have to take a bath before meals. In the onsen, hot spring water is pumped from 100 meters below earth and blended with cooler water. I follow the chuckling sound across the ryokan garden. This evening, the bath's thick wooden top keeps the water warm. Just as it is a taboo to wear shoes inside a Japanese home, you should always cleanse your body thoroughly before entering an onsen. Water cascades decadently over the lip of the deep cedar tub's polished wooden brim as I cautiously enter. Freshly picked lavender gently rests on the water surface, creating an ever relaxing feeling. I let go of my inhibitions and sink in.
Photo by: Guideable.co
Dinner was a full course of sansai, tataki salmon, tempura, and ohmi-gyu beef steak. I am greeted at the table by the okami in the middle of the dinner. She wears a gorgeous silk kimono and exudes grace and charm. Picking out a sandalwood shamisen from the storage box outside, she and her geishas proceeded to entertain us with several sets of traditional Japanese folklore performances.
After the scrumptious culinary experience, I head back to my room. The nakai has placed plush futons on the floor in my room. I prepare to snooze with a book and wrap myself in. A knock is heard on the door. The okami enters with a smile and a little serving dish, which she lays by my side. Ice cream made with matcha. Is this also a component of kaiseki? I ask. Of course not, she replies. She notes that the majority of international visitors to traditional ryokans are not necessarily accustomed to its strange cuisine and ceremonies. "They are not used to it, "she claims. Unlike her mother, she worries that being "too traditional" will turn off her foreign visitors like me.
She is oblivious of how mistaken she is.
Photo by: Intrepidtravel
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