Terre noire: Chapter 2

10 ml perfume oil available in these three colors

In this second chapter, I wanted to create a synergy that enhances meditation because 2020-2025 was for me a period to come to rest and find my inner peace. This was vital for my healing. It was a time to block all noise around me and rebuild my own energy. It was a time to slow down and be in nature. I was lucky to live on an acre of land with a lot of flowers around me. That's when I started my passion to dry flowers from my own garden. I was inspired by Holly Brandenberger's floral jars and wanted to try this out for myself. At that time I was a student of the School of Aromatic Studies with Jade Shutes (I consider myself as a forever student) and I started to make my aromatic products like body butters, body scrubs, bath salts, paingels, etc... I remember making my first body scrubs in Bonne Maman jars. They worked out well but the esthetic was a bit off...

So now the floral glass jars are on the table. The first person I shared my new hobby with was my mom, Jenny. She is the one that inspired me, her green thumb has been a contagious influence throughout my whole life. In her more vital years, her basement was like a floral shop. She always brought me the most beautiful floral arrangements on her visits. I never truly understood how everything fitted in her suitcase. I also vividly remember her passionate way of explaining how she created her masterpieces. And she still continues to be a beacon of knowledge and love concerning anything flower related.

Out of this sharing comes the desire to combine Hinoki with Roman Chamomile, Patchouli, Clary Sage and Geranium. This synergy feels like a peaceful walk in the garden. A sacred moment of pure bliss. A moment of stillness and an awareness of every living creature around you. A moment of pure joy and content. So this is the one I am presenting and you know the story behind the creator. It all flows together so much better when we pause and take a moment...

Hinoki, Geranium, Clary Sage, Roman Chamomile and Patchouli create a deeply grounding, emotionally restoritive synergy that flows like a gentle forest stream toward inner peace.

Hinoki's fresh, woody-earth notes anchor the blend, providing mental clarity and calm focus. Geranium's floral sweetness balances hormones and uplifts mood, harmonizing the heart.

Clary Sage adds a warm, herbaceous depth, easing tension and inviting hormonal balance for profound relaxation. Roman Chamomile softens irrability with its apple-like soothe, while Patchouli's rich, musky earthiness roots everything, stabilizing scattered energy.

Together, their complementary profiles wood, floral, herb and base layer seamlessly: grounding base elevates to emotional release, fostering a holistic sancturary for meditation and self-care.

Hinoki essential oil: A Sacred Tree oil

Hinoki essential oil (Chamaecyparis obtusa) is made from a Japanese tree in the cypress family. Due to its outstanding durability, the Hinoki wood has been used since the ancient times in Japan as a material to build temples and shrines.

It's main constituent is alpha-pinene which is helpful in promoting calmness and centering the mind. The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the wood and has a serene forest aroma:

Pine-like with subtle floral note, woody, fresh, balsamic.

Some of the benefits of Hinoki essential oil is instant stress relief, deep respiratory relief, promotes restful and better sleep quality, sharpens focus & concentration, lifts spirits & emotional balance. In a study where 13 female university students participated, it was found that olfactory stimulation with Hinoki cypress leaf oil induces physiological relaxation.(1)

Essential oils that enhance meditation

Looking back at my five years in PA, I now miss my meditation corner with Minou and Molly, our two female cats who were both eighteen years old when they crossed. Every morning, we had the same ritual: coffee, Reiki, meditation.

Do you use essential oils when you meditate? The following list is a good choice to try out: Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Vetiver, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Tsuga, Palo Santo, Neroli and of course... Hinoki.

During meditation, Hinoki acts like a bridge between the body and mind. Its natural compounds like hinokitiol help ease tension, calm the nervous system, and encourage deeper breathing. When diffused or inhaled during mindfulness practive, Hinoki's gentle scent anchors attention in the present moment, supporting focus and emotional balance.

On a symbolic level, Hinoki reminds us of simplicity and purity; core principles of meditation itself. Just as the tree grows slowly and steadily, meditation teaches patience and inner stillness. Incorporating Hinoki into meditation rituals through essential oils, incense, or wooden mala beads, creates an atmosphere that nurtures tranquility and spiritual renewal. In this way, Hinoki is more than an aroma; it becomes a companion in the journey toward mindfulness and self-awareness.

Jade Shutes shares on the unique versatile properties about Hinoki Essential Oil: "Ancient Wisdom meet Modern Wellness".

"The unique chemical fingerprint of Hinoki—dominated by compounds like α-pinene (up to 53%), δ-cadinene, α-cadinol, and the distinctive hinokitiol (β-thujaplicin)—creates a therapeutic powerhouse that works on multiple body systems simultaneously."

Blending with Hinoki Essential oil

I love that Hinoki has a blending factor of 5 that puts it right in the middle, making it a balanced "bridge" oil that harmonizes well without immediately overpowering other scents.

The following essential oils blend very well: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus species, Fir needle, Frankincense, German or Roman chamomile, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin, Myrrh, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Pine, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Tea Tree, Vetiver, Ylang-Ylang, Yuzu.

My personal favorites are Bergamot, Cedarwood, Roman chamomile, Lavender, Sweet Orange, Patchouli and Vetiver.

These following perfume oils are available at the local markets @ the Time4SelfLove booth. Feel free to try them out and ask me any questions you might have.

Calming Forest Blend (Relaxation):

For stress relief and grouding:

• 5 drops of Hinoki

• 2 drops of Cedarwood

• 3 drops of Lavender

Top with carrier oil (jojoba) in 10 ml roll-on. Apply to wrists for a spa-like forest walk.

Citrus Focus Blend (Clarity):

Uplifting for focus:

• 5 drops Hinoki

• 3 drops Bergamot

• 1 drop Rosemary

Carrier oil to fill 10 ml. Roll on temples or neck during work.

Sacred Zen Blend (Meditation)

Spiritual and meditative:

• 5 drops Hinoki

• 3 drops Frankincense

• 1 drop Vetiver

Fill with carrier. Use for mindfulness rituals.

Here are some other recipes for a 10 ml roll-on (approx. 2% dilution) using Hinoki as the central note. These are not available at the market although I might present a sleep roll-on with Hinoki, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver. Still deciding for the moment.

Forest Bathing (Grounding Blend)

This blend mimics the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, designed to reduce stress and lower cortisol.

• 3 drops Hinoki: The grounding, woody core.

• 2 drops Black Spruce or Pine: Adds the fresh "needle" scent of a deep forest.

• 1 drop Bergamot: Provides a bright, citrusy top note that cuts through the woodiness.

  
  

Deep Sleep (Nighttime Blend)

Hinoki contains alpha-pinene, which has a sedative effect that pairs perfectly with traditional sleep oils.

• 5 drops Hinoki: For its calming, resinous undertone.

• 3 drops Lavender: The gold standard for relaxation and sleep.

• 1 drop Vetiver: A heavy base note that "anchors" the mind to prevent racing thoughts.

Mixing Instructions

1. Add Essential Oils: Drop your chosen essential oils into an empty 10 ml glass bottle first.

2. Add Carrier: I always use jojobal oil. Leave a tiny gap at the top for the roller ball.

3. Secure & Shake: Snap the roller ball on, screw the cap tight, and shake gently.

4. Application: Apply to pulse points (wrists, neck, or behind the ears) or the bottoms of the feet before sleep.

A floral workshop we did together @ the CSCDE - 2021