A Clean Sink & a Clear Mind With May Chang Essential Oil

Hello Friend!

The Wisdom of Our Emotions

This month, I’m embracing a season of cleaning—both inside and out. It’s a time to sweep out what no longer serves us, freshen our spaces, and bring in more light—and that includes our emotional world.

Emotions are part of our human experience. They help us recognize where we are energetically, mentally, and even spiritually. They arise from our thoughts, beliefs, and how we process the world around us, but they don’t define us. 

Sometimes, we hold on to something someone said, replaying it in our minds, letting it color our days.

This week, ask yourself:
🌾 Did someone say something that hurt my feelings?
🌾 Am I still carrying it?

Let it go. Not because it didn’t matter—but because your peace matters more.

Our goal isn’t perfection. It’s to feel good inside, find lightness, and return to a sense of balance. In her gentle wisdom, nature offers us support through the plants, especially in the form of essential oils. These extracts help us tend to our inner space as we do to our outer space. They remind us that healing is available, right where we are.

Let’s clean with intention this month—our homes, hearts, and thoughts.

This week, I invite you to gently clear space—inside and out.
Let something go.
Open a window.
Say no to what drains you, and yes to what brings warmth.
Let in the light. Let in the peace.

✨LIVE event April 12, 1 pm ET: Part 3: Root to Leaf✨

Join Jenny and me LIVE (or catch the replay)for the final presentation of this 3-part series! Missed the first two? Watch the replays!

Discover how to choose essential oil substitutions based on plant parts—from roots and resins to leaves and flowers. This approach not only ensures effective swaps but also incorporates the emotional and energetic aspects of each oil, helping you craft blends that support both body and mind. Whether you're looking for grounding, uplifting, or balancing effects, understanding plant parts will deepen your blending practice and allow you to substitute with confidence and intention!

Aromatic Creations Recipe

Scrub the Stress Away with May Chang

This week, we’re leaning into that fresh-start feeling—literally and emotionally. When it’s time to clean the house (inside and out), May Chang (Litsea cubeba) is an aromatic ally that shines.

Bright, lemony, and intensely uplifting, May Chang helps you exhale tension and invite in calm energy. It’s emotionally relaxing yet physically energizing—an ideal companion for scrubbing away both stress and soap scum.

May Chang Sink & Tub Scrub Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup (224 g) Baking Soda

• 3 Tbsp (45 ml) Castile Soap

• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) White Vinegar*

• 1 tsp (3 g) Cornstarch

• 20 drops May Chang Oil (Litsea cubeba)

• 10 drops Hemlock Oil (Tsuga canadensis)

• 10 drops Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

*The vinegar will create a brief fizz with the baking soda—mix slowly and mindfully.

Stir everything together until smooth. Scoop a bit onto a sponge or cloth and scrub your sinks, tubs, or even tile. Rinse well and enjoy the fresh, clean scent that lingers.

Baking soda scrubs clean remarkably well. I love walking into my home after using this blend—the sparkling freshness of May Chang with the grounding conifer notes of hemlock makes the whole space feel lighter, brighter, and deeply refreshed.

View Ingredients & Recipe Here

Notes of Discovery

Essential Oils for Eliminating Home Odors

Let’s be honest—life can get a little smelly. From kitchen mishaps to damp laundry days, our homes can hold onto odors we’d rather release. My latest post shares some of the most effective essential oils for freshening your space naturally—without relying on synthetic air fresheners.

You’ll learn:

• My favorite essential oils for neutralizing odors naturally

• How certain oils fight odor-causing bacteria & microbes

• 2 DIY recipes: an all-purpose air freshener & baking soda deodorizer

• Tips for deodorizing closets, the fridge, pet areas, and more

Product Spotlight

 May Chang (Litsea cubeba) Essential Oil — More Than a Clean House

This month's cleaning theme wouldn’t be complete without spotlighting one of our favorite citrus powerhouses: may chang essential oil. Sourced from India, this sweet, lemony oil is most often celebrated for its incredible ability to freshen and purify, making it a natural go-to in household cleaning blends.

I love using May Chang in my cleaning routines because of its vibrant scent and natural antimicrobial properties. It helps clear away surface grime and shifts a space's energy.

Beyond the cleaning cabinet, May Chang offers wellness benefits that are too good to overlook. While it’s rich in aldehydes, contributing to its strong purifying effects, it also contains other natural components that offer a gentler touch. These compounds can help ease inflammation, support the body during colds and flus, and gently relieve minor aches and pains.

Because aldehydes can be intense on the skin, I use May Chang thoughtfully in topical blends—keeping dilution rates low and combining it with skin-nourishing carriers and essential oils that soften its sharper edges.

• Shelf life tip: May Chang has a shorter shelf life—about three years—due to its aldehyde content. 

Whether scrubbing the sink or tending to a tired body, May Chang is a bright and versatile addition to your home apothecary.

Explore May Chang →

From The Vine

Q: Don’t I need a heavy-duty cleaner to really cut through grime?

A: A common question—and a great one! We’ve been trained to think that stronger (and often more toxic) means better when it comes to cleaning. But nature has her own powerful solutions.

✨ This week’s Aromatic Creation is a simple, effective scrub using baking soda, castile soap, and essential oils like may chang, tea tree, and hemlock. It’s tough on grime, gentle on your home, and leaves a fresh, uplifting scent behind.

Curious? Try the recipe and let me know how it works for you!
Share your favorite natural scrub recipes or thoughts on our post on Instagram!

✨ Click here to join the conversation on Instagram

Stay Inspired!

This week, as you clear away the old—be it clutter in your home or in your heart—trust that you're making room for new energy, opportunities, and peace. Embrace the process, and welcome the transformation.