Spearmint is an Oxymoron?

Hey Y'all!!

I hope this post finds you doing well. The weather is actually looking good in my neck of the woods and I don't want to talk about it much. I am afraid if I say too much, the sunny skies and warm temperatures will disappear. Enough said.

Spearmint is a fabulous aroma and I use it a good bit while formulating Cactus & Ivy cruelty-free goodies. During a massage, I love the intense aroma of Mint Jasmine. It has a rich, floral burst with a sweet blast of mint that immediately relaxes me while also invigorating my senses. Is that an Oxymoron? Anywho.

Spearmint oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the mentha viridis plant and grows well in most climates but prefers partial shade. Believed to be an excellent oil for alleviating fatigue and depression, it can be used at bedtime to promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that spearmint oil is an Oxymoron in itself. It is an uplifting yet calming oil.

You can find spearmint oil in our Spearcalyptus Body Soap, Cocoa Mint Scrub, Moisture Body Lotion, Mint Lip Service Lip Balm and Body Bath & Massage Elixir. Yep, as you can see, I like spearmint!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!


Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Natural Body - Why I do what I do!

Hey Y'all!

Well Fall is definitely here in my neck of the woods and it's absolutely marvelous! I've been waiting on the "dog days" of Summer to disappear and the cool, autumn breezes to blow in. I am loving it! Now to today's topic.

Natural Body - Why I do what I do
As a suffer of Fibromyalgia, I needed to create a product that my husband could use to massage the frequent knots that appear around and under my collarbone and shoulder blades.

Fibromyalgia is defined as 'a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain'. You can read more about this condition by clicking here.

When I create a product, I research the benefits each ingredient will bring to the final product. Especially in massage oils, I look for base oils that produce a good slip without feeling greasy and will penetrate the skin easily. When choosing essential oils, I look for properties of calming, relaxing, rejuvenating, balancing, grounding and the overall feeling of peace. My favorite massage oil at the moment is Mint Jasmine Body Bath & Massage Elixir. Our elixirs are blended with Babassu Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil for their benefits necessary for healthy skin, such as antioxidants, vitamins E and C, and oleic acid. The floral aroma of jasmine blended with the uplifting aroma of spearmint make this a completely intoxicating and relaxing blend.

Although Cactus & Ivy has the 'Guinea Chicks' to test our products, I leave the testing of massage oils to me. It's a tough job but someone has to do it! Hey....it also gives me an excuse to get another massage or two or three!

Have a fabulous day y'all!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy