Sensatia Botanicals | Newsletter - August/ September 2007


August - September 2007 Newsletter \| Sensatia Botanicals Inc.
Welcome to the August - September 2007 edition of Sensatia Botanicals Bi-monthly Newsletter. In this issue you will find a short bio with Bali crew production manager, I Ketut Puja; Gamelan master & soapmaker extrordinaire. Then in, day in the life, we celebrate the local Hindu holiday signifying the creation of the world, bali-style. Be sure to look in botanical files for a look at the Cananga		blossom , the heavenly jewel of the tropics. Then have a look in fresh produce to learn about Sensatia's approach to preservatives. But please start by having a read through whats HOT to see what we have been up to for the past few months. And last but not least please remember to have fun, its natural!!! We hope you enjoy and look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you.

whats HOT | Sensatia becomes a proud member of 1% for the Planet.

As of the 1st of July 2007, Sensatia Botanicals has become a proud member of 1% for the planet.

What is 1% for the planet you might ask? 1% For The Planet is an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet. Members recognize their responsibility to, and dependence on a healthy environment and donate at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental organizations worldwide.

Through corporate giving, grants and philanthropy, 1%FTP encourages responsible business practices and corporate responsibility. This environmental alliance is designed to help its members become sustainable businesses by recognizing the true cost, to the environment, of doing business.

Each alliance member contributes 1% of its revenues to any of the environmental organizations listed on the 1%FTP website. In an effort to encourage members to develop independent relationships with the groups they support, member companies disburse their own contributions. 1%FTP has done all the verification making sure the listed organizations are legitimate environmental groups that fit the 1%FTP criteria.

At the end of the fiscal year Sensatia is required to submit a copy of our tax report to 1%FTP. From that we will know the total 1% we must donate to the organizations we have selected. When the time comes, we will update you as to which organizations we have chosen to support. I think the biggest problem will be just choosing one ;-)

Sensatia donates 165kg (365lbs) of soap to the East Bali Poverty Project.

Sometimes a simple thing like a bar of soap can be unattainable for some people. Okay, I can imagine your smacking your lips & thinking no way, but unfortunately its true.

Mr. David Booth, the founder & Chairman from the East Bali Poverty Project is truly a man on a mission. Through David's undying efforts an entire area of East Bali is able to make some real change for the better.

David's mission is clear:

1. To empower illiterate and malnourished children through relevant education, improved nutrition and basic stay healthy principles. 2. To reduce poverty and promote culturally sensitive sustainable development in impoverished rural communities that have little or no choice to alleviate their own plight.

When I recently asked David if he would be interested in another Sensatia soap donation his response was very enthusiastic: "Thanks a million for this very timely soap donation. Not only have we launched a new school in Darmaji hamlet for 52 children on June 2nd but also our Independence Day celebrations are in preparation where all of our 300+ children from our 6 schools will be joining together for our traditional events in one location high up the mountain.

Every year, apart from the certificates each child gets who comes in 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any event, we also give each of the 300+ children and 26 tutors (people from the respective dusuns who we have taught how to teach the children) a hygiene pack to take home, including soap, towel, toothbrush and toothpaste. It is also nice that we can acknowledge Sensatia twice!

We are all doing very well here to the point where all of our 107 staff are working up to 11 hours many days due to the wonderful

activities now developing - which I will write about when I finally get chance to catch up with my last 4 months of newsletters. Hope to see you soon - and thanks again Michael. Best regards, David"

It is our pleasure to make this donation as not only is it helping a great cause for a great bunch of people, but our handmade soap also bio-degrades to just carbon dioxide and water after 24 hours. This is great news as Sensatia's 100% natural soaps will not harm any of the waste systems that David has no doubt, painstakingly put in place.

Please feel free to visit the EBPP website, see the great changes that EPBB has made in this poverty stricken east Bali location and if it is in your capacity please donate what you can to David and his admirable efforts. We thank you for your support.

===================

HOW TO CONTACT EAST BALI POVERTY PROJECT:

David J Booth MBE, Founder & Chairman
EBPP, PO Box 3850 Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (62) 0361 410071; Fax: (62) 361 430785
E: info@eastbalipovertyproject.org Web: www.eastbalipovertyproject.org/

fresh produce | Keep it fresh - Sensatia's approach to preservatives.

Seems these days everyone likes to add their two cents to the discussion regarding natural preservatives. This makes us happy!!! Why? Because that means people are educating themselves about what they put on their bodies. For us this is great news & means that all of our tireless efforts of keeping it 100% natural has not gone to waste.

Some folks are convinced that you must have a chemical preservative in a product in order for it to have any kind of shelf life. I disagree, all of Sensatia's products do not

contain any chemical preservatives of any kind and have all passed the greatest test of all... the test of time. Though Sensatia Botanicals was incorporated in 2006, we, at the Bali production facility (CV. Pak Bina's Minyak Kelapa) have been producing high quality body care products since the year 2000 without a single complaint.

The question remains, how could we take a perfectly natural product, made from clean & pure, natural raw plant materials and add a chemical preservative to it? The simple answer is we can't and we won't. Instead we have avoided developing products that would require a chemical preservative. Yes, there are sacrifices and limitations to only wanting to create clean/ green products but I don't think the sacrifice is that great.

For example, some items like our very excellent sandalwood facial masque and our coconut & vanilla bean facial scrub is sold in powder form. I would like to have these items available in a convenient, ready-to-use squeeze tube, unfortunately, the trade off would be having to add a chemical preservative as the composition would then become aqueous. Bacteria cannot survive without water. Call me simple, but if a chemical preservative can kill bacteria then I can imagine it is doing the same thing to us.

So what do we do to ensure a products shelf life? Well for starters we have taken into consideration our raw material manufacturers expiry dates as these materials have been lab tested. From this information we have deduced that most of our products have a shelf life of at least 2 years and 2 months from the date of production; pure essential oils having a greater shelf life as well as soaps lasting indefinitely.

Additionally, we use Rosemary antioxidant in a few compositions to help retard any oxidation of carrier & essential oils (oxidation is not harmful whatsoever, it just helps ensure our customers receive a fresh smelling product free of any oxidized oil aroma.) We also regularly incorporate either wheatgerm oil, which is high is vitamin E, and/ or straight vitamin E which also helps retard rancidity. Pure essential oils

are also thought to have preservative qualities; some of our products contain as much as 15% essential oils. Our essential oils and botanical blends are, of course, 100% pure essential oils. In the few aqueous formula's we have, we use sea salt as a natural preservative, in conjunction with a new natural preservative derived from natural plant extracts. This new natural preservative is made from Oregano leaf extract, Thyme extract, Cinnamon bark extract, rosemary leaf extract, Lavender Flower extract, Lemon peel extract, peppermint leaf extract, Golden Seal Root extract and Olive leaf extract.

All of this to ensure our customer receives Sensatia products that are as fresh & delicious as the day we made them. Please also be sure to have a look at any of our product pages and click "more info..." to see the ingredients of each product. I can assure you that anything you see in that list is EXACTLY what is in the product. And as always, please feel free to contact us anytime with any questions or comments you may have regarding any Sensatia product. We are here to help. Thank you.

botanical files | Cananga odorata - the heavenly tropical jewel!

Though our cananga essential oil is grown and distilled in the neighboring island of Java (and of the finest quality I might add), I am reminded of this intoxicatingly-sweet smelling blossom daily.

Every morning when I wake and look out from the 2nd floor open doors of my bedroom, (a converted traditional balinese rice barn) I see 2 gorgeous cananga trees standing tall, side by side, swaying drunkenly in the warm tropical trade wind, as if young love together walking, bashfully, accidentally-on-purpose glazing the hand of the other. They droop and dangle, almost drag their leafy appendages as if the weight of their huge pungent blossoms are a burden.

This tropical tree can reach a height of up to 100 feet (30m). The branches gracefully arch, bearing intensely fragrant, large, tender, yellow flowers that bloom constantly.

Cananga is native to tropical Asia. The aroma of Cananga essential oil is intensely sweet, heavy, jasmine-like, and floral. It's odour effect is warming, intoxicating and aphrodisiac. In Indonesia, it is said that the flowers are spread on the beds of newly married couples. A toning blossom oil, Cananga essential oil can help balance sebaceous glands of either dry or oily skin. Cananga has a refreshing, gentle, balancing effect and is considered an aphrodisiac.

Ylang ylang oil is made from the same plant as Cananga oil, but Ylang Ylang is made from the 1st distillation of the delicate flower. When used regularly Ylang ylang can help maintain healthy, balanced skin.

Ylang Ylang essential oil is often a component in high class perfumes & cosmetics. Once you smell Ylang Ylang for the first time you will know why.

Ylang Ylang & Cananga essential oils blend well with other floral's,

citrus essences, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon Myrtle, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Sage and most other herbally-spice essential oils.

These delectable, 100% natural Sensatia products contain Cananga essential oil or Ylang ylang essential oil: cananga flower & coconut soap, SB30 meditation soap, SB30 jungle canopy soap, balinese herbal lulur body oil, meditation body oil, daily botanical scalp stimulator, passion sensual massage blend, romance sensual massage blend, blossom facial dream cream, wild honey day barrier cream, sandalwood facial masque, balinese lulur bath powder, passion sensual honey bath, romance sensual honey bath, ylang ylang essential oil, balinese herbal lulur blend, jungle canopy blend, meditation blend, island sunrise blend, temple ceremony blend, tropical flowers blend.

day in the life | Celebrating Galungan - the creation of the world.

A pretty heavy statement, for such a light-hearted, carefree day.

Let me paint you a picture... I am sitting 500 metres off the beach-lined coconut grove on my surfboard. The Indian ocean quietly grants my request for amusement in the form of a perfect watery upheaval; a wave, a wet vibration traveling from a far off place on Earth - direct - to this tropical latitude & longitude. As I sit in this tepid watery surfpark, small, yellow & black striped fish dart under my feet as if to console my entire life's decisions. The great volcano Agung, precariously looms over the coconut trees as if by one inebriated act could topple them in a hot flash. The bronzish-gold,

late afternoon sunlight seeps through the trees as if thick maple syrup oozing from the tap. The beach from east to west is stippled with brightly colored Hindu dress, walking,

laughing & joking. There is a faint chatter of the thousands of kids voices intermingling with the birds gossiping, the stream hissing, the oceans frothy white water scrubbing the black volcanic rocks of Agung's last big volcanic belch. The air thick & melodious, sweet-yet-pungent, sandalwood mingles with exposed coral reef, perfume and warm bodies exude the aroma of a genuine love for life; and why not? Today is the Hindu holiday - Galungan, celebrating the creation of the world, and it is quite evident nature knows its her day.

Galungan is like Christmas to the Balinese and is the most important holiday in the Balinese uku year. Galungan celebrates the creation of the world by the supreme god, and symbolizes the victory of goodness over evil by the defeat of the legendary demon-king Mayadanawa by the people. Galungan is celebrated in the 11th week of the Balinese 210 day year by Balinese all over Indonesia and the world. It is a day of visiting and feasting when everything comes to a chaotic standstill.

Starting at dawn everyone begins buzzing around bringing offerings to their places of origin. The roads are decorated with Penjor, tall bamboo poles adorned with gifts of unhusked rice, flowers & various sweets. The Penjor is placed at the entrance way of each house as a symbol of thanks to the supreme god, Sanghyang Widhi for his gifts of life & prosperity. It is quite a spectacular site to see all roads lined with the Penjor gracefully arching into the center of the street.

On the day after Galungan, called Manis Galungan ("Sweet Galungan") there are great family reunions, it's a a good time for visiting friends and neighbors and young lovers can be found traveling from romantic place to romantic place by motorbike. The 10-day Galungan celebration ends with Kuningan.

Kuningan, held 10 days after Galungan brings the holiday period to a close. Kuningan is the second most important holiday on the Balinese-Hindu calendar and is observed throughout Bali with offerings and other religious services. The name Kuningan derives from the special offerings of yellow rice (kuning means "yellow") made at this time. Kuningan honors the souls of honored ancestors & saints who have lived according to the customs of their religion and have provided benefits for the nation. It could be termed a sort of Balinese "All saints day." The holy springs of Tampak Siring are packed as people bathe to purify themselves. The biggest temple ceremonies are held at Pura Bukit Jati (Bangli), Pura Dalam Tenggaling and Br. Taman

Bali (Bangli), Pura Panti Timbrah and Desa Pakesebali (Klungkung), Pura Sadha (Kapal), Pura Sakenan (Serangan Island), Pura Taman Pulo Mas (Ubud). Kuningan also has "Manis" Kuningan, like Galungan, it is a family day when the playing fields, parks, markets, and beaches are filled with people.

Galungan and Kuningan is a really fun time to be in Bali, it is definitely a great experience and a very good look into the life of the Balinese people. But expect to do alot hanging out, remember to always be very patient, respectful, and always smile. Either that or you can always hide in the middle of the ocean on your surfboard, sitting next to me, waiting for the next wave. ;-)

the crew | I Ketut Puja - Gamelan master & soapmaker extraordinaire.

Ketut is second in command of our Bali based production; CV Pak Bina's Minyak Kelapa and is Riadi's uncle. (Remember Nengah from the last "the crew"?)

Ketut is quite an amazing character. He is typical "old style" Balinese who can do or make anything from nothing. Give him a piece of bamboo and he can make a flute, then play it incredibly well. The same piece of bamboo he can carve his son a toy car to play with. He knows how to weave every single kind of palm mat or shade used for ceremonies that would leave most of us dumbfounded for at least 10 years. He can stitch up every kind of offering most of which have the intricacy of ancient origami. His thought process & problem solving skills dazzle me everytime.

There is a preconception that the Balinese are natural born artists, and that Bali is an island of artist's. Well, I have to say this

notion is generally true and is absolutely true in Ketut's case. I believe there is something truly amazing that emerges in a person when one is born without all the extraneous, superfluous material things that only distract us. The simple is that necessity sparks creativity. Necessity seems to have sparked creativity for so many hundreds of years that it seems Balinese children are innately born incredibly creative and resourceful.

Ketut is the 5th born sibling in a family of 7 children. This could explain his incredible magnitude and huge threshold for patience. He is very strategic making a move only after he has run through every possible scenario in his mind first. Not in a way like us westerners do; quickly, spastically, in a stress-filled flurry, but rather a seemingly, soothing meandering through his mind, always with a slight smile parting his lips as if he is enjoying an alice in wonderland-like maze of the mind. Always coming to a very definitive

diagnosis executed with complete certainty and confidence followed by a completely rational remedy that leaves you with your jaw open, thinking "Ummm, oh ya, your right, that's the correct way to do it... duh."

Ketut is also a very spiritual person being able to read and write sanskrit, the ancient Indic language believed to have been spoken in India around 1200-400BC. His wife, Komang, has the peaceful job of growing, collecting, flowers and other botanicals for the offerings she makes to sell at her roadside stall. It is truly the work of angels. Komang made the offering for the the Sensatia "thank you" page.

Ketut is also a very significant member of the village's gamelan group. This group is in high demand by the

villager's to play at such events as weddings, funeral's, temple "birthday's" etc., etc. Most villages do have their own Gamelan orchestra, but their particular group is very well known and often called to go to other villages.

Last but certainly not least Ketut is probably the most skilled "soapsman" of my entire crew. Though I write all the compositions and completely understand everything about soapmaking (in theory), Ketut is the man who knows everything about the practicality of it all. After almost 10 years now of making soap Ketut knows what it takes to finesse the process in order to generate a product of the high quality I demand of Sensatia. Oh btw, Ketut is the one who artfully puts the swirls through each soap ;-)

In conclusion, It is an absolute pleasure working with Ketut. It is very refreshing to so effortlessly jive with someone even though we are from two very different worlds. But then again some connections supercede any logical explanation. It is for those that we press on, thanking the heavens above.

I hope you enjoyed this brief introduction of our 2nd in command, I Ketut Puja, Production Manager of CV. Pak Bina's Minyak Kelapa. In the next issue of our bi-monthly newsletter we will continue with the Bali crew, production-house packaging director & alter ego, I Komang Parwata.

Thank you for your continued interest and support of Sensatia Botanicals and once again please feel free to contact us anytime with any questions or concerns you may have. From all of us at Sensatia, we wish you the very best.

Sincerely,
Michael R. Lorenti Jr.