Luna Sundara's Blog

Small Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Help Earth

April 22 is Earth Day, but for us every day is Earth Day. Wondering how you can make a difference every day? Here are some tips.

Many of us have been working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic - and in the midst of so much uncertainty and stress, it’s important we try to create a calming atmosphere in our at-home environments.

At Luna, incense is one of our must-have picks when working from home. Not only does incense cleanse any interior space, but it also helps to instantly clear our minds and lift our moods. While we love traditional incense, we’re so excited to expand our product line to now include premium Palo Santo resin - a form of incense that relies on raw materials from aromatic plants and herbs.

There’s a reason we associate candles and incense with relaxation. It’s because a great candle, incense or essential oil’s natural aroma has the power to transport you to an alternate universe.

Palo Santo is no exception. Possessing a unique woody scent with hints of pine, lemon and mint, it will immediately send your nose straight to the Amazon rainforest! Beyond its fragrant aroma, its healing medicinal and spiritual traits have been known and used for thousands of years. Palo Santo may help with inflammatory reactions such as headaches and stomach-aches, as well as reduce stress levels - but it’s perhaps best known for releasing purifying properties when burned. In South American culture and history, Palo Santo is even said to remove negativity and obstacles and attract good fortune.

September 15 kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of the impact that Hispanic and Latino culture has had on virtually every facet of American life. With leaders in the government (there are currently 41 Latinos in the U.S. Congress!), and across business, science, sports and arts industries, Hispanics play an integral role in shaping the American experience. This is due, in part, to the community’s rapid population growth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic and Latino population is the most significant minority group within the country - comprising around 60 million people!

At Luna, we have a soft spot in our hearts for Palo Santo, the aromatic wood that’s been used for centuries in traditional and indigenous healing practices. Drawing inspiration from the role that Palo Santo played in her childhood, co-founder Sandra Manay has expanded Luna’s Palo Santo offerings to include everything from incense sticks and jewelry to essential oils. And as she’s grown from smudging Palo Santo sticks in Peru to sharing her love for this magical wood through products on our site, so too has this “Holy Wood” exploded commercially, igniting concerns about the Palo Santo tree’s conservation status.

Thus far in 2020, we’ve likely all spent a bit more time at home than initially anticipated. And no matter where you’re sheltering in place, we wanted to provide a bit of inspiration to help make your home a nicer place in which to find refuge.

The best part? No trips to the store necessary. Our Peruvian mirrors are available to purchase with just a single click. With its whimsical sunburst design and sleek bronze finish, it pairs well with a variety of color palettes, and adds a chic look and feel to any home decor layout. Like all Luna products, we’ve collaborated closely with local artisans to lovingly create a one-of-a-kind piece that will imbue your home with a little piece of Peruvian culture.

With many of us working remotely during the coronavirus outbreak, it can be hard to maintain a sense of normalcy and calm. And spending more time at home and away from other people means that we may not have access to our usual outlets of relieving stress - like going to the gym or spending time with friends and family.

At Luna, we believe it’s important to practice healthy ways to de-stress from home. That’s why, in this spirit of self-care, we’re excited to share that we now carry a selection of premium myrrh hand rolled incense sticks, made from 100% wild Peruvian myrrh.

As many of us hunker down at home, it can be difficult to cope with this “new normal” - but the good news is that we can reframe this time as a fresh opportunity! Whether you’re planning to channel your energy into a new hobby, a creative venture, or maybe even deep cleaning your house, there are plenty of things we can do to keep ourselves staying healthy, happy and sane.