About Us

My name is Dorothy Severns, and I started Into the Scented Garden as an aromatherapy business after studying with Kurt Schnaubelt and Monika Haas at the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. I enrolled in their program to find alternative treatments for my daughter’s asthma and eczema.

Learning how to use essential oils became one of the best decisions I made for my daughter, who is now a trained herbalist, and for myself. Specifically, I was searching for effective, natural ways to care for my family and found a passion for essential oils—their psychological effects, healing properties, and sheer beauty. After all, natural perfumes are simply blends of essential oils dissolved in alcohol, and they exist to provide pleasure. I wanted to surround myself with these oils every day.

In 1992, I also trained as a yoga teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition of Swami Satchidananda. Part of my training involved learning to teach Jala Neti, or Nasal Wash. I discovered the importance of adding salt to the water used for Jala Neti to protect the sensitive mucous membranes of the nose. From my aromatherapy studies, I knew essential oils are tiny molecules that pass through the skin and mucous membranes, entering the bloodstream to benefit the entire system. Essential oils can be absorbed not only through inhalation but also through the skin and mucous membranes when diluted.

As years past, I was inspired to incorporate essential oils into people’s lives through a neti pot salt infused with these oils. I experimented with blends of organic essential oils known for their gentle, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and mucolytic properties. Furthermore, I enlisted my yoga teacher friends to test the formulas. Though I originally intended to create multiple formulas for different issues—sinus problems, colds, allergies—I soon developed a blend that helped all the testers and smelled amazing.

As word spread, more people began requesting my neti pot salt. I then decided to start a small business selling neti pot salt, and neti pots to yoga centers, small shops, and a distributor. It was a perfect fit for me. Most importantly, I could work with essential oils and enjoy the satisfaction of hearing people thank me for aromatic salt. I always reply, "It’s my pleasure." And that’s true, it truly is my great pleasure.