Balsamic Moon handcrafts small-batch self-care products using natural, botanical ingredients to nurture the body, the home & loved ones. Each creation is designed to offer practical, preventative care for minor body ailments, harnessing the healing properties of herbs & essential oils
I’m Jessie, the owner & maker behind Balsamic Moon, based in Morrinsville, New Zealand. My journey began in 2018, after being diagnosed with a rare health condition that made me look at what we are putting onto our skin, into our bodies & examine the environment we live in. And just how all these factors affect our endocrine system – something which I could hardly pronounce, let alone knew about. (FYI: The endocrine system produces hormones to regulate the body’s overall functions – it’s the be-all and end-all of simple bodily functions – it even tells your body to hold onto water & use it! And it’s all located in the pituitary gland – a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain.)
I turned to nature for answers & I began crafting products free from synthetic compounds—starting with salves & balms & gradually expanding to therapeutic magnesium butters, body butters & more. This is my way of dealing with my health condition, having the ability to control & understand what I put on my skin.
I am honoured to hold a scholarship from the Herb Federation of New Zealand, which allows me to explore the world of herbs & healing uses. I get to share all of this knowledge & skill with my little girl, Millie, who is by my side—whether we’re foraging together or creating Balsamic Moon products.
A core part of Balsamic Moon’s ethos is to reduce, reuse & recycle wherever possible. Many of the packaging choices are thoughtfully upcycled — for example, the drawstring bags are made from secondhand bedsheets sourced from local op shops, giving new life to pre-loved materials. I also prioritise packaging that can be easily recycled here in New Zealand or added to your home compost.
It’s all about finding simple, mindful ways to tread a little lighter on our bodies & the planet, one small step at a time.
P.S.
…You may still be asking – why call it ‘Balsamic Moon’?
Balsamic Moon is a moon phase, the last waning crescent you see in the sky before the New Moon. Symbolically, this phase of the moon represents rest, release & transformation. Time to take care of ourselves & replenish.