Not your typical aromatherapist - Alton Telegraph

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Orb Elements owner Lora Ruppert-Aulabaugh poses in her aromatherapy laboratory in the old Milton Schoolhouse.

Orb Elements owner Lora Ruppert-Aulabaugh poses in the retail section of her aromatherapy shop in the old Milton Schoolhouse.


ALTON — A basement room in a converted old schoolhouse is not the first place most people would look to find a certified aromatherapy master, but that’s exactly where curious shoppers will find Lora Ruppert-Aulabaugh.

In her renovated space at the Milton Schoolhouse, Ruppert has set up a specialty aromatherapy laboratory and retail shop. The name, Orb Elements, translates to “elements of the earth,” the owner says.

In addition to her bachelor’s and master’s in chemistry, she has worked as a fragrance chemist for a large corporation, studied as a junior perfumer, and been trained in synthetic fragrance, natural fragrance and essential oil national regulatory affairs.

“We studied the aroma of each oil, the chemistry of each oil, the chemical constituents responsible for each oils therapeutic actions, the anatomy and physiology of the skin, the olfactory system, and aromas and the mind,” Ruppert says of her aromatherapy master’s apprenticeship.

On the shelves of reclaimed wood at Ruppert’s store, shoppers can find high-quality pure essential oils and a line of all-natural, small-batch aromatherapy products designed and made by Ruppert herself. Room mists, linen sprays and body products like hand balm and scrubs are available.

The Alton native said she chose to locate her business in the old schoolhouse because of its atmosphere.

“It just felt right,” Ruppert said. “It’s artsy, and aromatherapy is an art and a science, so it just clicked.”

Orb Elements is located at 1320 Milton Rd., suite 1C. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and can be contacted at [email protected] For more information, visit www.orbelements.com.

Orb Elements owner Lora Ruppert-Aulabaugh poses in her aromatherapy laboratory in the old Milton Schoolhouse.


http://thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_aroma1.jpg Orb Elements owner Lora Ruppert-Aulabaugh poses in her aromatherapy laboratory in the old Milton Schoolhouse.

Orb Elements owner Lora Ruppert-Aulabaugh poses in the retail section of her aromatherapy shop in the old Milton Schoolhouse.


http://thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_aroma2.jpg Orb Elements owner Lora Ruppert-Aulabaugh poses in the retail section of her aromatherapy shop in the old Milton Schoolhouse.



Reporter Kelsey Landis can be reached at 618-208-6460, Ext. 1396 or on Twitter @kelseylandis.