Recent Cornell grad Meryl Gabeler and her mother, Cary, both from Hastings-on-Hudson, teamed up to create Anjolie Ayurveda, an organic skincare company with a line of 10 deliciously scented bath soaps. “My parents grew up in Southeast Asia where my mom was introduced to Ayurveda, the five-thousand-year-old medicinal practice of using herbs and oils for healing,” Meryl says. “I love fragrance and aromatherapy and liked the idea of taking an ancient practice and combining the old with the new, creating soaps that were appealing to the senses, offering a luxurious experience.”
The soaps are manufactured in India; the essential oils come from the foothills of the Himalayas; the herbs are organically grown. And when you buy from Anjolie Ayurveda, you are supporting fair trade and sustainable farming practices (Meryl and Cary even pay for their workers’ children to attend school in India). Bestsellers include sandalwood saffron and sweet lime cardamom (although we are partial to the lemon neroli, said to be beneficial when stress levels are high). Prices range from $8.95 for a bar to $35 for a gift box filled with an assortment of miniatures. Available at Oasis Day Spa in Dobbs Ferry, Riverspa in Irvington, Greenleaf Pharmacy in Hastings-on-Hudson, and the Castle on the Hudson’s gift shop. For more information, visit anjolienyc.com.
