You might not be as familiar with hiba as you are with Japan’s more well-known native offering, the hinoki cypress, but its unique benefits are aplenty. The essential oil extracted from rare hiba wood, which can take 300 years to mature, is said to eliminate odors, relax and uplift, and work as an eczema treatment. Topanga, CA-based Studio Cue LA, a daytime retreat run by Qi therapist Keiko Matsuo and photographer and artist Tsugu Wada, has been sharing the benefits of Japanese hiba oil through their apothecary line, Golda. They source the wood and oil directly from Aomori, Japan, where Wada was born. Golda’s soaps (in grounded shapes like spheres and pyramids), mists (even one to calm pets) and incense—all in minimalist packaging—help inspire a simpler, holistic-focused life connected with nature.
Find them online from Studio Cue as well as a handful of stockists.
Images courtesy of Studio Cue