Aromatherapy soap bars are $6 each, or three for $15, at The Alchemista, with bulk discounts available.

More Photos (6):

Other articles by Jennifer Sterba:

No ivory tower for these poets The ladies in control Bag those bags Winners announced in our Old Pueblo Jeopardy quiz Oh, no! In 'Jeopardy!' Take a deep breath Shades are your eyes' BFF Every dog can be taught50 and counting

General
CORT
Warehouse Supervisor Health Care
Rio Salado College
PA's/Online Instructors General
CORT
WAREHOUSE/DRIVER Construction
Komatsu Equipment Co
Mechanic Education
Assessment Technology, Inc
Social Studies Content Writer

Sonia Rodriguez didn't let a debilitating illness keep her from opening her own store and sharing her passion for aromatherapy with the community.

Instead, she alternated kidney dialysis every other day with work on her South Fourth Avenue shop for a year.

Today, The Alchemista invites customers to come in and learn about aromatherapy, which is the use of essential oils to enhance physical, psychological or aesthetic well-being.

The new shop offers a wide range of essential oils, lotions and other skin-care products. Shelves are stocked with popular standards such as lavender, and customized scents will be available upon request, said Rodriguez, a former co-owner of The Aroma Tree who's studied aromatherapy for more than 10 years. After leaving The Aroma Tree to pursue her own retail dreams, Rodriguez's plans were nearly derailed by kidney failure in 2006.

Her new store is at 1250 S. Fourth Ave., at East 22nd Street.

"It's a convenient area … and the Hispanic community hasn't had the opportunity to have an all-natural product company and aromatherapy nearby," Rodriguez said.

The fragrance of essential oils wafting through the air outside the store invites passersby to stop in.

Inside, metal shelves hold dozens of jars of lotions and potions made on-site. Gold-colored curtains mask the room — larger than her storefront — where Rodriguez and a small staff create her products.

Rodriguez studied molecular and cellular biology at the University of Arizona, not originally intending to make a career in aromatherapy. She started crafting soaps about 13 years ago and was intellectually drawn to the healing properties of essential oils used in some recipes. The more she learned, the more fascinated she became.

"I was like a kid in the candy store," she said.

Lynnie Bradley has been selling Rodriguez's products for two years at her store, Blue Jewel Bodycare, 6330 N. Oracle Road.

Her store carries lotions, essential oils, massage oils and soaps made by Rodriguez and sold under the Blue Jewel label.

Bradley said she heavily researches each product she chooses to sell under her label. Rodriguez's products always fall well within the safe level, she said.

"She's my hero. She makes it possible for me to sell skin-care products with pride," Bradley said.

Rodriguez said she is passionate about using natural ingredients for maintaining health and well-being.

The Alchemista herself loves eucalyptus lemon. It can be used to safely — and sweetly — ward off pesky mosquitoes.

"I'd rather smell like lemon balm than DEET any day," she said, laughing.