Tag Archives: Essential Oils

Spoil Yourself – Enjoy the Pleasure of Essential Oils by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Last month I wrote about Puressential essential oils – some of which are sold for therapeutic uses, to treat insomnia, head lice infestations and joint pains.

 

This month I was sent a lovely travel pack of Aromatherapy minis by Scentered which I am keen to share with you (well, not literally  – they’re mine, all mine, but I will share the experience with you until you get your own – which I would recommend.)

Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants and it is believed that just smelling them can have positive effects on us, including changing our mood.  There have been a number of scientific studies, including EEG (brainwave) and imaging studies, which support this theory. So if you are feeling down, stressed, in need of inspiration or focus, why not give aromatherapy products a try? They may help and certainly smell amazing.

Scentered’s main products, which are 100% pure, are solid sticks of balm – a blend of moringa and shea butters to ensure a non-greasy finish, as well as long-lasting fragrance delivery. These are infused with different combinations of essential oils, in a handy twist-up container, which you can rub on pressure points such as the temples, neck and wrist.

Essential oils are often used to help sleep problems – the scourge of modern living. Scentered Sleep Essentials Set combines a balm stick, infused with Palmarosa, Lavender and Ylang ylang, with a silk eye-mask. Candles, scented with these and other relaxing plant oils are also available.

The first thing which hit me, when I opened the mini travel pack, was the amazing smell, which is quite addictive. The set, which is light and compact, contains five different balm sticks – each claiming to enhance your mood in different ways:

‘Be Happy’ for when you need a little cheering-up

‘De-stress’ – the clue’s in the title

‘Focus’ – to help concentration

‘Escape’ – for inspiration (I’m wearing it as I write this)

‘Sleep well’ – again, it speaks for itself

Scentered recommend you use these balms with breathing and mindfulness techniques for maximum benefit.

In this modern world of constant stimulation of 24 hour emails and social media, a little time out with yourself and some beautiful and powerful natural perfumes can do you more good than you may realise. Treat yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

 

 

Why Not Try Essential Oils For Some Common Medical Problems? by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Some plants have therapeutic properties, and some modern medicines are derived from plants – for example digoxin, and anti-cancer drugs, such as taxotere and vincristine. Ayurvedic medicine draws on the many medicinal plants in the Indian rainforests and our grandmas all knew of herbal remedies, such as peppermint for an upset stomach and camomile for a good sleep.

If you have a serious illness you should consult your doctor. Modern medicines have been rigorously tested, and are formulated to deliver a consistent, safe and effective dose.

However, for some conditions you could consider essential oils as an alternative – and why not enjoy Mother Nature’s help, when it is safe to do so?

Puressential invited Frost to a lunch and presentation on their essential oils, which, importantly are high quality, natural and/or organic and are classified as botanically and biochemically defined (EOBBD)).  Some of their products are described below:

Purifying Air Spray

Purifying Air Spray contains 41 essential oils and, in a laboratory setting, kills various viruses, bacteria, fungi and mites. Although this testing doesn’t translate directly to the home, the spray could benefit room atmosphere. It certainly smells lovely and I would rather use this than a chemical-based home fragrance.

Rest and Relax Air Spray

I have used lavender sprays for jet-lag in the past.  The Rest and Relax Spray contains twelve essential oils, chosen to sooth, relax, and aid sleep. I tried my sample before bed and it I certainly felt well-rested the next day.

Anti-Lice and Lice-Repellant

If you’re reading this on the tube, this is the moment where you lift your head from the head-rest and sneak wary looks at your neighbours’ heads.

I remember the misery of having to coat my young children’s hair in a noxious-smelling chemical, for hours, only to find it often hadn’t even worked. And this is the problem – head lice develop resistance very quickly.

Puressential repellent spray contains ten essential/plant oils and no synthetic pesticides. It killed lice, larvae and the eggs during laboratory testing. It is necessary to use it with a ‘nit comb’ (supplied) for best effect. As with any lice treatment, there are no guarantees, but at least it is a natural, pleasant product, and an alternative worth considering.

Interestingly, ‘selfies’ are contributing to an increase. Lice only spread when heads are in close contact – just a gap of 6 cm seems to protect. Puressential sell a repellent spray, which, in laboratory tests, repelled 2/3 of lice by that critical 6cm, 95% of the time. The effect lasted up to 24 hours, so you could use as a daily protective spray for your kids’ hair, particularly when there is a school outbreak. It doesn’t give 100% protection, but may reduce infestation risk.

Puressentials make other products too, including for muscular pains – which can be found on their website http://www.puressentiel.com/uk/

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

 

 

Seascape Beauty Review. Eco Friendly Beauty.

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Seascape is a British brand. The ingredients come from local producers in Jersey in the Channel Islands. They smell amazing and are Eco-friendly. As Seascape say:

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“All Seascape products are paraben, silicone, petroleum and SLS free and are suitable for vegetarians. They’re also free from artificial colours and synthetic fragrances”.

The carton is even produced by a carbon neutral company. It is completely guilt free beauty. I met Seascape at the Handpicked Media lounge at the Aldwych Hotel during London Fashion Week and I also got an amazing hand and arm massage from them.

There are six ranges, Uplift, Revive, Unwind, Soothe, Homme and Les Petits. I reviewed three of their products.

Peppermint Lip Balm
Has 100% natural peppermint essential oil. I love this lip balm. It is not too peppermint but soothes lips and stops them drying out. Works beautifully and leaves my lips looking luscious. Even in cold weather. You can see the ingredients below.

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Refresh Hand & Nail Cream
This weather makes my hands dry out horribly. They get really dry and cracked. This hand and nail cream has lemongrass and Geranium. Like all of the products, it smells amazing and it saves my hands. A personal favourite.

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Unwind Body Lotion.
This body lotion has Lavender to soothe and Ylang Ylang to ease tension. It is also enriched with Jersey Beeswax and Shea Butter. A little goes a long way and it is not too thick. You can get dressed quickly after using. I love how soft and moisturised it makes my skin.

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I would definitely buy Seascape products. They are eco-friendly, well made and they really work.

http://www.seascapeuk.com/ From £10.

Liz Earle’s Mother’s Day tips

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Mother’s Day Tips

Liz EarleFor Mum with Love from Liz Earle

 

Liz Earle, co-founder of the award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Company, is passionate about beauty, natural health and wellbeing. She juggles her professional life with bringing up a family of five children, with her husband Patrick, living on a thriving organic farm in the West Country.

 

Here, Liz shares her top tips to make your mum feel extra special this Mothers Day, ensuring she is taken care of from the inside and out.

 

Liz Earle’s Mothers Day Tips

 

Treat your mum to some simple, pampering beauty treats with these deliciously good-for-you snacks, the best pick-me-up tonics and a little bit of bathtime bliss. Mix and match the ideas here – or create the perfect health and beauty hamper by adding all together for the ultimate wellbeing treat. I would love my children to give me this!

 

Beauty-Boost Truffles

 

These choc-free truffles are the packed with omega-goodness from nuts and seeds as well as healthy oils to help make skin strong and clear. Best of all, they are very easy to make and taste delicious!

 

You will need:

50g each of dates, dried apricots and sunflower seeds

100g raisins

100g porridge oats

50g wheatgerm or oatmeal

20g linseeds

Juice and grated zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons cold-pressed rapeseed or sunflower oil

 

Simply whizz all of the ingredients in a food processor until they form a firm dough ball.  Roll into individual truffle-sized balls and put into the fridge to ‘set’. Place in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or pretty tissue-lined boxes for the perfect Mother’s Day treat. Keep cool and they’ll stay fresh for several weeks.

 

Pick-me-up Tonics

 

Putting together a small basket of pick-me-up vitamins, teas and tonics is a thoughtful way of reviving a busy mum with lasting benefits. B-Complex vitamins are some of the best stress-busters as they support the central nervous system and can help reduce tension and irritability. Choose a formula that contains all the B’s, including B1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 12.

 

Floradix tonic is one of my all-time favourites as it is rich in absorbable organic iron to reduce tiredness. It’s ideal deal for anyone feeling run-down or in need of an

energy boost. Choose the yeast and gluten-free version and keep in the fridge once opened.

 

Ginseng tea is a traditional energy tonic and recommended by herbalists to increase alertness and mental agility. Some studies suggest it may also boost the immune system and improve digestion. Red (Panax) ginseng is thought to have more health benefits than the white variety.

 

Message in a bottle

 

Tiny bottles of pure essential oil are very versatile beautifiers that improve mood and wellbeing. Look for the words “pure essential oil” on the label as some aromatherapy blends are cheaper dilutions of the real thing. Treat your mum to my all-time top three essential oils and print out this handy guide on how to use them for year-long benefits.

 

Lavender – the classic fragrant mood-restorer to relax and de-stress. Proven to help ‘switch-off’ a busy mind and calm the senses. Has a mildly sedative effect.

 

Neroli – a gorgeously delicate scent from orange blossom flowers, its beautifully fragrant aroma is guaranteed to uplift and cheer.

 

Rose-scented geranium – a fabulously feminine oil extracted from scented pelargonium leaves. So-called as it smells of real roses – without the hefty price tag.

 

Top Tips:

 

Sprinkle a few drops of pure lavender oil onto a pillow to encourage a good night’s sleep.

Add a drop each of neroli and rose-scented geranium to a basin of water to scent the hands after washing.

 

Make a reviving massage oil blend by mixing 10 drops lavender, 6 drops neroli and 4 drops rose-scented geranium to 50ml cold-pressed grapeseed or almond oil.

 

Add 3 drops of each to a pre-run warm bath (don’t sprinkle under the hot tap as this destroys the scents), lie back and soak all stresses away.

 

All the above ingredients and products are available from good chemists and health food shops or on-line suppliers such as Revital and Victoria Health.

 

Follow @LizEarleMe on Twitter for more tips on wellbeing

Review: Visionary Soap {Beauty}

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Visionary Soap Company are a Fairtrade Foundation Certified Soap and Body Care company based in Hastings. Their ingredients are ethically sourced from Palestine, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

All their products are made with the finest vegetable oils, butters, essential oils and botanicals with no synthetic dyes or fragrances, parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, palm oil, alcohol, sodium laureth sulfate or animal products.  All products have been safety assessed and comply with current EU regulations as well as being fully certified by The Vegan Society and are cruelty-free.

So when we were asked to review some of their products, we were felt honoured and completely guilt free. Here’s our thoughts on the products:

Rosemary and Lavender Gardeners Hand Salve, £5.95

Genevieve Sibayan: At first this hand salve looks like an intimidating block of wax but it warms really quickly to the touch and melts into your skin. The fragrance is strong and ever so slightly medicinal. I’m pretty sure this means it’s good for me. A great product containing shea butter for those who don’t like the smell of shea butter but want to reap it’s benefits. Would work just as well on your elbows, knees and heels or anywhere requiring intensive moisture.

Organic Lavender Soap, £3.18

Catherine Balavage: I am not always a fan of soap. I can find it drying. However, the Organic lavender soap smells like a dream, lathers beautifully ( rare in most soaps, never mind one that is organic) The soap leaves my hands soft and cleans properly. I highly recommend it. All the visitors to my house loved it too.

Organic Lip Balm (Available in Grapefruit, Peppermint, Lemon and Orange) £2.99

GS: I rarely coo, but I did when I saw these cute little pots of lip balm. The grapefruit balm comes in a cute pink pot and all of them together looked like jelly sweets. There’s no additives here however. These contain Vitamin E and essential oils and lots of things that are good for you. The grapefruit balms are delicately fragranced and the peppermint balm leaves you with a little tingle of coolness.

CB: I also loved the little lip balms. The packaging is fun and colourful. My lips tend to dry out in bad weather and some lip balms make it even worse. This little pot of ethical heaven did the job beautifully. The Visionary Soap company may have just become one of my favourite brands.

Stockist include Oxfam, products also available from their online store.