We have added lots of awesome high quality aromatherapy and holistic health products to this web site. Please take a good look around, we are sure you can find something useful for yourself and your family. And of course, you will definitely find some great gift ideas, too.
Inhalation, application and bathing are the three main methods used to encourage the entry of essential oils into the body. When inhaled, the extremely volatile oils may enter via the olfactory system, and permeation of the skin occurs when they are diluted and applied externally. By bathing in essential oils, we can inhale and absorb the oils through the skin simultaneously. Little is known about how essential oils actually affect the mind and the body, although research is ongoing in the USA, the UK and Australia. It appears that most essential oils are antiseptic and bactericidal to some degree, whilst some even seem to be effective in fighting viral infections. On inhalation, essential oil molecules are received by receptor cells in the lining of the nose, which will transmit signals to the brain. Electrochemical messages received by olfactory centre in the brain then stimulate the release of powerful neurochemicals into the blood which will then be transported around the body. Molecules inhaled into the lungs may pass into the blood-stream and be disseminated in the same way. When rubbed or massaged onto the skin, essential oils will permeate the pores and hair follicles. From here, they can readily pass into […]
Menopause can be a physical, psychological and emotionally challenging time for many women. They will spend half of their adult lives in menopause, according to statistics which shows the average life expectancy of women at 79.5 years nowadays. By 2050 women will probably live to be at least 95 years old. A new generation of health-conscious women today is looking forward to a new phase of life with physical, spiritual and personal growth. Most women think of menopause as the point when they cease to menstruate. They do not link irritability, anxiety, memory lapses, or mood swings to hormonal imbalance caused by this process of biological change. About 75% of all women experience some temporary symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, increase in level of cholesterol, decreased libido which may last for years; long term ones may include vaginal dryness and urinary problems. Fortunately, these unpleasant complaints or symptoms can be prevented, reduced and relieved by making some changes to daily lifestyles with the right diet, nutrition supplements, regular exercise and adopting some complementary therapies such as yoga, tai chi, spa therapy or holistic aromatherapy, which all help to achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle with natural medicine. They […]
Although essential oils can help provide relief during an infectious illness, as well as reduce its duration and prevent it from spreading, in cases of high fever, severe infection or an acute childhood illness, the following home treatments should never be used as a substitute for professional help. The two most useful oils for stimulating the immune system and fighting viruses of all kinds, including flu, are eucalyptus and tea tree. Use these oils in a vaporizer in the sick room or put a few drops on the pillow or on a hankie or use throughout the day and night. For shivers, headaches and aching muscles take a warm bath with 4 drops each of lavender and marjoram. This will also encourage restful sleep. Roman/german chamomile is helpful in overcoming anxiety or insomnia. When there is fever present, eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, peppermint and bergamot help to reduce temperature and fight infection. A few drops of these oils can be used in a vaporizer or added to a dish of steaming water placed on a radiator in the sick room. Fore sore throat, add 2 drops in total of clary sage, spanish sage, tea tree or geranium (and a little […]
Our ancestors did not have the benefit of today’s scientifically researched drugs, but they often found natural remedies that worked just as well. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat everything from premenstrual syndrome to high blood pressure. Men experiencing the first signs of baldness often looked to natural cures as well, and some of the herbal remedies have surprising results. A group of dermatologists in Scotland tested an herbal remedy with great success, helping over 40% of their patients with a mixture of essential oils containing cedarwood, lavender, rosemary and thyme. In this double blind study, the group using the essential oils showed improvement in 40 percent of the subjects, while only 15% of the control group noted an improvement. So, would you be interested in trying out aromatherapy as a hair loss solution? If you’d like to experiment with this, mix three drops each of lavender and rosemary oil with two drops each of cedarwood and thyme oils. Add this mixture to 4 teaspoons of grapeseed oil and one-quarter teaspoon of jojoba oil. Rub the mixture into your scalp for two minutes nightly, then use a warm towel to wrap your head. If you’re not experiencing […]
Keep it low. Don’t put eye cream on your upper lids before bedtime or you’ll wake up with puffy lids. The cream will prevent the delicate skin in the area from breathing. Horse around. For reducing under-eye bags, creams containing vitamin K and horse chestnut are thought to exert beneficial effects by reducing puffiness and blood flow under the thin skin of the area. Go gently into the night. When you apply night cream under your eyes, do so gently. Use your fourth finger (which is the weakest) and pat the cream back and forth under the eye, starting at the outer corner and working inward. Soothe eyes with cucumber. Place a slice of cucumber on each eyelid for 10-15 minutes to allow the high water and mineral content of the cucumber to be absorbed into the delicate eye skin. Use an extra pillow. Using an extra pillow can help avoid puffy morning eyes by assisting fluid to drain out of the face by angling it downward. If your neck gets sore, move the pillow under your chest or shoulders, Don’t be blunt. Sharpen your eye pencil every time you use it. This prevents eye bacteria building up on the […]
Aromatherapy is a form of healing that utilises the natural aromatic aspect of plants, the essential oils, both for their scent and for their inherent medicinal properties. These aromatic oils can be found in a wide range if species and are extracted (usually by steam distillation) from the seeds, bark, leaves, flowers, wood, roots or resin according to the type of plant. The term ‘aromatherapie’ was first coined in the 1920s by the French perfumier Rene Gattefosse, who became involved in extensive research into the medical properties of aromatic oils after discovering, by accident, that lavender oil was able to speed up the healing process of severe burn and prevent scarring. When in 1928 he published a book of that name describing his discoveries, he re-ignited interest in what is essentially a long-standing healing tradition. For although the word aromatherapy is new, the knowledge and use of aromatics and essential oils for healing purposes reaches back to the very heart of the earliest civilizations. How does it work? The word ‘aromatherapy can be misleading, because it suggests a type of healing which operates simply through our sense of smell. This is not true. The fragrance if essential oils is an […]
Why should you use olive oil? Well there are several reasons. Substituting olive oil, a monounsaturated fat, for saturated fats or polyunsaturated fats can: • Reduce blood pressure • Inhibit the growth of some cancers • Benefit people at risk for or with diabetes • Lessen the severity of asthma and arthritis • Actually help your body maintain a lower weight HEALTHY HEART BENEFITS Atherosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries, occurs when particles of LDL cholesterol stick to the walls of the arteries. Eventually these particles build up and form plaque. This plaque narrows the blood vessels and increases the work load of the heart in an effort to get oxygenated blood to the entire body. The result can be a heart attack or stroke. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat and antioxidants like chlorophyll, carotenoids and vitamin E. Scientists have identified a compound in olive oil called oleuropein which prevents the LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. It is the oxidized cholesterol that sticks to the walls of the arteries and forms plaque. Replacing other fats in your diet with olive oil can significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack. CANCER INHIBITOR A study published […]
The aim is to create an inviting atmosphere that puts people at ease and also stimulates and encourages conversation. Candles are a great choice for dinners or parties because the twinkling flames instantly create an intimate, magical light. Although you may want to use a quick burst of room spray to neutralise the smell of tobacco smoke or strong cooking odours, you shouldn’t use anything that will clash with the food or is too overpowering. Try vanilla – a sweet powdery note that rekindles childhood memories; refreshing, fruity aromas such as orange or mandarin; spicy notes of cinnamon or juniper; or warm and welcoming pine, cypress or thyme. Source: ‘Home Spa.’
Full body massage can produce multiple benefits for your health. These benefits go far beyond an hour spent in relaxing quietly, escaping the day. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that stress and tension form the root causes of many diseases and illnesses. Hence, if you able to find ways to alleviate or relieve your stress, you are preventing health problems from emerging or becoming worse.Going for a full body massage on a regular basis is one excellent way to help you fight off tensions. Full body massage stimulates the production of endorphins that promotes relaxation and drowsiness. When you go for full body massage, your head to your toes and feet are massaged both front and back. A variety of strokes that includes kneading, pulling, wringing, hacking and gliding are used on various parts of the body. If you are already ill or suffering from constant fatigue or pain, then full body massage can play a big part in your treatment. A full body massage helps to improve blood circulation and blood becomes more easily transportable to the vital organs in your body. This is vital for smooth functioning of your internal body parts. In addition, when blood is […]
When you smell something nice, such as an appealing perfume, or a tasty dish being cooked in the kitchen, or fresh cut roses set in a vase full of cold water, does not the smell give you a good feeling inside? These good feelings created by pleasing aromas are the basis for the art of aromatherapy. People who practice aromatherapy believe that the scents that a person smells can induce the body to stimulate its ability to heal itself. Depending on the kind of scent or combination of scents that was inhaled or absorbed through the skin, the scent activates the immune system of the body, making it more capable of fighting invading microorganisms that cause disease and boosting its strength. To make the body heal and become more resistant to illness, practitioners of aromatherapy make use of essential oils. These essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants. They often find uses in the making of scented candles, perfume, soap and other beauty products. Essential oils are very volatile – they evaporate easily and they are easily absorbed into the skin. Practitioners of aromatherapy, however, never use essential oils undiluted because these oils are highly concentrated. They can burn and […]
Prolong the shelf-life of your favourite fragrance by keeping it in the fridge. This will help preserve the ingredients, which can often be in delicate balance, and prevent scent changes. Keeping perfumes in their boxes shields them from light , which can cause chemical changes in their make-up and helps them last longer than if exposed to light. Don’t try more than four scents at once, however tempting it is when trapped in a department store. You won’t be able to differentiate between them, though sniffing coffee will help readjust your ‘nose’. Chypre scents are based on mossy and fern notes that are often combined with jasmine, rose or citrus, and are ideal if you like warm, aromatic scents. The ozonic family of fragrances has watery notes that are often used to enhance floral, oriental and woody fragrances. If you like the fresh air feel of the seaside, these scents are right for you. Traditionally the two fragrance families of florals and citrus are reserved for day. Florals are feminine and easy to wear, ranging from single notes to bouquets that include rose, lily of the valley, freesia and violet. Citrus is crisp, refreshing and tangy. Perfume and scent can […]
This is the easiest and most popular way of using essential oils at home. Simply add 5-10 drops of a chosen oil to the bath water when the tub is full and relax in the aromatic vapours. Different essential oils can be selected for their specific effect – for example, rosemary is reviving and stimulating, chamomile is soothing and relaxing. The oils can be blended together for bathing, but take care not to exceed 10 drops in total. Essential oils can be also mixed in a teaspoon of vegetable oil (such as sweet almond oil) before being added to the bath. This helps to moisturise the skin and ensures an even distribution of the essential oils, which is important in the case of young babies and children. To avoid possible irritation always check the safety data before using a new oil in the bath. Source: ‘Home Aromatherapy’
Massage this home made anti-wrinkle oil into cleansed skin for a rejuvenating effect. 2 tbsp hemp oil 1 tsp wheatgerm oil I capsule evening primrose oil 4 drops each essential oils of frankincense and sandalwood Pour oils into a clean dark glass bottle. Drop in the essential oils. Lid and store in the dark, cool place. Shake before use. Neck treatment oil. Sandalwood is traditional in Indian oil blends to guard against crepey skin on the neck and chest. Mix 3 drops essential oil of sandalwood into 1 tbsp grapeseed oil and massage daily into the neck. Source: ‘Staying Young Naturally.’
Massaging oils into damp skin after a bath or shower gives the body extra opportunities to absorb vitamin-and mineral-rich antioxidant fruit and vegetable oils. In Ayurveda it is believed to draw toxins to the surface of the skin and to amplify peace of mind, contributing to longevity. Essential oils have the ability to act on specific body systems as well as on the emotions and mind. But they are too concentrated to be used directly on the skin. Dilute a few drops in a larger amount of a carrier oil. Blending rules – choose a carrier (base) oil according to your skin type: Dry skin – sesame seed, avocado, sweet almond oil. Delicate skin – apricot kernel, sunflower seed oil. Irritated skin – jojoba, hemp and extra-virgin olive oils Inflamed skin – jojoba and extra-virgin olive oils. Sun-damaged skin – grapeseed, olive, wheatgerm and rosehip oils. Calming body oil. Blend 3 drops each essential oils of lavender, geranium and camomile into 4 tbsp sweet almond oil to create this soothing body oil. Invigorating body oil. Blend 4 drops essential oil of grapefruit, 3 drops essential oil of geranium and 2 drops essential oil of juniper into 4 tbsp sweet almond […]
Vein treatment oil. To treat broken capillaries on the face or legs, mix together 1 tsp peach kernel oil and one drop each of essential oils of rose and chamomile. Gently massage the affected area using the ring fingers. Blot excess oil with a tissue. Floral vein toner. Place one chamomile teabag and one marigold teabag in a mug, pour over boiling water and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Soak a cotton ball in the brew and, when cool, wipe over affected areas as a substitute for toner. Herbal vein help. Witch hazel cream can reduce the appearance of tiny broken veins, if used regularly. Dab on to tighten and promote healing. Source: ‘Staying Young Naturally.’
Skin brushing improves both circulation and lymph drainage, and also assists in eliminating toxins from the surface of the skin. The lymphatic system is the body’s way of disposing of waste and toxins. Lymph does not have a pump to drive it around the body. Instead, it is powered by the movement of the muscles and can also be stimulated by brushing the skin. This technique is increasingly being incorporated into spa treatments worldwide, where beauty therapists and practitioners of complementary medicine may offer to demonstrate it to you. Using a brush with natural bristles, brush your dry skin once a day before you step into a bath or shower. Start on the soles of your feet and work upwards, always brushing towards your heart to encourage the blood to flow in this direction. You will probably be surprised at how briskly a beauty therapist brushes your body – initially it could take your breath away. Brush yourself as firmly as feels comfortable; after a few days your skin will become accustomed to the sensation and you will be able to increase the pressure a little. If you wish, you can very gently brush your face as well as your […]
What Is Soap?Soap is the oldest cleanser around. It is created by a chemical reaction between oils, water and lye. Although lye is used to make soap there is no lye left after saponification (the chemical reaction that makes soap) is complete. There is no such thing as a bar of soap that was made without the use of lye. Different kinds of soap are made using a variety of different oils. Both animal & plant oils can be used in the soap making process, each adding different qualities to the soap. Conventional Bar SoapsMuch of the soap available in the store today is not really soap at all, but a detergent. Detergents are a petroleum based product, like gasoline and kerosene. Have you ever noticed how regular soap leaves your skin feeling dry, itchy and tight? Alkali, the most common irritant in soap is often the culprit. Others ingredients in mass-marketed soap have been proven harmful to human health and can cause severe skin irritations in some people. These include ingredients such as DEA, Isopropyl Alcohol, BHT and Triclosan (commonly found in anti-bacterial soap). The most common ingredient in conventional bar soaps is sodium tallowate. It is the natural […]
Be free of liver spots. A supplement high in B vitamins is thought to clear up liver spots on face and hands, which can be unsightly. You can also find B vitamins in meat, fortified cereals and yeast extract. Wheatgrass. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes, wheatgrass juice can be taken as a drink, applied to the skin or taken as a supplement. As a toner it will fade blemishes and sunspots, stimulate the growth of healthy new skin. Daily sipping of green tea could help you stay looking slimmer and fitter by reducing cellulite through its effects on the body’s metabolic rate. It does contain caffeine, though, so don’t overdo it. Vitamin E is perhaps the body’s most important antioxidant, which prevents damages from sun, pollution and modern lifestyles caused by free radicals and oxidation. It has been shown to help skin stay young and healthy looking. Starflower oil, extracted from the herb borage, is thought to be even more effective than evening primrose oil because of its incredibly high levels of gamma linoleic acid (GLA), an essential ingredient for skin health. Artichoke is one of the oldest medicinal plants for detoxifying the skin and body. Artichoke […]
Although aromatherapy is very successful in helping to combat cellulite, this obviously needs to be backed up by exercise, dietary measures and, if possible, professional lymphatic massage (which encourages elimination of toxins via the lymphatic system). Hormonal imbalance, as well as stress and too much tea, coffee and alcohol, which all increase toxicity levels, also contribute to this condition. These stimulating, toxin-eliminating bath oil blends should be used on successive days: 3-4 drops of rosemary and juniper, or lemon and grapefruit, or fennel and geranium. They can alternatively be applied to a loofah or massage glove and rubbed into the affected areas while bathing. Experiment with your own combinations of the above oils. A good detoxifying massage oil can be made by blending 2 drops each of rosemary, geranium and juniper and 1 drop of black pepper with 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil. General massage also helps to improve circulation as well as reduce cellulite. Oils such as carrot seed, cypress, thyme, spanish sage, rosemary and mandarin also benefit here. Source: ‘Home Aromatherapy’
Natural shea butter is extracted from the pit of a fruit that grows only on the magnifolia tree in Central and Western Africa. The pits are taken from the fruit, boiled, and then sun dried for 3 – 5 days before they are roasted to complete dehydration. Afterwards, the shea butter is extracted by hand from the pit of the fruit. This long, arduous process has provided what is commonly called ‘The most beneficial all-natural skin product today.’ Shea butter is now becoming one of the best-selling and most highly recommended skin care products found. Dermatologists everywhere are starting to recommend this product to their patients, and many cosmetic companies in France and the USA are putting shea butter in their products. The information below will prove very useful and give you a better understanding of why shea butter is something so many people are using today. Healing properties: Shea butter has a vast number of proven healing properties stemming from its physical make-up of vitamin E, vitamin A and cinnamic acid to name a few. Shea butters ingredients increase the healing of wounds and improve scars. It is commonly used in the treatment of eczema, rashes, burns, and severely […]
If you’ve never used aromatherapy massage oils, you owe it to yourself to try it. You’re in for a totally unique experience. Whether you want a massage to relax or to rejuvenate or even to heal, using aromatherapy massage oils brings the body’s senses to new heights. Aromatherapy has made steady gains in use and for good reason. Offering the perfect combination of mental and physical well being, there is no better way to take advantage of aromatherapy than to enjoy its fragrances in massage oils. Our body’s different senses have been shown to have a direct affect on how we feel. For example, the nose is a very sensitive part of your body. Without it, you cannot taste or smell. Imagine your favourite foods. Now, imagine you cannot taste them. That is scary, everything you eat with no taste! How do you think that would affect your attitude throughout the day? Studies have shown that the part of your nervous system that helps to control your emotions is connected directly to your nose. Lack of smell can cause symptoms ranging from depression to anxiety and this is only one of your senses. With the knowledge of how the mind […]
Gooseberry & White Tea Home Fragrance Reed Diffuser
Himalayan Bath Salt Blend Energise
Double Butter Luxury Soap Oriental Oils
£3.25 – £29.95
