Simply ethical. Simply fair trade and eco chic » herbs

Pure Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Sabine — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:33:46 +0000

I am very pleased that I can now offer you a great range or aromatherapeutic essential oils supplied by my good friend and excellent aromatherapist Helen Hammond of Scentsible Solutions. Helen is an experienced aromatherapist and her oils are carefully chosen from sources that produce the oils with organic and fairtrade principles in mind. Her oils are either cold pressed, steam distilled or CO2 distilled. These are some of the finest essential oils on the market in my humble opinion…

Below is a list of the oils I have on offer are very competitive prices (starting at £3.50 for a 10ml glass bottle of pure essential oil):

Lemon – Refreshing and uplifting. Has an astringent and toning effect on congested skin. Acts stimulating on areas where cellulite occurs. Its anti baceterial properties make it an ideal household and kitchen cleaner. Contra indications: avoid sun after applying the oil

Tea Tree - Tea Tree has been used extensively by the Aboriginal people for centuries, for its antiseptic & anti-bacterial properties, it posesses a sharp, clean aroma. Widely used in Aromatherapy, due to its wide range of therapeutic properties. A recommended oil for those new to using essential oils. Anti bacterial action and sueful insect repellent.

Bergamot – Bergamot oil (citrus bergamia) has a refreshing & citrussy aroma. Uplifting & relaxing for the body & mind. Its astringent action make it beneficial for oily skin. Contra indications: avoid sun after appying the oil

Cinnamon – Cinnamon oil (cinnamomum zeylancium) has a warm, sweet & spicy aroma. Warming, soothing & analgesic. Relaxing and comforting during times of exhaustion. Contra indications: Care should be taken if applying to the skin in any preparation.

Rosemary – Rosemary oil (rosmarinus officinalis) has a strong, penetrating herbal aroma. Inhaling the oil can be useful when clear thinking is required,useful for students when revising & to focus the mind before exams aiding the memory to retain information. Toning & stimulating in skin & hair care, helps to maintain an even balance of sebum production, good for those with oily, combination skin & greasy hair. Contra indications: Avoid during pregnancy, if epileptic or have high blood pressure.

Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus oil (eucalyptus globulus) has a light, refreshing aroma, with a sweet,woody note. Used for centuries by the Aboriginal people for its antiseptic properties & to deter mosquitoes & other insects. Use in a room spray to deter flies & keep your home smelling fresh. During times when you need to concentrate & focus, add 1 or 2 drops to a tissue & inhale to clear & focus the mind. Contra indications: Dilute before applying to the skin.

Grapefruit – Grapefruit oil (citrus paradisi) has a light, refreshing, citrus aroma. Grapefruit has a toning action upon the skin & is especially beneficial for oily & congested skins. Add to body oils to stimulate & detoxify. Massage enthusiastically into areas prone to cellulite to encourage its dispersal.

Ylang Ylang – Ylang Ylang oil has a sweet, exotic floral aroma. Use to melt away the stresses & strains of the day, invoking feelings of calm & relaxation.Contra indications: Use in moderation, can cause headaches.

Peppermint – Peppermint oil (mentha piperita) has a strong, sharp refreshing aroma. Peppermint oil can help to clear the mind prior to making important decisions. Diffuse in offices & other work related areas to improve concentration & focus the mind. Contra indications: Do not use if taking homeopathic remedies.

Orange - Orange oil (citrus sinensis) has a refreshing & uplifting aroma. It’s cheery aroma imparts happiness & joy. When used in skin care its toning & astringent actions are especially useful for dull & oily skins bringing back a healthy glow. Contra indications: Phototoxic, do not expose skin to the sun after application.

What you put on your skin goes into your body

Sabine — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:28:57 +0000

Home Grown dill and Fennel

Of course you knew that. But did you know that oils are absorbed completely by your skin whereas creams form a barrier? Hence it is important to use only pure and if possible organic oils that have been harvested from fruits and vegetables (or flowers and herbs in the case of essential oils) which have not been treated with chemicals.

And for essential oils – watch out that they are not produced using solvents. These have harmful chemicals that can induce cancer and other unpleasant illnesses.

Of course all oils should be fairtrade – herbs grown on small scale farms rather than fields and fields of commercially grown, lower grade plants. Small scale farmers have a better overview over and understanding of the life cycle of their crops – the farmers work according to the moon cycle (Demeter) and harvest the plants when they are at their best. Traditional methods are not always the most efficient but when it comes to herbs they are the best. Knowledge and expertise shines through in the end product, the best essential oils money can buy.

Something that really stunned me

Sabine — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:47:00 +0000

This has nothing to do with fair trade or recycling but I thought I must tell you about it anyway. It has to do with health. I own three dogs, one of them is a border collie called Judy.

Judy is now 13 years old and whilst she is still very playful and brainy, she started suffering from arthritis 1 year ago. Most border collies are afflicted by this as they like being outside and Judy had a penchant of sleeping on cold slabs even during the winter. Collies get heated up very quickly as they have a very thick skin. Believe me – nothing (other than her chewies) could move her and I spent up to an hour sometimes luring her indoors. Now, of course, she’s lapping up the sunshine and doesn’t mind a bit of warmth and more comfort.

Anyway, being a health conscious person and believing strongly in the power of natural supplements like herbs and minerals, I put her on glucosamine with chondroitin approx. 9 months ago. It seemed to help but I knew she was in pain when every walk took longer and longer. 4 months ago I added devil’s claw to her supplements which is a herbal anti inflammatory.

And now comes the stunning bit: last Sunday I read in the Sunday Times Magazine about bromelain and turmeric being excellent anti inflammatories. Of course I went to my health food store, spent £20 and bought both. I started Judy on one bromelain and one turmeric tablet in the morning and one turmeric pill in the evening. Today is Thursday – and Judy has made a remarkable recovery! At first she started to walk much better – noticeably so, because even Gary made a comment and he is super critical. Then she wanted to join me for more than one walk a day. Yesterday she ran around in the park with another large dog, something she hasn’t done in the last 8 months or so.

Altogether she is perkier, doesn’t just lie around all day long and has become more like the dog I knew. He arthritis will not go away and her one back leg is still stiff, but she seems to be more pain free and that can only be a good thing. And I think what works for her must work for humans as well. I shall go and tell my mother who has rheumatoid arthritis, but I suspect she will pooha me and stick to her genetical time bomb injections……

I am going to Norfolk next week for a holiday – I think I should really discover England better and anyway, I want to do my bit to reduce the carbon output and brave the English weather which is not so bad right now, isn’t it? When I am back I tell you about my other dog, Bess and how I treat her eczema. I have found out what works and what not for her and maybe that helps one of you or someone or some animal you know.

I have just published a bit of a bio, in case you are interested. About who I am and my background. Go to my website and click on “something about Sabine“.

Take care now.

Sabine