Change Your Ingredients, Change Your Life!

June 4, 2014

This week we are very excited to feature a blog post from the multi-talented Louise Camilleri. Louise is a Natural Health Practitioner, Holistic Skincare Formulator and Natural Perfumer . Her mission is to teach people how to live to their highest potential through holistic means, and she offers her clients her best in preventative healthcare practices. 

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You’ve heard it before.  It’s a simple phrase amongst all the catch phrases roaming around the health & wellness industry these days but it’s one that a lot of people might find hard to believe.

     As a Reflexologist, Aromatherapist, Holistic Skin Care Formulator and Natural Perfumer, I know for a fact that this old adage holds a great deal of truth.  On a daily basis I use a substance, during all of these activities, that has ingredients that are beneficial to my wellbeing inside and out.

     Enter one of nature’s best, 'The Essential Oil'.  Rosemary essential oil, for example,  a flowering herb from France, Italy and Spain.  After these flowering tops have been steam distilled you have a true miracle in a jar.

     For your health it is a #1 heart tonic.  It improves blood circulation, is an anti-inflammatory, aids with asthma and bronchitis, gets rid of fluid (edema), helps with sprains, and is a general stimulant.  For your mental wellness it acts as an anti-depressant, is uplifting, helps with mental fatigue, and clears the mind and memory.  For your natural beauty just dilute it with water and you have a natural skin astringent then use it on the scalp for hair loss.  To gain all of these affects from the inside out, use a sprig of this herb in your cooking.  You know an ingredient is great when you can eat it!

     An example of the power of lavender essential oil is a case study** in which women who received lavender aromatherapy* after undergoing cesarean surgery had less postoperative pain, decreased heart rate and greater satisfaction with their pain management as opposed to women who received a placebo form of aromatherapy.  It also makes a lovely and aromatic beauty tea when the dried buds are steeped.

     Changing your ingredients to change your life is all part of what I call 'The Conscious Living Lifestyle';  where we, as active participants in our healthcare regime, source all the information we can to make the right decisions in a conscious state of awareness about our quality of life.  Gone are the dark ages of blind taste tests, of not reading a label and knowing what was in a product that was going on your skin and into your body.  Today, there are regulations that require disclosure of ingredients on labels or at the very least there are companies that share the research they have on a commercial product.

     Just as we do with our cars on a regular maintenance schedule, or with our homes seasonally, it’s a good idea to take a mental and physical check of ourselves and do a little cleaning or shake things up with a change to our health, wellness and beauty regime.

     I challenge you to research an essential oil that you may have heard of, like the smell of, or might know well.  This could be coconut oil or oil of oregano, which both have fabulous properties.  Find out if it comes in a food grade and add it to your next recipe.  Find a lovely citrus oil like mandarin and blend it with patchouli on a handkerchief to replace the dryer sheet in your next load of laundry.  This tip is especially good for people who have allergic reactions or sensitivities to the chemicals or synthetic fragrance in dryer sheets.  You’ll find this to not only be economical but uplifting, calming, and soothing with a bit of the aphrodisiac effects thrown in, (laundry will never be the same!).  Finally, for those who are a bit more daring look for a natural, raw, shea butter and mix in some rose or lavender essential oil to make a lovely body butter that will soothe the skin and rejuvenate the cells.

     What a beautiful thing nature has supplied for us in these pure botanical oils that are chock full of natural compounds to aid our health, wellness and beauty.  They provide the most effective, safe and natural ingredients we can use to change our lives for the better.

**Department of Anesthesiology, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; and Barij Essence Research and Development Centre, Kashan, Iran. Originally published in 2013 in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 3(1), 203-207.

*Aromatherapy for pain relief rests primarily on the topical application of high-quality, potent essential oils. Layering oils onto the back allows for increased access to spinal nerves connected with dermatomes and organs. Increasing the area of application allows for more global pain-and-inflammation reduction. Applying friction to the back stimulates the skin's nerves and dermatomes. (A client presenting with acute internal pain should be referred to a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment.)

For more information on The Conscious Living Lifestyle check out Louise’s website at www.lcnatural.com

Rosacea and Essential Oils

April 28, 2014

GLOW is pleased to feature a post by an outstanding aromatherapist, Colleen Thompson. Colleen  has worked in the field of Aromatherapy since 1995 and has been a Registered Aromatherapist since 1998. She was the owner of two Saje franchises from 1996 – 2002. After leaving Saje, she operated her second aromatherapy business, TAP from home for 2 years and then opened her combination aromatherapy retail store and spa (TAP) in Fort Langley, BC. Colleen Thompson is the President of the Board of Directors of the British Columbia Association of Practising Aromatherapists (BCAPA), is on the British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapists Board of Directors (BCAOA) as Secretary and is on the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists Board of Directors (CFA) as Secretary.

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I must admit I’ve never had great skin but in my mid-thirties it really started to act up. It started with redness on my cheeks and nose and would really act up when I ate spicy foods, had a little wine or was lacking in sleep. As time went on I started to break out in large pustules and my nose would become quite red and would throb. My doctor diagnosed it as adult acne and put me on antibiotics, which didn’t help at all. I started going for weekly facials and buying more and more expensive skin care products in search of a remedy but nothing worked, and in fact some products made it worse. It wasn’t until I became interested in aromatherapy about five years later that I realized I had a condition called Rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic and often complex disorder of the facial skin that that is becoming increasingly widespread as the large baby boomers generation enters the most susceptible ages. It is often characterized by flare-ups and remissions.

Often referred to as adult acne, this typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. In some cases, rosacea may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, the redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear. Left untreated, bumps and pimples often develop, and in severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue. In some people, the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or bloodshot.

Because of its red-faced, acne-like effects on personal appearance, it can cause significant psychological, social and occupational problems if left untreated.

Once I realized that I was dealing with an entirely different skin condition from my doctor’s diagnosis I immediately stopped using the expensive skin care and going for the weekly facials that were obviously doing nothing for the condition and were causing a serious hit to my pocketbook. I began researching essential oils that were reputed to be beneficial for rosacea with no real expectation that they would have much effect. I was in for a pleasant surprise when the pustules and redness immediately started to decrease and to be honest I would have been satisfied with just that outcome, however as time went on my skin became more healthy and vibrant. Now 20 years later, my rosacea is no longer an issue, my skin is clear and glowing and my pocketbook is much happier!

Essential oils to use for rosacea include:

Top: Bergamot, Cajeput, Lemon

Middle: Chamomile (German), Cypress, Geranium, Lavender, Peppermint, Petitgrain

Bottom: Frankincense, Helichrysum, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver                      

The Sensitive Skin Serum from Glow along with the Refresh Toner both contain some of the above essential oils along with some excellent hydrosols that are also recommended for Rosacea.

Colleen Thompson RA®; EOT®; CAHP.

For more information on Colleen Thompson and her work visit: 

www.essenceofthyme.ca

Ravensara, My Boundaries are Clearly Defined

April 22, 2014

We are pleased to introduce a post by Evelyn Roberts. Growing up in rural Ontario, Evelyn spent many hours exploring and enjoying nature. She used to love gathering wildflowers, trying to preserve and sketch them. Aromatherapy has deepened Evelyn's appreciation and respect for mother nature and her healing potential. For nine years she has been a Certified Aromatherapist and a member of the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists. As an Aromatherapist, she incorporates essential oils in the massages she offers, energy healing treatments and the natural remedies she creates. Evelyn loves to learn and continually look for ways to expand her gifts as a healer. As such she has studied mediation, nutrition, Aromatic Kinesiology and has become a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner. She believes that all of us at some point have faced stressful events, fears, spiritual and physical challenges. Her goal is to create a safe, healing space for each client that allows you to leave restored, revitalized and supported. 

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As I navigate the twisty path of self awareness, meditation and my Clear Being workshops have revealed to me patterns and topics for contemplation. I recently came across the quote, Before I built a wall, I'd ask to know what I was walling in or walling out. Robert Frost This quote got me contemplating the walls I have and what purpose they serve. While my focus has been on resistance and my walls acting as barriers to a fuller, richer experience, once I read the Blossoming Heart Reflection for the oil this quote belonged to, I realized that walls can also be healthy such as when we create personal boundaries.

Ravensara smells similar to eucalyptus and contains 1,8cineole which is also found in eucalyptus. On a physical level, ravensara exhibits strong antiviral action, particularly against the flu, especially when combined with eucalyptus radiata. At the first signs of chills, shivers or tiredness, this is the first oil you should turn to. It is also highly effective in the treatment of bronchitis, rhinitis and sinusitis. It boosts the immune system and is an expectorant as well. Ravensara is also a good nerve tonic and can be used to revitalize people who suffer from physical or nervous fatigue.

On an emotional level, Ravensara teaches us about learning how to define one's boundaries. Defining and maintaining healthy boundaries is integral to self empowerment. As Robbi Zeck states in The Blossoming Heart, "Learn to say no! And remember "no" is a complete sentence. As we work with the energy of ravensara we move from a place of being tentative to a place of acting definite. We learn to become aware of our own needs and educate others how to treat us well.

When working with ravensara for emotional healing, place a drop of the oil in your palm or on a popsicle stick. Sit in quiet meditation and reflect on the affirmation, My boundaries are clearly defined. Ask yourself the following questions: Is there an area in your life where you feel taken advantage of in your relationships?, Do you find it difficult to say no? How could you set different boundaries? 1 As you allow each question to drop into your being like a pebble in the water, become aware of what images, emotions or insights come to you. Where do these emotions sit in your body. Allow yourself to be with whatever arises without judgement or action. Every time you find yourself faced with this challenge, incorporate ravensara into your routine by either adding a drop to a cotton ball and wearing it tucked in your bra, diffusing it, meditating with it, adding it to your bath and so on. Let ravensara remind you of the importance of setting healthy boundaries.

1. Zeck, Robbi. The Blossoming Heart: Aromatherapy for Healing and Transformation Aroma Tours, Australia 2008 pg 109.

To find out more about Evelyn's work, you can visit her website: www.fragrantmelody.com

*Photo courtesy of http://www.olio-essenziale.it/ravensara.html 

What's in Your Sunscreen?

March 31, 2014

Summer is on its way, or at least we hope so! With the onset of warmer weather comes the beautiful sunshine. It soon will be time to slather on that sunscreen to avoid the damaging UVA and UVB rays. But before you reach for your sunblock check the ingredients list because not all sunscreens are created equal.

Some sunscreens use chemical ingredients, like avobenzone and benzophenone,  that absorb UVA/UVB radiation. These chemical ingredients can sometimes cause acne, itching, rash, and stinging sensations.

Other sunscreens use physical compounds, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, that reflect and scatter UVA/UVB rays. Unlike the chemical ingredients, physical ingredients do not usually cause skin irritations or allergic reactions.

 The first thing to be concious of when deciding what type of sunscreen is best for you is to determine what spectrum of light the sunscreen protects you from. Zinc oxide is a full spectrum blocker that helps to reflect UVA , UVB, and even UVC rays, while titanium dioxide generally only provides adequate protection from UVB and some UVA radiation.

The second thing to look out for is nano-oxides. Nanoparticles are one-twentieth the thickness of a human hair, and therefore are easily absorbed by the skin and can be harmful for living cells and organs. Many sunscreens contain nano-particles of physical ingredients as they are more transparent on the skin. However, the damage that they can cause to our health and well-being is not necessarily worth the price. 

So, next time you reach for your sunscreen glance over the ingredients list. And remember to reapply every few hours, especially after swimming and rigorous excercise!

For more information on sunscreens and staying safe in the sun check out these links:

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/sunscreen.pdf

http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens

You can also check out GLOW's new summer line (coming in a few weeks) that includes a lovely sun lotion bar that uses non-nano zinc oxide to provide safe broad spectrum coverage.

Peppermint to the rescue!

March 18, 2014

Here at GLOW we are joyfully anticipating the sites and sounds of summer - a time filled with festivals, picnics, bike rides, and more! But, with the onset of the warmer weather, little creatures begin to stir. Instead of racing to the shop to buy an assortment of chemicals to stop spiders, mice, and other critters from invading your home-sweet-home  give peppermint a try!

Did you know that peppermint essential oil can help ward off pests like spiders? While spiders have their place in this world and are a natural control of other bug populations, for arachnophobes they can be an eight-legged nightmare. Try sprinkling a few drops of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and stick them in doorways, cracks and crevices, and anywhere else you may have seen these crawlers. You can also mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle, give it a shake, and spritz in problem zones. Not only will it help keep unwanted critters at bay, it will leave your home smelling absolutely delightful! Make sure you use only 100% peppermint oil as some oils will contain sweeteners that will attract the creatures you are looking to keep away.

Peppermint oils also has other wonderful benefits. Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati studied peppermint's ability to improve concentration and mental sharpness! You can try out peppermint's amazing abilities at home by mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with a tsp of your favourite base oil, like almond or olive oil, and mix well. Apply a few drops of this blend on your temples, and back of your neck and shoulders to keep you mentally sharp throughout the day. 

Remember to avoid contact with your eyes and wash your hands very well after working with peppermint oil.  You can also try out this wonderful oil in GLOW's Study-Aid Balm, and Lucky Lip Balm today!