I am delighted to introduce our new Aqua Oleum website and our exciting range of aromatherapy products for Spring 2014. We hope you like our fresh, contemporary look! I have really enjoyed formulating our new collection of massage oils, which can be used either as sumptuous body oils or specifically for aromatherapy massage. ‘After Dark’ is an exquisite sensual fragranced oil based on sultry jasmine, known as ‘Queen of the Night’. Jasmine is traditionally grown in Indian palace courtyards since as dusk falls, the scent of the delicate white flowers grows stronger … it is also revered as the perfume of love! Combined with Mysore sandalwood in a classic combination, with hints of patchouli, ylang ylang and frankincense, this combination of exotic perfumes creates an unforgettable experience.

Firstly I would like to say big thank you to everyone who came to visit us at the Natural and Organics Show in London. We had a fantastic response to our new look and our stand looked stunning with fresh herbs and aromatics interspersed with the products. My talk 'The Value of Aromatherapy Today' was well attended by a wide cross section of people including therapists, stockists and organic growers. Several individuals who were unable to attend the talk have requested that the transcript is posted on our website so I am planning to make this available next month.

I am writing this in Crestone, a small community nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The terrain here is very dry and virtually desert-like, but in early summer a multitude of high-altitude flowers erupt from the sandy soil like so many jewels. Most prolific amongst the aromatic species found on these vast plains are the Salvia and Artemisia species, both of which are used for ‘smudging’, a custom traditionally employed by Native Americans.

A ‘smudge stick’ is a bundle of dried herbs, which can be composed of a single herb or a combination of several different ones, that is burned ceremonially for it’s aromatic fragrance. Using scented smoke in sacred rites is an element common to many religions and cultures, but the plant that is most commonly used for ‘smudging’ is White Sage (Salvia apiana), a plant native to the south-western US and north-western Mexico.

Many essential oils are potent anti-aging & rejuvenating skin care agents because of their inherent properties. Each essential oil has a unique, sophisticated chemical make-up, which actively renews the skin by penetrating all the way down to the dermal layer where new cells are being generated. Unlike most chemical components, essential oil molecules are small enough to be absorbed through the surface dermal layers deep into the tissue. Recent scientific research has confirmed that the active constituents of essential oils are absorbed directly via the skin.

Key points from my talk at the Natural & Organics Show, London given in April 2014

1. Aromatic oils are timeless items: they are simultaneously both very ancient & completely modern. They were amongst the first trade items of early civilizations because like the micro-chip, they are compact, versatile and light-weight! Since natural aromatics are easy to travel with and have a multitude of applications, it is just a matter of learning how to use them.

I am very pleased that Aqua Oleum’s ‘After Dark’ massage oil has just been recommended as one of The Independent’s top ten massage oils. ‘After Dark’ is based on jasmine which is known as ‘the queen of the night’, as its fragrance is stronger after dark. According to The Independent:

“The oil is said to have anti-depressant and euphoric properties. Aqua Oleum’s After Dark has a deep, sensual scent which is deliciously mysterious”...

The 25th of September will see the launch of my new revised and extended edition of ‘The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils’. We already have a number of pre-publication, signed copies of the book in stock at Aqua Oleum, if you would like to order one ‘hot off the press’!

As the nights grow longer, use the winter months as a time to regenerate your skin and pamper your body. Make time to have a warm bath before retiring & add a few drops of a relaxing oil to the bath water, such as lavender, chamomile or vetiver, known in India as ‘the oil of tranquility’. Then to encourage a restful night, scent your pillow using a soothing aqua spray, such as Aqua Oleum’s lavender or neroli water. Transform your bedroom into a calm, aromatic sanctuary using exotic oils such as jasmine or rose in a room vaporizer.

Essential oils are effective natural preventives against many common complaints that are especially prevalent over the winter months, such as coughs, colds and flu.

"… natural aromatics have held a traditional place in the preventive medicinal practices of many cultures, both ancient and modern. It is certainly true that people who are exposed to the beneficial effects of essential oils on a daily basis tend to have a greater resistance to disease in general.” (from my 'The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy')

Making your own hand-made gifts in the run up to Christmas is fun, especially for children. Here is a recipe for creating a Christmas pot-pourris blend that is delightful yet simple to make:

"Collect autumn leaves, petals and decorative seed heads while out walking. Dry the selected seeds, petals and leaves by laying them on trays lined with sheets of newspaper or hung up in paper bags.   Slide them under a chest of drawers away from the light, or place in a dark cupboard. Other aromatic ingredients such as small pine cones, clove buds, sticks of cinnamon or dried orange peel should also be to added to make it more festive for the Christmas season.

Wanting to make a fresh start at the beginning of the New Year is quite natural, especially after the over-indulgences of the Christmas festivities. It is also a traditional time to assess personal goals, make New Year resolutions and take steps towards becoming a fitter, healthier and happier you!

Trying to make dramatic changes in established patterns often backfires so it is better to be realistic about what it is possible to achieve. It is important to set oneself achievable goals, whether it is losing weight or giving up smoking, then think about how you can ‘work with yourself’ to make sure that you have the satisfaction of reaching your target at the end.

My top ten essential oils to aid detoxing are lemon, grapefruit, juniper, rosemary, sweet fennel, tea tree, celery seed, carrot seed, geranium and peppermint. Here are some guidelines on how to use them, many of which are now available from Aqua Oleum as certified organics!

Lemon (organic) The juice and peel of lemon is very high in vitamins A, B and C. Fresh and cleansing, the essential oil has anti-toxic and diuretic properties. The juice can be used to dress salads or makes purifying drink sweetened with honey. Use the oil as a refreshing room fragrance or in low dilutions, in baths & massage oils. Lemon oil is phototoxic: avoid use on skin exposed to direct sunlight.

First of all I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came to see us on our Aqua Oleum stand at the Natural and Organics Show on the 19th and 20th April in London. It was great to see so many of our present customers and also to meet new people. It is always really heart warming to meet individuals face to face and exchange news and get feedback on our products directly.

Spring and the beginning of summer sees the onset of the hay fever season. Thousands of people are affected by this distressing condition which causes congestion, swelling and discomfort. The essential oils listed below can have beneficial effects for the treatment of hay fever. It also a matter of finding which oils suit you personally by trying out a few of the following.

(This BLOG is an except from my Spring 2015 IFA Lecture)

According to the psychologist William Cain of Yale University USA, the 21st Century will be the 'era of scent':

"We'll gain tremendous understanding of the basic, neurophysiological ways in which odors regulate the body and influence the mind … and we will be able to influence behaviour, modulate mood and alleviate pain…”

With our skin exposed to the sun & the elements during the summer months, here are some tips on how to care for different types of complexion & help to continue to look our best in the coming months. Remember to keep all essential oil blends well away from the eyes and use essential oils in low dilutions on the face: e.g. 3-4 drops of essential oil to 10ml carrier oil.

“Training and using our noses is very important in perfumery but it is also a way of being intimate with oneself. The experience of really smelling something with awareness and enquiry is meditative. Our mind becomes still as the sensation is felt in non-rational parts of the mind… We should aspire to practice perfumery just like that.”

Alec Lawless

“Our skin absorbs over 70% of whatever we put on it during the day, such as make-up, so it is vital that at night we ensure our pores are allowed to breathe freely. Cleansing the face thoroughly in the evening before retiring is therefore a key factor in keeping our skin looking fresh, youthful and radiant. The night is also the ideal time for our skin to absorb the ‘good stuff’, especially over the Winter months, when we tend to spend more time wrapped up and the hours of darkness are longer.

Frankincense essential oil is extracted from the oleo-gum resin of a small tree, native to the Red Sea region. Frankincense is best known as one of the gifts offered to Jesus at his birth, along with myrrh and gold, which indicates how highly prized it was in the ancient world. Indeed, this precious substance has been valued for thousands of years for a wide range of different purposes: as a perfume, medicine and as an important cosmetic ingredient … but above all, as an incense material..

I have recently returned from a trip to Finland to see my family and to visit Rauma, the birthplace of my mother Kerttu. My mother was the original founder of Aqua Oleum, having started the business in the early 1970’s, then known simply as ‘The Natural Essence Company', since she was a great advocate of natural remedies & the home use of essential oils, long before the term ‘aromatherapy’ became fashionable. As a biochemist, she had also been involved in innovative research into the properties & bio-activity of essential oils at Helsinki University especially in relation to their therapeutic and cosmetic potential, something which I inherited from her directly in my own later studies.

It was great to see so many familiar faces at the recent Natural and Organics Show again this year and be able to show off our newly extended range of flower waters, which were very well received! I was also delighted to be able introduce my new and beautifully designed edition of the ‘Complete Essential Oils Sourcebook’ on our stand and be able to sign your books personally.

This volume differs from my well-known ‘Encyclopedia of Essential Oils’ in that it focuses primarily on the types of conditions that can be treated at home using essential oils & clearly outlines the ways in which we can treat many common complaints using a range of natural methods.

We have recently increased our range of 100% natural, handmade flower waters due to popular demand. These light, aromatic aqua-based fragrances have been used since antiquity but are now enjoying a massive contemporary revival, especially during the summer months. Their sheer versatility makes them ideally suited to our modern urban lifestyle where we want our products to work as hard as we do! A bottle of flower water also makes the perfect travel companion to be used as a naturally revitalizing skin cleaner throughout the day, as a light perfume, or simply as a refreshingly cooling spritz for those long, hot summer days.

The summer holidays have almost arrived … a time when we can look forward to unwinding from the stresses of our everyday lives and relax in the company of family or friends. Natural oils are a fantastic & pleasurable way of caring for our skin when exposed to the sun, both as a light protection and for keeping our skin moisturized. In addition, most holidays often involve some form of travel, which can raise the chances of health issues. Many essential oils have therapeutic properties that can help relieve the symptoms of common travel problems such as nausea, insect bites, jetlag and sunburn … and because natural oils are so lightweight to carry around, they don’t take up much room in your suitcase either!

I am writing this having just returned from Tuscany where the scents of the mountain herbs and statuesque cypress trees permeate the warm air. Still fresh in my mind, their soft fragrance has reminded me of the vast variety of plants we have adopted from the Mediterranean region and how much we owe to this region in terms of everyday aromatics. Rosemary bushes both grow to a massive size by the roadside while the heady scent of labdanum mixed with oregano and thyme species fill the air. But of all the aromatic herbs that I love, it was the abundant lavender bushes in full bloom that made a lasting impression on me this summer.

This is an excerpt from an article written for the Canadian Aromatherapy Association: BCAPA. I wrote the article because of a growing concern I have regarding an increase in members of public in the UK enquiring about taking essential oils internally. I want to make absolutely clear that the UK official Aromatherapy policy as supported by Aqua Oleum Ltd does NOT support taking essential oils internally in any manner by members of the public, as stated clearly on our labels. I myself consider this a very dangerous trend and would like to ensure that this practice is not adopted in the UK despite the internet and other sources, especially in the US, publishing misleading information in this field – as outlined in this article.

As the nights get longer and we spend more time inside, it is easy to start feeling wistful for the summer days spent outside in the open air... but autumn and winter can also be the time to recharge our batteries and get cosy indoors by investing in a good vaporiser to make our home smell delicious! Choose from our range of beautifully-designed electric vaporisers or select a more traditional candle-lit, oil burner which additionally gives a lovely glow to the room. Rich, exotic oils such as ylang ylang, cedarwood or our specially blended 'festive joy' create a heart-warming atmosphere in the home ... or choose uplifting, fresh aromas such as bergamot, neroli or orange to banish those winter blues!

In Finland, as well as in other parts of Scandinavia and northern Europe, it is customary to make intricate mobiles, known as a ‘himmeli, out of lengths of wheat or rye straws at Christmas. I always remember enjoying doing this as a child as the result was so delicate and beautiful to look at… indeed, this is still considered to be the quintessential Finnish Christmas decoration! We would hang our ‘himmeli’ right above the dining table as was the custom, since traditionally this ensured a good harvest for the coming year. The mobile would then be displayed and admired from Christmas right until Midsummer.

Pure water is vital for the effective functioning of our body with approximately 70% of our body mass being made up of it! Water is essential in order for us to removes toxins and waste products from our organs and to deliver essential nutrients to all our cells. Since we lose water in large quantities every day, we all need to replace it continually. However, tap water can often contain heavy metals such as iron, copper, magnesium or zinc or other unwanted chemical additives so rather than drinking tap water, which can contain these unhealthy elements, it is better to invest in a water purifier.

Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine recommended that the supreme path to good health & a long life was to have an aromatic bath and a massage using scented oils applied to the skin every day! Here are ten ways to benefit from the life-giving powers of water and oil … or ‘aqua’ and ‘oleum’.

1) Bathe regularly in natural aromatic waters using pure essential oils. The water cleanses the skin & helps hydrate the tissues, while the essential oils ensure protection against dangerous bacteria & pathogens. However, long exposure of the skin to water or the use of harsh detergents can strip off the natural oils, so don’t over-extend your bathing time or shower.

I would like to introduce our new range of six organic carrier oils, including the remarkable argan oil! Argan oil makes a superb, 100% natural moisturizing and nourishing agent for the skin and hair! The exceptional health giving properties of this precious oil, which is extracted from the nut of a small tree native to Morocco, have long been recognized throughout the Middle East. Now scientific research has shown that this unique oil is rich in Vitamins A and E, plus being packed with powerful antioxidants, such as linoleic acid, which helps hold back the ageing process. This nutritional effect also makes it an excellent hair conditioner and being non-greasy, the oil can even be left in to further 'feed' the scalp, giving the hair shine and body ... and it is even suggested that argan oil can promote hair growth when massaged into the scalp on a regular basis. It is easy to see why this remarkable oil can be found in numerous top quality cosmetic and hair-care preparations today!

To celebrate and promote Organic Beauty and Wellbeing Week, we are joining in by offering all our web customers a free geranium floral water mist and free 'Home Use of Essential Oils' booklet when any three items from our organic range of products are ordered between midnight on the 14th of May until midnight on 21st of May. Customers can mix and match between our organic essential oils and new range of organic carrier oils. We also have a fantastic prize on offer for two lucky winners to get tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this month, so be sure to head to our instagram page to find out more.

“No perfume without rose”

This old perfumery saying sums up the popularity and enduring appeal of the rose. Often hailed as the 'Queen of Flowers', the rose has held a prominent place in the mythology of cultures both in the East and West for thousands of years. It is widely recognized across the world over as a powerful symbol of sovereignty, love, femininity, beauty and spiritual insight. The fragrance of the rose is unmistakably the most universal of all scents, which is why it is still an indispensable ingredient in most classical perfumes today!

DIY natural skincare is growing in popularity because of how effective it is at dramatically improving the health of our skin. One product that has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years is the increased use of botanical facial oils - or skin serums – as opposed to more traditional moisturizing creams. Rose hip seed oil, for example, which exhibits very valuable anti-aging properties due to its concentrated anti-oxidant properties, is now in common usage compared to a decade ago. By why is it that skin serums have shot to the top of the skin-care agenda lately, even within the Hollywood celebrity circle? What makes them so special? It is well known that Angelina Jolie swears that natural skin serums are the secret to her youthful, glowing complexion!

Jojoba Oil is extracted from Simmondsia chinensis, a small shrub native to the warm, dry regions of south-western North America, with broad thick waxy leaves, small greenish-yellow flowers and bearing oval brown nuts. It was originally named Buxus sinensis due to a botanical misunderstanding that it came from China. The premium quality oil is cold pressed from organically grown jojoba beans or nuts, which is then naturally filtered to produce a pale yellow, mobile liquid.

The changing seasons are something to be enjoyed and celebrated in the UK. Winter brings with it the promise of clear frosty nights and the festive cheer of Christmas with the pleasure of traditional warm spicy scents, such as cinnamon, ginger and clove mixed with aromas of pine needles and oranges. It is no wonder that we are drawn to the use of spices in the winter months – such as the allure of warm mulled wine and the use of plenty of rich spicy ingredients in our traditional Christmas pudding – since spices bring immediate warmth to our entire system! In therapeutic terms, these are also the best oils to keep chills away, create an uplifting sense of cheer, prevent the spread of germs and infections (such as from cold and flu) as well as help ease aches and pains brought on by cold and damp conditions.

Perfume has always been has been called the ‘language of dreams’ and one only needs to look at the way in which fragrances are marketed by glancing at the adverts on your TV or computer over the Christmas period to see the truth in this! But the perfumes of today are a far cry from what they used to be … in ancient times, there was little distinction made between incense and perfume … the very word ‘perfume’ is derived from the Latin ‘per fumen’ meaning ‘to smoke’.

In the 21 st Century, the era of science and technology, scent remains one of the last territories of the irrational. This is because our sense of smell is processed via the limbic system, also known as ‘the emotional brain’, which is beyond our logical control yet connects us directly to our primitive instincts. It has now been clearly demonstrated that when an odour is inhaled, it directly affects an area in the brain called the olfactory epithelium, which contains millions of nerve endings. It is here that the fragrance is transmuted into a nerve message, which is amplified by the olfactory bulb, and then passed along the olfactory tract before entering the limbic system. This part of the brain is also concerned with emotion and related associations, so it is at this point that the odour may trigger a memory, either recent or past.

As a passionate gardener, the sight of the fresh green buds pushing through the earth and the first blossoms opening is always a revelation to me in Spring. This is the time of year to get ‘hands on’ and start growing your own aromatics. It is great fun to sift through seed packets (either online or in a gardening center) and choose something that sparks your imagination. Herbs are very inspirational plants to grow as they super easy to propagate from seed and they also mature very quickly. They thrive in pots or window boxes, so are ideal for planting in small urban spaces as well as in larger rural gardens. Of course, once they are fully grown, they are also very useful to have about the home for a wide range of purposes...

Yoga is everywhere nowadays! You can find yoga classes on every street and the benefits of yoga are broadcast far and wide on the internet: but what is yoga? To some people it is simply an exercise as a means to promote physical flexibility or to lose weight; to others it is a system which co-ordinates movement with the breath to achieve a sense of greater well-being; while to others, it is a complete spiritual path to self-knowledge and awareness. We can see the term ‘yoga’ means different things to different people … and these variations are reflected in the hundreds of different forms of yoga, which are practiced today. Yet the word ‘yoga’ literally comes from the ancient Indian Vedic texts meaning 'to know' or to have a ‘direct experience’ of something. According to these early Indian yogic schools, by coordinating our bodily posture with our breathing, we can learn to control our life-energy or prana, which in turn conveys a sense of profound relaxation to our mind… where the breathing acts as a bridge between the body and mind. Therefore, by practicing yoga in this way, we can start to understand the direct inter-relatedness between our body, our energy and our mental state.

The summer holidays are coming which provides valuable timeout from our regular routine and the opportunity to relax and replenish our body and mind. Summer time also generally means we need to pay extra attention to our skin to protect ourselves against the harmful effects of exposure to excessive ultra- violet rays. UV light is the main enemy of youthful looking skin since it is these rays that are largely responsible for the damage to the DNA in our cells that leads to premature wrinkles, redness, brown spots or excessive dryness. Although some exposure to sunshine provides valuable vitamin D to our cellular tissue, it is important to limit time spent sun bathing and to protect our skin from an early age.

Here in Colorado, on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the trees need to be tough to survive the hard winters and the parched dry summers of this high- altitude terrain. The highest-known juniper forests occurs at altitudes of over 16,000 feet in south-eastern Tibet and the northern Himalayas, creating one of the highest tree-lines on earth. It is not surprising that juniper trees are therefore amongst the most resilient of evergreens often found growing in wild and inhospitable places. In Finland which has an extremely long and cold winter climate, it is even common to see ancient juniper trees growing directly from cracks in the granite… like twisted bonsai emerging from large chunks of rock left behind by the retreating glaciers.

It was a great experience to be part of the first Go Organic Festival to held in Battersea Park, London over the weekend of the 8-9th September. Everyone who had a stand at the Festival either supplied or produced 100% certified Organic products, with backing from the Soil Association and in support of Organic September. This created a unique feeling of collaboration amongst the stall holders present, since it was evident that everyone was committed to the same underlying ‘green’ principles of promoting optimum personal health whilst at the same time protecting our fragile planet.

I was fortunate to attend the launch of the ‘Botanical Bible’ in London recently, a beautifully illustrated book written by Sonya Patel Ellis which has just been published by William Collins. It represents a very ambitious project in that it covers not only the evolutionary history of botanical plants but also their prominent cultural role in the development of art, gardening, medicine and science…. as well as providing lots of interesting recipes to try out.

Now the Christmas lights have been taken down and the festive decorations have been packed away, it is a natural time to think: ”Well, what now?” Spending some quiet time reflecting on our achievements and mistakes over the past year and assessing our goals for the months ahead is a healthy and constructive way to ease gently into the New Year. Of course, it is not helpful to worry needlessly over past problems, but it is always useful to consider why something went wrong and what is within our power to change within ourselves. In this way, perhaps we don’t make the same mistakes again in the future! At the same time it is good to take responsibility for our own life in a pro-active way, since it is by having a positive ‘can do’ attitude that we are able to succeed and fulfill our aims.

Sleep is vital to our sense of well-being. The amount of sleep we require is different for everyone. But one thing is certain: we all need adequate sleep in order to perform our daily tasks and to keep our energy levels and spirits up! Sleep experts suggest that most adults require between seven and eight hours of sleep per night and that in the longer term, sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on our mental and physical health. So it is vital to ensure we get enough deep sleep (the sleep we experience in the middle of our sleep cycle) since this can dramatically improve our quality of life.

Aqua Oleum supplies a very wide range of unique, hand-made floral waters, which are produced in our artisan laboratory in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. These light, aromatic aqua-based fragrances have been used since antiquity but are now enjoying a massive contemporary revival. Their sheer versatility makes them ideally suited to our modern urban lifestyle where we want our products to work as hard as we do! A bottle of flower water also makes the perfect travel companion to be used as a naturally revitalizing skin cleanser / toner, as a light perfume, or simply as a refreshingly cooling spritz for imparting instant moisture to the skin during long, hot summer days. All our aqua-sprays are suitable for the face and body, are 100% pure and natural as well as being entirely alcohol-free. Since each flower water has a range of specific properties and benefits, here is a quick guide on which flower water to use and when, as part of your daily routine.

In August, during the heat of the summer, many of the most highly fragrant plants are in full bloom. Here in Tuscany, the warm air is suffused with the richly perfumed scents of damask roses, sprays of classic lavender and mountain herbs such as wild thyme, marjoram and sage. I find it impossible to walk past the ancient rosemary bush growing beside my door, weighed down with its sprigs of sea blue flowers, without rubbing the tips between my palms and then inhaling their lively and invigorating aroma.

I have just returned from a trip to Norway where the forces of nature are plain to see! Magnificent deep fjords cut into the landscape and sculpt the coastline, having been carved out by glaciers over a period of 2.5 million years. This is something both unique and awe-inspiring! To my mind, the Scandinavians have always managed to maintain a healthy relationship with the natural world and to uphold a profound respect for it. Even in the centre of the Oslo, the wilderness is always within easy reach and the sea is never far away.

“The sense of smell is the most important factor in the laying of spells on people: magic, in order to achieve the greatest potency, must enter through the nose”

R. Lovell, A Complete Herball, 1665

The custom of celebrating Halloween on the 31 st October began as the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. At the end of summer, the Celts thought the barrier between our world and the realm of the unseen became weak: their solution to this problem was to have a big party, which would scare away the ghosts and spirits!

As winter approaches we are instinctively drawn to the immediate warmth and comforting effect that spices have on our entire system, both physically and emotionally. It is interesting to look further into the therapeutic properties of some of our individual festive spices and their benefits both from a traditional herbal perspective and within the aromatherapy context as a whole. All spices help to bring heat into our whole metabolism: they stimulate the circulation; support the immune system as well as having powerful anti-septic, anti-bactericidal and anti-viral properties. In fact, if we look more closely at the individual properties of many of our classic and best-loved spices, we find that they each have distinct healing and remedial qualities.

‘A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits: camphire and spikenard, saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes with all the chief spices.’

The scented garden as described in the Bible in
 the ‘Song of Solomon’ depicts a vision of paradise and provides a model for the development of the medieval, sacred garden. More importantly in botanical terms, was the fact
 that the medicinal plants grown in these temple gardens formed the earliest-known basis for the ‘botanic garden’ where the essential ingredients for early aromatic remedies were cultivated.

We all want to start 2020 with an upbeat attitude! Central to being healthy is following a nutritious diet, maintaining a positive state of mind and getting enough exercise. But keeping fit is not just about increasing the number of steps we take each day or taking up a sport: it is also about looking at our daily routines and making sure that we engage in things we enjoy … otherwise our new regimes will soon fall by the wayside. Hiking in nature, wild swimming and getting involved in local sustainable, eco projects are all good ways of getting out and about, without it costing the earth in terms of monthly fees.

The immune response is orchestrated by three distinct groups of cells, the phagocytes, the ‘T’ cells and the ‘B’ cells. These all originate from white blood cells in the bone marrow and serve to protect the body from infection. If this defensive barrier is damaged for some reason, the body becomes more vulnerable to invasion from all sorts of pathogenic organisms. The immune system is supported by and closely related to other body functions including the lymphatic and nervous systems. Recent research tends to suggest that emotional and psychological factors play a vital role in the efficiency of the immune response and this may help to account for the fact that viral infections and suppressed immune systems are becoming an increasing problem today.

The challenges of being in lockdown come in all different shapes and sizes: some people are experiencing the loneliness of feeling isolated from friends and family; others are juggling home schooling whilst working from home and trying to keep family life on track; others are facing redundancy or financial worries .... or a combination of several of these issues. Everyone across the world is dealing with the massive uncertainly which the corona virus has brought to all of our lives virtually overnight with no real end-game in sight, plus the accompanying health worries of the epidemic both for oneself and for others, especially the most vulnerable.

This week is mental health week and we have all had plenty of time to reflect on our mental wellbeing and on our own personal struggles over the past few months. As an authorised meditation instructor, I thought that I would be well prepared and adapted to spending time in isolation and maintaining a sense of calm and relaxation throughout the lockdown. But by the middle of May in London, I was beginning to suffer from ‘cabin fever’: an ever- encroaching sense of claustrophobia and city-phobia. I could see how my mental state was changing from one of positive optimism to a sinking sense of despondency and a kind of ‘dead end’ mentality. Something needed to shift, and when my daughter said ‘why don’t you come to the sea with me?’ I found that the very idea of seeing a wide sky and a vast ocean landscape already helped to lift my spirits.

Aromatherapy has much to offer men as well as women. Many men are taking more care of their personal appearance these days and choosing natural products to enhance their health. There are many essential oils and carrier oils that offer health and wellbeing benefits for men of all ages. Applying natural oils, such as jojoba or grapeseed oil immediately after a warm shower (when they are absorbed readily) helps to ensure the body stays in optimal condition as this is a simple and effective way of making sure the skin remains moisturized. Specific aromatic massage oils which have been formulated with a therapeutic emphasis can also help deal with a range of common complaints, such as muscular strain and sports aches and pains. For example, our Aqua Oleum Body/ Massage Oil range which includes ‘Vitality’, a blend which supports and eases the muscles before and after vigorous activity is a favorite with men, as is our best selling ‘Aches & Pains’ blend.

Flower Waters also known as floral waters, are light, aromatic aqua-based fragrances which have been used since antiquity but are now enjoying a massive contemporary revival. Their sheer versatility makes them ideally suited to our modern urban lifestyle where each flower water has a range of specific properties and benefits: for example, a bottle of flower water makes the perfect travel companion since it can be used as a naturally revitalizing skin cleanser / toner, as a light perfume, or simply as a refreshingly cooling spritz for imparting instant moisture to the skin during a long journey.

One of the ‘silver linings’ of the recent months of lockdown has been the fact that nature has had a chance to recover from some of the effects of human activity. Pollution levels in large European cities dropped to the lowest levels recorded for decades; in urban places, bird song could be heard above the usually constant hum of traffic and machinery; and many people began to re-discover the simple pleasures of walking in the countryside, their local woods or in a nearby park. A slower pace of life has also enabled many of us to find the time to plant seeds in our garden or window boxes and to re-connect with nature in all sorts of individual ways.Today, walking, hiking and gardening are the most popular forms of exercise in the UK and these, together with other outdoor activities, have all seen a boom in recent months.

Botanical or vegetable oils are made up of dense liquid lipids or fats. Whereas essential oils are ‘volatile’ in nature, all vegetable oils are ‘fixed’: this means that if you spill a little sweet almond oil on your sleeve it will stain your garment, whereas an essential oil which is naturally volatile, will gradually evaporate leaving no mark! Both essential oils and vegetable oils repel water, which makes them very compatible with each other. That is why vegetable oils are commonly used as carriers for essential oils in products like facial serums, massage blends or body oils. Vegetable oils are therefore often called ‘carrier’ or ‘base’ oils in the context of aromatherapy, simply because they are used as the ideal medium for the application of essential oils to the skin.

As a follow up to my blog on Naturopathic Ways of dealing with epidemics from the perspective of ‘prevention’, here is some advice on the use of spices in the context of Tibetan Medicine. The Tibetan medical approach has a great deal in common with aromatherapy, in that it traditionally employs herbs, spices and aromatic oils mainly in the form of aromatic baths and massage oils, together with a specific form of massage called Kyu Nye, alongside personalised dietary advice.

At the end of November 2020, I was involved in organising a series of lectures offering advice and help in dealing with the covid epidemic. Several international experts spoke about the current pandemic from different perspectives, but I think the most important aspect which was discussed and relevant to everyone from a naturopathic point of view, is what we can all do for ourselves in the way of prevention.

We are facing a mental health crisis today due to the covid pandemic. Anxiety, stress & fear are all around: many of us have suffered panic attacks, grief, loss, separation and a sense of loneliness or despair over the past year. At such times it becomes very clear that we are social creatures and we feel isolated if we are not in human contact with others for prolonged periods of time. Children and young people especially have been denied the fun and playfulness of youth and the normal types of social interaction that later prepare them for becoming well-balanced adults. Yet change is inevitable - nothing lasts forever - not even covid! Now we need to find ways to see the light at the end of tunnel in order to survive and get through these dark times.

In March this year, I participated in an Ayurvedic workshop to coincide with the Spring Equinox. Ayurveda is a very ancient Indian health system, also known as the ‘science of longevity’, since it guides the individual on how to live a long life using a variety of naturopathic techniques: ayur means ‘life or longevity’; veda means ‘wisdom science’. All the suggested treatments, dietary advice and recipes listed below are therefore aimed at helping us to live a longer, healthier and happier life!

I am very happy to say that we’ve now got fragonia essential oil back in stock. It is one of my favourite essential oils and seems to be ideally suited to the spring of 2021 with its lovely bright-citrusy aroma and its excellent immune-stimulant and naturally purifying qualities.

The therapeutic benefits of the naturalistic spa tradition with its emphasis on bathing in hot springs and having a direct sensory experience, has been well documented within many cultures. Above all, the traditional spa approach encompasses a pleasurable, sensual and body-focused route to optimum health - but this does not mean that it does not equally well benefit those with mental or psychological problems. In fact, this form of natural therapy is a particularly beneficial type of treatment for our modern age since it helps remedy all types of conditions that are exacerbated by stress and psychological distress, such as depression, insomnia, mental anxiety and nervous exhaustion

In June I visited the Ventnor Botanic Gardens on the south coast of the Isle of Wight for the first time. These twenty-two acre subtropical gardens have an unusual climate which is more akin to the Mediterranean region which enables a wide variety of plants considered too tender for much of mainland Britain to be grown there. Many subtropical plants and trees benefit from the moist and sheltered microclimate of the south facing under-cliff next to the sea, an area which is virtually frost free. Scientists have been tracking the effects of climate change in the garden for over a hundred years which show that it is now about five degrees hotter than the rest of the UK. This makes it an ideal location to research the future effects of climate change in the UK as the temperature warms.

July has seen unprecedented heat waves and wild fires in the US and Canada while catastrophic floods hit Germany and Belgium in recent weeks. Late July also brought some very hot weather to the UK and early August is predicted to bringing more spells of strong heat. Although the sunshine is most welcome after our uninspiring spring and early summer weather, we only need to look at the extraordinary climatic conditions across the US West Coast to realize that extreme heat can also bring its own set of dangers.

While walking in Pembrokeshire along the coastal paths recently, my daughter and I came across swathes of wild mint growing in the hedgerows near St David’s. There are about 14 or 15 species of mint growing in the UK, most of which have very aromatic leaves but I couldn’t be sure which hybrid this was: nevertheless, it was clearly thriving in the changeable damp conditions of the Welsh maritime climate. Peppermint is one of the few aromatics where plants grown in the UK, produce one of the highest quality essential oils available as it likes the cool, damp conditions. At Aqua Oleum we supply three different types of mint products: pure peppermint oil, organic peppermint oil (both from Mentha piperita) and spearmint flower water (Mentha spicata).