Month: April 2021

Essential oils can have a great supporting role in dealing with grief and bereavement. They offer numerous benefits, calming, sedative, anti-depressant and aiding restful sleep to name a few. For example, Frankincense boasts a whole host of beneficial properties that make it a powerful ally when coping with feelings of loss and sadness. Neroli is another great oil for emotional support. It is antidepressant, restorative, uplifting and sedative. Lavender can be used for its calming and sedative properties and Chamomile is also great for bringing peace and comfort in times of sadness. Blend any or all of these oils together and put a few drops on to a tissue or handkerchief. Pop it into your pocket during the day so it is on hand to smell when you need support, and place it under your pillow at night for restful sleep.

One of the questions we often get asked is difference between the 2 Vitamin E liquids we sell and which one is better. We sell both Natural Vitamin E 50% Mixed Tocopherols and Synthetic DL Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate. So what is the difference? To really simplify and avoid all the science, it’s all about Tocopherols.

Tocopherols are a group of compounds that make up the various Vitamin Es. The Synthetic option is made in a lab and contains Alpha-tocoperol only. Alpha-tocopherol is chosen because it is the one most abundantly found in human tissue and the only one that can be used to treat Vitamin E deficiency. DL Alpha tocopheryl acetate is more chemically stable and less susceptible to environmental factors such as heat, light and air, so good for increasing shelf-life and helping to prevent rancidity in oil based products. Studies have also shown it to be effective in reducing skin damage from UV exposure when added to face products and make-up.

The natural option however, contains a 50% mix of Tocopherols d-alpha, d-beta, d-gamma and d-delta that have been distilled from soybean oil and suspended in sunflower oil. Although you may therefore think it is less potent, the opposite is actually true. Because it is natural and lacks the acetate component, it has much higher bioavailability, meaning it is anywhere between 2-5 times more efficiently absorbed by the body. When articles are written about the numerous benefits of Vitamin E, it is generally the natural form they are referring to and while alpha-tocopherol seems to be the dominant in the human body, it is important not to overlook the potential importance of all the others.

Basically put, the choice is yours. But if it is shelf-life and stability you are looking for with some Vitamin E benefits, then synthetic is fine. But if you are looking to enrich your products with all the benefits Vitamin E has to offer then we recommend heading for the natural one. We hope this helps.

Fun filled days spent outdoors and evenings spent sitting on verandas, balconies or in front of campsites are definitely a great way to spend your time, but with it comes the unfortunate possibility of insect bites. As much as we stock up on repellers there is always the risk of a determined creepy crawly sneaking through, and essential oils can be a really effective, natural treatment when you get bitten. They can offer relief and help to heal. Lavender and Tea tree oils are both favourites for helping to heal most insect bites. They can be used straight on the affected area and help to reduce itching, pain and swelling on any bite from ants and spiders to bees and mozzies. Their antiseptic and antibacterial properties will also help to prevent infection. Lavender can also double as a repellent so you could even pop a bit on your pulse points before you head outside. If you aren’t keen on the scent of these two there are other options. Diluted in a carrier oil, Basil has been shown to reduce itchiness and be an effective anti-inflammatory, and Camphor oil is another option for relieving itchy, inflamed bites that has been trusted since ancient times. Chamomile is also well known for helping to sooth and heal inflammation and irritation.

Either alone or blended together, any of these oils would make a great addition to the first aid kit. Alternatively combine the essential oil with some witch hazel or aloe vera gel for a soothing treatment, or add a few drops to a cold compress using cold water and vinegar.

Dementia is a broad term used to incorporate a wide range of illnesses that cause a progressive decline in both cognitive and physical functioning, effecting a person’s memory, reasoning, thought processes and personality. It is the second leading cause of death in Australia and women make up 64.5% of all dementia deaths. In 2021 an estimated 472,000 Australians are living with dementia with around 250 people joining this population every day.

The benefits of aromatherapy for dementia sufferers have been well documented. It works by stimulating the part of the brain the regulates emotions, and studies using essential oils to improve symptoms of dementia patients have shown really positive results.

According to alzheimers.net there are several essential oils that can be of benefit to someone suffering from the symptoms of dementia. Lavender can help to calm irritability, anger and strong emotions, and aid restful sleep. Peppermint can energise the mind while calming the nerves and Rosemary is uplifting and well known for its memory stimulating and brain performance boosting properties. Bergamot is great for lifting mood and easing agitation, while Lemon Balm can be used to help improve memory and calm and relax people with anxiety. Ylang Ylang can also be used to reduce restlessness and sleeplessness and relieve depression. Any of these oils can be either used alone or blended together and put in a vaporiser and diffused throughout the room. Or it can be added to a carrier oil and used in a gentle massage or warm bath.

And let’s not forget all the wonderful carers, family members and support people out there helping dementia patients to live their best lives. Watching a loved one suffer is just as distressing as it is for the sufferer themselves, so use these oils to give yourselves a little TLC too. You’re doing great!

The ‘time of the month’ is not a popular topic. Most women feeling they should just pop a Panadol and pretend it’s not happening. But for many women, period pain is not that easy to ignore. It can range from a dull ache in the back, pelvis and legs to intense pain, nausea, vomiting and headaches. It can also cause PMS which effects women on an emotional level, as well as other physical effects such as fluid retention, bloating, tender breasts, sweats, loose bowels and spots. There are many things that make the ‘visit from Aunty Flow’ a miserable time of the month on many levels and essential oils can help. Geranium oil is an excellent hormonal balancer during the menstrual cycle, it can help to reduce fluid retention, ease stress and even balance the skin and reduce spots. Clary sage can be used to help calm the nervous system and mood swings, balance hormone levels, reduce cramps and ease period pain, while Spearmint oil with its antispasmodic and restorative properties has also been used effectively in helping menstrual problems. Chamomile is another oil that can be used for calming cramps and Rose Otto oil also has helpful properties for harmonising the mind and regulating menstruation. Blended together or used alone, any of these oils on a hot compress can be very beneficial placed over a painful, swollen abdomen. Alternatively, they can be added to a carrier oil and put in a warm aromatic bath or used in a gentle abdominal massage. Borage oil is a great choice of carrier as it is high in Gamma Linolenic Acid which has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms. A little TLC with the natural help of essential oils can definitely make things go a little easier.