by Jacqui Christie | Feb 3, 2016 | Comfrey
The end of December and start of January heralded some of the worst flooding in living memory in Aberdeenshire. Where we are living and working on the river Dee flooded causing great devastation along its entire length. In some cases local people have lost all their possessions and are unable to return to their homes for many mon
ths, for some perhaps never.
Farmers lost animals, and fields which were simply washed away Everyone was taken completely by surprise by the speed of the rising water, as floods had never been seen before to this extent. Wildlife and the environment, business and communities, roads and bridges, cars and transport – nothing was left unaffected.
We went down to the place where we gather the comfrey leaves from their natural environment, on a private piece of ground near the river Dee, to survey the damage. We use the comfrey leaves that we gather in our c
omfrey oil macerate and in our comfrey ointment and other balms which contain our comfrey.
We knew that the comfrey plants are strong and resilient plants, but were very pleased to see them growing up through the debris that had been left in wake of the river in spate. Areas where the comfrey plants grow, that normally would be unaffected by usual high river levels, were entirely under water during the flood.
It is a great testament to the wonderful resilience of nature, that the comfrey plants and leaves are looking extremely healthy. We will be watching them closely over the next three months to see their progress to harvest time in April/May 2016.
If you would like to help the people here after the floods, Aboyne and Upper Deeside Rotary Club is collecting through crowdfunding at the Ballater and Deeside Flood Relief Fund.
by Jacqui Christie | Jan 25, 2016 | Offers
To celebrate Burns Night we have put a 15% discount on all Scottish Comfrey Products. This discount is valid until midnight on Wednesday 27th January 2016 and with Code 15BURNS entered at checkout.
Enjoy our comfrey macerate, comfrey ointment, reflexology foot balm, herbal foot balm, gardeners hand balm
or Skin SOS Balm at a great saving over the next two days.
All these products contain our own Scottish comfrey, which has been used since ancient times for ligament damage, broken limbs, minor skin complaints, strains and sprains.
We hand harvest the comfrey each year from a piece of private ground in rural Aberdeenshire. We only choose the young and best quality leaves for use in our products.
We are currently compiling our January newsletter and this will be available to all our subscribers later this week, introducing two new products, looking at aromatherapy relief for headaches, Top 10 uses for lavender essential oil and another great offer.
by Jacqui Christie | Nov 25, 2015 | Aromapothecary
In this article we will be looking at using essential oil by way of inhalation – in an oil burner or diffuser, or as a steam inhalation (not using on the body).
To protect ourselves from winter chills, colds and infections, there are some essential oils that I would always reach for – Lemon, Tea tree, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Bergamot & Lemongrass.
You can use these oils individually in a burner of diffuser – or blend two or more together for a stronger synergy. A pleasant blend, I think, to the nose, is 1 drop lemongrass, 2 drops lemon and 2 drops bergamot. This blend is not only air cleaning, but hugely uplifting too.
A few drops are all you need to clear a room, don’t be tempted to use more, or else it will become overpowering. A more medicinal blend would be 2 drops tea tree, 1 drop eucalyptus and 2 drops lemon.
For a completely different essential oil blend that is helpful in clearing the air, our earlier blog focused on our Spicy Heaven blend. This has a very festive, Christmassy smell, but the cinnamon, clove & frankincense (sweet orange is the other ingredient) can be a powerful help to banish unwanted airborne infections.
It may not be possible to use an oil burner or diffuser when at work, but you can still have an essential oil or blend on a tissue so that you can inhale when possible during the day.
Tea tree, eucalyptus & bergamot are also believed to be immunostimulants. They are again helpful to lift your immune system when the stress of the Christmas preparations depletes it, or everyone has the cold or flu around you.
If you have a complex medical history/medications always check with your GP before using essential oils, or ask a qualified aromatherapist
(for Aromapothecary followers – part 2 of treatments for bug bites will follow in the 2016)
by Jacqui Christie | Nov 24, 2015 | Essential Oil Top Ten Uses
Welcome to another week of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This week will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for our own Spicy Heaven essential oil blend. Excellent for this time of year. This blend is suitable for inhalation only and not be used on skin. For using essential oils for specific medical problems always contact a qualified aromatherapist
- creates a warming feel
- can be helpful for digestive issues
- can clear the air of viruses
- gives a festive feel to any room
- calming and relaxing
- uplifting and a mental tonic
- could be useful for convalescence
- before lighting a fire put just a few drops on the logs
- add a couple of drops to cones and place in a bowl
- use for scenting christmas decorations – a drop or two is all you need
If you feel this would be a useful oil blend for you, you can buy it here from Organica J.
Tune in next week for another oil in another Top Ten Uses and comment below what you would like to see next!
by Jacqui Christie | Nov 24, 2015 | Spotlights
It didn’t make sense at first. Busy and stressed during the week, she felt worse at the weekends – when she had time to cook and eat well! Constant headaches and tiredness dragged her down and, as a keen runne
r, even a relaxing jog didn’t shift her sore head.
Her eating habits of quick sugary snacks and coffee at work meant that the headaches were due to caffeine withdrawal during the weekend. A few simple changes, and she describes her life as “joyful” now. What do you eat, and how do you feel?
I can help you to understand how YOUR eating habits are affecting your health. If you are confused about food and nutrition information, I can explain the facts behind food labels. You will make better food choices – no longer muddled by myths and misunderstandings. I contribute to corporate health programmes and have helped stressed executives and athletes improve their mental and physical performance.
My latest book “Grounds for Concern” is all about caffeine – and how it can drain your energy. See my website for more details, or send me an email to discuss your needs and book an appointment.
www.chrisfenn.com
Email – eat4success@chrisfenn.com
Phone – 013398 82487
