by Jacqui Christie | Aug 30, 2018 | Aromapothecary
Aromatherapy Support and Blends for an Ageing Skin
I get asked for advice for ageing skin regularly, so I would like to look here at some support and aromatherapy blends that can be helpful for you.
Aromatherapy is a fabulous way to tackle the effects of the challenges your skin is up against that can potentially cause an ageing effect, such as weather, pollutants, stressors or simply the passage of time.
I had a client on the phone today, who said that she had really noticed 
that her skin was so much more moisturised and soft after switching to use my range of organic soaps – they have organic ingredients and do not strip the skin of its natural oils, but rather moisturise further. A great base for then using other oils/creams to moisturise further.
The basic care of self is important of course – good nutrition, exercise, plenty of sleep, helps the skin to appear at its best. Pollutants such as smoking, synthetic chemicals in skincare and the environment, etc are best to be minimised coming into contact with where it is possible. Protecting the skin and face in extreme weather conditions, or avoiding, again where possible, is a good strategy.
Aromatherapy on its own or in combination with regular massage can be extremely helpful to protect the skin and feed the skin properly. Skin cell renewal can slow down with age and aromatherapy oils and massage can help minimise this.
My recommendation for carrier/base oils to use would be rosehip, evening primrose, sweet almond, wheatgerm and jojoba. I personally use rosehip and evening primrose oil in my skin care regime. I would recommend that all these oils can be used on their own as a carrier, but wheatgerm, I would use blended with perhaps sweet almond, as it is very viscose on its own.
Essential oils that I would suggest for skin regeneration and care would be carrot, frankincense, neroli, sandalwood, patchouli, sweet orange and lavender.
I have a favourite combination that I have used for many of my aromatherapy clients in various forms depending on their individual skin type, their medical info and their life/emotional situation. It is rosehip carrier oil with frankincense, neroli and carrot essential oil. A good blend would be 10ml rosehip with 2 drops frankincence, 2 drops neroli and 1 drop carrot essential oil. This would be great for body, for use on the face drop the quantities down to 1 drop of each essential oil in 10ml of rosehip carrier oil.
Some other different blends to choose from: sweet almond 5ml, evening primrose oil 5ml with 2 drops lavender, 2 drops sandalwood and 1 drop patchouli. Again dropping down to 1 drop of each for use on face with 10ml carrier blend.
Or jojoba 10ml with 2 drops sweet orange, 2 drops frankincense and 1 drop sandalwood. dropping to 1 drop of each for use on face.
Try out the different combinations to see what texture of carrier oil, and what scent of blended oils pleases you the best and feels best on your skin. Gentle massage the oils into the body/face when you have time this can be a real pamper opportunity for yourself.
If blending your own is not for you, then you can try our ready made 
Aromatherapy Bath & Body Blends blends without any preservatives, colours or synthetics. All they contain are organic carrier oils and essential oils.
It is difficult I know in todays busy life to take time to look after yourself, but your skin will thank you in years to come if you do. If you can find time to have regular massage (including a face massage) this will be so beneficial, not just for your skin, but for your complete health and wellbeing.
I rush around a lot, running my business, but try to make sure that my skin is aways looked after. It always feel good to keep skin moisturised and the feeling of putting good quality, nourishing oils on your face and body, I find extremely pleasurable.
For complex medical conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist or your medical professional.
by Jacqui Christie | Aug 30, 2018 | Essential Oil Top Ten Uses
Welcome to another of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This month we will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for Sweet Orange essential oil. Working as a clinical aromatherapist, I use a lot for its sunny, relaxing, gentle but powerful action. It is good for using with vulnerable folk, such as the young or elderly because of these properties. I used it very regularly when I worked one day a month at a local residential home for the elderly, it was a popular choice there among the residents and staff alike.
Sweet Orange has been a favourite oil of mine since I qualified and I have is a component of my Love Soap and Essential Oil Blend. Also of course in my Orange & Frankincense Soap, Essential Oil Blend and my Reflexology Foot Balm. Here are what I think are its top ten uses.
For using essential oils for specific conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist.
1. Useful to calm restlessness and for mild depression
2. Can be regenerative for skin, also for acne or irritated skin
3. Helpful for the elderly and the young to soothe
4. May be helpful to settle the digestive system
5. Useful for cellulite and lymph stimulation
6. Can be good for anxiety and stress
7. May be helpful to ease IBS symptoms
8. Good as an uplift in the darker, colder months
9. Useful for insomnia.
10. On a subtle level can be helpful for new challenges and ease self-doubt
The organic sweet orange essential oil that I hold in stock right now is Citrus Sinensis. The sweet orange tree is a small tree and it was introduced to Europe by the Portugese early in the 16th century. Sweet orange oil is expressed from the ripe peel of the fruit and is orange. The scent is citrus and very sweet. My current supplies are from Brazil.
If you feel that Sweet Orange essential oil would be a useful oil for you, you can buy it here from Organica J.
There is also available a full range of other aromatherapy essential oils, with information on their uses available in the essential oil category on the website. Always use on the body blended with a carrier/vegetable oil.
If you require further information on any oils, feel free to contact us by email or phone.
NB if you have a medical condition/take medications check with your GP and/or a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils.
by Jacqui Christie | Aug 29, 2018 | Competitions
WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A YEARS SUPPLY OF ORGANIC SOAPS?
Complete range or hand crafted organic soaps
We are giving away a special hamper worth over £50 containing our full collection of artisan organic soaps which are created in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The organic soaps include: Lavender & Lavender flowers to aid sleep and protect skin. Geranium & Rose Petal for a delicate, sensitive skin. Peppermint & Peppermint Leaf – for stimulating & enlivening, Frankincense & Orange for a mature, sensitive skin, Meditation for soothing and focus, Love to calm emotions and for a sensual feel, Rose Heaven for soothing anxiety and balancing of mood and Gardeners & Cooks soap with honey and oatmeal to gently exfoliate while the lemon and lime essential oils, cleanse and uplift.
Our soaps are moisturising and conditioning and will leave your skin feeling silky smooth. They are free from preservatives, colourings and animal by-products and all (except our gardeners and cooks soap – with honey) are also suitable for vegans!
Excellent for even a delicate, sensitive skin. Gently wash away your cares with the subtle but powerful effects of aromatherapy. Treat yourself every day with these long-lasting soaps.
You can shop our full organic soap collection
here.
Terms and Conditions
1. UK only
2. Competition will finish at 5pm on September 9th 2018
3. A years supply of soap for daily use by one person is 14 bars.
4. Winner must contact within 3 days to receive prize or else another winner will be drawn.
5. Postage costs will be covered by Organica J
by Jacqui Christie | Aug 29, 2018 | Spotlights
Loch Arthur Farm Shop
The Farm Shop has become a much treasured and appreciated destination in Dumfries & Galloway. Ideal for those who appreciate quality food both sourced and produced with care and integrity.
They are proud to live up to that title by offering a fantastic selection of their own organic and locally produced foods:
- Artisan cheeses and dairy products produced on the farm.
- Breads and rolls baked fresh daily in the Loch Arthur bakery.
- Organic meats from their own and locally reared animals … expertly butchered in their own butchery.
- An extensive range of organic fruit and vegetables carefully sourced or, where possible, grown in Loch Arthur gardens.
- Cakes, pies, biscuits, dips, chutneys, and much more, produced in their Farm Shop kitchen.
The Cafe
The Café serves a delightful range of cakes, soups and light meals produced from the finest ingredients…. predominantly organic and very fresh.
The kitchen has become the pulsing heart-beat of the Farm Shop. It is a supportive environment where members of the community work alongside people employed from the
local area. They turn the finest ingredients into a mouth-watering array of sweet and savoury products. These cakes, pies, biscuits, dips, cooked meats and chutneys find their way into the café and onto the deli counter shelves.
The café has become a much appreciated meeting place in Dumfries and Galloway, valued not only for its fine, simple food and drinks but also for its quality of light, warmth and tranquillity. The café menu is simple, honest, hearty and wholesome.
The Cafe and Farmshop is open Monday-Saturday.
The Loch Arthur Community
Loch Arthur is a working Community which includes men and women with learning disabilities. There are eleven houses in which altogether more than 75 people live, including about twenty-eight people in supported tenancies. There is a farm, a large garden, a creamery, a bakery, craft workshops and a 
thriving farm shop and cafe.
Loch Arthur is a shared way of life in a modern rural Community which offers security as well as support for each other through the challenges of daily life. They are committed to the fulfilment of the individual through a diversity of relationships and activities which create authentic social integration.
Organica J will be at Loch Arthur Creamery and Farmshop on Saturday 22nd September 2018, to talk with customers and answer any questions they may have on the products Loch Arthur stock or general aromatherapy queries.
by Jacqui Christie | Jul 19, 2018 | Aromapothecary
I have been asked by a few clients recently about the problem of cellulite. It is an issue that is seen almost exclusively in women. Cellulite starts with a build-up of toxins that the body reacts to with water retention to try to dilute the toxins. The connective tissue and the fat cells then harden and traps the water, which causes the ‘orange peel’ effect.
Aromatherapy can be helpful for cellulite. I would recommend simultaneously looking at diet/nutrition and exercise in combination with aromatherapy. Aromatherapy treatment is not an overnight answer (as nothing really is for this stubborn condition), but rather a longer term approach. It all depends how long the condition has been present and how severe it is. But aromatherapy can be very effective and it is a pleasant treatment to undertake
Using self massage, you would be working to encourage your lymphatic system to work better, and to balance hormones. You can use a loofah, brush or perhaps a massage glove on the area. Brush gently but firmly towards the heart.
It has been found that stress also can affect cellulite, by increasing the retention of toxins in the body . Aromatherapy of course, can be fabulous for relaxation. Using oils such as sweet orange, lavender, geranium, neroli can be great for combating stress and to help the body to release toxins.
When working with aromatherapy and cellulite – it is beneficial to not stick with one particular blend, but keep the blend changing for optimum effect.
As well as self massage, you could consider visiting a specialised lymphatic drainage massage practitioner, and perhaps in between those sessions, if stress is a factor see a qualified aromatherapist for an aromatherapy massage to aid relaxation.
Aromatherapy oils that are helpful for cellulite would be black pepper, geranium, grapefruit, lemon, lime, rosemary or juniper.
A couple of suggested blends are
10ml Evening Primrose Oil with black pepper 1 drop, grapefruit 3 drops,
lemon 2 drops.
10ml evening primrose oil with rosemary 1 drop, geranium 2 drops, grapefruit
3 drops.
Use this blend daily to self-massage onto the skin, perhaps after bathing/showering and skin brushing.
For complex medical conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist or your medical professional.
by Jacqui Christie | Jul 19, 2018 | Essential Oil Top Ten Uses
Welcome to another of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This month we will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for Grapefruit essential oil. Working as a clinical aromatherapist, I use a lot for its anti-depressant and uplifting properties, but also I use it for the treatment/management of cellulite in blends as well.
It is a very ‘happy’ and ‘bright’ oil in my opinion and really helpful to use in the darker days. Here are what I think are its top ten uses.
For using essential oils for specific conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist.
1. Useful for stress and mild depression
2. Helpful for oily skin and acne
3. Can be helpful for cellulite
4. Is uplifiting & enlivening
5. Can be good to be used after exercise
6. A tonic on the skin
7. May be helpful with S.A.D condition
8. May be helpful for fluid retention
9. It can work as a detoxifier
10. It may be helpful to stimulate hair growth
The organic grapefruit essential oil that I hold in stock right now is Citrus Grandis. Grapefruit is a large tree with big fruit. Grapefruit oil is expressed from the peel of the fruit and is yellow to yellow-green or pale orange yellow. The scent is citrus and sweet. My current supplies are from USA
There is also available a full range of other aromatherapy essential oils, with information on their uses available in the essential oil category on the website. Always use on the body blended with a carrier/vegetable oil.
If you require further information on any oils, feel free to contact us by email or phone.
NB if you have a medical condition/take medications check with your GP and/or a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils.
by Jacqui Christie | Jul 19, 2018 | Spotlights
The Me I Want To Be Retreat Portugal 2018
Are you well?
Would you be even better if you knew you had a super special event all lined up for September?
I know you have been thinking about it, so if this is the year for you, this is your personal invitation to take that time for you ❤
With great flights into Faro this year’s September Retreat is starting to book up I’d like to offer a place to you 😊
I am not long back from my “re-con mission” and am delighted to report that I organised two hotels (yes twin centre retreat!) and the best yoga teacher: honestly, she “sung” us out of shavassana!
If you’re seeking a nurturing space to simply get away from it all, and find the clarity and tools to help you face the next chapter of your life then join us for 7 chilled out nights and 8 relaxing days, as you make the simple yet profound shifts to your true self~
THE ME I WANT TO BE. Exploring the greatest and grandest expression of you through a fusion of hypnosis, NLP, yoga, meditations, and ancient Egyptian wisdom.
Portugal is the perfect place to re-treat and tackle those life challenges you either don’t have time for, or have gotten too big to ignore.
Have a look at the itinerary-
– and let me know if you’d like to be kept in the loop / fancy chatting through the details with me, I’m on +4413398 87184, vicki.rebecca on Skype, or let me know if you prefer an add on Facebook or for me to give you a shout.
THE ME I WANT TO BE RETREAT: PORTUGAL 2018
Simple Shifts to Authentic Well-being
1st – 8th September 2018
by Jacqui Christie | May 23, 2018 | Aromapothecary
Aromapothecary logo image
With the changes in the weather from freezing cold to roasting hot – some of us have been caught out with the sun. So I thought it would be helpful to suggest some aromatherapy essential oil blends to soothe skin that has been in the sun or to replenish moisture after sun exposure.
It is, of course, preferable to always use sun cream with a good spf before going into the sun and limit your time in the sun. These blends can be used as replenishment for skin, this is ideal. Sometimes however we need to soothe the skin as well. So here are some suggestions for you:-
Essential oils that can be helpful – tea tree, lavender, roman or german chamomile, carrot seed, frankincense, peppermint.
Sun exposure
Carrier oils to use: calendula macerate, jojoba, sesame and aloe vera gel. If no further sun exposure is to be had, ie overnight – St Johns Wort macerate can be soothing.
One suggested blend would be 10ml calendula macerate, 5ml jojoba, 5ml sesame, 10ml aloe vera gel with 8 drops lavender, 2 drops roman chamomile, 2 drops tea tree, 1 drop german chamomile, 1 drop peppermint.
Another possible blend would be 10ml calendula macerate and 20ml aloe vera gel. 9 drops lavender, 3 drops carrot seed, 3 drops frankincense, 2 drops roman chamomile, 1 drop peppermint.
Lavender and Lavender essential oil
To mix the blends use a spoon or a stirring stick to stir to blend the oils and gel completely before use on the skin. You can of course experiment with the suggested oils, but keep to the quantities suggested for safe usage.
I hope these aromatherapy oil blends to soothe skin after sun exposure are helpful to re – mositurise, calm and protect skin.
If your skin is red and tight, then it may be preferable to use a couple of drops of pure lavender on the area first, as that is an emergency treatment for minor burns, then use one of the blends thereafter. You may need someone to help you if the sunburn is on your back.
For severely damaged or burnt skin always seek medical advice. For complex medical conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist or your medical professional.
by Jacqui Christie | May 23, 2018 | Essential Oil Top Ten Uses
Welcome to another of our Top Ten Uses! This month as its comfrey harvest time, we thought we’d look at one of our top selling products – comfrey ointment.
We have had so much feedback over the years from clients on our comfrey ointment, which we make from our own comfrey macerate (wild crafted comfrey herb in organic sunflower oil). The comfrey is gathered by us, by hand, from a private, protected piece of ground in North East Scotland. Here are some helpful uses for our Comfrey Ointment.
1. Hacks in hands and feet.
2. Helpful for over used or tense muscles
3. After a sprain or strain
4. Ligament or tendon issues.
5. To ease pain in joints, eg fingers, shoulders, knees
6. Bed sores
7. Minor wounds
8. Scar tissue
9. Eczema-prone skin
10. After fractures & breaks (supports the muscle and tissue structure around the break or fracture)
In ancient times the herb was called ‘knitbone’,’ all heal’ or ‘woundwort’.
On the skin, comfrey is an emollient, soothing and was used to heal scars and blemishes. It was also said to promote a youthful complexion.
Dioscorides, a greek physician, who wrote ‘Materia Medica’ in 50AD used the herb to heal wounds and broken bones. The Latin name ‘symphytum’ means ‘heal together’
It is now believed that the allatoin (a main component of comfrey) is responsible for the growth and multiplication of skin cells.
We use the comfrey macerate in our Comfrey Ointment, but also in our Gardener’s Hand Balm, Herbal Foot Balm, Reflexology Foot Balm, Skin SOS Balm.
If you feel this ointment would be useful for you, you can buy it here from Organica J. Please call or email us if you require any further information on our products. I am a qualified Aromatherapist (BSc) and happy to help.
This ointment is to be used topically only. For complex medical conditions & pregnancy always contact a qualified aromatherapist or your GP.
by Jacqui Christie | Apr 11, 2018 | Comfrey
Gardeners Hand Balm is one of our best selling products, which contains our own hand harvested comfrey. Great for this time of year for all gardening hands. Many customers are not gardeners, but love using this extra rich moisturising balm for restoring skin on all types of hands.
Great healing & moisturising for hands that may be:
- cut,
- grazed,
- chapped,
- roughened
- dry
- sore
- or simply exhausted.
Recommended to use as a treatment for tired hands at the end of the day. Keep by your bedside. After application this very rich, nourishing balm soaks into your skin to moisturise, soothe and protect. Our own wildcrafted comfrey is one of the main ingredients in the balm, which helps your skin regenerate while the organic essential oils heal, soothe and protect. Lavender for its antiseptic and skin healing properties, rose geranium is so balancing for all types of skin, and lemon to give a protective antiseptic & bactericidal properties. We get so many clients feeding back that they notice
after a few days application how different their hands feel. A little goes a very long way with the Balm. As it is so rich, only a small amount needs to be used in each application, and makes this an economic, as well as highly effective hand balm.
We also have many customers who like to use this for hands that have rheumatism and arthritis as the comfrey and lavender in the balm can be extremely helpful for these conditions with regular use.
We don’t use any preservatives in the Gardeners Hand Balm, as they are not necessary. We use organic rosemary extract as an anti-oxidant for promoting the Balms longevity. So you can be assured that you are using a totally natural product.
The Gardeners Hand Balm is available in a 60ml glass jar, ideal for recycling.
Ingredients: *helianthus annus (sunflower), ~symphytum spp. (comfrey leaf), *prunus dulcis (sweet almond), *cera alba (beeswax), *triticum vulgare (wheatgerm), *lavandula angustifolia (lavender), * pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium), *citrus limon (lemon), *rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary extract), citral, geraniol, citronellol, limonene, linalool. (from essential oils).
* organic ingredient ~ wildcrafted ingredient
