Aromatherapy for the elderly

Aromapothecary by Organica J Using aromatherapy for the elderly can be incredibly rewarding for both the giver and the recipient.  As part of my degree in complementary therapy with a focus on aromatherapy, I did part of the clinical training in a Care Home for the elderly.  It was one of the best experiences of my training.  It was amazing how little aromatherapy treatment gave incredibly pleasing results for people.

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Mandarin Essential Oil – Top Ten Uses

Essential oil, mandarin, organic

Red Mandarin pure essential oil

Welcome to another of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This month we will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for Mandarin essential oil.  Its one of the oils that we use in our Sweet Orange Heaven Blend and in a new product that I will launch later this year.   Working as a clinical aromatherapist, I use it often in my therapeutic treatments with clients and these are the top ten uses that I would reach for Mandarin oil for.

For using essential oils for specific conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist. (more…)

Relax, De-stress – Take Christmas In Your Stride

aroma-pothecaryRelax in an aromatherapy bath and feel the stress of the run up to Christmas fade away as you  enjoy the calming essential oils.  Taking a little time out to take care of yourself this year, can make things so much more manageable at this busy time of year.  I have never heard a client saying that they regret taking time for themselves to recharge, but I often hear them saying that they come the bottom of the list when it comes to taking ‘me’ time and then they start to struggle as they are tired.

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Gardeners & Cooks Soap – New for Christmas 2016

We are very proud to introduce a new product for Christmas 2016 our Gardeners & Cooks soap.   Customers were asking for a soap that was both citrus and exfoliant, and so here it is!

The soap is still very gentle on skin using our traditional and fully natural/organic soap base of organic olive oil, coconut, palm (sustainable) and sunflower oils.  It is a hard cake of soap with a soft lather, which lasts and lasts and doesn’t turn into jelly (unless left sitting in water of course).  It contains essential oils of lemon and lime, which are excellent for using in a kitchen environment, as well as the bathroom.  They provide a refreshing, cleansing fragrance and are reputed to have disinfectant and antiseptic properties.

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Thyme Essential Oil – Top Ten Uses

essential oil thyme

Thyme pure essential oil

Welcome to another of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This month we will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for Thyme essential oil.  Its one of the oils that we are using in our Midges & Mozzie Balm, but you will find it also has many more valuable properties.  As well as being helpful for you when the bugs are about.   Working as a clinical aromatherapist, I use it a lot in my therapeutic treatments with clients and these are the top ten uses that I would reach for Thyme oil for.  For using essential oils for specific conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist.

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Lime Essential Oil – Top Ten Uses

Lime Essential OilWelcome to another of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This week we will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for Lime essential oil.  Its one of the oils that we are using in a new product that we are launching next month and it is a very handy oil to have.

Many of the uses are similar to lemon essential oil, in fact it is often used its place.  I find that both essential oils have their place in different situations.

We use lime essential oil in our very popular Gardeners & Cooks Soap.  It is a perfect addition for its protective qualities.

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Essential Oils for Sunburn

aroma-pothecaryAt this time of year and we are either exposed more to the sun here in the UK or are also heading abroad for a holiday in the sun.  Our skin can need extra care at these times.  Many ask me about skin that has been in the sun too long and has sunburn.  You can easily create your own aftersun blend to take on holiday with you or just use at home.

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Comfrey Uses and History

Comfrey Macerate 2014There are a myriad of Comfrey uses and history, we would like to share some with you here.

In ancient times the herb was called ‘knitbone’,’ all heal’ or ‘woundwort’ and was used topically for healing cuts, bruises, fractures, sprains, injured tendons/ligaments, sores and skin ulcers.

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.
The medium we use for maceration is organic sunflower oil, as a rich oil full of vitamins and moisturising.  Our comfrey oil macerate is effective for use in massage and can be easily blended with other carrier oils and essential oils can be added.

We use comfrey oil macerate regularly in our clinical aromatherapy practice,  for clients for which comfrey oil would be effective and approriate for their individual needs.   All our products are only suitable for topical use.

For further information here are three links to research papers on comfrey ointment. (1), (2), (3).

Our own comfrey uses – we  have 6 products which contain our own wildcrafted comfrey from Aberdeenshire, Scotland – the comfrey oil macerated in organic sunflower,comfrey ointment,gardener’s hand balm, herbal foot balm,reflexology balm and Skin SOS Balm.

The comfrey is harvested by hand from deep within the rural countryside here in Aberdeenshire. We have permissions to access a private piece of controlled land for the harvest.  It is free from artificial fertilizers, pesticides and the comfrey grows completely naturally in its own environment.  The harvest took place this year in May and June 2016 and we choose the optimum conditions for harvesting the plant as early in the season as we can (finding consecutive dry days can be challenging!).  The harvest is fully sustainable and damages no part of the land.

Comfrey Ointment – the wildcrafted comfrey is harvested by us in Aberdeenshire and macerated in organic sunflower oil to create a wonderfully rich and powerful oil. This oil is lovingly combined with other organically grown ingredients to make what we believe is a truly premium product

Gardeners Hand Balm – Great repair and deep moisturising for cut, grazed, dry or rough hands.

Herbal Foot Balm – Excellent regeneration and deep nourishment for overworked and/or damaged feet at the end of the day.

Reflexology Balm – Tested and used by reflexologists.  This product was made by request and has been so popular.  Many reflexologists also use the herbal foot balm too.

Skin SOS Balm – The Skin SOS Balm was developed following many requests from customers for a product that would specifically help with scars, and skin issues.  It contains a rich blend of powerful organic carrier oils and essential oils, which can be helpful on scars, also on psoriasis and eczema-prone skin.  After much testing it was found also to be helpful for use on new tattoos and after tattoo removal.  Protective, calming and regenerating.

Look out for more comfrey uses and history in future  blog posts

All our organic products are handcrafted by our highly qualified aromatherapist (BSc in Complementary Therapies (Aromatherapy), Member of the International Federation of Professsional Aromatherapists)

Citronella – Top Ten Uses

Citronella Essential OilWelcome to another of Organica J’s Top Ten Uses! This week we will be focusing on 10 helpful uses for Citronella essential oil.  Its one of the oils that we use in our newly launched Midges & Mozzie Balm which is excellent for use on skin and is incredibly soothing.  Don’t be without it citronella oil or the Midges & Mozzie Balm at any summer barbecue, camping trip, hill walking and other outside events.  For using essential oils for specific conditions always contact a qualified aromatherapist.

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