Thursday, June 30, 2011
First Aid Ointment Comes from Calendula Flowers
It seems my kids spend the summer getting bumped and bruised. Can you recommend a natural remedy to treat all those boo boos? --P.E., Clackamus, Oregon
Answer: Yes, I have just the thing. Not too long ago, a friend of mine took a nasty spill while riding her bicycle. She shared the details of what happened with me, and today, I will share her story with you. My friend's next-door neighbor asked politely how she was doing after the minor accident, and she confessed to her neighbor that everything hurt.
"I have just the thing," the neighbor responded and dunked inside her house, emerging a moment later with a jar of calendula cream. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an herb that has been used safely all over the world for centuries, specifically for wound healing.
My friend decided to give her neighbor's cream a try, since she trusted the source. She trusted her because the lady had raised five teenagers who played every sport from soccer to volleyball. If this stuff came with the soccer mom's seal of approval, it had to be effective.
As my friend relayed her story to me, I became excited to write about it too, since there are no prescription drugs or salves that do all that Calendula can. My friend dabbed the cream on her bruises and scrapes, took a nap and woke up significantly better. Within days, she was as good as new.
This inspired me to research calendula. I wish I knew about it when my children were young. A few European studies have concluded calendula to help soothe wounds and improve healing. It has antifungal, antiviral, and even anti-tumor properties! I think calendula would be fantastic for cradle cap and diaper rashes, or any rash for that matter. You can use it on minor burns, sunburn, bedsores, eczema and poison ivy. A small study proved it can ease the pain of radiation-induced dermatitis.
Calendula may improve acne too. Health food stores and online retailers sell calendula in cream, lotions, ointments or tinctures. You'll see various brands and companies selling it, a few of which include Boiron, Weleda, California Baby and Hyland's.
If you are creating a first-aid cabinet, I highly recommend you include Calendula. Put it next to your hydrocortisone and tea tree oil. Calendula is so safe you can literally eat the eat the beautiful yellow flowers from which the cream is made, so long as you're not allergic to flowers in the daisy or marigold family.
Calendula extract imparts a beautiful yellow color, so it's used as a natural coloring agent in cuisines around the world. Lately, I've been buying the fresh (and edible version) of flowers from my natural grocer to garnish salads and soups. It makes for a delicious conversation piece at my dinner table.
For great Calendula based products try these: Lavera, Weleda, First Aid and browse more here
Source: Suzy Cohen, Pharmicist
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Future Is Looking Rosy!
Award-winning online organic beauty boutique, Lucy Rose, has launched The Lucy Rose Beauty Club, which will give all of its customers the opportunity to collect Rose Reward Points to offset against future organic beauty purchases.
www.lucyrose.biz sells an abundance of hand-picked naturally gorgeous beauty brands which are completely free from chemical nasties, none are tested on animals and all the ingredients are organic and natural. Now for every purchase made over £15, registered Lucy Rose Beauty Club members will receive 1 Rose Reward Point for each £1 spent. 100 Rose Reward Points will be credited as a £5 gift voucher to use against any future purchase at the Lucy Rose website.
Better still, all purchases come with free P&P within the UK and for most deliveries, will arrive the next day. There is a sample service so that you can ‘try before you buy’ and the five star rated customer service means that you will receive immediate personal responses to any questions that you have or advice that you require.
Lucy Rose has a growing selection of well known organic brands such as Green People, Lavera, Jason, Weleda and Burt’s Bees and new brands such as BM Beauty mineral makeup, launched by ex Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt. All are carefully selected to be genuinely natural and organic.
The benefits of organic beauty don’t just stop at a rosy ‘natural’ glow; at the Lucy Rose organic beauty one-stop-shop, the new Rose Reward Points mean you can earn yourself an irresistible organic treat which is as good for the body as it is for the soul!
Join Now!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Lucy Rose - Natural Health Best Retail Website
“We have witnessed an unerring commitment from the founders of Lucy Rose in not only offering an ever-increasing selection of the best possible natural beauty brands, but also providing customers with the best service possible. This has included building lasting relationships via e-newsletters, Twitter, Facebook and a recently launched blog.
Lucy Rose is also able to offer a ‘live’ customer service facility and the customer testimonials speak for themselves. We are delighted to recognise the immense devotion of the Lucy Rose team, which reflects our own passion for spreading the word and engaging people in natural beauty and everything it stands for – great natural products which are good for the environment, great for our skin, scientifically proven to be effective and cruelty-free.”
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Dr Bronners Enters Grocery Market
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps is expanding into the grocery aisle with new coconut oil. Dr. Bronner's Magic "All-One" Fair Trade and Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is fresh-pressed, unrefined and offered in two varieties: "white kernel" and "whole kernel", PR Newswire reports. Dr. Bronner's oil can be used for stir-frying, soups, sauces, baking, deserts and body care. Whole kernel oil, which is made from the coconut kernel with the inside skin left on, is more nutritious and has a slightly nuttier flavor, whereas white kernel oil offers a more familiar choice to consumers who are familiar with this grade. Both oils have the same culinary and body care uses, and are both certified organic and fair trade.
Dr. Bronner's new coconut oil is produced at Serendipol (Pvt) Ltd. in Sri Lanka's coconut triangle. The company has converted some 500 growers to organic practices, improving soil fertility and increasing yields. The production staff has grown to 160 workers who enjoy working conditions and compensation uncommon in the industry. The fair trade premium paid by Serendipol's customers, which averages US$250,000 per year, is administered by a broad-based committee and funds a range of community development projects, hospital equipment, school facilities and books, water and electricity supply.
Source: PR Newswire
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S - New Instore
The secret of Barefoot Botanicals success lies in advanced formulations, which combine the best of cutting-edge science with a thousand years of herbal wisdom. The ingredients are carefully sourced to provide high performance with powerful therapeutic benefits without sacrificing ethical integrity.
Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S is a lifeline for sufferers of dry, irritated skin. Its advanced therapeutic formulas are gentle enough for babies, children and adults, and every product is also suitable for those with eczema, psoriasis, or withdrawing from steroid treatment.
Find out more about Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S products.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Why men are turning to organic skincare
For men, skin care is a mere afterthought. Beyond the world of shaving their faces, it is rare for a man to devote time to his skin. Yeah right! These days, skin care is no longer just a woman's concern. We are in the 21st century, and the pressure is on for man to take care of himself. Men are increasingly aware and concerned about the health of their skin. More men than ever are interested in taking care of their skin, and ensuring that they maintain their youthful looks for as long as possible.
Man's blooming desire for beautiful skin is an 8 billion dollar industry. So why are men beginning to catch up with women's interest in beauty products?
Most importantly, everyone wants to retain youthful skin for as long as possible. Along with drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet, moisturizing and nurturing the skin is the best way to grow old gracefully.
As we mature, the elastic and collagen, which is the connective tissues that give skin its firmness and elasticity, begin to disappear. Proper skin care is essential to keep this process at bay for as long as possible.
Why Natural and Organic?
More and more men are reacting to the synthetic chemicals used by many high street brands of male grooming products. Therefore they are turning to natural formulations free from unnecessary synthetic ingredients, which will be absorbed by the body.
Switching to organic food in order to avoid consuming toxins is a popular choice. People are also becoming aware that what is put on the skin will always make its way into the blood stream. That means that if skin care products are full of chemicals, they will eventually be flowing through the body. Since the skin can be a mirror for what is going on in the body, the chemicals may once again show up on the skin. It also means that the liver has to work harder to process them.
Organic, chemical free moisturiser means no toxins for the body to deal with, and ultimately, healthier skin.
Organic Products Can Revolutionize Shaving
Nearly 80 percent of men say shaving irritates their skin. Razor burn is actually often "product" burn. Many of the products that are designed for men are poorly formulated and contain far too many irritating ingredients.
These skin irritants make the hair follicle and skin swell, forcing the hair up and away from the skin, supposedly allowing for a closer shave. Unfortunately, the irritation and resulting swelling cause some of the hair to be hidden by the swollen follicle and skin. The swollen skin makes it harder for the stubble to find its way back out. If the hair begins to grow (which it does almost immediately) before the swelling is reduced, the likelihood of ingrown hairs is increased.
Shaving with a razor abrades the skin enough to cause havoc, but then men typically splash an aftershave lotion with irritating ingredients over that broken skin. Think of splashing chemicals on a cut or scrape on your body.
Most organic products are mild and won't irritate the skin, even if there is abrasion.
Conscious products for Conscious Men
Other natural products that men are choosing to use are soaps and shower gels. Aluminum and parabens have been linked to cancer and other health complaints, but deodorants free of them are available specially formulated for men.
Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/024258_beauty_products_health_chemicals.html
Check out these great natural and organic mens grooming products which are organic, natural and effective.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Kimberly Wyatt Exclusive Interview
LR: What led you to set up BM Beauty?
KW: I've always had a passion for makeup and am very passionate about inspiring positive change in people and consumers! Starting BM Beauty with my partner Laura McComiskie has been a FUN journey and I've learned a lot along the way!!
LR: What does the name BM Beauty stand for?
KW: BM stands for Beautiful Movements. www.BeautifulMovements.com is a place for self-expression where people listen, relate, and learn about self worth. Together we, the BM Family, encourage growth through love, compassion, and positive action. BM Beauty stands for the same, leading by example through positive change.
Read more here...
You can order all these fab BM natural mineral make up products now and save 10% off the RRP!