Face creams handcrafted by Wendy Gardner
As a woman of a certain age, hair thinning is starting to be an issue. And yes it may be normal, but there are essential oils for hair loss and alopecia, as well as oils that help hair and hair growth. And as an aromatherapist who trained with Gabriel Mojay in 2003, essential oils are … Read more
A rose and a cactus fell in love. They understood each other’s thorns. – Lucas Cactus flowers, since they bloom in harsh conditions, are symbols of the power of enduring all things, no matter how hard they are. They remind us to stay strong , and that we can endure. But who would think that … Read more
When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied. Herophilus Let me introduce you to Gynostemma or Jiaogulan. It’s not known of in the West, but in the East, it’s been used as tea and medicine for thousands of years. Inside the … Read more
Natural Perfume and Menopause- Julie Nelson – “Our sense of smell is our most powerful sense and has a direct link to the limbic brain, once known as the smell brain or survival brain. When we inhale a scent that we resonate with we are immediately emotionally uplifted. We experience a shift in mindset, moods … Read more
When I think of gold, King Tut’s beautiful mask comes to mind. Au, so beautiful. Humans have been mesmerized by the lustre and colour of gold for thousands of years. Gold flakes were found in Palaeolithic caves dating back as far as 40,000 B.C and the Pyramids of Giza were topped with solid gold capstones. … Read more
Jackie O said, ‘Pearls are always appropriate’. Lady Sarah Churchill said she felt undressed without them. Grace Kelly called them the ‘queen of gems and the gem of queens’. Cleopatra loved them, your granny probably wore a necklace of them to her wedding and now they’re available in modern cosmetics. This isn’t just some modern … Read more
Shea butter is such an interesting ingredient. Although it is grown in sunny Africa, it’s one of the best things for your skin during winter if you live someplace snowy with extreme low temperatures and wind, someplace like Canada. Make no sense. Why would an ingredient from a country that never snows (Ghana) work … Read more
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Pomegranates have been symbols of prosperity, fertility and abundance since antiquity. Leonardo da Vinci painted them. They appear in Greek mythology and as decorations in King Solomon’s Temple. Queen Hatshepsut even buried her butler with one. Pomegranates make a yellow dye that has been used for Persian carpets and Moroccan leather. And … Read more
Take a journey by rail in the Summer and you’ll spot Buddleja growing alongside the rails and in cracks in old buildings. This tenacity to thrive through difficult circumstances gives you a clue of its chemical constituents. And yes, those are really powerful for skincare. Read on. Buddleja is part of the same plant family … Read more
What is retinol? Retinol is a synthetic form of Vitamin A touted by dermatologists for its anti-ageing power. It’s used to reduce wrinkles, zits and hyperpigmentation by rapidly increases cell turnover. This leads to thinning of the upper layers of skin, leading to dryness, redness, flaking, peeling as well as increased light sensitivity. This is … Read more
Psoriasis Psoriasis is estimated to affect about a million people in the UK. Aromatherapists, by the very nature of their profession, encounter skin issues on a daily basis. Like most skin conditions, there tends to be no quick easy cure, as the skin condition is a reflection of deeper internal issues that need to be … Read more
Natural remedies for Eczema (Dermatitis) Eczema is a problem for 10% of the population. The name is derived from a Greek word meaning ‘to boil’. What an apt description of a skin rash which is inflamed, red, itchy and possibly weeping and scabbed. Many opt for corticosteroid creams which promise short term relief, but … Read more