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Newsletter - December 2006

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and once again we must prepare for all the hustle and bustle that the festive season brings. Will you be ready in time this year - have you shopped for all the prezzies, ordered your turkey, put up the tree, fixed those blasted lights (again) and organised loads of parties?

If, like me, you haven't even made a start yet, then our tips on using aromatherapy to enjoy a stress-free Christmas will probably come in very handy over the next few hectic weeks!

In our special feature 'Seasons Essentials', we show how aromatherapy really can help make Christmas the relaxing and enjoyable holiday of peace and goodwill it is meant to be. There are recipes for calming you down, pepping you up and fragrancing your home. If you imbibe in too much Christmas Spirit we even have a recipe to help clear your hangover too!

In last months Newsletter, our senior aromatherapist Sue showed how to protect and care for your hands throughout the winter, and this month she finishes the job with some professional tips for improving the condition of your nails. If you make a start today you should have truly dazzling digits by Christmas!

Speaking of which, since the season of goodwill is approaching we asked Geoff to choose a 'festive' essential oil for his monthly Profile. After a little bit of cajoling he eventually came up with the perfect oil for the Yuletide season - Myrrh. Do you know why it was so valuable that it was considered fit for a 'king'?

And finally, shop smart this year and avoid all the hassle, hustle and bustle by shopping online with Quinessence! If you are stuck for gift ideas and have yet to start shopping for those special presents, take a look at this month's Special Offer which includes a FREE hand-made 24 Space Essential Oil Storage Box when you buy our Relaxing Aromatherapy Kit. An absolute must-have for aromatherapy lovers!

Relaxing Aromatherapy Kit Offer!

This is definitely our most generous Special Offer - ever! So if you are still looking for the perfect Christmas present for a friend or loved one who enjoys aromatherapy, then your search is over.

When you purchase this stress-busting Aromatherapy Kit for only £132.99, you will also receive a fantastic hand-made Alderwood 24 Space Essential Oil Storage Box worth £20.99

This bumper-sized collection of relaxing aromatherapy products is actually worth £148.40 – so not only will you have made a saving of over 10% off the original price, you will also receive a FREE Alderwood Storage Box - and this price even includes delivery to your door!

The perfect solution for a stress-free Christmas - plus absolutely everything needed to enjoy true aromatherapy is included in this unrepeatable offer;-

	Essential Oils 5ml		Carriers & Accessories
•	Bergamot	•	Rosehip oil 30ml
•	Cedar Atlas	•	Grapeseed oil 100ml
•	Clary Sage	•	Carrier Lotion Base 100ml
•	Cypress	•	Vit E Cream Base 100ml
•	Eucalyptus	•	Bath Dispersant 100ml
•	Frankincense	•	Amber Glass Bottles 5x5ml
•	Geranium	•	Luxury Body Mop
•	Grapefruit	•	Aromatherapy Music CD
•	Juniper Needle	•	Sandalwood Tea Lights
•	Lemon	•	Lavender Tea-Lights
•	Marjoram Sweet	•	Frankincense Incense Sticks
•	Melissa Blend	•	Incense Stick Ash Catcher
•	Petitgrain	•	FREE 24 Space Storage Box
•	Ravensara	•	Price includes delivery
•	Rosemary
•	Tea Tree
•	Ylang Ylang
•	Relaxing Synergy
•	Stress Synergy

The attractive hand-made storage box is made of Alder wood and has a natural satin finish that will accessorize and blend perfectly in your bathroom or bedroom etc. Featuring a handy brass clasp, this useful Storage Box will hold 24 x 10ml or 5ml bottles of essential oils, protecting them from heat and sunlight, thereby keeping them in perfect condition.

But you must hurry - since this is a very special offer it is strictly limited to the first 100 customers who place their order. Order yours today to save over 10% on this bumper-sized Relaxing Aromatherapy Kit - and claim your FREE Alderwood 24 Space Storage Box - before the offer ends!

Seasons Essentials

Ready or not, life steps up a gear now as Christmas hurtles headlong towards us. And whilst it should really be a time for celebration, all that worrying about getting the right presents for everybody, arranging the Christmas dinner and preparing all the parties is bound to send your stress levels soaring.

So this year, invite the cheering and welcoming scent of Christmas into your home and keep the stress at bay with just your essential oils and a little imagination. Follow our easy to use aromatherapy tips and I promise you will be able to take everything in your stride - and maybe even recapture some of the lost magic of Christmas too!

Countdown to Christmas

At the first sign of festive fatigue get out your essential oils and start blending! A soothing mix of Lavender, Grapefruit and Ginger essential oils in equal proportions quickly dispels a Christmas panic attack, and smells gorgeous too. If brain-fade kicks in and you are having trouble focusing on all your priorities, a few drops each of Rosemary, Basil and Lavender should help bring a little clarity to the situation.

Shopping for gifts and groceries in overcrowded stores can be exhausting and often sends your stress levels soaring, so if you plan to shop 'till you drop, a soothing and refreshing aromatherapy footbath will bring blissful relief when you get home. Just one drop each of cooling and refreshing Peppermint, Rosemary and Lavender added to a warm footbath will quickly soothe and revive those tired tootsies and have you back on your feet in no time at all.

Festive Fragrancing

Christmas provides the perfect excuse to over-indulge not only in food and drink, but fragrance too! Spice oils such as Cinnamon, Clove and Nutmeg all invoke a fantastic Christmassy atmosphere. They blend perfectly with citrus oils such as Mandarin and Sweet Orange, so you can experiment to your hearts content.

If you prefer an artificial Christmas tree, try some Pine or Silver Fir oil to bring a touch of nature into your home without all the falling needles. For a little more variation try adding a drop of another tree oil such as Cypress or Cedar Virginian, and even a splash of citrus oil such as Grapefruit to give the fragrance a bit more freshness.

You can use the oil in your vaporiser, or alternatively put 50mls of water in a water-spray, add 5 drops of essential oil and shake the mixture. Keep shaking whilst you spray the tree, and be sure to avoid spraying near any expensive polished wooden surfaces. If you don't have a water spray simply put a few drops of oil on to a tissue and place it at the base of the tree to produce a refreshing pine forest!

If you want elegance as well as fragrance in a room then remember that scented candles never fail to produce a totally joyous and relaxing atmosphere. Of course, candles traditionally symbolise the birth of Jesus, so what better reason could there be to use them at Christmas. If you are stuck for an inexpensive gift for a friend, then a candle can be just the thing to bring joy and fragrance into their lives too.

Soak it up

Start the day on Christmas morning with a nice relaxing bath to set the mood for the forthcoming days festivities. To set the mood put on some relaxing music, add 3 drops of Sandalwood and 2 drops of Rose to a nice warm bath and soak yourself for 15 minutes - ahhh, absolute heaven! This ultra relaxing blend will at least ensure that you have a nice peaceful start to the day and should keep you a happy bunny, at least until lunchtime . . . . . .

Next, vaporise some oils around the house whilst you make preparations for the Christmas dinner or get ready for the party games. Frankincense has a soothing and calming effect if the children (or adults) are getting over-excited and chaos is breaking out all around you! After the Christmas dinner when energies are lower and things start flagging, try using a few drops of Lemon, Orange or Grapefruit to give everyone a reviving boost. Alternatively of course, you could just let everyone sleep whilst you have a well earned rest!

Mix it up

Parties are all about atmosphere and fun, so don't be afraid to be daring with your essential oil mixes. Some people are quite shy, so using relaxing and balancing oils such as Lavender and Geranium will create a warm, friendly and inviting ambience. Christmas celebrations can often lead to romance so if you want to create the right atmosphere for smooching, choose some seductive oils such as Ylang Ylang, Rose, Neroli, Sandalwood or Patchouli.

Be adventurous and create a different fragrance in each room for your guests - use Frankincense to create a quiet and peaceful space, and for the athletic dancers you can juice things up with Grapefruit, Lime or Lemon. If you don't have more than one vaporiser just add a few drops of essential oil to a wreath, cotton wool balls or tissue paper, and place them discreetly around your rooms. Simply let your imagination run free this Christmas and you will have all your friends singing your praises right into the New Year.

Whatever you do this Yuletide, remember to use your essential oils in a creative way and you are sure to have a stress-free, relaxing holiday. Remember - at the first signs of panic reach for your oils and hydrosols and you will be sure to survive yet another Season of Goodwill!

The Nail Files!

Last month we showed you how to protect your hands from the approaching winter weather, so to complete the job this month we will be revealing how aromatherapy can help care for your nails too. These tips should come in very handy with the prospect of all that Xmas washing-up and cleaning to do!

Most of us girls worry about splitting, brittle nails and crave for the regular hand massages, manicures and nail beauty routines the movie stars indulge in. The only problem is it can be so costly to coax your nails into a better condition. So unless Santa brings you a voucher for half a dozen treatments at your local salon we will have to find another way to pamper those hard-working pinkies.

Finger Tips

First, some common sense - always protect your hands and nails from hot water by using rubber gloves, and above all else avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners that can damage the nail plate. Continual damage from chemicals can lead to onycholysis - separation of the natural nail plate from the nail bed which lies underneath. Remove your nail polish with a mild, acetone-free remover since acetone can strip the delicate layers of your nails.

If you have sore skin around the nails avoid using nail varnish that contains formaldehyde since this is harsh to nails and skin. Add 1 drop of Tea Tree to 5mls of carrier oil or base cream and gently massage the damaged skin to prevent infection.

Nail moisturising treatments

There are several carrier oils that are commonly used in aromatherapy that are just perfect for moisturising dry, cracked, brittle and splitting nails. Whilst treating out-of- condition nails over the years, I have discovered several carrier oils used in aromatherapy that can bring about a miraculous improvement in their condition.

Carrier oils such as Avocado (unrefined), Borage, Coconut, Jojoba, Macadamia, Rosehip and Wheatgerm oils are all ideal for this purpose due to their highly effective softening and moisturising properties. Aromatherapy base creams can also be used to moisturise your nails, and ones containing any of the vegetable oils above should be your first choice.

Simply choose one of your oils from this list and gently massage a dab into your nails every day, paying particular attention to the cuticles. This simple tip will help to keep your nails flexible, and the surrounding skin in good condition - providing of course that you repeat the treatment religiously. Like many beauty treatments, the secret to success lies in maintaining a regular treatment regime.

Essential help

If your nails are really in a bad way and in need of a more dynamic treatment, then add some essential oils to your carrier oil, base cream or base lotion and they will work their wonders on your damaged digits. Essential oils such as Elemi, Frankincense, Galbanum, Lavender and Myrrh will all give a boost to damaged nails when used as part of your regular treatment routine. You only need 1 drop of essential oil to 5ml of your chosen aromatherapy carrier base for this purpose.

Use an empty 10ml bottle to make an effective essential synergy containing 1 drop of Myrrh and 1 drop of Elemi in your chosen carrier - cream bases are the best really. Another very effective blend is 1 drop of Frankincense and 1 drop of Myrrh mixed in your carrier. During 20 years of treatments in my clinic I have found these oils to consistently produce the very best results, - but don't be afraid to experiment with your oils and find what works best for you.

To help prevent splitting, chipping and breaking nails, you should use our intensive aromatherapy treatment at least twice a week. Regular use of this routine will bring excellent results to your troublesome nails, helping to actually strengthen them over time. Of course you must make sure that you are eating a balanced diet to ensure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals.

Revitalising nail treatment

Soak your nails for about 5 minutes in a bowl of warm water to which you have added a slice of lemon or 1 drop of Lemon essential oil. This softens the nails and makes them more porous in readiness for your massage. Then, dry your hands and apply a small amount of your blend to each nail, massaging in small circular movements over the nail and surrounding skin.

After the oil or cream has been completely absorbed, use a cotton-bud to gently ease back the cuticles and reveal your 'moons'. Take care not to apply too much pressure during this part of the treatment.

Use this treatment at least twice a week until your nails have visibly improved in condition, after which you can cut back to once a week. It may seem like a bit of a chore at first, but the results are well worth the extra effort, believe me.

Take care, and I look forward to seeing you again next time.

New Quinessence Products

If you have not visited our site for a while then you may be unaware of the recent additions we have made to our Aromatherapy Collection. Many of these items were requested by you, our customers - so be sure to keep those suggestions coming!

Several brand new product ranges have been introduced to our Collection such as Relaxing Music CD's, Incense Sticks, and Biosun Ear Candles. We have also added a selection of really effective Beauty Tools to help you look your best at all times, plus a handy range of Massage Tools to keep your body in tip top condition too.

During the next few months we will be adding even more new products to our Aromatherapy Collection, so be sure to call back and check them out.

This months newcomers include three additions to our scented Candle Collection, plus a hand made Indian Soapstone Burner. If you are searching around for some inexpensive Christmas gifts, these should fit the bill perfectly.

Frankincense & Myrrh Tin Candle

The sacred and symbolic combination of Frankincense and Myrrh are brought together in this delightful and attractive tin candle that evokes the true Spirit of Christmas. Sweet and resinous, the mysterious and alluring fragrance of these two revered aromatic treasures soothes and uplifts the mind, bringing peace and tranquility into your home.

Cinnamon & Ginger Tin Candle

Spicy Cinnamon and warming Ginger are infused in this irresistible tin candle which is bursting with seasonal spirit. The wonderfully rich, warm and spicy aroma is just the thing to bring a golden glow to your home as the cold winter evenings draw in.

Lavender Tea Lights

Place these Lavender scented Tea Lights around your home to create a soothing, calming atmosphere and also add lovely romantic accents of light. Attractively packaged, these Lavender Tea Lights are slow burning and will diffuse the wonderful gentle aroma of Lavender for 5 hours.

Soapstone Burner

This stylish Soapstone Burner is handmade in India by craftsmen, using the finest natural soapstone. Featuring a unique hand-carved vine motif, this delightful burner also has a much deeper lid than usual which means it can be used for longer without the need to continually refill the water. Supplied complete with a nightlight candle and instructions for use.

 

Oil Profile - Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

At this time of year it is hard to think of Christmas without recalling the passage from the Bible describing the three wise men bringing gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense to the baby Jesus. It is staggering to think that in those days, myrrh and frankincense were considered as precious as gold.

Highly esteemed throughout the Middle East, myrrh was used as an ingredient in incenses, cosmetics, perfumes, medicines and played a key role in the embalming process. Along with frankincense, elemi, opopanax and benzoin, myrrh is one of the oldest medicines derived from a resinoid, and has been traded as a commodity for over 3,000 years.

Trading empire

Over 2,000 years ago Arabia was the centre of the 'Spice Trade Route' where aromatics and herbs were traded, and none were more valuable than myrrh and frankincense. During the early trading years demand outstripped supply, quickly making myrrh and frankincense the most sought after resins with a value equal to that of gems and precious metals. To prevent thieves, it was said that these precious gum-bearing trees were guarded by fierce red snakes that leapt in the air to inflict fatal bites on hapless intruders!

Originating in north-eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, myrrh resin was transported across inhospitable deserts by the Arab merchants for distribution to Assyria, Babylon, China, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia. Considered sacred to the gods, the use of such resins was initially confined to incense for divine worship rather than medicine. There are many references to its use in the Old and New Testaments, the Koran, and in Greek and Roman texts.

It was extensively used by the Ancient Egyptians, most notably in the famous incense known as 'Kyphi', which was eventually used to treat all manner of ills as well as in religious ceremonies. Due to myrrh's remarkable ability to preserve flesh, it was employed by the Egyptians in their unsurpassed embalming processes, the results of which are still intact today as can be seen in museums around the world. Myrrh was also used by Egyptian women as a cosmetic ingredient to reduce wrinkles and preserve a youthful complexion. At Quinessence we still use it for the same purpose today!

Description and extraction

The myrrh tree belongs to the Burseraceae family and grows in north-east Africa, Somalia, Yemen, southern Arabia and Ethiopia. The bushy species that produces the finest resin grows up to 4 or 5 metres in height. The trunk is covered with a whitish-grey bark with sturdy branches that are rough and knotted, terminating in sharp spines. The oval leaves are trifoliate and aromatic, and bear small, pale green/white flowers.

To collect the gum, the workers make incisions into the bark causing the exudation of a pale yellow oleoresin. With exposure to the air this dries and hardens turning a dark, reddish brown colour. This oleoresin forms rounded irregular tears or masses of either yellowish brown or reddish brown covered with a grey or yellow dust. The bulk of oleoresin production originates from Somaliland, and before World war II, like frankincense it was shipped to Triste or occasionally via Aden.

The essential oil is extracted from the oleoresin by steam distillation, and an absolute is also produced by solvent extraction, mainly for use in the fragrance and flavour industry. The essential oil is brown in colour and has an unique, bitter and balsamic odour. It blends very well with many other oils including benzoin, bergamot, cedar atlas, clary sage, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, ginger, lavender, marjoram sweet, rosemary, sandalwood and tea tree.

Aromatherapy uses

Myrrh is an exceptional healing oil with antiseptic and fungicidal properties, and is particularly useful on slow healing wounds, hives (urticaria), weeping eczema and athletes foot. Add a few drops of myrrh oil to a carrier lotion and apply twice daily to treat these conditions. A footbath is an excellent way to treat athletes foot; simply add 2 drops of myrrh and 2 drops of tea tree oil and soak for 5 minutes. Follow up with an application of the same formula in a lotion for the best results.

Similarly, myrrh is also very effective for treating dry, chapped and cracked hands during the winter months (see November Newsletter). A few drops added to a carrier cream or lotion massaged into the skin will work wonders in no time at all. Many aromatherapists use this oil to minimise wrinkles because of its ability to stimulate cellular renewal. Sadly, this oil is often overlooked when considering oils of a healing and rejuvenating nature, which is a great pity since it is an invaluable tool in aromatherapy.

It has an expectorant action which makes it useful with coughs and colds, as well an anti-inflammatory effect that is useful with arthritis and for reducing swelling. One drop applied to mouth ulcers can bring relief from this annoying and troublesome affliction.

On the emotional system, myrrh helps with bereavement, loneliness and restlessness, bringing about a state of calmness and acceptance of life's circumstances. This calming and relaxing effect is undoubtedly what made myrrh such a vital ingredient in ancient religious incense, along with frankincense. Myrrh is believed to facilitate the transition between the end of one phase and the beginning of another.

What better time than over the Christmas holiday to enjoy this biblical oil in a vaporiser? Blend it with 1 drop each of benzoin, frankincense, lavender and cinnamon to invoke an atmosphere of peace and goodwill. Use it to celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.

Have a fantastic and fragrant Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year. I look forward to your visit next month.

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