Newsletter - May 2007
In this issue
Having just enjoyed the warmest April since records began back in 1659, here in Blighty we are looking forward to more of the same throughout May. And for most of us, the arrival of the warmer weather usually prompts a shopping trip to stock up on sunscreen and sunglasses in preparation for lots of time outdoors.
But for 1 out of 5 people it signals the beginning of the dreaded hay fever season. In this months feature Sneezing Season, we look at how aromatherapy can be used to help to ease the symptoms of this distressing condition which has been on the increase now for over 40 years.
For the 3rd year in a row, we have received a prestigious award from the Natural Health magazine Beauty Awards 2007. Quinessence were amongst the top 20 companies to have natural products voted as leaders in their field, and we are honoured and of course, delighted. You can read the full story below.
Our Essential Oil Profile this month looks at an essential oil that has long been associated with love, beauty, purity and perfection - and was perhaps the very first oil to be extracted from a flower. We are of course, talking about the Rose. Its exquisite fragrance and beautifying properties have been worshipped throughout history, and when used in aromatherapy it still reigns supreme. Geoff explains why.
May Special Offer
Exotic Oils Offer
• Jasmine 10% 5ml
• Neroli 10% 5ml
• Patchouli 5ml
• Rose Otto 5% 5ml
• Tuberose 10% 5ml
• Ylang Ylang 5ml
PLUS
FREE Handmade Alderwood Storage Box!
Exotic Essential Oils Kit Offer!
When you buy this selection of Exotic Essential Oils for £38.99 during May you will also receive a beautiful handmade 6 space Alderwood Essential Oil Storage Box worth £12.99- absolutely FREE!
And there's more - when you order your Exotic Essential Oils Kit online this month the price even includes delivery to your door!
This 30 day only Special Offer includes:-
• Jasmine 10% Dilution 5ml
• Neroli 10% Dilution 5ml
• Patchouli oil 5ml
• Rose Otto 5% Dilution 5ml
• Tuberose 10% Dilution 5ml
• Ylang Ylang oil 5ml
• FREE Handmade Alderwood Storage Box
•Price includes delivery
Experience for yourself the sensual delights and health-giving benefits of these Exotic Essential Oils carefully selected from around the world, and receive a FREE hand-made Storage Box - the price even includes delivery!
But don't delay - we only have 50 Hand-made Alderwood Storage Boxes to give away this month - when they are all gone the offer will close. Place your order now and claim your Free Gift to avoid missing out on this great offer.
Something in the air
According to allergy expert Dr Adrian Morris, in 50 years time everyone will have hay-fever!
Morris explains, 'There's been an exponential curve in the incidence of hay fever and I think by about the year 2050 there will be about a 100% incidence, meaning we will all have hay fever by then.'
Did you know?
It has been suggested that pollution is also responsible for the increase in hay-fever,
The theory is that when proteins from pollen grains are washed off, they stick to particles in the polluted air which are inhaled.
Pollution risk
According to Beverley Adams-Groom, of the National Pollen Research Unit, the grass pollen count has been rising since 1999 thanks to warm springs and sufficient rains.
"These sort of conditions mean the plant can operate at its optimum, so it produces more pollen." she says. At the same time, global warming, brought about by the Greenhouse Effect, has expanded the season, which now begins in March and April with tree pollen. Grass pollens follow in May and June.
Pollution has also been suggested as an aid to hay-fever, the theory being that when proteins from pollen grains are washed off they stick to particles in the polluted air which are inhaled.
Hay Fever help
A full list of essential oils that can help with the symptoms of hay fever includes;-
• Basil
• Cajuput
• Chamomile Roman
• Chamomile German
• Eucalyptus Radiata
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Melissa True
• Myrtle
• Peppermint
• Pine Needle
• Rosemary
• Thyme Sweet
If you prefer your products ready-mixed, Quinessence Anti-Pollen Synergy combines several effective essential oils into one powerful and versatile treatment.
The Sneezing Season
April turned out to be much drier, warmer and sunny than is usual for the time of year here in the United Kingdom, and it has made a welcome change. But unfortunately, the premature arrival of summer is not good news for everyone. For 15% to 20% of the population on our little island, this now signals the return of the annual nightmare known as the hay fever season.
In May, some 3 to 4 million people in Britain usually begin to suffer the return of red, itchy eyes, runny nose, nasal irritation, persistent sneezing attacks, headaches and for some sufferers, serious breathing difficulties. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is the correct term for this allergic condition, and about 15% of the population of all industrialised countries now suffer from it.
Double trouble
According to findings presented to the European Society of Allergy and Immunology in 2002, over 26% of Britons now suffer from the summer sneezing syndrome. This represents a doubling in the number of sufferers over the past 20 years, says Professor Stephen Durham, an allergy specialist. But what is causing this increase?
Experts believe we all have a fixed level of pollen toleration, which varies from person to person. So while some suffer even from the merest whiff of pollen, others only reach for the tissues when levels are very high. Once the allergy is triggered, it doesn't take much to set it off again.
Some experts point the finger at fussy parents, whose insistence on cleanliness means their children are unable to fight bacteria. Others believe that their young immune systems are looking for things to do, and mistakes pollen for a foreign invader and acts violently against it. Bizarrely, pollen levels have actually been decreasing over the years as grassland and rural areas have fallen victim to development.
The science bit
Also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, hay fever is usually caused by pollens from trees, grass or weeds which causes the immune system to produce antibodies and release a natural substance called histamine that is present in all cells throughout the body. Unfortunately, histamine irritates all the upper respiratory passages, (the nose, sinus, throat and eyes), making them swell and produce the typical hay fever symptoms.
Antihistamine medication helps to relieve these symptoms by inhibiting the action of histamine on nasal and eye tissues, but it also causes drowsiness when first taken. Operating dangerous machinery or driving must be avoided until you know how badly you are affected by the medication. And although symptoms can be controlled quite effectively with allergy medication, you can't get rid of the allergy itself. So what else can be done?
Holistic self treatment
Without a doubt avoidance is the very best defence for hay fever hell! Keep doors and windows closed in the home, and if you have the luxury of air conditioning in your car turn it on whilst driving. As much as is practicable, avoid outside activity - especially when the pollen count is high. Definitely pay somebody else to cut your lawn!
There are many essential oils that help bring relief to this miserable condition, and lots of ways to use them too. Vaporising essential oils such as eucalyptus radiata, lavender, pine or peppermint around the home and office can help to keep the sinuses clear. If you are already congested then a steam inhalation with any of these oils will help to clear the nasal passages and is one of the best home treatments available for congestion.
Sweet relief
Inhaling a few drops of essential oil placed on a tissue will bring relief from the effects of pollen when you are outdoors or away from home, as they will work to soothe and clear the respiratory passageways. This is the most effective way to use your essential oils to combat this debilitating condition.
Roman chamomile is very soothing to itchy, irritated and sensitive sinuses and is highly effective when included as part of a blend. Its anti-allergenic properties are highly beneficial to counteract the effects of pollen. Blend it with eucalyptus, lemon or lavender for instant relief. See side panel (right) for an extensive list of essential oils that you will find helpful.
Massaging the sides of the nose, forehead, temples and the back of the neck with a blend of oils in a carrier also brings soothing comfort for many sufferers. A gentle massaging action around the nose really helps to soothe those streaming eyes and mucous membranes. And a warm relaxing bath with any of the essential oils from our list is yet another easy way to help relieve the symptoms.
Other forms of complementary or alternative therapies that can help relieve the misery of hay fever include acupuncture, herbal remedies, homeopathy, immunotherapy, and vitamins.
As always though, if your symptoms persist or worsen you should see your doctor, since unfortunately, there is no cure for hay fever, - as yet.
Take care until next time.
Natural Health Awards
Award-winning Cream
Aroma-botanicals® Vitamin E Cream received the 'Highly Commended' award under the 'Best Moisturiser' category.
The Aroma-botanicals® skin care range was also voted 'Highly Commended' in the Best Value for Money category.
Natural Health & Beauty Awards - Double success for Quinessence!
Whilst Helen Mirren was busy collecting her Oscar in Hollywood, we were celebrating our own industry successes recently when Quinessence were awarded two prestigious awards in the Natural Health and Beauty Awards 2007.
The Awards, published in Natural Health magazine's March issue, recognised the key selling points of the Quinessence Aroma-botanicals brand - an all-natural range without the usual hefty price tag.
In the category of 'Best Moisturiser' we fought off stiff competition to scoop the 'Highly Commended' award for our Aroma-botanicals® Vitamin E Cream. This innovative cream contains a unique blend of nourishing botanicals including Aloe Vera, Rosehip and Safflower infused with the finest organic Neroli essential oil to provide exceptional moisturising qualities.
This rich and super-moisturising cream is perfect for banishing wrinkles too because vitamin E is well known to be one of nature's finest anti-oxidants, packed with anti-ageing and skin softening properties. And of the three products finalised in that category it was the Aroma-botanicals® Vitamin E Cream that proved to be the bargain of the bunch, with a price tag just a fraction of the cost of the other two products.
We take pride in our reputation of providing natural skincare products that are affordable for women everywhere - a fact that helped seal our second winning entry under the 'Best Value for Money' skin care range category. That's precisely what we strive for - a high quality range that doesn't rely on harsh chemical compounds or an inflated price tag.
All of the products in the Aroma-botanicals range are competitively priced meaning that it's even easier to live a chemical-free lifestyle. There are no harmful ingredients, colours, fragrances or harsh preservatives to be found in the range. Instead it is all about natural, pure ingredients that care for your skin from head to toe.
More about Aroma-botanicals®.
Fragrant Pink Rose
Above - Bulgarian Rose (Rosa damascena forma trigintipetala) ready for harvesting.
Origin - Valley of the Roses, Kazanlik, Bulgaria.
Did you know?
Although there are over 10,000 varieties of rose, surprisingly few of them impart a noticeable fragrance.
Amongst the small selection of varieties that are fragrant, some possess a distinctly fruity or musky odour, whilst others are reminiscent of violet or hyacinth.
After eliminating these species from the massively reduced collection, only a handful remain that actually possess the highly sought after bouquet associated with the beloved rose;
• Rosa damascena (Damask rose)
• Rosa centifolia (Cabbage rose)
• Rosa gallica (Provins or French rose)
• R. rugosa (Japanese rose)
• Rosa indica (Chinese rose)
Rose harvesting
Above - Rose picking in the Valley of the Roses, Kazanlik, Bulgaria.
During the middle of the harvest period the yield is higher than at the beginning, and mild weather will result in a further increase in the oil produced.
On average, Rosa damascena will yield 1 kilo of oil per 4,000 kilos of flowers using modern distillation processes.
Under very favourable conditions only 2,600 kilos of roses may be required to produce 1 kilo of oil, whereas under less favourable conditions up to 8,000 kilos of flowers may be required to produce the same amount of oil.
Rose hydrosol
During distillation a large amount of oil is absorbed into the distillation water, and this must be recovered to produce an acceptable yield. This is achieved by skillfully re-distilling the water to remove the oil, and this process is known as cohobation.
The remaining water after the process of cohobation is then sold as rose hydrosol - which is also known as rose hydrolate or floral water.
More about Hydrosols.
Oil Profile - Rose Otto (Rosa damascena)
Surely, there can be no other flower so widely revered throughout the ancient world in literature, art and legend, as the fragrant rose. And since records began the rose has also been employed in medicine by the ancient and highly advanced cultures such as the Arab, Assyrian, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Persian and Roman. Eventually, the collective knowledge of these influential empires was carried further west to Europe, eventually arriving in France and England.
Of course today, rose oil is used by virtually all who enjoy the art of aromatherapy because of its wide range of therapeutic benefits, and of course its beautiful aroma. When all else fails to please, you can be sure that the soothing, balancing and uplifting fragrance of rose oil will bring delight. And of all the rose oils available to lovers of aromatherapy, rose otto is perhaps the most delightful. But where did this amazing rose come from?
Fragrant journey
The particular variety of rose grown to produce rose otto in Bulgaria and Turkey is Rosa damascena forma trigintipetala, and its parentage has been the subject of great debate for many, many years. At one time it was believed to be a horticultural hybrid of Rosa gallica and Rosa canina that had escaped cultivation, but recent advances in identifying plant genetics has suggested it is more likely to be a hybrid of Rosa gallica and Rosa phoenicia.
The origin of the cultivated rose is often quoted as the Gulf of Persia, now known as Iran. From the 10th to the 17th century the rose industry was developed and dominated by Persia, and particularly in Shiraz, the famous city of poets and oriental culture. From here the rose industry spread into Arabia, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Asia Minor (Anatolia) Greece, India, North Africa, and due to the conquering Moors reached as far as Spain. According to legend, in the 13th century R. damascena was brought from Damascus to Southern France by the returning Crusaders, although some experts believe it may have actually been R. gallica.
Valley of the roses
During the 16th century, Ottoman (Turkish) merchants imported R. damascena for cultivation throughout the Balkan countries, including a newly founded town in Bulgaria that would eventually become known as Kazanlik. Kazan is the Turkish word for "still", and Kazanlik literally means 'the place of stills'.
A nearby valley provided the perfect environment for growing roses, thereby establishing what would in later years become the finest rose oil producing region in the world. This area is now called the 'Valley of the Roses', and during 1878 cuttings from the improved stock were returned to Anatolia and planted in Isparta and Burdur, where current rose production still thrives.
Labour of love
Towards the end of this month (weather permitting) in Bulgaria and Turkey, up to 20,000 field workers will begin to painstakingly collect the millions of mature rose blossoms from this years crop. It will take almost a month of back-breaking work to pick all the flowers by hand in the time-honoured way, and there is no time to waste.
Collection begins at sunrise when the oil yield is at its highest, and should be completed by 10.00 am whilst the dew is still on the flowers. The flowers are initially placed into baskets, and then transferred to sacks for transportation to the distilleries. The harvest is transported to the distillery as quickly as possible, since the picked flowers will begin to deteriorate immediately as precious volatile oil begins to evaporate due to the heat of the sun.
Aromatherapy uses
Rose otto is a beautifully fragrant oil that is often described as the ultimate feminine oil, since it is invaluable for all types of gynaecological, menstrual cycle and menopausal problems. During such times of physical and emotional upheaval, this oil should be your No 1 choice since it regulates menstruation, eases cramps and balances negative emotions such as anxiety, fear (of change) and all forms of impatient and snappish behaviour!
Rose otto also tones the digestive and vascular system with a stimulating effect that increases the circulation, and a cleansing action that promotes the elimination of toxins. Speaking of stimulation; it was said that Cleopatra procured Mark Anthony’s love by adorning her bedroom floor and bed with rose petals, therefore it comes as no surprise that rose oil is indeed an effective aphrodisiac.
Oil of eternal youth
But it is in skin care that rose otto truly excels. There is no finer essential oil for mature or dry skin in need of deep moisturisation. It soothes, softens and hydrates the skin whilst bringing a gentle toning action that also helps to strengthen the collagen/elastin network. This is what keeps your skin soft, supple, radiant and young-looking.
Rose otto, which is also know as 'Attar of Roses', also helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and its mild astringent action is effective in reducing and fading those unsightly broken capillaries (spider veins) and red patches if you use it regularly in your skin care routine. Just add a few drops of this precious oil to a cream or lotion base and you will both see and feel improvements in the tone, softness and radiance of your skin.
It is no accident that rose is included in all high-class perfumes, toiletries and skin care products - women throughout the Middle East had discovered the benefits of rose long before the birth of Christ. Only during the past several hundred years, have we in the western world learned to appreciate the value of what is known as the 'queen of flower oils'.
I hope to see you again next time.
All articles are Copyright:© Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd. All rights are reserved.
Shop online
Information
- About Aromatherapy
- Company Info
- Essential Oil FAQs
- Sources & Origins
- Newsletter
- No Animal Testing
- Organic Issues
- Quality Assurance
- Testimonials
- Links Directory
Help & Support
Terms & Conditions of Sale | Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Validation
Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 1997-2010. All rights reserved.