Aromatherapy & Essential Oils

Essential oils are concentrated liquids containing volatile aroma compounds distilled from plants. The best way to use essential oils is through aromatherapy. Aromatherapy originated in France and is still used to treat and prevent certain disease. Essential oils are made of plants. They often have antiseptic, antiviral, anti fungal, and antibacterial properties.

Essential oils can be used in a diffuser or simply in your shower or bath. For example, a drop of lavender oil under your pillow will help you sleep and relax.

Here is a list of essential oils and their properties

Bergamot is one of the most popular oils in perfumery. It is an excellent insect repellent and may be helpful for both the urinary tract and for the digestive tract. It is useful for skin conditions linked to stress, such as cold sores and chicken pox, especially when combined with eucalyptus oil. Bergamot is a flavoring agent in Earl Grey tea. Cold-pressed Bergamot oil contains bergaptene, a strong photosensitizer when applied to the skin, so only distilled or 'bergaptene-free' types can be topically used.

Citronella oil, obtained from a relative of lemongrass, is used as an insect repellent and in perfumery.

Clove oil is a topical analgesic, especially useful in dentistry. It is also used an antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, and anti emetic.

Eucalyptus oil is often used in combination with peppermint to provide relief for the airways in case of cold or flu.

Geranium oil is used as an astringent, antiseptic and diuretic.

Jasmine is used as an aphrodisiac.

Lavender oil is used as an antiseptic, to soothe minor cuts and burns, to calm and relax, for insomnia and to soothe headaches and migraines.

Lemon oil is uplifting and anti-stress/anti-depressant. In a Japanese study, lemon essential oil in vapour form has been found to reduce stress in mice.

Ylang-ylang oil is used as an aphrodisiac.

If you are looking for certified organic essential oils or organic herbal remedies go to http://www.shopbestorganic.com/ and click on Health & Wellness.

Do you use essential oils? Please share your tips and remedies.

Thank You

Sandra

Please note that essential oils are very potent. Use essential oils carefully and contact an aromatherapist if you have any doubt. Always dilute before applying to skin. You may also review this safety guideline.

Do you use paraben free products?

I have made up my mind about parabens, but I am wondering if there are anybody out there convinced that Parabens are not really a health risk. OK, so this is what I know.

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in many body care products such as liquid soap, shampoo, deodorants, toothpaste etc...

Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, from which the name is derived. Common parabens include methylparaben (E number E218), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216) and butylparaben.

Although, some believe that parabens are safe because very little is used in products. Parabens are known to mimic the hormone estrogen, which can cause breast cancer. According to a recent study, by Philippa Darbre, an oncology expert at the university of Reading, in Edinburgh, the chemical form of the parabens found in 18 of the 20 tumors tested indicated that they originated from something applied to the skin, the most likely from deodorants, antiperspirants, creams, or body sprays.

The study concluded that parabens can be absorbed through the skin and retained in breast tissue. Because Parabens act as estrogen, it is indicated a possible relationship between paraben exposure and breast cancer and/or male reproductive function.

The FDA did not conclude that Parabens are harmful , subsequently they did not ban parabens. The main concerns is that only few research have been conducted regarding the potential health risk that parabens may cause.

More comprehensive studies are needed to conclusively determine the true scope of the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to parabens by way of personal care products we use every day. It is obvious that a serious effort to reassess the safety of these products must be undertaken by a non-biased group of researchers.

In conclusion, we are not able to prove that parabens are killing us, but in the doubt, wouldn't you prefer to use products that don not contain parabens . There are so many great organic products that do not use parabens, so why take a chance?

Here is a list of brand I would recommend: Aura Cacia, Shea Terra Organics, Nature's Gate Organics , Lily of the desert.

Are you using paraben free products? Which ones? Please share your thoughts on this topic.

Thank You

Sandra

What is Certified Organic?

Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified.

Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include:

• Avoiding fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge.
  
• Using of farmland that has been free from chemicals for at least 3 years or more.
  
• Keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail.
  
• Making sure to separate organic production from non-certified organic production.
  
• Undergoing periodic on-site inspections.

In some countries, organic standards are formulated and overseen by the government. The United States, the European Union and Japan have comprehensive organic legislation, and the term "organic" may be used only by certified producers.

Certification is intended to protect consumers from misuse of the term, and make buying organics easy. However, the organic labeling made possible by certification itself usually requires explanation. In countries without organic laws, government guidelines may or may not exist, while certification is handled by non-profit organizations and private companies.

Internationally, equivalency negotiations are underway, and some agreements are already in place, to harmonize certification between countries, facilitating international trade. There are also international certification bodies, including members of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), and Ecocert. Where formal agreements do not exist between countries, organic product for export is often certified by agencies from the importing countries, who may establish permanent foreign offices for this purpose.

In the US, federal organic legislation defines three levels of organics. Products made entirely with certified organic ingredients and methods can be labeled "100% organic". Products with at least 95% organic ingredients can use the word "organic". Both of these categories may also display the USDA organic seal. A third category, containing a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, can be labeled "made with organic ingredients".

Why we are proud of our organic products selection

Not all organic products are created equally. Shop Best Organic is proud to feature products that are USDA certified organic. Many of our products are fair trade. Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.


We also support the Cruelty-Free movement, and would like to encourage people to purchase beauty and cosmetic products that are not tested on animals.

Shop Best Organic products selection is free of toxins and chemicals. We do not sell products containing parabens or SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).


Here is a list toxic chemicals to avoid:


- parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl)
- chemicals and fragrances
- synthetic colourants
- petroleum
- sodium lauryl sulfate

For more information about our products, visit http://www.shopbestorganic.com/

Shop Best Organic Team

Why Organic?

After many hours of work and research, we are finally ready to launch http://www.shopbestorganic.com/ . I am happy to say that I use many products that we are selling. I love Nature's Gate Shampoos, Burts Bees lotions, and Weleda body care products for my daughter.

I started to buy organic products when I became pregnant. Call it a mother's intuition, but; I began to more closely scrutinize ingredients on a products label . I knew I had to eliminate chemicals and toxins from my diet and from products that I used on my body. As a general rule, I try to avoid body care products with paraben and make sure there is no SLS.

I feel healthier when I use organic body care products. After all, I use them everyday. I can't control everything in my life, but I can choose what's best for my body. I do the same for my daughter. I just want what's best for her.

She's 3 years old, and at that age, she is often washing her hands. I decided that we needed to start using organic liquid soap with no paraben and no SLS. Another soap that I would recommend is Dr.Bronner's baby soap. It is very safe for baby sensitive skin.

I hope Shopbestorganic.com will help you stay healthy. Please share your story with us. Tell us about your favorite organic products.

Take Care!

Shop Best Organic