Category: Ingredients We Choose

Manuka Honey

Written by EverEscents on . Posted in Ingredients We Choose.

Manuka Honey – Why is it so good for me?

Ever heard of Manuka honey but not 100% sure exactly what it is? Let me explain.

Manuka honey is sourced from the Manuka Bush, a member of the Leptospermum species of plants native to Australia and New Zealand. While Manuka honey has long been enjoyed by honey lovers, laboratory research has shown that active Manuka honey has a unique and remarkable level of antibacterial activity, which has been clinically tested to be helpful on wounds, skin conditions, immunity & vitality and stomach ulcers.

The curative properties of honey have been known to indigenous cultures for thousands of years, and dressing wounds with honey was common before the advent of antibiotics. New Zealand’s Maori were the first to identify the healing properties of Manuka and some of their remedies and tonics are still used today.

The pros

  • Manuka honey has an antibacterial component that sets it apart from other honeys. This activity is stable and doesn’t lose its potency when exposed to dilution, heat or light.
  • Manuka honey has been found to be effective against a range of bacteria including Helicobacter pylori (which causes most stomach ulcers); Escherichia coli (the most common cause of infected wounds) and Streptococcus pyogenes (which causes sore throats).
  • Manuka honey is antimicrobial and antiviral. It is also an antioxidant that can help to increase vitality and immunity.
  • Trials have indicated that Manuka honey can heal wounds and skin ulcers that haven’t responded to standard treatments.

The cons

  • Honey in general is not suitable for babies under 12 months of age because it is a known source of the bacteria spores that cause botulism.
  • Diabetics should also avoid or limit their intake of honey due to the high glucose content.
  • Not all Manuka honeys were born equal, so it can be hard to know what you’re getting. Active Manuka honey has stronger properties than regular Manuka honey.
  • There are no known side effects of active Manuka honey when used internally, unless you are allergic to honey. Occasionally, when active Manuka honey is used on an external wound, it can sting because of its high activity level.

How to use it

  • Manuka honey can be applied topically to the skin as a balm for skin infections, bites and cuts.
  • Take a spoonful orally to help soothe the throat and digestive tract.
  • Eat is as you would any other honey product to maintain general health (it’s also great in smoothies!)

Manuka honey is also marketed for use in many other conditions. These include:

  • Preventing and treating cancer
  • Reducing high cholesterol
  • Reducing systemic inflammation
  • Treating diabetes
  • Treating eye, ear, and sinus infections
  • Treating gastrointestinal problems

So there you have it, a fantastic alternative to using chemical products. Manuka honey can be purchased online or at most health food stores.

Until next time,

Tiarna

(EverEscents Stylist)

Manuka Honey

 

Sourced From:

http://capilano.com.au/sport-nutrition/manukahoney/

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/nutrition+tips/use+manuka+honey+to+heal+yourself,8321

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses

Organic Hair Culture – Ashbury, NSW

Written by EverEscents on . Posted in Ingredients We Choose.

This week, Tiarna had a chat with Annie from Organic Hair Culture in Ashbury, NSW to find out more about her lovely Organic Salon, read on to find out why she loves the EverEscents Organic Hair Care range and what she does in her day to day life to eliminate chemicals.

Tiarna: How long have you been hairdressing for?

Annie: I have been hairdressing for 25 years, Krystal (Manager) 12 years.

 

Tiarna: When did you open this salon?

Annie: The salon was opened mid December 2013. The salon is open Tuesday – Saturday with 2 late nights – Wednesday and Thursday.

 

 Tiarna: How many staff members do you have and what are their roles?

Annie: I work in the salon only on Wednesday. Krystal is a senior stylist and is managing the salon at the moment, she is responsible for the day to day operations of the business.

 

 Tiarna: Do you live Organically yourself? If so, how/what do you do in your everyday life to achieve this?

Annie: Having an allergy and sensitivity to some chemicals, it seemed the only way to go. I like to do the right thing so as to eliminate as much pollution as possible and protect our environment through simple things such as, recycling correctly, small vegetables and herb garden, eliminating water wastage, using the least amount of chemicals as possible for cleaning etc.

 

Tiarna: What do you love about EverEscents?

Annie: EverEscents smells that good i could drink it – I love that it ticks all the right boxes – free from harmful chemicals, no animal cruelty etc

 

 Tiarna: What is your favourite EverEscents product?

Annie: My favourite Product is the Bergamot Shampoo and Conditioner and the Leave – In Moisture, I love the finish it leaves on my clients hair.

To learn more about this salon or to make a booking, please head to www.organichairculture.com.au!

Organic Hair Culture

Written by EverEscents on . Posted in Ingredients We Choose.

ANUYU STYLE LOUNGE – SOUTH AUSTRALIA

This week, Tiarna had a chat with Magi at Anuyu Style Lounge in Morphett Vale, South Australia to find out more about herself and her salon concept.

This beautiful salon appeals to a large audience and best of all, Magi has taken the Organic approach by giving her salon a different spin to the rest!

 Tiarna: How long have you been hairdressing for?

Magi: I began Tafe SA Pre-Voc Hairdressing in 1992 and have been hairdressing since which makes 22 years. I have Cert 4 Training and Assessment, Cert 3 &4 Hairdressing and Diploma in Salon Management. I have previously owned and managed 3 other hairdressing businesses.

 

Tiarna: When did you open this salon?

Magi: December 2013

 

 Tiarna: How many staff members do you have and what are their roles?

Magi: I only have 1 senior casual, with similar experience and would like to eventually employ school based apprentices.

 

 Tiarna: What other services does your salon provide?

Magi: We aim to offer mainstream hairdressing services which are affordable and maintainable, whilst retaining the integrity of the hair.

We offer general cutting and perming with creative and corrective colouring services.

 

 Tiarna: Do you live Organically yourself? If so, how/what do you do in your everyday life to achieve this?

Magi: No, organic was an added advantage but not imperative

 

Tiarna: What do you love about EverEscents?

Magi: Its smell, its lather, its quality, its packaging, its morals and its salon only. I was Inspired by a small but complete range, good quality, beautiful smelling, Australian product at an affordable price.

 

 Tiarna: What is your favourite EverEscents product?

Magi: Organic Cinnamon and Patchouli Range

 

Please head to www.anuyu.com.au to learn more about this unique Style Lounge or to make a booking!

Anuyu Image 1 Anuyu Image 2 Anuyu Image 3 Anuyu Image 4 Anuyu Image 5 Anuyu Image 6

Eco friendly cleaning tips

Written by EverEscents on . Posted in Ingredients We Choose.

Mixing your own Eco friendly solutions is the first step in limiting your family’s exposure to harmful household chemicals. You can substitute some or all of your cleaning products with these formulas and other natural cleaning solutions made from safe, readily available ingredients. Then you will be well on your way to a new green cleaning routine!

See below for a list of fantastic eco cleaning alternatives

 Basic Baking Soda All-Purpose Formula

1/4 cup baking soda

400ml water

Dissolve baking soda in water, and pour into a spray bottle. This mixture can be used as a general cleaner for all surfaces. Keep some dry baking soda handy in a jar with a shaker cap for jobs that need a bit more abrasive action.

You can use this mixture to clean virtually anywhere in your home, including all kitchen and bathroom counter surfaces, inside the refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. Always rinse well.

Baking soda is a natural drain cleaner! Measure 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar. Pour the baking soda into the drain first, followed by the vinegar. It will bubble furiously. Follow with 400ml of hot water. Please do not use this method if you have recently used commercial drain cleaners. Eliminating drain cleaners from your home is a giant step toward a greener home, as they are among the most dangerous household chemicals available.

Basic Vinegar Clean and Shine
Antibacterial Formula

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • Five drops of liquid soap

Add mixture to a spray bottle and use for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces such as appliances, mirrors, stainless steel sinks, laminate counter tops and tile. You can add a tablespoon of coarse salt directly on your sponge to act as an abrasive when using this formula on kitchen and bathroom sink fixtures. Vinegar can be irritating to the skin, so please use gloves.

  • Vinegar is great for cleaning copper! Liberally sprinkle salt on the copper surface and make a paste with white vinegar. This method works like magic with lemon juice as well!
  • Soaking your shower head with vinegar and water is a great way to remove mineral deposits. Spray the shower head and then cover with a small plastic bag. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
  • Add a small amount of vinegar to your sink dishwater when washing greasy pots and pans, and it will help cut the grease.
  • Clean out mineral deposits in your coffee pot by pouring in 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water. Follow up with a full carafe of plain water.
  • Pour a cup of vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher when you are ready to run it through a full cycle. The vinegar will deodorize, sanitize and make the dishes and glasses sparkle.
  • Spray vinegar full strength on tile and grout. Let sit for a few minutes, then use a scrub brush to brighten grout. Vinegar will help reduce mildew in the bathroom.

Eco Cleaning Spray Bottle

Green Laundry Basics

  • Add 1/2 cup baking soda at the start of your wash cycle to boost your detergent’s effectiveness. This helps reduce the amount of detergent you need for each wash load, and brightens whites and colours very well.
  • Use 1/2 cup vinegar in the final rinse in place of fabric softener. Vinegar also removes soap residue from your laundry. The vinegar smell will not linger after the clothing has dried. (Never mix vinegar with bleach as the combination creates dangerous fumes!)

Basic Carpet Stain Formula I

  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup baking soda

Mix in a spray bottle. Blot accidents with dry towels, paper towels, and then spray, blot excess and let dry. Repeat, if needed, to eliminate odours.

Basic Carpet Stain Formula II

  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1/2 cup borax
  • 1/2 cup vinegar

Mix the three ingredients into a paste. Use a clean, white towel to rub the mixture directly into the stain. and leave for a few hours. Vacuum thoroughly.

Basic Bath & Tile Cleaner

1 2/3 cups baking soda
1/2 cup liquid soap (try to find liquid glycerin, if possible)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons vinegar
Squeeze bottle with a tight fitting cap

Whisk the baking soda, liquid soap and water together until smooth and creamy. Add the vinegar and let it foam a bit. Whisk again until well mixed. Pour into a squeeze bottle with a tight-fitting cap to prevent the mixture from drying out between uses. Shake well before each use; will store indefinitely. (Squirt this cleaner anywhere – the tub, the sink, floors, or the toilet bowl.)

The best natural air freshener for your home is fresh air! Open up the doors and windows while you are cleaning! But once you’re done washing and polishing, you can enhance your home environment and set the right mood by using the natural fragrances of essential oils.

 

 

Sourced from: http://www.back-to-basics-cleaning.com/

PATCHOULI FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Written by EverEscents on . Posted in Ingredients We Choose.

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is a large perennial flower that is a member of the labiatae family, which includes lavender, mint and sage. Its origin is traced to Southeast Asia, and is extensively cultivated in various Indonesian Islands, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and South America. The oil extracted from the leaves of the plant is well-known for its deep, earthy and musky fragrance.

Patchouli

 

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of patchouli oil are many including; antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, deodorant, diuretic, febrifuge, fungicide, insecticide, sedative and tonic.

It is effective for fungal and bacterial infection and is of great help for insect bites. It could also be used as an insect repellant and is also used as a support for dealing with any substance addiction.

With its excellent diuretic properties, it is effective in fighting water retention and to break up cellulite, easing constipation and helping to reduce weight.

Furthermore, it has a great deodorizing action, and helps when feeling hot and bothered, while cooling down inflammations and assisting with wound healing.

On the skin, this oil is one of the most active and is a superb tissue regenerator, which helps to stimulate the growth of new skin cells. In wound healing, it not only promotes faster healing, but also helps to prevent ugly scarring when the wound heals.

Patchouli oil is very effective in sorting out rough, cracked and overly dehydrated skin and is used to treat acne, acne, eczema, sores, ulcers, any fungal infections, as well as scalp disorders.

Here at EverEscents we use Patchouli oil in our Moisture Range and along with Cinnamon it creates a beautiful aroma. Our moisture shampoo, conditioner and Deep Treatment is great for people with thick/dry/curly hair that is calling out for a moisture hit! Our deep treatment is also fantastic to use after swimming in those hot weeks over Christmas!

 

cinpat_shamp_100_nstran cinpat_cond_100_ns deep_treat_175_ns

 

To learn more about these products and other great products in our range, please head to www.everescents.com.au

 

 

Sourced from:

http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/patchouli.htm

http://www.edenbotanicals.com/patchouli-essential-oil.html

Ylang Ylang Features & Benefits

Written by EverEscents on . Posted in Ingredients We Choose.

In this weeks blog we are sharing some great information about Ylang Ylang and its features and benefits.  Ylang Ylang is a tall tropical tree about 20 metres high with large, tender, fragrant pink, mauve or yellow flowers and is cultivated in Java, Sumatra, Madagascar and the Comores. The name means ‘flower of flowers’.

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang has a sweet, soft, flowery fragrance that has made it a romantic favourite. In Indonesia, the petals are often strewn across a marriage bed. Ylang ylang is extremely effective in calming and bringing about a sense of relaxation, and it may help with releasing feelings of anger, tension, and nervous irritability. It has a long history in skin and hair care products, particularly in Asia, where it is used to promote luxuriant-looking hair.

Ylang Ylang is used all throughout the world for many medicinal purposes; here is a list of just a few benefits this beautiful plant has to offer:

Antidepressant: This is one of the oldest known medicinal properties of Ylang-Ylang and it is a part of the essential oil as well. It fights depression and relaxes both the body and soul, thereby driving away anxiety, sadness, and chronic stress. It also has an uplifting effect on mood and induces feelings of joy and hope. It may be an effective treatment for those undergoing nervous breakdowns and acute depression after a shock or an accident.
Antiseptic: Any wounds like cuts, abrasions or burns comes with the chance of the wound becoming septic from various bacterial infections. The risk of complications is even greater when the wound was made by an iron object, as there remains a chance of it becoming infected by tetanus germs. Essential Oil of Ylang-Ylang can help to avoid both sepsis and tetanus by inhibiting microbial growth and disinfecting the wounds. This property of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil protects your wounds from infections from bacteria, virus and fungus. It also helps to speed up the healing process of the wound.

Hypotensive: This oil is a very effective agent for lowering blood pressure. In recent times, since high blood pressure is a major health epidemic among both the young and the old, and the drugs for lowering it having serious adverse side effects on the health, Ylang-Ylang oil can be an easy and natural solution. It has no adverse side effects on health, if taken in prescribed quantities.

Nervine: Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil is a health booster for the nervous system. It strengthens the nervous system and repairs any damage it may have suffered. Furthermore, it also reduces stress on the nerves and protects them from developing a number of nervous disorders.

Sedative: This oil sedates or calms nervous afflictions, stress, anger and anxiety, while inducing a relaxed feeling.

Other Benefits: Ylang-ylang essential oil can be used to cure infections in internal organs such as the stomach, intestines, colon, and urinary tract. It is also good for people suffering from insomnia, fatigue, frigidity and other stress related conditions. It is extremely effective in maintaining moisture and oil balance of the skin and keeps the skin looking hydrated, smooth, and young.

We use Ylang Ylang in our Leave-In Moisture which is a leave-in treatment containing a nourishing blend of organic ingredients perfect for restoring moisture and repairing any hair type with no silicones or masking agents!

leavein_ns

We also use Ylang Ylang in our Moroccan Argan Oil which is designed to repair and replenish, protect, smooth and shine and enhance colour.

argan_oil_100_ns

To learn more about the EverEscents range, please click here

 

Source:

8 Surprising Benefits of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil

http://www.youngliving.com/en_AU/essential-oils/Ylang-Ylang

http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/ylang-ylang.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cananga_odorata

Natural Hair Tips for Summer

Written by EverEscents on . Posted in Ingredients We Choose.

As summer is fast approaching, our hair needs shielding from sun damage so below are a few do’s and don’ts on how to look after your hair.   Minerals and oxidizers are the biggest contributors to summer hair and scalp problems.   Repeated chlorine and metal exposure from the pool will cause our hair to turn green.

If there’s anything worse than using products with harsh chemicals, it’s using them in partnership with our hot summer sun. The summer heat opens the pores of the skin and scalp, which then allows for further absorption of ingredients in hair products – so make sure your hair and body are absorbing only the best organic products.   As with all EverEscents Organic Hair Care productsthe ingredients are of the highest quality and do NOT contain any harsh chemicals.

Do’s

  • Drink plenty of water. The more hydrated you are, the more hydrated your hair and body will be.
  • It’s a good idea to wash your hair straight after exposure to the sun, surf and chlorine.
  • Add moisture to your hair prior to jumping in the pool – just think of your hair like a sponge, ready to soak up any water.  A dry sponge will absorb more of the chemicals if put into the chlorinated water than a wet sponge already soaking wet would.  So, wet the hair and/or put in a leave-in conditioner prior to going to the pool.
  • Cut loose split ends frequently to prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft and damaging the hair.  For healthy hair, it is recommended to have a trim every four to six weeks.

leavein_ns

Everescents Leave-In Moisture –  provides instant penetrating moisture to seal, strengthen and protect the mid lengths and ends of your hair with the added benefits of Certified Organic herbal extracts and essential oils sourced from the highest quality Australian farmers.

 

Dont’s

  • Don’t wash your hair with hot water.  Always use warm water.
  • During the warm-weather months, it’s best to limit your use of the blow dryer and straightener. When the air is moist, it can take longer to style hair which can result in further drying and damage. If you absolutely must use styling tools, liberally apply a heat   protectant beforehand.  Check out our Finishing Serum below.
  • Don’t tie your hair up too tightly or especially when it is wet as it could cause it to break.

finish_serum_60_ns

Everescents Finishing Serum The EverEscents Organic Finishing Serum provides instant sealant and protection for the surface of the hair. It reduces frizzies and protects against sun, wind & heat styling.

 

Check out our beautiful range at EverEscents.com.au.  All of our products are organic and chemical free.

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