Nasal Congestion – Heather & Rose Health Shop

Natural by Nature – Essential Oils range

hrs.admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:04:55 +0000

How To Use Essential Oils

A Brief History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has a very long history, as early as 3000BC the ancient Egyptians used ointments to beautify their skin, hair and nails. The tomb of Tutankhamen built in 1350BC was found to contain jars of scented oils.

The use of aromatic medicines and cosmetics were prevalent in Greece, with the Greek physician Hippocrates writing about several aromatic herbs such as Thyme, Coriander and Aniseed.

The Romans were more lavish with their use of aromatics, using them to scent their baths, massage their bodies and scent their hair.

The history of aromatics in India is equally ancient with exotic oils of Jasmine, Rose and Sandalwood being recorded in early Ayurvedic writings.

In Europe aromatic herbs were used widely during the Great Plague of the Middle Ages.

In 1928 the first book of aromatherapy was written by the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse who worked with essential oils. Marguerite Maury, an Austrian biochemist, pioneered using essential oils in massage. She made a thorough study of the ways aromatics work both physically and emotionally.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the ancient art of healing using essential oils. Essential oils have powerful healing properties and there are a great many conditions that can be treated by these most natural of plant medicines.

In aromatherapy treatments the essential oils are applied externally. Essential oils offer a gentle and sensitive alternative to synthetic drugs and medications. The most important property of essential oils is the balancing effect it has on the body; they also have a wide range of therapeutic properties.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential Oils occur in all the parts of plants: the leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs, bark, wood, roots and resins.

There are many aromatic plants, but only some are used for the extraction of essential oils.

The plants come from all over the world and most are collected and distilled in their country of origin.

Essential oils are highly volatile and odorous, and therefore evaporate very quickly when exposed to air. They have a consistency more like water than oil and are not greasy. Most essential oils are clear to pale yellow but a few are coloured, such as Chamomile (blue) Patchouli (amber) Mandarin (golden).

What are Base Oils?

Base oils have good skin penetration, leaving the skin nourished and feeling soft and supple. It is important that only pure, cold pressed oils are used.

There are a variety of base oils, below are some of the most popular.
Almond Oil: Extracted from the kernel it contains vitamin D and is one of the most popular oils and least expensive used in massage.
Avocado Oil; Extracted from the flesh of the fruit, it is rich in vitamins A and D, excellent for dehydrated skin and has a good absorption rate.
Grapeseed Oil: Extracted from the grape pips, this oil has a light texture and is very popular for massage.
Jojoba Oil: (pronounced ho-ho-ba) Extracted from the bean, it is rich in vitamin E and is a unique liquid wax used as an oil. It is fine penetrating, stable and long-lasting. Jojoba has a very close chemical composition to our skins own sebum (natural oils) It is excellent as a facial moisturiser and beneficial for spotty and acne conditions. Jojoba is an emollient for helping with eczema and psoriasis.
Peach Kernel: Extracted from the kernel, it contains essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E. It is excellent for the face, encouraging suppleness and elasticity.
Wheatgerm Oil: Extracted from the grain, it has a rich texture and is high in vitamin E, it can help reduce scar tissue and stretch marks. It is not suitable for massage due to its thick texture and strong wheat odour.

How is Essential Oil Extracted?

There are several methods of extracting pure essential oils. Three of the most important methods are steam distillation, expression and solvent extraction.

Steam Distillation: This method involves placing the plant material inside a distillation vat and passing steam under pressure from beneath the vessel. The heat from the steam causes the walls of the cells of the leaves, twigs, berries or other parts of the plant in which the essential oil is stored to break down and release the essential oil as a vapour.

The essential oil vapour together with the steam is passed through cooling tanks which condenses the vapour so that it can be collected. The essential oil usually floats on the water and is separated out. Some of the fragrance of the oil is left in the distilled water and can be used as floral water sometimes called hydrolate.

Expression: This form of extraction applies to only the citrus oils. The peel of all citrus fruits is full of oil glands containing globules of essential oils. The peel is separated from the pulp, this peel is then squeezed by simple pressure to press out the essential oil. Some juice will be extracted from the pith together with the oil, the solution is left to stand so that the oil and juice separate; the oil is then collected.

Solvent Extraction: The final products of solvent extraction are call absolutes, concretes or resinoids. This method is mainly used for some of the world’s finest and exotic flowers. The flower petals are placed in a sealed container, liquid solvent is allowed to flow over the flowers and completely cover them. The solvent will slowly dissolve the essential oils from the petals. This solution is collected and the solvent is then distilled off and returned to be re- used.

On separation, a semi solid aromatic material called a concrete is left. The concrete contains some of the natural waxes and other non-aromatic materials, the concrete is shaken with alcohol; when the alcohol is distilled off, a coloured liquid is left, and this is called an absolute. Resinoids are similar to concretes but are extracted from the resins that exude from trees rather than flowers.

Storing Essential oils

Essential oils are delicate substances and are affected by strong light, heat, air and moisture. For protection they are best kept in a cool, dry and dark place. Avoid storing near heat, ideally, in a box, in a cupboard.

Do not transfer your essential oils to plastic bottles, as the plastic will interact with the chemical makeup of the essential oils and the oils will cause the plastic to deteriorate.

An essential oil stored in the correct conditions should last for years, citrus oils have a slightly shorter life.

Base oils should be used within in 12-18 months once opened. Always wipe the lip and neck of the bottle clean before sealing the lid; this will help stop any excess oil going rancid.

Handling Essential Oils

Use a bottle with an inserted dropper or use a pipette, this will help dispense an accurate amount of essential oil. Always be careful to replace the right pipette or lid on to the correct bottle, otherwise you will contaminate your oils with different odours.

Essential oils have different viscosities (thickness) some like Peppermint or Rosemary are very light while others like Patchouli and Myrrh are thick like syrup. Be careful with the lighter oils as they will pour out the droppers quickly while some of the heavier oils will take longer to come out.

General rules for mixing your essential oils.

A 10ml bottle of essential oil will give you approx. 200 drops, when blending essential oils the dilution should be 2%.

For example:

10ml Base Oil
50ml Base Oil

5 drops of essential oil
25 drops of essential oil

This applies whether you are using one or a combination of essential oils.

North Amercian Herb & Spice – Sinu Orega Spray – 30ml spray

hrs.admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:36:11 +0000

SinuOrega is natural nasal wash powered by potent spice extracts.
These powerful extracts are combined with pure sea salt in a spring water base, the ideal wash and inhalant for the nasal membranes and sinuses.
Aromatic formula with Oreganol P73.
Non-addictive.
Free of all chemicals and additives.

Bay Leaf

Wild bay leaf is a powerful natural herb, particularly the extracted oil. It is a key component of the health- and immune-supporting supplements, OregaBiotic and Fung-E-Clenz. Bay leaf extract also helps support a healthy liver and intestinal function, supporting the production of the protective enzyme, glutathione peroxidase and bile for healthy digestion.

Beneficial For:

Antioxidant Support

Hair, Skin & Nails

Oregano

No corruption by genetically modified plants or poisonous pesticides. Original wild, high-mountain P73 oregano with the power of photonic energy, of mountain rocks and sun. Contains the flavonoid quercitin as well as the key minerals calcium and magnesium

Beneficial For:

Antioxidant Support

Age-Protecting

Allergies

Blood Sugar Support

Children’s Health

Immune System

Men’s Health

Natural Sprays & Cleaners

Pets

Sage

This powerful plant has a long history of use, and research has shown why. Wild sage contains a variety of volatile oils, flavonoids (apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin), and phenolic acids, including the valuable rosmarinic acid. Wild sage is a natural source of calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium. Historically, the Greeks and Romans prized it for its many healing properties. The Romans valued sage so highly that they held sacred ceremonies for gathering it.

A.Vogel – Sinuforce Nasal Spray – 20ml

hrs.admin — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 13:38:43 +0000

What is Sinuforce Nasal Spray?

Sinuforce Nasal Spray + menthol is a class 1 medical device according to Council Directive 93/42/EEC. Always read the leaflet.

The 100% natural ingredients soothe your nasal mucous membranes.

Sinuforce Nasal Spray with menthol also contains peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil to ease breathing, and chamomile oil which has a soothing effect on your nose.

If required, the nasal spray can be used over a prolonged period of up to 30 days.

The unique bottle makes preservatives unnecessary.

Dosage of Sinuforce Nasal Spray

Children (2-12 years):
Spray once into each nostril, 1-2 times a day for a period not exceeding 30 days.

Adults:

Spray once or twice into each nostril, 3-5 times daily for a period not exceeding 30 days.

This product is not suitable for children under 2 years old.

Holding the bottle upright, remove the plastic cap and insert the nozzle into the nostril.Depress the pump by placing the fingers on either side of the nozzle.

Note: It may be necessary to prime the pump before use by depressing the spray mechanism once or twice until a fine spray appears.

Ingredients

Physiological saline solution (purified water, sodium chloride (NaCl), disodium hydrogen phosphate-12H_²O, sodium dihydrogen phosphate-2H_²O); sorbitol; PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil; eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus); peppermint oil (Mentha piperita); chamomile oil (Chamomilla recutita).

Is this product suitable for me?

Use Sinuforce Nasal Spray if your nose is blocked during or after a cold.

Sinuforce is suitable for anyone over 2 years of age.

Other symptoms may include a feeling that your sinuses are congested (possibly causing headaches), or catarrh sitting stubbornly in your nasal passages. It is also a good product to try if you are finding it hard to breathe freely through your nose, with symptoms affecting your sleep or ability to exercise.

If your symptoms are caused by hayfever or allergic rhinitis (allergies to dust or animals), giving you an itchy or irritated nose, Pollinosan Luffa Nasal Spray will be more suitable for you. Other symptoms may include your nose and eyes reacting to certain weather conditions or factors that you can’t pin down.

It is unlikely that you would need both these products at the same time – Sinuforce Nasal Spray is for blocked noses and Pollinosan Nasal Spray predominantly for runny noses.

How long can it be used for?

Sinuforce Nasal Spray can be used for a maximum of 30 days.

Use within 12 weeks of opening.

A. Vogel-Po-Ho – Essential oils for inhalation- 1.3g

hrs.admin — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 13:32:27 +0000

What is Po-Ho Oil?

Po-Ho essential oil for inhalation is made from the highest quality essential oils. It contains a mixture of the essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, juniper, caraway and fennel. It is available in a 10ml bottle as well as inhaler stick.

Apart from imparting a nice relaxing aroma, essential oils can also help the body in other ways, forming the basis for aromatherapy as a healthcare discipline. In addition, the essential oils of peppermint and eucalyptus have been used traditionally to help maintain clear, cool breathing – particularly during the cold or flu season.

Alfred Vogel first wrote about Po-Ho essential oil in March 1929 in his first magazine, Das Neue Leben (A Fresh Start). The name comes from Po-Ho, the (Mandarin) Chinese for peppermint, one of the five essential oils in this refreshing classic amongst oils.

How to use Po-Ho Oil

The most popular use of Po-Ho is to inhale the essential oils. This can be done in a number of ways:

Put a few drops of Po-Ho oil onto a handkerchief or bunched-up tissue, hold it to your nose and inhale. You can also put the essential oil soaked handkerchief into your pillowcase or next to your pillow to help you sleep better
If you need to inhale an extra boost of essential oils, put one drop of Po-Ho into a steaming-hot bowl of water, lean over, cover your head and bowl with a small towel, and inhale. Do this carefully as the oils can initially feel quite strong to your eyes when you inhale.
Po-Ho essential oil can also be rubbed onto the front of your upper chest – your body heat will release a constant supply of essential oils for you to inhale. 1 drop of Po-Ho should be mixed with 15 drops of base oil before rubbing onto your chest.
The easy-to-carry essential oil inhaler stick is a convenient way of using Po-Ho. To use, insert the tip of the inhaler gently into your nostril, close the other nostril and inhale deeply. Repeat with the other nostril. Not suitable for children under 6 years of age.

Ingredients

Po-Ho oil for inhalation is a mixture of:

Peppermint essential oil: 50%
Eucalyptus essential oil: 30%
Juniper essential oil: 14%
Caraway essential oil:4%
Fennel essential oil: 2%

Po-Ho essential oil inhaler stick also contains limonene, linalool and vitamin E.

Take care when using Po-Ho

The few things you should take care of when using Po-Ho are:

Do not use as eye drops, nose drops or as a nasal spray.
Avoid contact with the eyes and sensitive skin or other sensitive areas of the body.
Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the oil.
Do not use Po-Ho if you are allergic to any of the essential oils or other ingredients of the inhaler stick.
Best stored in a cool place.