Organic aromatherapy for horses

According to equine aromatherapist and founder of Equi-Spa in the USA, Sherie Vermeer says that horses can benefit from the use of some essential oils. She lists five essential oils that owners should keep on hand to help maintain the health and wellbeing of their horses - lavender, peppermint, tea tree, sweet orange and patchouli. Lavender essential oil has strong anti-bacterial & healing properties and can be used to help treat burns and minor abrasions. Peppermint essential oil can be sprayed inside stables to help treat horses who suffer from hives as it has cooling and decongestant properties. Tea tree oil works well with lavender as it has strong anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Sweet orange oil has strong wellbeing properties and can help lift the spirits of horses who are being rested for long periods of time when sprayed in their stables. Patchouli oil calms and soothes the skin.

When applied to the skin, essential oils should be diluted to 5% in a suitable organic vegetable oil such as sweet almond oil or St John's Wart oil. When used in diffusion as a spray, use 10-15 drops of essential oil for every 10fl oz of water.

Witch-hazel also works well on the skin to cool it when the horse is being groomed. Why not try mixing 3-4 tbsps of our organic witch-hazel flower water with 10fl oz of water and use as a spray?

For full information on Sherie's equine aromatherapy tips and how to introduce your horse to essential oils visit Holistic Horse Care.

Make your own organic body scrub with organic lavender oil

Why not try making your own natural body scrub? It'll save you money and as it's completely natural you won't be harming the environment or yourself. Mix some sea salt with some olive oil (or one of our organic vegetable oils) and scent with a few drops of organic lavender essential oil. Then wash off as normal. It'll leave your skin feeling soft, svelt and smelling rather yummy.

Organic flea spray for cats and dogs

According to Holistic Health News pet owners can make up their own natural and, if you use our products, organic, flea & tick spray using a variety of essential oils mixed with water. They can be nearly as effective as using standard shop bought sprays/powders and they don't contain any nasty chemicals and toxins. Effective insect repellent oils include organic peppermint, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, geranium, myrrh and tea tree . Mix approx 20-25 drops of any of these oils, or a blend, with 8 fl oz of water, shake well & spray on to your pet, being careful to shield its eyes from the mist.

However, if you're a bit lazy like us, then you could just buy our organic insect repellent blend of essential oils and mix 20 drops of this with 8 fl oz of water instead. It smells rather lovely too and so will Rover.

Anxious or stressed puppies benefit from aromatherapy

According to posh pooch site Dream Dogs, if you've got an anxious or stressed puppy he/she could benefit from the use of calming essential oils at bath time. Dream Dogs recommends using a few drops of lavender essential oil in their bath water - ours is organic which is even better. We would also recommend using organic sweet orange essential oil which also has strong calming and relaxing properties.

If your puppy has problems settling down to sleep when you initially get him/her home, then you might consider spraying their bed area with our organic lavender pillow perfume or our organic orange blossom pillow perfume both of which help to calm the mind, create a sense of wellbeing and induce sleep - in humans and animals. And they smell rather gorgeous too.

Hibiscus tea could reduce blood pressure

According to the American Heart Association, drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea daily could help to reduce the blood pressure of people at risk of kidney disease, heart disease and strokes. Read the full story at the Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/4567107/Hibiscus-tea-could-help-cut-blood-pressure.html

You can buy organic hibiscus tea from florame at http://www.florame.co.uk/hibiscusorganicherbaltea-p-332.html

Hibiscus tea also has an energising effect so is the perfect cuppa to drink in the afternoon if you need a lift. It's also great as a summer thirst quencher.