You can make make a really simple hand cleanser (that won't dry out your hands!), in seconds! using just 2 ingredients! Aloe Vera gel and an essential oil of your choice - some oils are better choices than others for a hand cleanser. I used Thyme and you will find a little information about it below. This purpose of this hand cleanser is to keep in in your pocket when you are out and about and where it may be difficult for you to access soap and water! This isn't a replacement for washing your hands - especially at this time (April 2020).
There are over 300 species of Thyme and many species produce their own unique variety of essential oil which are called chemotypes. They are all Thyme oil, but their chemistry is different depending on the climate and other conditions the plant grew in, giving them different characteristics and uses. I am going to use Thyme (Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol) for my hand cleanser recipe.
Thyme has been used for thousands of years. The Ancient Greeks used it to disinfect the air to prevent the spread of disease* and Thyme essential oil was used in World War I to medicate gauze and wool for surgical dressings. It resembles carbolic acid in its actions but it is less irritating to wounds and its germicidal action is greater **
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol) is probably the most well known of the Thyme chemotypes and is the one used in the Raindrop Technique. It contains high percentages of the chemical component 'thymol' which contributes to its potent, sharp aroma. It can reduce germs (on hands, in the air via a diffuser and on household surfaces) and there are many studies that states it supports the immune system***
Safety Note: This chemotype of Thyme essential oil is too strong to be used undiluted for people with a sensitive skin, children and pregnant women.
Recipe for Hand Cleanser:
40mls Aloe Vera gel
20 drops of Thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol)
Add the Aloe Vera gel to a 40ml flip top bottle
Add the essential oil
Mix well. Always shake the bottle before use
I only used Thyme essential oil in this hand cleaner, as I consider it to be the most efficient at this present time (April, 2020) when most of us are self-isolating because of Covid-19.
I didn't put a label on this bottle of hand cleanser, as it is just for my personal use and the only place it is
going to be is in my coat pocket!
When I am making products for other people, I would label the container with the ingredients in
the bottle, the date I made it and any safety precautions if necessary.
References:
* Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit by Gabriel Mojay
* * The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia
*** Antimicrobial Properties of Plant Essential Oils against Human Pathogens and Their Mode of Action: An Updated Review.
If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, acid reflux, stomach ulcers, diarrhoea, Crohn’s disease, high blood pressure, difficulty sleeping, anxiety or colitis, then caffeine could indeed be the culprit, and slowly eliminating it from your diet may relieve some of your symptoms. When we talk about caffeine, we usually think of coffee, but many carbonated drinks these days contain large amounts of caffeine. As an addictive substance, it is a sure way for large coffee retailers to retain customers, especially children who get addicted at a very young age. Drinking caffeinated beverages can dehydrate the body and interfere with digestion.
Caffeine also interferes with the absorption of magnesium, which is critical in maintaining regular, healthy bowel movements. Caffeine over-stimulates the digestive system and can induce a temporary laxative effect, causing the bowels to expel waste before it's had the chance to process and utilise vital water and nutrients. This frequently leads to a constant state of dehydration and malnourishment among coffee drinkers, and those drinking excessive amounts of caffeinated drinks. This effect is not only due to the caffeine - the same effects are seen in people who regularly drink decaffeinated varieties.
Coffee is also highly acidic and can lead to an overproduction of stomach acid that can severely irritate the intestines. Unbelievably, decaffeinated coffee has been shown to trigger even more acid production than regular coffee. This over-production (when combined with coffee's laxative effects) can cause too much stomach acid to move into the intestines. All this acid can potentially cause irreversible damage to the intestinal lining. Is it worth it?
HEALTHY SUBSTITUTE? TEA!
Red Bush Tea in particular. It's light and refreshing - it has no tannin or caffeine and can be drunk without sugar or milk because it has a naturally sweet taste with no bitterness. It is high in antioxidants and flavonoids and calorie free so good for your waistline too.
Slique Tea produced by Young Living, is a delicious, rare blend of natural ingredients chosen for their impressive phytonutrient content. The tea features an exquisite blend of cacao powder, cinnamon bark, ground nutmeg, and pure, proprietary vanilla essential oil - absolutely delicious!
In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, it can be difficult to maintain all those good intentions about living a healthier lifestyle. But adopting a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be hard! Check out our favourite oils to help in all four areas of health:
Physical, Emotional, Mental & Social
What are some of your favourite oils for a healthy lifestyle?
Suzie Webb
Suzie Webb Wellness
Clinical Aromatherapist & Nutritionist
References: this was an original Young Living post - but a particularly good one I thought! lol
At the Young Living European Convention in Brussels last September, there were lots of new products launched for the European market, and one of them was IlluminEyes - which was created with the health of your eyes in mind.
Here is a short (under 2 minutes!) video I made for my IGTV channel for you to hear all about it!
Vitamin A in IlluminEyes contributes to maintain your normal vision (and normal skin).
Formulated with lutein and zeaxanthin, and without synthetic ingredients you just need to take one vegetarian-friendly capsule per day.
This supplement also contains vitamin C to help contribute to the normal function of the immune system, and vitamin E to contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
As a nutrition consultant a question I'm often asked is:
'do we really need to take supplements or can we get sufficient vitamins & minerals from the food we eat'?
Well the simple short answer is that yes, we should be able to get all we need from the food we eat however, without going into a long complicated answer - we unfortunately cannot get all the nutrients we from our food - for many reasons one being that exported fruit/vegetables are picked before they are ripe and the fruit/vegetables haven't fully developed their vitamins and minerals.
When they are artificially ripened (sometimes weeks later!) they contain a fraction of the nutrients that they should contain had they been able to fully develop naturally on the tree/plant.
Many of the vitamins and antioxidants that improve eyesight naturally are found in common foods, including:
- Carrots, kale, spinach, and collard greens (vitamin A and lutein)
- Liver (vitamin A), including cod liver oil.
- Swiss chard, zucchini, and brussel sprouts (lutein)
- Sweet potatoes and butter (vitamin A)
So the big question is, do you eat tons of the above foods for the health of your eyes and skin, and just for the best that they contain the all important nutrients, or do you simple take 1 x IlluminEyes supplement a day! I know what I am doing!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions on nutrition or supplements.
Suzie Webb
On Saturday 10th August, 2019 Jersey, Channel Islands, hosted a Young Living day and the theme was The Young Living Foundation. The Young Living Foundation supports many charities around the globe, but I decided to dedicate our YL Day to Sole Hope.
Sole Hope is a charity in Uganda who help children and adults who have jiggers. Jiggers are parasites that get into the soles of the feet and lay eggs which hatch and grow like little maggots. The result is that the children can't walk, run or go to school. Sole Hope has clinics, set up by Young Living, where the jiggers are removed (some of the children have to stay three weeks for this be completed), and they are taught hygiene and given shoes. The children can then walk, run and play again and most importantly, return to school.
The aim of Shoe Making Parties is to recycle denim clothes into the uppers for shoes for the patients of the clinics.
Here we are with the jackets and jeans we used to make the uppers.
We got off to a slow start, but soon got into the swing of things. Each pair of shoes needed 4 toe pieces, 4 back pieces, 2 heel pieces in denim and 2 heel pieces in strong plastic. Chris Boudier cut the plastic pieces for us, Margaret cut the jackets and jeans into usable pieces, without seams or pockets, whilst the rest of us cut out the pieces from the pattern. 
We made 10 pairs of shoes - toddler size. The uppers are then sent to the organisation headquarters in Carolina who then send them to the clinics in Uganda.
Shoe makers then make up the shoes using old tyres for the soles of the shoes.
$100 is sent with every 10 pairs of shoes - which we raised from the YL Day- with the help of Juanita Shield-Laignal offering mini Indian Head Massage sessions for donations, and donations from the participants of the shoe making party.
This money is to pay the shoemakers, but also to buy the equipment for them to do so, and to support the clinics and all the equipment and supplies that they need too.
It was warm work! We were at Holme Grown, Jersey, on the hottest day of the year so far and it took much longer than we anticipated - but good fun was had by all and we would definitely do it again!
Yes! a Bath Salts event in a Tepee! what fun!On Friday the 12 July I hosted a Bath Salts Session in the tepee based in Chiswick Business Park - where the Young Living European Headquarters have their offices. We were expecting a few people, probably about 10, but oh my goodness! it tuned into a drop in session and we ended up with over 20 - in a tiny tepee!
Susanna Buss - head of Education at YL Chiswick - opened the proceedings by informing everyone that it was the 25th Anniversary of YL and explained about the quality of our oils. The day before, 11 July, was International Essential Oils Day - so that's what we were celebrating, just a day late!
I started off with some general information about salts, in that Epsom Salts were one of the best to use for bath salts, but to get the maximum benefit from Epsom salts, you had to remain in the tub for at least 20 minutes - and for even more benefit a further 20 minutes. Apparently, the first 20 minutes the body is detoxing and the second 20 minutes the body is absorbing some of the minerals, in particular magnesium from the Epsom Salts. Technically, Epsom Salts are not a salt at all but Magnesium Sulfate.
Our first objective was to make a bath salt blend to nourish body mind and spirit after a long hard day at the office, school or just whenever you need to totally relax and unwind. The Rule of Thumb about quantities - only use a maximum of 5 drops of essential oil per bath .
Method : In a 4 oz jar, add 3 oz of Epsom Salts, or fine pink Himalayan salts or any fine salts of good quality. To that add 1 oz of vegetable oil - either V6 or coconut, or apricot kernel, something nice. Then add your blend of essential oils. There are so many blends you could choose - for the workshop I chose:
5 Drops of Lavender and
5 Drops of Cedarwood
If there were more time to explain more about the essential oils I would have chosen this luxurious blend (doubling the amount of salts - 20 drops of essential oils are enough for 4 baths at 5 drops per bath).
4 drops of Cedarwood
3 drops of Roman Chamomile
7 drops of Lavender
6 drops of Patchouli
The second formulation I gave the participants was a Morning blend to give you some get up and go on a Monday morning!
5 drops of Cedarwood again -good for grounding both mornings and evenings
5 drops of Orange - for uplifting and calming - (yes some essential oils can uplift and calm)
Here the students have filled their jars with the Epsom Salts and are now stirring in their 1 oz of vegetable oil. As water and oil don't mix, it is a good idea to add some vegetable oil as it gives the essential oils something to blend into, otherwise they would just float on top of the water, and this could cause some skin irritation to sensitive skins.
The picture below right shows me explaining about the blend with Susanna Buss looking on.
The next 'Make & Take' to be held at Young Living, Chiswick will be on Friday 13 September, 2019 - 5.30pm - 8.30pm - Workshop No. 1 in the 'Make & Take' Series
Please contact me or look under the Events tab for more information.
Suzie Webb
Nutrition Consultant & Clinical Aromatherapist
The top 5 Foods to avoid if you want to improve your health.
When starting a new health regime, many people start to include healthy foods into their diet – which is great! However, more often than not the best place to start when wanting to improve your health is to remove the harmful foods and drinks first.
Here are my top 5 foods and drinks to take out of your diet for optimum health.
1. All fizzy canned drinks – Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi and Fanta for example. Why? The most important reason fizzy drinks are on the list is for their sugar content. Did you know that there are about 10 teaspoons of sugar in a can of Coke? Within 20 minutes of drinking the Coke, your blood sugar spikes, and your liver responds to the resulting insulin burst by turning large amounts of sugar into fat! Within 40 minutes your blood pressure rises due to your body having absorbed all the caffeine, and then your liver dumps even more sugar into your bloodstream!
Read more...
There has been thousands of clinical trials made about Vitamin C with the consensus being that it is probably the safest of all the food supplements you can take.
Many people will argue why take supplements at all when you can get all the vitamins and minerals you need from diet alone?
Well sadly, it is very difficult to get all the nutrients you need from today's 'food'. Our fresh fruit and vegetables contain significantly less nutrients than they used to, and will depend on where grown, the conditions of soil and when harvested. Many fruits are picked before they are ripe (before the vitamin C has developed fully), and then artificially ripened before being put on our supermarket shelves - if you are lucky a small orange will contain up to 50mg of vitamin C, but if you are unlucky, it may contain none at all.
Our bodies can't make Vitamin C, we lost the ability to do so about 25 million years ago! which is why it is paramount that you are conscious of how much you are taking every day either through your food (a guesstimate) or supplements.
In December 2014 a new European Union (EU) regulation came into effect. The new regulation changed the way in which nutritional information should be displayed on food products in relation to vitamins and minerals. Many people are still unaware of the change which has led to confusion as they are still searching for the original ' RDA' (Recommended Daily Allowance) which the new regulation has now replaced.
The RDA term is still used, but not for vitamins and minerals. It will be used for instance in the amount of calories which should be consumed per day. e.g. women are recommended to consume 2,000 calories per day and men 2,500 calories. RDA's still extend across the main macro-nutrients including fat, carbohydrates and protein as well as salt and fluids, but have been replaced by NRV's when it comes to vitamins and minerals. (Nutrient Reference Value).
So, what's the difference between RDA's and NRVs then? None they are exactly the same! (so why change the name I ask myself!)
Here is a quick review of some of vitamin C’s hundreds of biochemical roles
- Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen - the inter-cellular glue that keeps skin, lungs, arteries, the digestive tract and all organs intact.
- Vitamin C supports our immune system.
- Vitamin C supports our cardiovascular system.
- It is a potent antioxidant protecting against free radicals, pollution, carcinogens, heavy metals, and other toxins.
- It is strongly anti-viral and mildly anti-bacterial.
- Energy cannot be made in any cell, brain or muscle without adequate vitamin C.
- The adrenal glands have a high concentration of vitamin C, which is essential for stress hormone synthesis.
- Vitamin C is so central in so many chemical reactions in the body that, without it, life is simply not possible.
Why do I recommend and use myself the Young Living range of supplements? Because, like the Seed to Seal promise with our essential oils, YLs supplement range are one of the best out there! with absolutely no nasties to be found!
Super C Tablets
When you use isolated Vitamin C you are only getting a small amount of its intended benefits. Vitamin C works best when it is consumed as the whole fruit or vegetables. Fruit purchased at the grocery store is likely to be depleted of vital nutrients as they were often picked weeks prior to them ending up in your home. Vine-ripening is the best form of whole fruit nutrition, but if you do not live on or near a farm that allows you to pick ripe fruit and eat it the same day, then you are eating vitamin depleted fruit.
Bioflavonoids are a key part of the whole fruit. They help enhance vitamin C action.
Bioflavonoids are known to support blood circulation and help decrease free-radical damage in the body and because they are so good at placating anti-oxidative stress, they are able to help support inflammatory conditions in the body.
Super C from Young Living allows you to get all the benefits of vine-ripened fruit with all the beneficial bioflavonoids without travelling to a farm to pick your own.
Super C Tablets contain a few additional ingredients to the Chewable Vitamin C (which we can't get in Europe) - such as Rutin flower bud powder, Cayenne fruit powder, Orange peel oil, Tangerine rind oil, Grapefruit peel oil, Lemon peel oil, and Lemongrass leaf oil. It contains the added benefits of di-calcium phosphate, zinc, manganese, and potassium.
Rutin is a powerful antioxidant that can help support circulation and help strengthen and increase flexibility of blood vessels. It is also known to suppress oxidative stress.
Cayenne fruit (cayenne pepper) helps to boost metabolism and contains several other incredible benefits such as it aids digestion, supports joints and muscles, and reduces blood sugar levels.
Essential oils in the Super C Tablets allow for better bio-availability of the entire supplement by helping to increase the bioflavonoid activity.
Super C not only contains 1440% of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin C per serving (the NVR is currently 60mg for non-smoking men and women), but it is also fortified as stated above, with rutin, citrus bioflavonoids, and minerals to balance electrolytes and enhance the effectiveness and absorption of vitamin C.*
The essential oils that are added may also increase bioflavonoid activity.
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins required by our bodies. The ingredients in Super C play a role in normal immune and circulatory functions, help to strengthen connective tissues, and promote overall health, vitality, and longevity.* Because our bodies cannot manufacture vitamin C, everyone can benefit by consuming this powerful antioxidant daily.
- For reinforcing immune strength, take 2 tablets daily.
- For maintenance, take 1 tablet daily.
- For 'optimal dose' take up to bowel tolerance. This means when your bowel movements are soft, but not too soft. I would take an 'optimal dose' if you are recovering from an illness or before surgery, and I would recommend you just do an 'optimal dose' a couple of times a year as a top up. Otherwise as above for maintenance or for reinforcing immune strength.
- Best if taken before meals.
Free of common allergens. No artificial colours, flavors, preservatives, salt, sugar, starch, corn, wheat, yeast, or soy products.
Suzie Webb
Nutrition Consultant & Clinical Aromatherapist
Suzie Webb Wellness
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Cannabinoids & the Endocannabinoid System
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are a group of fat soluble molecules that are produced naturally in all humans and almost all animals, except insects. Cannabinoids are found in a variety of plants, with the hemp plant being the most prolific.
The first ever cannabinoid was discovered in 1895, when scientist Thomas Wood was able to isolate and identify this from the hemp plant. It wasn’t until 1964 that researchers began to understand more about the nature of cannabinoids and identified the psychoactive cannabinoid, THC.
In the mid-1990s, researchers identified the body’s own endocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a cannabinoid receptor system that helps regulate homeostasis in the human body.
Endocannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
The most well-known cannabinoid produced by the human body is anandamide. Cannabinoids regulate intracellular communication and modulate/coordinates homeostasis in systems such as the central nervous, cardiovascular, immune, endocrine, respiratory, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems.
The ECS is thus one of the body’s largest signal systems.
There are currently two identified types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 receptors (found mostly in the brain but also cardiovascular system), and CB2 receptors (found mostly in the immune system and central nervous system). This is being expanded with a new type called CB3 receptors.
Cannabinoids in the Hemp Plant
The hemp plant has the most unique and varied range of cannabinoids. Today there are around 130 cannabinoids identified in the hemp plant. These include THCA, CBG, CBN and CBA.
I have been studying this whole area of interest over the past year, the endocannabinoid system in general and the exhaustive range of product available, and I've tried many - the good, the bad and the ugly! I've visited companies, asked for scientific reports and have learned so much its mind blowing!
Watch this space for some very exciting news in this area being announced next month from Suzie Webb Wellness!
Suzie Webb
Nutrition Consultant & Clinical Aromatherapist
Suzie Webb Wellness
In my last blog we looked at the first 3 essential oils great for skin, Lavender, Frankincense and Cedarwood
and today I am going to share the next three essential oils great for skin. Please don't just read about them - use them!
4. Tea Tree
Traditionally used in skin care products for its cleansing properties, Tea Tree essential oil is great for all skin types but is especially suited for use on oily skin.
- Use as a spot treatment by placing a drop on the end of a cotton swab and dabbing lightly onto targeted areas of the face.
- Add 1–2 drops to your daily application of shampoo to nourish your scalp. Lather shampoo into hair and scalp, let sit a few minutes while enjoying its cool, tingly sensation, and then rinse
If you would like to buy some YL Tea Tree, please click here
5. GeraniumGeranium essential oil is a popular choice to help smooth and tone skin. It has a powerful aroma and if uplifting as well as great for the skin. This essential oil is beneficial for all skin types, but it’s especially good for skin that’s either oily or dry.
- Add a few drops of this essential oil to a DIY face mask or use it during a stress reducing facial massage.
- Add 4–5 drops to a water bottle with 2 ounces of water. Spritz lightly over skin for a refreshing, revitalising effect.
If you would like to try the YL Geranium, please click here
6. Ylang YlangKnown for its sweet floral fragrance, Ylang Ylang essential oil also helps moisturise and revitalise skin.
This uplifting essential oil is great for all skin types, but it especially benefits dry or mature complexions.
- Add 5 drops into 10 mls. of carrier oil, such as V6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex, or some good quality jojoba and incorporate into a relaxing massage at the end of the day.
Add 2–3 drops to your bathwater (in a teaspoon of milk).
Add a few drops to your face cream or body lotion and gently massage into skin.
If you would like to try the YL Ylang Ylang (distilled in Equador!), then please click here
Reference: Adapted from the Young Living Blog
Suzie Webb
Clinical Aromatherapist, Nutrition Consultant
Welcome to my Blog! I'm Suzie Webb you can read more about me 
