Photo by Alena Koval
Plant diet, plant burgers, plant plant plant power! We’re indeed being inundated with all things plant-based this year in an effort to help the planet, animals and be healthier. Although some of it is welcome and genuine – others, not so much. For example, Burger King’s new Plant-based burger is great, but cooked on the same grill as meat burgers and not suitable for vegetarians? What is that about? Just ridiculous, I’m sure big corporations still don’t understand we’re not stupid and can’t be fooled by trend products purely for them to make a few quid?! Well, this month I wanted to share with you some knowledge I’ve learned about plants, well…or flowers used to create the essential oils that I’ve been using to give people the heads up. We won’t get into an argument of what is a plant or flower etc because quite frankly it gives me a headache, but I think you’ll get my flow! 🙄
Plants used to create essential oils
Firstly, I’ve learnt that there are over 90 essential oils across the world with all sorts of smells and health benefits that are being claimed, that’s right…90? Ok, well where do you start if you are considering using them as I did for my bath bombs? The answer…Holland and Barratt! Britain’s top shop for all things oils, vitamins and health products – they even now sell CBD products which I covered in my last zeblog What is CBD (Cannabinoid)? Here comes the UK bath bomb revolution. I’ve covered this a bit more below on 99.9% Pure CBD Isolate extracted from the Cannabis sativa L plant.
As a complete newbie to essential oils, I walked into Holland and Barrett and quite frankly thought WTF? I just did not have a clue, other than smelling Lavendar at some fancy SPA break I had whilst getting a facial – so what do I know? I started to look lost when I found this great little book by Christine Westwood for £2.99 below, this book helped me understand more about the essential oils and what types of potential benefits I would like to have in each of my products. I would highly recommend it if you pop in because I have learnt a lot about plant power.
To dwindle this down, I’ve got 8 essential oils that I use in my products which I’ll briefly share below to hopefully give you a sense of the idea of what claims are being made about these. I sometimes also use an oil burner that I purchased from Etsy that I love; the guy from TheWoodFactoryUK handmade it from reclaimed rustic wood – although my family say the spoon does make me look like I’m using recreational drugs!
- Rosemary
- Ylang Ylang
- Tea Tree
- Lavander
- Jasmine
- Frankincense
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
Why’s it all so popular?
Secondly, in regards to essential oils, there is a term called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) which is increasingly becoming popular, this includes essential oils. The NHS in the UK defines this as “Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are treatments that fall outside of mainstream healthcare.“ I won’t get statistic heavy on you, but globally the aromatherapy market is projected to grow about 8% by 2024.
Those new to the trend like me, you will need to know that essential oils can be very potent and that some of them have been around for centuries. The oil is extracted from each plant to capture their scents, flavours and beneficial properties. Key reasons to use the oils are that they are lovely for your:
- Skin
- Hair
- Wellbeing collection (CAM)
- Can be used for aromatherapy
The 8 essential oils in a nutshell
Rosemary | Botanical name: Rosemary officinalis
A very stimulating and underrated oil, good for both mental and physical levels. Key physical and psychological attributes:
- Physical: Baldness | Circulation | Colds | Hangover | Migraine | Muscles Aches
- Psychological: Clarity | Disorientation | Memory (Dull) | Mental (Calmness)
Ylang Ylang | Botanical name: Cananga odorata
Massive exotic scent that claims to increase confidence. Key psychological attributes:
- Psychological: Anger | Aphrodisiac | Detachment | Fear of People | Guilt | Irrationality | Panic Attacks | Self confidence | Shyness | Stubbiness
Tea Tree | Botanical name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Gives off a strong medicinal smell and some claim anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and powerful for your immune system . Key physical attributes:
- Physical: Antibiotic | Acne | Candida | Mouth ulcers | Thrush | Verucae
Lavender | Botanical name: Lavandula officinalis
Mostly known this one, there are far too many to list here but primarily aids the immune system. Key physical and psychological attributes:
- Physical: Bites | Burns | Blisters | Cystitis (pain urinating) | Dermatitis | Eczema | Hot flushes | Insomnia | PMT
- Psychological: Fear | Hyperactivity | Insomnia | Mood swings | Negative thoughts | Relaxation | Panic Attacks | Worry
Jasmine | Botanical name: Jasminum officinalis
Super expensive this one, in the world currently! Great for an aphrodisiac to get you going, mainly from a massage; also early stages of the flu. Key psychological attributes:
- Psychological: Aphrodisiac | Detachment | Frigidity | Over – analytical | Rigidity | Sadness | Shyness | Stress | Too extrovert/introvert
Frankincence | Botanical name: Boswellia thurifera
This ones taken from a North African tree, used for centuries to aid meditation and rejuvenation. Key physical and psychological attributes:
- Physical: Cracked and weeping skin | Haemorrhoids | Nosebleeds
- Psychological: Apprehension | Bereavement | Claustrophobia | Courage | Insecurity | Panic Attacks | Paranoia
Eucalyptus | Botanical name: Eucalyptus globulous
From another tree, tallest one in the world they say! Mostly used as an inhalant and chest rub – respiratory system. Key physical attributes:
- Physical: Asthma | Bronchitis | Colds | Congestion | Cystitis | Sinusitis
Geranium | Botanical name: Pelargonium adorantissium
Great for skin conditions and claims of stimulating the lymphatic system. Balancing emotional and physical well-being. Key physical and psychological attributes:
- Physical: Change of life | Dermatitis | Eczema | Hormone balancing | Lice | Periods | PMT | Skin blotches
- Psychological: Attachment | Mood swings | Rigidity | Too extrovert / introvert
New plant on the block
Cannabis sativa L | Botanical name: Canabinoid (CBD)
This plant needs no introduction and now it is legal to both grow and sell in the USA and Canada. The UK primarily imports the plant to extract all the good bits called CBD (Cannabinoid) in a lab and remove all the bad bits called THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). If you’ve read my CBD blog I mentioned above you’ll know that THC is the psychoactive bit that makes you high. If you need the low down on this, make sure you download my Ultimate UK CBD Guide by completing the email form on the CBD page to have this emailed directly to you.
This plant has been around for a long time but now it’s possible to just extract the CBD, your body has what is called an endocannabinoid system (ECS) and actually produces its own CBD as well. CBD is primarily used at the moment for seizures like epilepsy. Although people are also using it for anxiety, pain, muscle disorders like dystonia, Parkinson disease, Crohn disease, and many other conditions. It should be noted as I’ve said on my CBD blog about this, there is no significant medical evidence, trials are still on going.
Finally, it’s clear from just a few examples I’ve outlined that plant-based products and CBD in 2020 is going to take the market by storm as people are actively more engaged with global warming, veganism and attempting to look after their mental wellbeing. As people discover CAM they will be seeking out products that help them achieve these goals. I hope that my knowledge I’ve shared helps you somewhat navigate your way through this and I’m excited and pleased to be able to part of the conversations taking place with my bath bomb products. If you haven’t checked them out already, please do head on over to the online Shop and take a look, you must try the CBD range and don’t forget you can now fully mix and match!