Getting used to this! - gradually!

Having camera struggles at the mo so it might take some time to get the pictures up on here! However, in the meantime I can say that Other Half (from now on known as OH) swears by these salts for sore muscles. He dared to climb a mountain without me a few weeks ago and was only forgiven because he bathed in these salts afterwards and raved about how un-achey he was the next day and since then they have seen us both through some tough days out on the hill! :o)

Warming Bath Salts

Just made up a fresh batch of my warming bath salts - kitchen smells nice, now :) The salts contain pure essential oils of sandalwood, sweet orange, ginger and patchouli - MMmmmmm!

I'll post a photo of some jars later on.

A note of caution

All my products contain pure essential oils of herbs and flowers, many organic, and although Mother Nature has given us great gifts for our enjoyment and benefit, they are powerful ingredients.

Although completely safe when used with respect, you should nevertheless pay close and careful attention to the ingredients and the contra-indications.

I would always advise caution if:

• you are pregnant
• you are trying to conceive
• you are epileptic or have history of fits
• you have blood pressure problems

Also check base ingredients if you have allergies (eg, nuts) since I often use nut oils in my bases.

I will be happy to check and advise if you have any queries or concerns.

Reiki

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means, literally, spiritual wisdom and life energy. It is a system of healing for the mind, body and spirit.

Rei is the consciousness of a higher life force, of love, peace and wisdom, whilst Ki is the universal life force itself.

All living things possess this Ki energy, circulating through and around them, which sustains the emotions, thoughts and spirit.

Each time we do good for ourselves and others, on a small or great level, we “tap into” the Ki energy unconsciously.

I was privileged to be given Reiki energy by my Reiki master and accepted as a Second Degree Reiki healer this year.

All my products are infused with this Reiki energy during the making and given a final “blast” in the bottle!

Aromatherapy

Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful and evocative senses we have, harking back to the time when we (like other animals) relied on it for our survival.

Nowadays we tend to be safer than when we lived in caves and can use our sense of smell for sheer pleasure, to a far greater extent. We can all name and instantly recognise a smell which reminds us of a special holiday, place or event in our lives.

I use the pure essential oils of plants and herbs in my products, and their molecules evaporate into the air and affect our feelings. Oils are often thought to be the physical essence of a plant’s spirit, giving and healing unconditionally.

I aim for two things:

• To use oils that I know have specific benefits and physical / spiritual effects, to produce a particular feeling in a person who uses those oils
  
• When finding that combination of oils for particular reason I have in mind, to blend them so that the smell is enjoyable and pleasurable – however, this is often very personal to each individual!

I also try to match the spiritual effect of each oil with the corresponding chakra in the body. In Eastern medicine it is believed that the body has 7 chakras in a column of energy from the forehead to the base of the spine and that each chakra is connected to specific physical and emotional channels.

A Short History

Blodau’r Cain (Flowers of the Cain) was formed at the beginning of 2010, making handmade toiletries at home in Llanfyllin in the Cain Valley, as gifts and for sale to family, friends and craft fairs.

My ingredients are purchased primarily from British businesses, notably from companies in Norfolk and Devon, and many of the ingredients I use are organic. However, even when expenses prevent me from using an organic product, or its organic version is not available, I am careful to do my utmost to ensure that it comes from a responsible and ethical source.

We rely on cosmetics for so many reasons: to uplift ourselves, soothe and comfort ourselves and boost our self-belief and inner / outer beauty and, in doing so, strengthening our confidence and knowledge that others find us equally beautiful. When we give cosmetics as a gift to someone else we transfer that faith in their beauty and confidence to them, a gift in itself.

Since working for Neals Yard Remedies when I was a student I have felt strongly that something in which we place so much confidence, trust and faith should be worthy of being put on our bodies and for that reason, I strive only to use the purest of ingredients.

The beauty of using my own recipes is that I can also custom-make items to suit a person’s needs or tastes and I am always happy to try out any combination.
Since the costs of the oils and ingredients vary greatly, I usually price all products individually.