Sunblock / Insect repellent

 
Welcome to another of my infrequent news-letters. Well at least there are not too many to clog the 'in' box!! Couldn't quite bring myself to sit inside on such a nice day, when I should be outside in the garden so have brought the laptop outside with me. Where there is a will there is a way! The sun is shining and starting to get very hot, the insects are buzzing and the vege garden needs planting. A beautiful feeling of spring which leads me on to summer thoughts.

 Sunblock. I've always thought better to wear a hat and light long sleeved clothing, but that does nothing to protect the back of the hands, the lower legs and other places that are still exposed. Happily there is now appearing on the market a few sunblocks that are free from chemicals. Most are based on Zinc Oxide but are nothing like the thick white gunk that I still associate with 'surfies' noses! Now they are light and disappear nicely into the skin. They are also reasonably water proof. I stock 'UV Naturals' which proved popular last summer.
 I also recommend using Aloe Vera gel on your skin, especially the face, if you are ever going to be outside in the wind or at night if you have been in the sun. Aloe Vera beautifully protects the skin from drying out (although it does not act as a sunblock) and can help heal damaged skin. I have very seldom seen the skin peel after 'accidentally' getting burnt if Aloe Vera has been liberally applied after wards. It cannot however save badly burnt skin, so don't go there!! The Aloe Vera gel that I keep in stock is very light, has no extra colouring or antiseptic agents added and is not sticky or thick, excellent for the facial skin. There are some brands out there that I find better to use as hair gel, they do a very good job of this but I feel are a bit heavy on the skin.
For general skin treatments I always use 'Kosmea' products. This is an Australian brand that I have used for quite some years now. It is not fully organic, but is chemical free and based on organic Rose hip oil. It s quite the best Rose hip oil I have come across, a beautiful deep yellow and very beneficial for the skin. There is more information on 'Kosmea' products, including prices, on the web site. I have in the past recommended the Rose hip oil combined with Aloe Vera gel to a local 'surfie' who had badly damaged skin and have seen very good results. He still uses both of these regularly along with 'UV Natural' sunblock to continue to keep his skin safe.

 Insect Repellent. This is another area that you continue to see some pretty nasty chemical concoctions being used, when in reality it is pretty easy to make an effective blend yourself or buy one of the many on the market that are based on natural essential oils. I have always used a simple blend of Citronella and Sweet Almond oil. Lavender oil can be added to this if your friends complain too much at the smell, but hey, the insects don't like it either and the almond oil is beautifully nourishing on the skin. Don't use an excessive amount as you want it to absorb into the skin, not sit on top and become sticky. There are other essential oils that the bugs don't like if you have a real aversion to Citronella, try Geranium.

Now you are safe to go and plant the vege garden, be sure to wear a hat. Silver beet, chard, beans, peas, beetroot, onions, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, rocket, cress, chives, potato, they can all go in now. Be sure to plant after the new moon as things are bound to grow alot better. I always forget to check this one and often wonder why things aren't doing so well. It comes of trying to do too much in a hurry. I have made a mental promise to myself to do better from now on, so if your emails don't get answered 'immediately', please forgive me, I am trying to take life little slower!!

Best in Health
Alison
 
     
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