soothing chamomile hand-picked from the Great Hungarian Plain achieve great skin through exfoliation aromatherapy to maintain healthy stress levels

Transcription

1 AUTUMN EDITION 2012 soothing chamomile hand-picked from the Great Hungarian Plain achieve great skin through exfoliation aromatherapy to maintain healthy stress levels

2 THIS ISSUE autumn AUTUMN EDITION 2012 With the holiday season now over, it is well and truly time to start looking ahead to the good things 2012 will bring. It is the perfect time to plan your business goals for the year and think about new possibilities you wish to nurture. In this issue of Oily we discuss the benefits of commercial forecasting and how it can help you specify clear expectations and also prepare you for unexpected risks. Our lifestyle article offers practical aromatherapy tips to help manage stress levels and reduce the impact of daily pressures. It s an ideal opportunity to form new habits that help you tackle every challenge big or small. Plus our Harvest story takes us to the land of Roman Chamomile. This fruity, herbaceous oil is an excellent option when looking to maintain a calm and centred consciousness, making it the number one choice for this season. Lucille Wilson, Editor

3 Autumn cover: Camellia Camellia oleifera Cold pressed Camellia oil is extremely rich in nutrients. It contains high amounts of Vitamins A, B, C and E along with oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids. It is ideal for use in massage applications as it offers good slip and is easily absorbed to leave the skin feeling silky soft. In natural cosmetics, Camellia promotes skin elasticity and minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles making it an excellent addition to anti-ageing formulations. Available in Certified Organic. Visit for more information. 04 Harvest: Certified Organic Roman Chamomile oil Hand-picked from Hungary. 12 SME Forum: Business Forecasting Prepare and plan for the year ahead. 16 Lifestyle: Stay stress-free with aromatherapy Tips to help you keep your inner peace. 20 Up Close: Skin Exfoliation Revive and brighten your complexion. 22 Product Specification: Chamomile Roman oil Certified Organic Specification for manufacturers. 23 Formulation: Sensitive Skin Cream Featuring Chamomile Roman Certified Organic essential oil

4 Certified Organic Roman Chamomile; nature s soother Hand-picked flowers are gathered to produce this precious aromatic oil that is world-famous for its emotional and physiological soothing benefits. 4

5 HARVEST After steam distillation extraction of the herbaceaous essential oil, the discarded plant material is sold to local farmers for composting. Opposite: The Great Hungarian Plain is a rich agricultural region where fields of Certified Organic Roman Chamomile flowers bloom towards the end of spring. 5

6 Roman Chamomile has been used as a successful natural remedy for nausea, nervous conditions and sleeplessness. Clockwise from top left: Large stainless steel distillation units are filled with fresh chamomile flowers to extract the valuable essential oil. The oil and water mixture that results from the steam distillation is processed through condensing tubes and specific gravity separaters. Once all the oil has been extracted the still units must be emptied and cleaned. 6

7 HARVEST The Great Hungarian Plain extends across vast areas of southern and eastern Hungary and covers more than 50 percent of the country. It was once a barren land mass. However, through extensive irrigation it has now become a strong Certified Organic agricultural area and home to the commercial production of the Roman Chamomile plants that are harvested for the popular essential oil. The history of Chamomile Chamomile is native to Southern and Western Europe and the Northern parts of Africa but has been cultivated throughout the entire European continent and the Americas. The name chamomile is derived from the Greek. It roughly translates to ground apple and is aptly named as the plant possesses a unique aroma, somewhat similar to the apple fruit. In Spanish, chamomile is called manzanilla, or little apple, also referring to the plant s scent. The Anthemis nobilis species was given the common name of Roman Chamomile by a 19th century botanist who found the plant growing within the Roman Colosseum. Chamomile has been utilised in natural remedies for centuries. Documented uses date back to ancient Egyptian times when the plant was used in ceremonies to honour their gods and alleviate common ailments. In the Middle Ages, chamomile was used as a successful remedy for a large number of medical complaints such as nausea, nervous conditions and sleeplessness. Roman Chamomile harvesting Chamomile seedlings are hand planted in rows during the mild spring months. The small, stocky plant grows to about 25 centimetres in height and takes approximately 15 months to mature for its small initial harvest. It requires significant rainfall and irrigation to grow outwards from the plant base, with each stem sprouting multiple branches and blossoming with white feathery flowers. Fields of chamomile are maintained for 5 years and annual harvests take place each summer. After this time the crop is > 7

8 rotated with ley-farming, and the fields are left unsown in order for them to regain fertility. The summer harvest days start early in the morning and continue through until mid-afternoon. Whilst there is a regular labour force of local workers, extra harvesting employees are recruited to ensure maximum crop collection during the height of the season. Harvesting by hand, a picker removes the upper part of the plant stem including the white flower heads. The manual work is assisted by the use of a small crescent shaped sickle that a skilled worker utilises with speed. Summer temperatures can reach up to 30 C and late afternoon thunderstorms are common so it is important for the picker to have collected substantial amounts of flowers in the earlier part of the day. Once harvested, the stockpile of fresh chamomile flowers is transported directly to the processing facility where it is prepared for essential oil extraction. Certified Organic Roman Chamomile essential oil Sydney Essential Oil Co. s supply partner has been producing Roman Chamomile essential oil for over forty years and is one of the largest Hungarian exporters. They achieved organic certification in 2005 through Biokontroll in Hungary and BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH in Germany and these certifications are subsequently recognised by Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and the National Organic Program (USDA). At the processing facility, the chamomile flowers are combined in large stainless steel vessels approximately four cubic metres in size. The plant material is subjected to the steam distillation process to produce a water and oil mixture. This mixture is then condensed through a heat-exchanger vapour-tube and further processed through specific gravity separation units to isolate the oil. > Chamomile has long been utilised in natural remedies for ailments such as nausea, insomnia, nervous tension and a variety of skin conditions. The soft white flowers have a crisp, sweet, slightly fruity fragrance. 8

9 HARVEST 9

10 10 Clockwise from top left: A highly complex oil with over 40 different chemical constituents, Roman Chamomile offers wonderful skin soothing properties. It can help reduce redness and improves elasticity making it ideal for inclusion in anti-ageing formulations. Roman Chamomile essential oil is exported to all corners of the world as it is a widely popular oil in aromatherapy, cosmetic manufacture and natural health care products. Dried chamomile flowers can add great texture and colour to bath, toiletry and aromatherapy products. They impart a soft yellow hue and provide a gentle soothing action for sensitive skin types.

11 HARVEST Approximately 60 kilograms of fresh chamomile flowers are used to produce 1 kilogram of the essential oil. The resulting yellowy-green coloured oil offers a warm, herbaceous aroma with fruity apple notes. It blends beautifully with citrus oils such as orange, lemon and bergamot and with floral such as lavender, rose and neroli. This complex oil comprises over 40 different chemical constituents creating its truly unique aromatic profile and aromatherapeutic benefits. Chamomile has a long history of use in skincare as it offers significant soothing and calming properties. It is commonly employed to minimise the irritation of dry skin and can relieve burns and blisters. It is an effective skin cleanser and toner and also assists with blemish control. In anti-ageing products, Chamomile can improve skin elasticity and also reduce puffiness and the appearance of broken capillaries. It is also offers excellent results in hair care products. The distinctive constituents benefit blonder tones as the oil is known to lighten hair pigmentation. It can be incorporated in both shampoo and conditioner formulations for maximum results. There are many other benefits of chamomile. It provides substantial relaxation properties making it ideal for use in essential oil blends promoting a peaceful night s sleep as its calming nature alleviates tension and allows the mind to release the day s stress. Roman Chamomile is also recognised as a suitable essential oil to use with children. It can be incorporated in products to offer both skincare benefits and emotional support for children who are irritable and restless, have sleeping difficulties or who suffer from general malaise. By incorporating Certified Organic Roman Chamomile oil in your natural cosmetic formulations, or by using it within your natural therapy clinic, you will experience positive results from the aromatherapeutic benefits the oil imparts. Available in bulk volume and small pack sizes contact our sales team for more information today! 1 11

12 forecasting: plan smart for a bright Taking a proactive approach to managing your inventory requirements, by anticipating your forward requirements, can enable you to work closely with your key suppliers to ensure adequate stocks of your most important ingredients will be on hand when you require them. Forecasting is giving your supplier an indication of your usage of a product within a designated period time. By doing this you can make sure your supply chain of the material is secure or alternatively lets you know earlier than expected if there is going to be supply issues. The more time you give yourself the better prepared you will be should any problems arise. Forecasting can also help guarantee pricing for a period of time and this helps you work to a consistent margin which is particularly important for those on-selling and manufacturing. Oils Nature is not always consistent. Oils produced from harvest to harvest will differ not only in scent but the yield of the oil itself can also vary greatly. More recent examples of unusual weather patterns have had a dramatic impact on the amount of oil produced. No oil is immune to this and as such it means that there will be times when oils that were previously abundant may become short in supply. Recent examples of this in Australia include Mandarin where rain limited the final harvest and Lemon Myrtle due to flooding in > 12

13 SME FORUM business future 13

14 SME FORUM Queensland early in Whilst there is just enough Mandarin to get through 2011/2012, the supply of Lemon Myrtle is only just starting to recover enough to meet current demand. By giving us a forecast of your usage we can put your requirement aside before the oil is issued for general release. Obviously we cannot predict or guarantee weather patterns but if we feel there is enough stock available at the time of the forecast we will put the oil aside and guarantee supply for the period agreed. As many producers have more than one harvest per year there can be slight variation in oil quality from one harvest to another. This is how it should be, as nature is not perfect and results will always differ. If you want total consistency then the best way to do this is to forecast your usage against a specific batch and SEOC (against a Purchase Order) will hold the stock for you with what is known as a Sunset Clause issued (see opposite). Blends Forecasting is particularly pertinent when it comes to blends. It takes just a single change of batch of a singular essential oil to slightly alter the end scent and as such whilst it will be very close, it won t be exactly the same as the last batch of blend you received. By forecasting ahead you can guarantee either the same batch of blend or individual raw components ensuring quality consistency. When blending it generally takes at least 30 days for the blend to settle into its final scent. Therefore if you smell a combination of oils that was made 6 months earlier it is going to smell different to that same combination that was made only days ago. We would ideally always love to have that extra 30 days to compare batch to batch in its final settled scent but due to commercial demands this is not always possible. By forecasting your blend requirement for a period of time ahead we can avoid this by producing one batch and drawing from that. 14

15 Sunset Clause A sunset clause is where you give your supplier your forecast over a period of time and should this forecast not be met then the supplier will ship the outstanding forecasted goods in the last few days of the agreed timeframe. This works well if you have a material that you know you will have consistent usage of because you are hedging your usage against a consistent price and consistent quality and know you will still use the product eventually. Of course it is important to know that the material you are sourcing has a long shelf life. Where do you start? If forecasting is already part of your business discipline, then we would be happy to work with you on planning stock for your key product requirements to assist you in avoiding stock shortages at critical production times. However, if you are not yet forecasting and would like to get started we would be happy to provide further assistance to get you underway and planning for a stress-free and more secure supply line. Talk to us today. Disclaimer Forecasting is only necessary on requirements with a minimum of 1kg of essential oils valued over $500/kg and 5-10kg of oils valued less than $500/kg. Forecasting is best done on a 3-6 month time frame unless you have definite knowledge of your annual usage. We can only guarantee supply at time of enquiry. As an indication many Chinese producers only quote on a 1-2 day time frame after which time you have to ask for a new quote. This is due to the demand of the product and the volatility of its supply. 1 15

16 Tips to help you keep your inner peace. aromatherapy stay stress-free with Life these days is fast, there is no denying it. We are all busy with something that occupies our time, whether it is work or study, the kids or other commitments, we are accustom to juggling multiple tasks and have become highly skilled in time management. But, it can be difficult to maintain balance and we do not always recognise when our body is reaching full capacity until we react with physical fatigue or even illness. The start of a New Year it is the perfect time to remind ourselves of some of our potential stress indicators and to look at developing new beneficial habits that can prolong a relaxed state of mind. These easy-to-follow natural tips will help minimise the impact of everyday stresses and keep you feeling better for longer. PHYSICAL STRESS INDICATORS Here are few of the most common indicators of stress. Tick the indicators that are applicable to you right now, to get a gauge on how your year has started. m Sore muscles m Sleeplessness m Inability to concentrate m Headaches m Poor memory m Anxiety or racing thoughts m Constant worrying m Moodiness, irritability or short temper m General unhappiness m Change in eating habits m Feelings of isolation or loneliness > 16

17 LIFESTYLE Essential oils can assist with relaxation and can ease both emotional and physical tension. Sydney Essential Oil Co. offers a wide range of blends that provide gentle soothing properties. Try adding a few drops of Relax or Calm to the bath to soak away your stress. 17

18 STRESS TRIGGERS If you ticked any of the indicators above, then the next step is to try to ascertain the root cause and trigger of your stress. This can sometimes be difficult, as each of us react to situations in different ways. A few common triggers include such things as: a change in circumstance, such as a new job or the end of a relationship; a fear of something or someone not meeting our expectations, or embarking on something new, or of feeling left out; money problems which can lead us to focus on what we lack rather than what we have; excessive worry caused by over-thinking things and focusing on negative outcomes that we have created in our minds but do not actually exist. Even though identifying the true cause can be difficult, in doing so you can open up to either removing the cause or finding a healthy way to manage it. STRESS RELIEF To support the process there are many different stress relief options available. Aromatherapy is one such option that can help get you back on track. There are many applications for essential oils and whether you burn in a vaporiser, add a few drops to a bath, incorporate them into a massage or spa treatment or use simple inhalation, the outcome can be very positive. You can try any of the following blends to assist in reducing the effect of daily stress. Slow Down Blend: 3 drops Bergamot oil 2 drops Frankincense oil 2 drops Ylang Ylang oil Sleep Well Blend: 3 drops Lavender oil 3 drops Orange Sweet oil 1 drop Roman Chamomile oil Fresh Mind Blend: 4 drops Lemon oil 2 drops Peppermint oil 1 drop Basil oil Keep Calm Blend: 2 drops Lime oil 2 drops Sandalwood oil 1 drop Neroli oil Plus over page we have included a guide to stress relieving essential oils. Why not try your own blend of your favourite oils? To support your stress-relief efforts there are other natural remedies you could also consider. Massage, reflexology or preventative naturopathy can assist with balancing stress levels. It is also worthwhile reviewing your overall health and nutrition along with looking to minimise your intake of stimulants like sugar or caffeine. Meditation, yoga and breathing exercises can also provide simple methods for keeping centred. Taking time to consciously breathe can make a remarkable difference in a difficult situation. However, as with all medical conditions if you experience persistent symptoms, seeking help from your general practitioner is recommended. 1 18

19 LIFESTYLE De-Stress Guide to Essential oils ESSENTIAL OIL KEY PROPERTIES SUITABLE USE Basil oil Anti-depressant, cephalic, nervine Clears the head, strengthens the mind, relieves fatigue Bergamot oil Anti-depressant, sedative, tonic Soothes frustration, relieves nervous tension Roman & German Chamomile oil Clary Sage oil Sedative, tonic Anti-depressant, hypotensive, sedative, tonic Calms the mind, alleviates stress & tension Reduces tension & anxiety Frankincense oil Sedative, tonic Slows breathing, encourages calm, ideal for meditation Geranium oil Anti-depressant, tonic Relieves anxiety, balances nervous system & hormones Jasmine oil Anti-depressant, sedative Influences emotions Lavender oil Anti-depressant, hypotensive, sedative Alleviates stress & anxiety, aids sleep Lemon oil Hypotensive, tonic Refreshes & cools the mind Marjoram Sweet oil Melissa oil Cephalic, hypotensive, nervine, sedative Anti-depressant, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic Calms the nervous system, relieves anxiety, aids sleep Alleviates stress & anxiety, aids sleep Orange Sweet oil Anti-depressant, sedative, tonic Assists with relaxation, aids sleep in children Peppermint oil Cephalic, nervine Refreshes the spirit, clears the mind Petitgrain oil Anti-depressant, sedative Calms anger, refreshes & uplifts Rose oil Anti-depressant, sedative, tonic Soothes anger & anxiety, assists with emotional stress Rosemary oil Anti-depressant, cephalic, nervine, tonic Strengthens mental clarity, supports nervous system Sandalwood oil Sedative, tonic Reduces tension, calms & harmonises, reduces stress Vetiver oil Nervine, sedative, tonic Soothes irritability, alleviates stress & tension Ylang Ylang oil Anti-depressant, hypotensive, nervine, sedative Alleviates stress & tension, reduces nervousness Reference: Battaglia, S The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Edition 2. 19

20 UP CLOSE Exfoliate to rejuvenate From top to toe, your face, body and feet will benefit from a regular buff and scrub. A typical beauty regime incorporates cleansing, toning and moisturising but it is also important to include regular exfoliation to ensure you maintain a bright and youthful complexion. Exfoliation helps remove dry, dead skin cells that can clog pores and make your skin appear dull or lifeless. Clogged pores can lead to mild blemishes or break-outs and are often the cause of blackheads or acne. By removing the oil congestion and excess dead cells your skin will glow with a fresh and healthy appearance. face Facial scrubs benefit all skin types. Whether you have an oily, dry, sensitive or mature complexion you can find an exfoliant that suits your needs. You can choose from plant material such as wattleseed or sandalwood powder through to jojoba wax beads or even ground walnut shell. Each granule provides a different level of exfoliation and can be blended to achieve optimal results. body Your arms, legs and torso will also be rewarded by regular exfoliation. It can help tone the skin and reduce the appearance of lines and age spots by revealing the new healthy skin cells of the upper epidermis. Similar to facial scrubs, you can select a variety of exfoliation techniques to use on the body. You can employ the same style exfoliating granules as the face or even try a sugar or salt scrub to provide a more vigorous action. By combining the scrub with a loofah or textured cloth you can further enhance the physical effect. feet Finally, your feet are also prime candidates for an exfoliating treatment. Hard, cracked skin on the heels, calluses, corns or other bumps can leave your feet feeling uncomfortable but by incorporating a foot scrub into your weekly cleansing routine you can minimise the occurrence of these conditions. Selecting a coarse granule, such as pumice, can help soften and smooth your feet whilst the massaging action of the scrub alleviates mild aches. Why not try making your own exfoliating product? Select a cream or oil base and experiment with different granules and other active ingredients such as essential oils or extracts. Your skin will thank you for it! 1 20

21 Exfoliating before a spray tan will ensure the best results! Keep your summer glow into the autumn months and visit our Formulations section online at for a range of scrub recipes. Face, Body and Feet options are available. 21

22 PRODUCT SPECIFICATION Product Botanical Name: Origin: Appearance: Colour: Odour: Plant part used: Extraction method: Chamomile Roman oil Certified Organic Anthemis nobilis Hungary Clear mobile liquid Pale yellow/ green to light blue Warm, spicy and herbaceous Flowering tops Steam distilled Physio-chemical properties Specific Gravity at 20ºC: Refractive Index at 20ºC: Optical Rotation at 20ºC: º to º Flash Point: less than 60.5ºC in closed cup Oil Components Typical Analysis 2-methyl-allyl angelate: 7 18 a-pinene: 6 14 Iso-amyl angelate: 2 12 Other Information Packaging: as required Storage: Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry place without direct sunlight or heat. For more information, contact Sydney Essential Oil Co

23 FORMULATION Sensitive Skin Cream Performance: easily absorbed, gentle, skin-calming moisturiser. Appearance: pale yellow, medium consistency emulsion. Aroma: mild, sweet, slightly floral aroma with warm herbaceous notes. Stability: expected shelf life 12 months subject to manufacturing practice. Recommended use: daily use, all over body cream for sensitive skin types. Phase Raw Material % w/w A Orange Blossom Infused Water Potassium Sorbate 0.05 B Emulsifying Wax 5 Camellia oil certified organic 6 Rose Hip oil certified organic 2 Evening Primrose oil 2 Shea Nut Butter certified organic 5 C Vitamin E natural 1 Lavender True essential oil 0.5 Bergamot Bergaptene-free essential oil 0.2 Frankincense essential oil 0.2 Chamomile Roman essential oil certified organic 0.02 D Calendula extract certified organic 2 Echinacea extract certified organic 2 Naticide % w/w Method of Manufacture 1. Combine ingredients in Phase A and heat to 70 C maximum. 2. Combine ingredients in Phase B and heat to 70 C maximum. 3. Add Phase B to Phase A, and emulsify for 5 minutes. 4. When emulsion has cooled to 35 C, add Phase C and emulsify for 1-3 minutes. 5. Add all ingredients from Phase D while stirring constantly. Emulsify for 1-3 minutes. 6. Pour off when cool. For ingredients, contact Sydney Essential Oil Co Disclaimer Product formulations are included as illustrative examples only. Whilst all care has been taken in presenting example formulations, Sydney Essential Oil Co. accepts no responsibility concerning any product manufactured using such formulations. The responsibility for the performance for marketing claim and adequate testing for stability of any product prior to sale lies with the manufacturer thereof. 23

24 Sydney Essential Oil Co Pty Ltd ABN Burrows Road South, St Peters NSW 2044 Australia PO Box 226 St Peters NSW 2044 T: F: E: sales@seoc.com.au Order on-line Office hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday Copyright 2012 Sydney Essential Oil Co. Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher. Contact marketing@seoc.com.au with any requests. Oily is printed responsibly by our Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of-Custody certified printers. They use vegetable-based inks on Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp paper sourced from sustainable forests. Oily is also available to view on-line. If you d prefer to opt-out of receiving a print copy, please let us know.