Rosemary

Yes, the flu season is here and probably around for a few months.  What you probably don’t know is that there ARE some other options that are organic in nature and available without a prescription to help fight the spread of the flu!

First, the flu, or influenza, is a viral infection.  It involves respiratory discomfort, muscle aches and pain, headache, fever and chills.  The flu can cause big time trouble for the very young, the elderly and for those individuals that already have compromised immune systems.  If you think you have the flu, you should see your doctor.  Don’t fool around with this especially if you fit one of the predisposed types I just mentioned.

But if you don’t have the flu and are looking for ways to arm your family and yourself from exposure – there are some great options that are aromatic, organic and a few you may already know about like one of the main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub, eucalyptus!

Aromatherapy is the art of using essential oils from plants and tress to protect and enhance your health, beauty and can contribute to overall wellness.  Modern medicine has many benefits and we would not enjoy the health we have today without many of the medicines that have been developed.  Having said that, there are alternatives and natural approaches to medicine that have been put aside for a quick fix with a pill.  I had a client I met the other day.  We got to talking about the medical community and how easy it is to get a pill to eliminate the symptoms and process you out of the office.  I think she said her Doc was seeing 100 patients a day. Next!  I remember saying to her did you ever think that when you are feeling something – that’s a sign you need to fix it not necessarily medicate the feeling away?  Too many of us today want a quick fix instead of taking the time to explore, investigate and make lifestyle changes that can contribute to our health.  Essential oils can help plus they smell delicious!

You can use essential oils in a variety of methods to help support a healthy immune system from hot compresses, to massage and in a diffuser.  Essential oils are rapidly absorbed into the skin just like with Vicks VapoRub. You can feel the menthol action from the eucalyptus start to provide relief almost instantly.

Some of the best essential oils for the flu season include: Eucalyptus Globulus, Thyme, Laurel, Peppermint, Pine & Rosemary.  If you are recovering from the flu some great essential oils that really provide great support and aromatic benefits are Bay, Cinnamon and Clove. They work great in a diffuser.

A word of caution, never use any essential oil direct on your skin. Essential oils are for external use only unless you are working with a certified medical expert.  Essential oils are powerful and certain oils should not be used at all.  Use extra caution if you are pregnant, suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy as many essential oils are 100% contraindications for these conditions.   Take the use of essential oils seriously.  Just because they are natural and organic in nature doesn’t mean they can’t be dangerous when used improperly.  Mushrooms are natural and organic but I sure wouldn’t want to make the mistake of eating the wrong one!  There are a lot of great sources for essential oils that are as close as your local health food store.  If you want more information about aromatherapy and the use of essential oils, there are many great books that are available through your city library or bookstores.

I am happy to say I have not gotten the flu this year and I’m doing everything in my power to keep it that way.  Did I get the flu shot – I’ll let you decide…So please excuse me, while I go inhale some eucalyptus and start my diffuser. Now where did I put that clove?

To your health!

 Pam Tirado-Luminoso Salon & Spa

I woke up in the middle of the night earlier this week (trust me at my age, I’m waking up alot-but that’s another story) and had what you could say was an epiphany.  For some reason I started thinking about what a miracle it was that Helen Keller could learn to speak and read and yet she was both blind and profoundly deaf.  What an amazing story and what incredible challenges she overcame to go onto have an amazing life.

In todays world, I know we all get bogged down feeling sorry for ourselves and the whole “whoa is me” mentality with this economy.  I don’t know about you but I’m ready for this recession to be over.  I’m tired of feeling tired with the over abundance of bad news we hear and read every day.  I’m tired of hearing my friend lost his or her job and they are getting behind on their bills.  I choose not to watch the news at all (sorry about that guys and gals-I’m doing fine without anymore doom and gloom updates) but you can hardly avoid the conversations that swirl around you.  You’d have to live under a rock to not be aware of the mess this country is in and how many lives are affected.  I know some people that are just ready to give up.

Which leads me back to Helen Keller.  Imagine your life without vision or sound and how isolated you would feel.  Imagine for a moment the obstacles that little girl had to overcome to be able to function in a world that was so different from hers.  Not only did she overcome obstacles with the help of an equally amazing teacher, Annie Sullivan,  but she truly became an inspiration for others that you can achieve anything you want with determination and perseverance.

I personally support Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  It’s my favorite charity.  I think this organization is wonderful.  The people and animals are amazing,  It’s wonderful to give the gift of freedom and mobility when one of these guide dogs is placed in a home with its new owner.  It really makes me feel humble that I have the gifts of sight and hearing that many of these folks don’t have and yet truly lead some of the happiest lives despite the obstacles that have to overcome on a daily basis just to exist in the main stream world.  When I think about how lucky I am to not have these basic challenges to overcome, I start to feel guilty I could whine about anything.

So I’m going to take the lead of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan and remind myself that any challenge no matter how little or big can be overcome with determination and perseverance.  I’m going back to the basics:  the harder I work, the luckier I get.  Thanks Helen and Annie for reminding me how lucky I already am.  Truly, the choice is yours:  you can live in fear and self pity or you can immerse yourself with energy and actions that can make a difference starting today.

Peace and health-

Pam Tirado, President & Product Developer, Luminoso Studios® Illustre Essenza®

That’s a long time ago and today, I’m sitting in my LUMINOSO STUDIOS® Salon & Spa thinking of days past.  Farrah had a lot of controversy in her life (hey, who doesn’t after 62 years) but she also brought cancer to the forefront and made us realize you can’t hide, run away or escape cancer.  It crosses every barrier economic, race, country, gender and humbles us all.

Skin cancer is high on the list of cancers that with early detection can generally be treated with successful outcomes.  And you can help protect yourself with the daily application of sun protection.   There are a lot of things in life we can’t control, but exposing our bodies to the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays is one thing we do have control over. 

The most common type of cancer on the list is non-melanoma skin cancer, with more than 1,000,000 new cases expected in the United States in 2009. Arizona, my current state, is high on the list for skin cancer.  Non-melanoma skin cancers represent about half of all cancers diagnosed in this country. (1)  For more information on cancer statistics including colon and rectal cancers (which affected Farrah) and ways you can help with early detection and preventive measures,  visit the National Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health at www.cancer.gov.

So lather that sun protection factor on, (SPF of at least 30) avoid sun exposure during peak sunlight hours and reapply frequently when in and out of water for best protection.  Early detection is always the best form of preventative medicine.  Don’t ignore warning signs and talk to a medical professional as soon as possible.   Take control of what we do have control over and live a healthier and hopefully longer life.

Farrah you will be missed.  May you rest in peace sweetheart.

To your health-

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® 

References

1. American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2009. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2009. Also available online. Last accessed May 7, 2009.

Shea Butter, latin name,  Butyrospermum Parkii, is from the shea or karate tree grown in Africa.  These trees live for hundreds of years growing wild in the African Savannah, an area about the size of America consisting of more than a dozen different countries. The shea fruit consists of a thin, tart, nutritious pulp that surrounds a relatively large, oil-rich seed from which is extracted  shea butter.  The tree produces nuts that the butter is harvested from.  It takes approximately 20-30 hours to produce just 1 kilogram of handcrafted shea butter.  Woman are primarily employed in the manufacturing process – and it’s been sometimes known as “ African Gold” as it helps sustain the lives of so many.  Shea provides many nutritional benefits as well as cosmetic.  Ghana or Burkina Faso are two of the largest exporting countries of shea butter.  Shea is well known  for its many benefits by those living in Africa as they have used it for thousands of years.  It  is used  to massage on skin and hair;  cook with and to help accelerate healing of minor cuts, burns, stretch marks, sores, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff and scrapes.  

Here is the West we are just starting to recognize the many health and beauty benefits of shea butter.  Shea butter  contains cinnamic acid, a substance that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays and also Vitamins A and E which are both antimicrobial and provide anti-inflammatory properties,  Shea butter is a very effective moisturizer because it contains so many fatty acids which help skin retain moisture and elasticity,  promotes cell renewal and can help increase circulation-remember where there’s oxygen there’s life!  Because shea butter is so high in fatty acid, it is frequently used as an additive to soap, shampoos, anti-aging cream, lotions, massage oils and other cosmetics. Those who try natural shea butter on their skin for the first time are amazed to discover that shea butter provides a protective barrier which not only helps retain moisture but also melts on contact and  it’s non greasy.

There are 3 different types of shea butter:

• Raw or unrefined- extracted using water.  The color ranges from like cream (similar to whipped butter) to grayish yellow.  This is the original form of Shea Butter and is the superior form in that it retains all its natural vitamins, however the natural smell of shea butter is overpowering with a pungent aroma some may find not so pleasant.    Raw or unrefined shea butters natural smell will dissipate after it has been applied to the skin within minutes.  So if you can get over the initial whiff, it’s definitely worth the small disadvantage.
• Refined-is more highly processed. Has many of its natural components still intact and a much more pleasing scent, color and consistency.
• Highly refined or processed-solvents are used to increase the yield (hexane is an example).  The color is pure white and the refining process may diminish the vitamin potency.  Kind of  like cooking all of the nutrients out when you overcook your veggies with heat-what’s left isn’t that nutritious for your skin or body.  

You can purchase shea butter from health food stores and through on-line distributors. Make sure you are buying 100% shea butter as not all shea butter is created equal as we have learned. Try to stay away from the shea products that contain additives that can be potentially irritating to skin and may contain very little actual shea butter.  Also, remember, if you have nut or latex allergies, you may want to avoid all products that contain shea butter.  Shea butter is a very handy product to have around the house and can be used in many different ways-as an all natural hair conditioner, moisturizer, makeup remover, to treat burns, cuts, scrapes, and sunburn.   There are many recipes that can be found for homemade moisturizers and skin care treatments that use shea butter.  As a matter of fact, we have a recipe for shea butter we will be featuring in this months INSIDER Newsletter at www.differenceisreal.com site.   My sister makes a whipped shea butter moisturizer she uses right after she steps out of the shower and swears it’s the best product she’s ever used-plus she’s feeling pretty proud for making it herself.  She said it allows her to have a creative outlet.   In these challenging economic times, a homemade treat may be just the thing to perk you up while you are doing something very good for your skin and your wallet.  These recipes are generally easy to follow and you may find you already have many of the ingredients  you need in your kitchen.  There have been some reported relief from skin conditions such as eczema and psoriases with products that contain shea butter.  Always consult your physician or dermatologist about any serious or persistent skin problems.

Experiment and have fun with shea butter, because when you look good, you start feeling good!

I incorporate honey into our ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Brightening & Soothing Toner for its natural “humectant”, antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  Honey has a hygroscopic nature, which means when exposed to air, it naturally absorbs moisture in from the air.  When used in skin treatments, honey traps and seals in the moisture leaving skin soft and supple.  Honey has an interesting story to tell.

There are more than 25,000 different species of honey bees in the world.  We have over 3500 in the US.  While there are 3 types of bees that make up a honey bee colony, workers (females) account for 99%, drones (males) and the queen bee make up the balance.  The average worker bee only lives 45 days during the summer months.  I always wondered where the term, “worker bee”  came from.   I guess it literally means you don’t have alot of time to get the job done!

Honey comes in over 300 varieties just in the United States alone!  Honey can differ greatly in antimicrobial potency-sometimes as much as 100%!   Honey is “manufactured” in one of the world’s most efficient factories, the beehive.   Believe it or not -bees may travel as far as 55,000 miles and visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just a pound of honey.  (And you thought your workload and commute was bad!)  It is reported that honey from the Manuka bush, which grown in New Zealand, has some of the highest potency for anti-microbial properties.

Honey also provides antibacterial properties.  Researchers began to document the healing properties of honey in the early part of the 20th century.  Research all but stopped with the development of antibiotics, however recently the development of resistance to antibiotics has led to a new interest into the healing properties of honey.   The antimicrobial agents in honey help prevent the growth of certain bacteria.  Honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide which is thought to be the primary reason for the antimicrobial properties of honey.  Honey can also be utilized as a natural treatment for wounds like cuts and abrasions and has been been used to cover scalds so that bacteria is less likely to enter the wound and  honey can help promote wound healing.  

Honey has also been shown to help manage acne by attacking the bacteria that cause the outbreaks P. acnes  ( Propionibacterium acnes) and help keep the skin moisturized which aids in  rejuvenation and healing.  Another reason  we use honey in our  ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® Brightenng  & Soothing Toner.

Honey is also a powerful antioxidant containing natural properties.  Antioxidants counter the degenerating activity process whereby fats in food react with oxygen and cause the development of free radicals that are harmful to the body.  Darker colored honeys seem to possess more antioxidants that light-color varieties.   The darker honeys also seem to have a more pronouced flavor.  Honey helps to eliminate free radicals in the body, and also assist nutritionally in the growth of new tissue.  Honey is becoming more popular as a vital ingredient  used in skin care products which can help protect, rejuvenate and restore a younger looking skin.

Of course, there are many individuals with allergies to the stings of Apis Mellifera (Honey Bees).  These social insects do not normally attack people, but will sting them only in self defense if disturbed (the African honey bee is however rather aggressive). Once stung, if the stinger remains in the skin, a Honey bee is responsible, while if no stinger is present, a Wasp is likely to be the culprit. The female worker honey bee carries the stinger and dies soon after discharging a sting.  If you are allergic and know it, (less than 1 out of 100 are allergic) carry a bee sting kit prescribed by your doctor.  A website I found that has some useful tips for dealing with bee stings is the Texas A & M University, Department of Entomology at http://honeybee.tamu.edu/bees_in_society/stings.html

For more information about the sweet magical qualities of  honey, benefits, recipes or sources to purchase visit www.honey.com  Next time you see a bee hovering in your garden, you might have a renewed respect for another hard working commuter-who is truly one of the smallest and most productive members of society!

To your health-

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® 

Source:  Three Key Valuable Honey Properties-www.benefits of honey.com; National Honey Board-www.nationalhoneyboard.co;www.honeybee.tamu.edu

I spent a lot of time in the sun when I was younger.  Growing up in South Texas living within biking distance of the beautiful and famous Gulf coast water shore was a wonderful thing.  I had great summers, falls, winters and springs.  Hey-we get nice weather in South Texas.  Unfortunately, we might not have been as smart about making sure we had sunscreen protection. I  know for sure I didn’t.   Of course, now that I know about how important it is to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UVA/UVB rays, exposing my skin to sun without using a powerful sunscreen would be unthinkable.  I’m an avid user of SPF everyday – no matter what the weather outside looks like.  I know that UVA ,(AKA-you will age) rays are even more damaging than the UVB (AKA-you will burn) rays.  UVA penetrates through glass and even clothing!  These are the rays you can’t see but cause big problems down the line with accelerated aging to the skin.  Bummer!

Fortunately, the news is not all bad!  You can improve the signs of previous sun damage and help to prevent new damage with a few simple daily steps. Sun damage accounts for the majority of premature aging to our skin like brown spots, uneven texture, and contributes a whole bunch to those unattractive wrinkles and sagging skin.  Look at it this way, you’re already brushing and flossing – so a couple of more minutes in the morning or evening is a small price to pay for healthy skin.  Like a friend of mine says, “Hey-do you feel any better when you eat your broccoli? No but you do it anyway because it’s good for you.”  Maintenance is a part of life my friend!

1. Topical application of antioxidants like Vitamin C & E can help erase previous sun damage, lighten brown spots and even out your skin tone.  This is not an overnight fix so daily use is required.  We can’t make antioxidants so we need to consume them in our diet and apply antioxidants to the areas of skin exposed to UVA and UVB rays for optimum results.
2. For more stubborn discoloration, look for products that are specifically formulated with natural lightening and brightening ingredients like arbutin, daisy flower, bearberry, lemon and licorice roots extracts, vitamin A, azeleic, lactic, kojic or salicylic acids (I use our ILLUSTRE ESSENZA hydroquinone free Super Face & Body Brightening Serum on mine) . These are generally available OTC (over the counter) without a prescription. For really tough discoloration caused by sun and or hormonal imbalances, see your physician or dermatologist for more powerful options that are only offered by prescription and with MD supervision.  And remember, your skin won’t know the difference between a dark spot or a clear spot so paint within the lines when using your brightening and lightening topical products.  As in all things – less sometimes is really best plus you’ll save on your product consumption.
3. Hydroquinone – it’s been around for decades, however, recent studies suggest long term topical application  may lead to undesirable affects.  The use of hydroquinone is controversial at best!  The literature search on hydroquinone as a skin lightening agent suggests that possible long-term effects like carcinogenesis may be expected.  For many years Hydroquinone was the “gold standard” for topical skin lightening properties however, with modern advances in science and a trend towards more natural less toxic ingredients for their lightening and brightening properties, there are still many viable options worth considering with less side effects.
4. Avoid sun exposure and use your SPF 30 daily.   No amount of topically applied  brightening and lightening ingredients can stop new sun damage from occurring.  If you have brown spots from sun damage or melasma (medical terminology for darkening of the facial skin, most commonly affecting the apples of the cheeks, the mid forehead, jaw line and areas around the mouth) you have to avoid sun  exposure!  The causes of melasma  are quite simply overachieving/overactive  melanocytes.  These pigment producing cells become stimulated to produce extra unwanted melanin resulting in patchy discoloration. Triggers include estrogen supplements, birth control pills, pregnancy, cellular hypersensitivity to normal estrogen levels and sun exposure.

So about that “Re-Do”, well, I might not be able to completely erase the previous stuff  I wished I’d known not to do, however, memories of riding my bike on a clear summer day with my good friend Jayne in South Texas back in my high school days with nary a cloud in the sky are pretty high on my list of  good times!  So now I know better (and hopefully you do too) so I put on my ILLUSTRE ESSENZA SPF 30, my big sun glasses and still go out and enjoy the day - so I don’t have to worry about that ‘re-do” drive through window!

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer,  Luminoso Studios ILLUSTRE ESSENZA

Latin name, Melaleuca alternifolia, common name, Tea Tree Oil, is quite effective as a household disinfectant.  It takes as little as 1/2 t of oil to wash a full load of clothes.  Can also be used for diapers-for of you out there with those precious little ones.  Tea Tree Oil has long been used as a flavoring and antiseptic agent for mouthwashes and last, if you are ever in a bind, it can even be used to purify drinking water.  I used less than 1/4 t added to regular tap water to clean my whole home and it smelled wonderful!  Plus I realized I was really doing something good for the environment by not contributing to more toxic chemicals in the water supply.  Good quality essential oils are packaged in amber colored bottles to protect them from light and can be recyled as well when empty. 

Tea Tree Oil is harvested from the Medicinal tea tree or Australian tea tree. There are many other varieties including the Manuka and New Zealand Tea Tree.  These have different botanical names and actually smell quite different.  Most of the Melaleuca Oil is still harvested in New South Wells, Australia.  Makes me want to definitely plan a trip “down under” so I can stock up on my cleaning supplies.

The medicinal properties of Tea Tree Oil was actually discovered in the 1920′s and research continued for 20 more years.  A little more history – the tree was supposedly name by none other than Joseph Banks, the famous botanists that sailed with “The” Captain Cook.

There are 3 major constituents of Australian Tea Tree oil and they are:

1. Terpinen - which has antibacterial, antifungal, vasocontrictive, tonic and stimulating properties
2. Gamma – terpinene  and alpha-terpinene and they both are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral and bactericidal
3. Cineole – which provides an expectorant action.  It can help reduce the swelling of mucous membranes, loosen mucas and even help with breathing.  You have to be careful though, because too much of a good thing can be bad.  Excessive use of cineole can actually contribute to liver damage.  Also, Cineole is toxic to insects – but that is actually good news!  Next time you are reading an insect repellant label, check to see if it contains Cineole.

So here’s a free tip in these interesting economic times – you can still have a clean home and save big bucks on disinfectants that are probably not good for you and your loved ones anyway.   Save your cash and buy yourself a small bottle of Tea Tree Essential Oil (I paid about $4.50 for 5 ml of oil) and you’ll have enough cleaning supplies to last for months!  

Keep your Tea Tree Oil away from direct sunlight and the bottle tightly closed to prevent evaporation and loss of your oil.  Also, keep your oils out of the reach of children and pets.   Never use Tea Tree Oil direct on skin or on animals as inappropriate high doses can cause fatal complications.

Going organic and green is fun and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.   Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Pam Tirado, President, Product Developer, Luminoso Studios ILLUSTRE ESSENZA

As always, I recommend you do your own homework. Look up the definitions of ingredients you don’t understand.  For instance, you can read about the  definitions of the ingredients in ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® by visiting  http://luminosostudios.com/science.html science page.  If you have a question about a product, one of the first things I look for is the complete listing of the ingredients.  If the ingredients are not posted on their website, or they only post “active ingredients” that is your first clue they are trying to hide some important information. Another clue is auto-ship.  Any company that offers a free product but also requires you to sign up for auto-ship is definitely a company you may want to be careful about doing business with.  They make it easy to get a free product but very difficult to get out of the contracts for monthly shipping.  I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about auto-ship and how impossible it is to get through to their customer service department to cancel your contract, sometimes holding for over one hour only to be disconnected when a live person answers.  In fact, I’ve been a victim myself of auto-ship!  They make virtually impossible to reach customer service to cancel your order.  Typically, month after month of auto-ship charges continue to accumulate-which is really what they are banking on.  If you don’t have the time to deal with it, they company wins!

Customer service is alive and well at ILLUSTRE ESSENZA®.  We don’t promote auto-ship and we don’t operate a separate website  promoting “unbiased reviews” of other skin care products while we try to push you back to our website.  You can sample any of our products without long term commitments or auto-ship.  After all, your skin is unique and so should your skin care products.  We hope you’ll like ours and we make it easy to get started with no obligation.  Give us a try and you’ll see for yourself, with ILLUSTRE ESSENZA® the Difference is Real®

Sincerely,

Pam Tirado, Product Developer, ILLUSTRE ESSENZA

Green tea fields

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed when trying to decipher whether a product is organic, green, or natural?  Well, don’t feel alone.  Organic, green and natural all sound like good things – but are not necessarily represented truthfully when it comes to marketing so it pays once again to read the label and understand the certifications.

There are standards that have been set to help the consumer (that’s you and me) make sense of the information and ultimately-informed educated decisions about the products we choose to consume and apply to our skin.

In 2002, the US Federal Government established the first official definition of “organic” followed by the “USDA Organic” seal.  This seal is to give consumers a way to identify by a label whether or not the product is “100% Organic”, “Organic”  or “Made With Organic ingredients”. 

For our protection, these very strict standards have been implemented to create a system that can identity and track the specific practices that are used to produce and process organic agricultural ingredients used for food and non-food purposes. 

I found the following definition that is helpful in understanding how organic is defined in terms of qualifying criteria:

“National organic standards set out the methods, practices and substances used in producing and handling crops, livestock and processed agricultural products. The standards include a national list of approved synthetic and prohibited non-synthetic substances for organic production. See http://www.ota.com/listbackground05.html for more details.

Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organically produced foods also must be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Cloning animals or using their products would be considered inconsistent with organic practices.  Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.

National organic standards require that organic growers and handlers be certified by third-party state or private agencies or other organizations that are accredited by USDA. Although farmers and handlers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic agricultural products and retailers that do not process these products are exempt from certification, they must meet all certified organic grower and handler requirements to maintain the organic integrity of the organic products they sell. Anyone who knowingly sells or mislabels as organic a product that was not produced and handled in accordance with the regulations can be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. 

• Consumers can look for the “USDA Organic” seal or other approved labeling, and for the name of the certifier on the label of the products they consider for purchase.
• Products labeled “100% Organic” and carrying the “USDA Organic” seal are just that – they contain all organically produced ingredients. 
• Products that are made from at least 95% organic ingredients, and have remaining ingredients that are approved for use in organic products may also carry the “USDA Organic” seal. 
• In addition, products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may label those on the ingredient listing. Producers and processors voluntarily use these labels, and may use organic ingredients without being required to label them.”

For more information from USDA on labeling and other issues go to:  http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/brochure.html

So next time you are tempted to spend your hard earned dollars on a product that says it’s “organic, natural or green”, take a minute to review the facts and you’ll be able to tell the difference between good marketing and accurate labeling!

Cheers – stay happy and healthy,

Pam Tirado, President and Product Developer for ILLUSTRE ESSENZA®

Source: The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Organic Trade Association’s 2007 Manufacturer Survey

That Amazing Rosemary

Do you have a favorite herb?  I have to admit, I love Rosemary and even grow it so it’s always available when I want to use it.  I love the fragrant bouquet and uplifting aromatherapy.  But there’s more to Rosemary than meets the nose – so to speak.

The Latin name is Rosmarinus officinalis.  Other common names you might have heard are camphor rosemary and compass plant.  Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region of the world.  Currently most rosemary oil is produced in Spain.   France, Tunisia, Morocco cultivate rosemary for commercial distribution and yes, we grow it in the United States!

Here’s a little history.  The name comes from the Latin “rosmarinus”, which means rose of the sea or dew of the sea. I guess they named it so because rosemary is often round growing near the coast.  Rosemary goes back even further to the pharaoh’s tombs in Egypt. It was an herb that was associated with remembrance and used to help them remember their previous lives.  Rosemary is one of earliest medical herbs favored by the English.  Rosemary was often used to drive away evil spirits (remind me to put some in the mail box).

Most of the time, rosemary oil is distilled from the stem and leaves of wild or cultivated plants.  The British Pharmacopoeia believe the most superior oil is distilled from the flowering tops of the plant.  There are many different varieties and forms of rosemary  Depending on the geographic region where the plant is gown, it  can produce widely different oils.

There are many benefits of rosemary in addition to the strong, fresh woody herbaceous odor which has pungent bouquet.  The essential oil of Rosemary also contains many therapeutic benefits and has been used for pain, digestive disorders-including nausea, for skin especially in the treatment of acne (we use Rosemary in one of our Illustre Essenza moisturizers).  Rosemary also has therapeutic benefits for some respiratory and circulatory conditions and has shown to be helpful with hair loss like Alopecia.  It’s truly a remarkable herb!

You can also use Rosemary as a very effective deodorizer in the home. All you have to do is add a few drops of rosemary oil to a candle and the aroma will waft throughout the air in your home.  Because Rosemary is invigorating, it is often used in skin care for its uplifting effect.  The other day I made an energizing morning scrub – by adding few drops of rosemary oil combined with peppermint oil and mixed well with 1 cup of sugar and 5 tablespoons of almond oil for a fabulous exfoliating scrub.  It’s fun and easy to make your own skin care recipes especially when you can combine it with some of your favorite herbs and aromatherapy.

So next time you grab the rosemary for cooking, don’t forget about all of the other marvelous uses rosemary is famous for around the world and enjoy having fun getting creative because there’s more to rosemary than meets the nose!

Pam Tirado, President & Product Developer, ILLUSTRE ESSENZA®, the Difference is Real®