Ute Leube, founder of Amala, has been one of the leaders in the field of natural and organic beauty for over 25 years. Inspired by books on plants and healing, Ute began blending her own skincare in the early 1970s and credits her discovery of essential oils and their powerful healing properties as pivotal point in her career.

Ute’s emphasis has always been ensuring that what she puts on her body is synthetic chemical-free. Her focus extended to discovering how to “unlock nature’s treasure chest” to formulate truly beneficial skincare that would heal, nurture and beautify the skin. This passion and her incredible partnerships with growers laid the groundwork for Amala which launched in 2009, and is the culmination of her life’s work and understanding of the beautifying benefits of whole plant ingredients.

We have crowned Ute Leube this years Earth Day Hero for her work with growers around the world ensuring fair trade principles are in place so that not only the grower, Amala and the customer benefits from the relationship, but the world is better off for it too. We chat to Ute about the principles that underlie her company…

The basis of your product creation is centered on the use of whole plants. Why do you consider it important for both the customer and planet that this principle underlies the range?

It’s the power of the whole plant that separates Amala from the bunch. Whole plants takes organic skincare from simply “safer and purer” to potent, effective skin treatments that truly nurture and beautify the skin and our world. We choose not to isolate our plant ingredients because we believe utilizing botanicals exactly as they are found in nature is by far the most powerful and results-oriented approach one can take to skincare.

The Amala products contain a high percentage of organic ingredients, how do you ensure you are getting the best quality ingredients? How do these ingredients contribute to the effectiveness of Amala products?

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Zinc is one of the most utilised minerals in the human body. It is essential for 100’s of different enzyme systems, which control how our body functions, moves and adapts to life. All our rapidly growing cells require zinc in order to divide and reproduce correctly. This includes the cells lining your digestive tract, the cells that make up your skin, and all your reproductive and immune system cells.

Your digestive system relies heavily on zinc in order to keep everything from taste buds on the tongue, correct stomach acid production, digestive enzymes and the small intestinal lining functioning as optimally as possible. In fact a zinc deficiency is often noted by a lack of taste and smell sensation or problems with protein digestion. However, the role of zinc in optimal skin function is where you are most likely to first notice a change. » Read the rest of this entry «

March hosts Endometriosis Awareness Week. It is estimated that around 22 in 100 women in the UK have Endometriosis. However, as Endometriosis often shares similar symptoms to conditions such as IBS it can take an average of 8 years for a woman to be diagnosed with the condition. At present there is no known cause of Endometriosis and treatment is limited to symptomatic relief. Laura Jones BSc MBAcC explains what Endometriosis is and how Acupuncture can be used to alleviate symptoms.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is defined as the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the endometrium. Endometrial cells are those that are found in the uterine lining. When those cells are found in areas outside of the uterus, usually in the abdominal cavity, (ovaries, intestines, bladder etc) the diagnosis of Endometriosis is made. For sufferers this can be a very painful condition affecting everyday life.

Symptoms include:

www.endometriosis-uk.org

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Endometriosis is related to a condition called blood stasis whereby blood does not flow smoothly out of the body during menstruation or flows to areas where it should not, often called retrograde menstruation.  This results in the symptom of severe pain as the body struggles to resolve this problem.

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This week is Acupuncture Awareness Week (27^th February 2012 - 4^th March 2012), To mark this occasion we have an offer for you and a friend to try acupuncture for the first time or boost your immune system in time for spring. Purchase 2 Initial Acupuncture Sessions, for yourself and a friend or family member, for just £90 normally £65 each. Acupuncture is popular for a variety of conditions including fertility issues, pain management, digestive problems and skin issues. With the change of seasons approaching, now is the perfect time to improve your health and wellbeing with acupuncture, find out why….

“The wise nourish life by flowing with the four seasons and adapting to cold or heat, by harmonizing joy and anger in a tranquil dwelling, by balancing yin and yang.” (Neijing)

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Although we are always up for a good beauty product, we are also interested in all things wellbeing. With that in mind we welcome our newest expert Michaela Olexova, who will be bring us a yoga pose a month as inspiration for beginners or a gentle reminder of the benefits for those already practicing.

Michaela decided to swap her 24/7 stressful job in marketing for a career as a certified yoga teacher. Inspired by her love and passion for meditation, holistic rituals, organic food, travels and of course yoga Michaela set up The Baoli - an online inspirational guide to wellbeing where she shares her latest discoveries and inspirational products and services that support your healthy and balance life.

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