Neal's Yard Remedies

NEAL'S YARD REMEDIES SHOP HAS MORE THAN AROMA

Neal's Yard Remedies retains the original ethos and goodwill of the original cluster of shops that sold the best produce available in town.

The Apothecary, The Bakery, the Dairy, and the Salad Bar were opened, following the bulk sales to the public of brown rice, whole flour, a variety of pulses, and 7 lb (over 3 kilos) jars of honey and malt. They also sold really fresh organic vegetables. The range increased and was sold through the shops, cooked and served to people who sat on communal benches amid trees planted in painted oil cans.

Neal's Yard was founded by the late Nick Saunders in 1979. It changed the wholefood movement in Britain. From the start the Yard was a hub for people who cared about wholesome food and remedies. It is now a colourful enclave within Covent Garden and retains much of the atmosphere of the Yard of the Eighties.

Neal's Yard Remedies is one of the few remaining shops to sell herbal remedies by the gram (minimium of 25 grams) in the original form. They sit in rows of jars behind the left hand counter. They also sell a variety of outstanding preparations that they grow and prepare themselves for every part of the body and also produce a range for babies and children.

The most enticing (and maybe the most important) aspect of what they do are the aromatherapy oils and products. These days there are many laboratory made 'smell-alikes' - including some beautiful fragrances and aromas, however where it comes down to the matter of health there really is nothing quite like the real thing.

It is not only for the good effect on the skin and hair, nor even for the innate sense of wellbeing that health brings with it. Neal's Yard Remedies use traditional recipies as well as many they have researched of their own. The trace the sources and grow their own wherever possible.

Some of the most exotic women in history were referred to in numerous accounts as especially alluring. Was it just their beauty that was legendary? We do know that they used natural oils, herbs, clays, and extracts. it was unlikely that they spent so much time and considerable fortunes to merely smell good. there's more to aroma than meets the nose.

Many animals, including humans, in fact possess two olfactory systems. The first works through the nose, processed by the brain in the we were taught at school. The second one works through the Jacobson's organ which has been known about for centuries and is recently attracting attention among some scientific communities. It is connects to parts different parts of the brain from the normal sense of smell. It has been frequently observed that it makes us feel things we cannot account for. ... attraction, premonitions, foresight, the phenomenon of déjà vu, irrational dislike. There are recorded incidents of many other almost paranormal things that have been explained by the workings of Jacobson's organ.

The fastest way of drawing an essential oil into the system is to simply smell it. Inhaled vapors contain scent particles that we warm and moisten with nasal membranes and this stimulates smell receptors high in the nose. It also stimulates the jacobsen's organ. Nerve impulses are sent to different parts the brain where neurochemicals are released and passed on to the rest of the body via the nervous system.

One part of the brain affected is the hypothalamus, the seat of the emotions,
explaining why smells can be so powerful in affecting our moods and stirring our memories. Essential oils also enter the circulatory system and the rest of the body when they are inhaled due to gaseous exchanges in the lungs.

Massage with aromatic oils has long been the favourite of anyone at all - mostly rich people in any era. The bath was the next most favoured among a wider number of people - Romans and of course the Egyptians did a lot of bathing.
Nowadays adding a few drops to the base of a shower can have the same effect and a soak in a footbath or additions to face steamer are taking up popularity.

The aroma of spices was important to the Romans who used to burn piles of sandalwood and other incense before battle and during gladiator shows. It was used by the rulers to calm the people.

Since ancient times people have used herbs and herbal aromas to lift their spirits and enhance their lives. Herbal essences used topically can act as anti-depressants, energizers, anxiety calmers, nervous system/brain stimulators and more. It is still important to know your source. Some artificial ingredients such as phthalate esters and synthetic musks are now known to cause actual harm.

That's why there is a feeling of safety and purity when you are shopping in Neal's Yard Remedies that has made them very successful. Although the experience of shopping in their original shop in Neal's Yard is a great pleasure, their products can be bought online at their Web site.