At last summer seems to be finally upon us, and the sun has made a really welcome appearance. So I've been searching my wardrobe for some summer clothes, which means my legs and arms have been on show!

After all that rain and unseasonably cool weather we saw in May, I have to admit my skin hasn't really seen the light of day since my holiday to Thailand back in February. Mostly my legs have been covered by jeans or thick tights. So before exposing my pins in public, I thought they needed a bit of TLC!

What better than out orange blossom natural body balm? Not only does it smell absolutely gorgeous, but it's the perfect preparation for exposing my legs in shorts! I thought it might make a useful blog update for you, as I don't know about you, but I'm hoping for lots more summertime sunshine.

Botanicals natural body balm

Botanicals orange blossom body balm is full of active botanicals and vitamins, all designed to deeply nourish and revitalise the skin. It's enhanced with the exotic fragrance of pure organic neroli, patchouli, sweet orange and ylang ylang - pure decadence! And it's suitable for all skin types - particularly dry skin.

The base is organic shea butter - which is a very effective moisturiser for skin conditions such as early signs of ageing, dryness and stretch marks. It's long been used in Africa, and is well-known for its powerful, medicinal properties.

The butter comes from the nut of the shea tree, also known as 'The Tree of Life', which only grows in the African savanna. The tree grows up to 60 feet tall and can live up to 200 years. It produces fruits once a year. The nut in the center of the fruit, when traditionally crushed and boiled to extract the oil, yields the vegetable fat known as shea butter. This has been used in African cooking for thousands of years. And its properties as a skin treatment are equally well appreciated. Particularly its amazing abilities to renew, repair and protect the skin.

Shea Butter melts at body temperature. For easy application, warm shea butter onto your palms until it's completely melted, and then smooth on the skin. It absorbs quickly and penetrates deeply to seal in moisture and prevent dryness. It doesn't clog pores when applied to the skin. It's particularly effective for softening and revitalising hard, dry skin.

High in essential fatty acids

Shea butter is the best natural product to protect, heal and improve skin. It's prized because it contains a real cocktail of elements which are all good for the skin, including a very high content of essential fatty acids (EFA's); more than in any other vegetable butter. These fatty acids are oleic, stearic, linoleic and palmitic acid.

They play a very important moisturizing, softening, and anti-inflammatory role, and help renew the cutaneous cells. Shea Butter also contains Vitamins A, D, E, and K that have a recognized effect against skin aging. It is also rich in phytosterols - which both protect and regenerate the skin.

Jojoba oil

Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) is a botanical extract of the seed of the jojoba tree (simmondsia chinenis). What's interesting about it is that it isn't actually an oil, but rather what they call a wax ester. What makes it so unique compared to other seed oils is that it's structurally and chemically very similar to the human sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin. Because sebum is also largely comprised of wax mono esters.

In most cases, it can act as a substitute while giving similar or added benefits compared to sebum. Jojoba oil is non-toxic, non-comedogenic and non-allergenic. This means that it will not clog pores and will not cause any allergic reactions. It's also not an irritant, so it can safely be used around the eyes and on the skin. Also, it doesn't cause a greasy feeling when used on the skin - which is something other oils do. And it contains many different varieties of tocopherols, which make up Vitamin E and many other natural minerals.

Vitamin E is well known for promoting healthy and clear skin. Jojoba oil is an antioxidant and protects you from the damaging effects of free radicals.Most bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and the fungus Candida albicans cannot reproduce and die when they come into contact with jojoba oil. In fact, it is so antibacterial that it can be used as a fungicide to control mildew. Imagine how powerful that is?

Neroli

Neroli essential oil (or orange blossom oil) needs to be included with your natural remedies for depression, anxiety and even pregnancy. Neroli's antispasmodic properties will ease menstrual cramps, pms and labour, while minimizing anxiety and nourishing the skin. What a perfect combination!

It takes about 1000 pounds of orange blossom flower to make 1 pound of neroli oil. And it goes through a lengthy absolute extraction process making it is very expensive to produce. However, the exotic and intoxicating fragrance is well worth it.

Although the use of neroli and orange blossoms go back to Ancient Egypt, the word neroli was taken from a French born Italian princess, Anne-Marie de la Tremoille, who was the Countess of Nerola. She introduced the oil in 1670 and used it for perfume and cologne. Neroli was used by the Ancient Egyptians to heal the mind, body and spirit. It was highly regarded and used by the priestesses and priests. Its fruity and sweet aroma is very calming and relaxing.

Neroli essential oil is all about staying in the present moment and not reminiscing of the past; or even worrying about the future. For us to manifest what we want we must be completely in our power, and be present energetically in the moment. It's interesting that anxiety - particularly anxiety attacks - are produced when we separate our mind and body to the point where we start to panic. This is because we are literally in two different places. Neroli brings us back to one plane quickly, and provides protection as well.

Neroli essential oil has been used for thousands of years to accelerate self-actualization by keeping us in the present, and gathering many of our scattered parts in the different etheric levels. It opens the heart and releases emotions of powerless and self imposed restriction.

Patchouli

Patchouli oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and flowers of the plant, and is native to Asia. Most of us remember patchouli as the incense and aroma of the 1960s and 1970s. However, the benefits of patchouli have been known to the Asians for thousands of years. It has been used for snake bites, digestive conditions and to fight infection. And of course, for perfume and incense as well.

Patchouli comes from the Hindustan word 'pacholi'' meaning 'to scent'. Indian shawls and fabrics were scented with patchouli in the 19th century. Silk traders from China traveling to the Middle East packed their silk cloth with dried patchouli leaves in the 18th and 19th century. This was said to prevent moths from laying eggs on the material.

Patchouli's sweet and rich aroma is calming and relaxing - both physically and mentally - and has been used to relax the mind and clarify thoughts since humans first discovered its powerful properties. It does this by releasing obsessions, insecurities and jealousies, and enhancing our desire to live a fuller life. It also grounds the body and asks us to stay in the present moment - rather than stressing about things that are beyond our control.

Sweet orange

Orange uses were first farmed by the Chinese many centuries ago, and have remained as a vital part of Chinese medicine ever since. They used orange to relieve spasm and stimulate digestion, and to bring good luck. In Europe, orange became famous for assisting with colic, asthma, nervous disorders and heart problems. It's thought the name is derived from Sanskrit meaning 'orange tree'. Orange was first brought to Europe by Portuguese explorers returning from southern China in the 1520s.

Its fresh and citrus aroma is very uplifting to the body and mind. Orange is also important in the both spiritual and emotional realms. Orange releases self judgment, obsessions and fears, so that the emotional body can be restored and balanced. When we release these negative and highly charged emotions, we can see clearly again, and make better choices for our life.

It will lend support by uplifting and promoting a positive attitude while calming our spirit. This oil will help those who tend to overwork, strive for perfection, but get aggravated quickly by intolerances or mistakes.

Ylang ylang

Ylang ylang oil is steam-distilled from the flowers of the tree. And means 'flower of flower', among other things (read below). It's long been used for promoting smooth skin. Ylang Ylang comes from a Tagalog word 'ilang' meaning 'wilderness', or the word 'ilang-ilan' meaning 'rare'. Indonesians cover the beds of newly married couples with Ylang Ylang flowers.

Ylang ylang's sweet and floral aroma is very calming and relaxing. It's also used to balance male and female energies, so one can achieve a state of harmony. It does this by releasing negative emotions such as anger, possessiveness or low self-esteem. And nourishing the positive emotions such as confidence, self love and spiritual awareness. Ylang ylang oil also helps those who are physically or spiritually drained, bringing the body, mind and spirit back into alignment.

Bergamot

The benefits of bergamot far exceed what most people understand or appreciate. It's most well-known use is as the oil that gives Earl Grey tea its fantastic and unique flavor! But the benefits of bergamot go further than this. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties have made it popular for hundreds of years for skin conditions.

In Oriental medicine, it's used to assist with the flow of vital energy, so the digestive system can work smoothly. Columbus brought bergamot from the Canary Islands to Italy. It's thought that he brought the tree back to Bergamo - an Italian city in Northern Italy.

Bergamot's sweet and fruity aroma is both uplifting and relaxing. Particular benefits include both the spiritual and emotional. Bergamot releases the need to be in complete control, so that we can flow with life more easily. When we can relax and trust the universe to handle details of any life situation, we release the fear of the unknown, and become clear about our own mission.

Because this oil opens the heart chakra and is uplifting to the mind, it can relieve anxiety, stress and depression. Place on the heart to release this patterning and embrace relationships (self and others).

Enjoy the sunshine!

Lisa. x