Winter Bees

As you know, Mil All Natural use golden yellow beeswax in many of our products, so as part of our conservation policy we keep honey bees and are continuing to grow and plant pollinator garden plants which we distribute to friends near and far.  This year, as well as further developing our pollinator meadow, we have grown over 1000 oxeye daisy and kidney vetch plug plants which were donated to a local environmental project in order to help recreate local meadows.  Oxeye daisy and kidney vetch are not used by honey bees, but we don’t mind that, it is all about the big picture, with many other insects such as hoverflies and bumblebees loving these flowers.

During winter honeybees spend most of their time in the hive (accept on very mild days they will come out for short flights).  As the temperatures drop the honeybees gather in a central area of the hive and cluster together.  A winter cluster sees the bees huddle tightly with the single purpose of keeping the queen bee safe and warm.

One of our beehives, sitting tight for the Winter.  

You may ask, how do bees, simple cold blooded insects, keep a hive warm? This is but another miracle of the hive, the worker bees produce heat by shivering.  To be more precise, they actually beat muscles that would normally power their wings.  The heat they produce is extraordinary with some bees able to increase their own body temperature to 44 degrees C!  This constant motion and continuous use of energy is how the bees keep the inside temperature of the hive warm.

Of course all central heating systems need fuel to run them and in the beehive the heating bill is paid for in honey.  Honey is packed with energy and it is for this reason that the most important job of a beekeeper, prior to winter, is making sure that enough honey is left in the hive for the bees!. 

At this time of year our bees are safe within their hives.  Where we live on the north Coast of Ireland it can get very stormy and wet, so making sure the hives are leak free is a must.  Early in the New Year, we will leave in some bee fondant (a sugary icing) into hives that maybe a little low in honey, this is a simple way of topping up the hive with energy.  We only do this when we need to, we believe the bee’s own honey is always best.

Between November and March the beekeeper has little to do, but carry out repairs to spare hives and wait for the time when the bees begin to emerge and resume their wonderful work of pollinating plants and gathering nectar.   

For more information on Mil All Natural go to our website on www.milallnaturalbalms.com

The Aroma of Christmas

Christmas is a time that stimulates many senses.  The taste of mince pies!  The smell of the real pine Christmas tree!  Here at Mil all natural we just love the smell of orange, clove and cinnamon blended together and combined with golden beeswax to make the aroma of Christmas.  Each of these essential oils have their own therapeutic benefits which help get us over the festive season:

Cinnamon

This spice was used in Europe since about the 9th century as an ingredient of mulled wine.  It has a tonic effect on the whole body and is a very strong antiseptic.  It is said to calm spasm of the digestive tract and stimulates secretion of gastric juices.  It's aroma is reputed to be excellent for exhausted states and feelings of weakness and depression.

Clove

Clove was valued for it's medicinal properties by the Greeks, Romans and the Chinese, who were known to chew cloves to ease toothache and sweeten the breath.  A vital ingredient in mulled wines and liqueurs.  It is an excellent bacteriacide and is valuable in disinfecting the atmosphere during infectious illness.  It has a positive and stimulating effect on the mind, strengthens memory and lifts depression.  It's uplifting qualities are helpful when feeling weak and lethargic.

Orange

This is a zesty and refreshing citrus fragrance and the oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit.  It seems to have a very calming action on the stomach, and aids absorption of vitamin C.  The aroma spreads a little sunshine on gloomy thoughts and dispels tension and stress encouraging a positive outlook.  It is a reviving oil when lacking in energy.

http://www.milallnaturalbalms.com/ourshop/prod_2976728-Las-Gift.html

Project Bee

All the documented evidence has shown our friends the bees are in decline.

Why?

Many theories exist.  One suggests intensification of agriculture has led to less wildflowers and habitats for our bees.  Another theory suggests that a class of pesticides called "neonicotinoids"have contributed to their decline.  The European Commssion is discussing the introduction of a precautionary moratorium on the use of these neonicotinoids on flowering plants and crops.

What can we do?

Bees are amazing animals. They pollinate our plants as they forage for nectar and pollen. It is estimated that 78% of flowering plants rely on bees and other insects to reproduce(www.capitalgrowth.org/bees/whybees/) .We need them and they need us to help enhance their environment and chances of survival.

Avoid the use of pesticides wherever possible

This takes a bit of thought and research.  If you are growing vegetables pests will always be a problem.  But their are many natural herbs and plants that can be used as "companion plants" to protect your crops.

Plant "bee-friendly" plants 

When you are planning your garden-big or small-choose "bee-friendly" plants, such as lavender, hardy fuschia, and Michaelmas daisy.  Every little helps!

Become a bee-keeper

This can seem like a scary prospect, but join a local Beekeeper's Association and give it a go!

We at Mil have 6 hives and growing.  This year we planted wildflower meadows in the garden, lavender, and fuschia bushes, which our honey bees loved, and were regularly seen busying about on.  We'll keep you posted on our "bee habitat development project", as we hope for a kind winter for us and the bees!

Top 5 Essential Oils for your Medicine Cabinet

Essential oils are potent and concentrated extracts of plants found in nature.  They all have their own unique therapeutic benefits on our body and mind.  Only lavender and tea-tree essential oils can be used neat on the skin, without been diluted, so they are particularly handy to pop in your travel bag before you head off on holidays this Summer.  They are definitely my top 2 favourite essential oils.

(1) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)


Lavender has been used for medecinal and home-care purposes for thousands of years.  It can be applied directly to the skin to soothe burns, so the next time you get a burn from lifting your casserole out of the oven, pop some lavender essential oil onto the burn immediately and it will instantly soothe and prevent blistering.  It is also an effective disinfectant for cuts and scrapes because all essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal.  A few drops of lavender in the bath can help you relax and aid sleep.

(2) Tea-Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

A definite must have in any medicine cabinet.  It can be used topically to treat athlete's foot.  This oil has saved me so many an antibiotics when the dreaded sore throat strikes.  If you put about 10 drops in a glass of water and gargle it serves to kill off the infection in your throat.  The secret is to start gargling as soon as the throat becomes sore, and gargling 3 or 4 times a day, and last thing at night should be enough to prevent the infection progressing.

(3) Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

A brilliant remedy for aching feet!  A few drops of peppermint essential oil can be added to a foot bath to revive those tired feet and limbs.  Also said to be a good remedy for colds and digestive complaints, but it needs to be diluted with a suitable vegetable carrier oil or balm.

(4) Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

A great oil for alleviating chest congestion.  It's anti-viral action works well on the respiratory tract soothing inflammation and easing mucous.  Good for influenza, coughs, catarrhal conditions and sinusitis.  A few drops can be added to a basin of hot water and the steam inhaled for best effect, or it can be added to a carrier oil or balm and used as a chest rub.

(5) Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

A gentle and soothing oil which can be blended with a carrier oil or balm to soothe many dry and inflammed skin conditions.  Worth keeping in mind for use as an after-sun remedy with all this sunny weather we've been enjoying.  It also smells lovely and is helpful for insomnia, stress and anxiety.  


These are effective natural remedies so give them a try this Summer and let us know how you get on!

The Mil Team
www.milallnaturalbalms.com

Avoiding Chafing During Exercise

With the Giro d'Italia fever hitting the North Coast of Ireland and as we dust off our bikes and take to the roads in an effort to get in shape for summer and to be able to share in the celebrations and increased activities and events in the run up to the Giro arriving in Ireland from 9th to 11th May 2014, here are some things to think about before hopping on the saddle!

Watch out for chafing (which is irritation of the skin caused by repetitive friction).  Chafing can occur with the  repetitive friction of the saddle against your skin, and it also occurs during long distance running on places like the feet and under the arms.  The solution is to put some anti-chafe balm on the areas which could be affected,  before the exercise, be it running or cycling.  Investing in a good pair of cycling bib shorts is money well spent and will make cycling a much more comfortable experience.

Don't forget the helmet, and join in the Giro d'Italia experience this May in the Glens of Antrim.

Stress Busting Tips for Spring

January was a long month.  We all struggled with the returning to normal eating habits after Christmas, we went to work in the dark, came home in the dark.  But at last, according to the Gaelic calender, the 1st of February marks the official start of Spring. The evenings are getting brighter, and with more daylight comes the snowdrops, and nature shows signs of stiring again for another year.  So a few tips to get us through the month:

(1) Exercise-do what you enjoy!  Even if you can get out for a brisk 20 minute walk every morning or evening this will increase your endorphins (chemicals which create a feel good emotion in the body) and reduce the cortisol levels in your body.  (Cortisol is produced when the body is placed under stress).  Make sure to keep well hydrated and keep the lips well moisturized with a natural emollient as the climate is still harsh and can dry those lips out!


(2) Pamper Yourself- make some "me" time this month.  Life can be hectic and stressful, so it is important to maintain both your pysical and mental health.  Have a massage, or some form of complementary therapy that will alllow you to relax, get rid of the stress, and increase your energy levels.

(3) Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Try to substitue processed foods and high sugar snacks with snacks that are high in natural sugars.  For example bananas, grapes and strawberries.  Grab a bag of dried fruit or nuts to snack on instead of the bag of crisps in the petrol station.

(4) Here's the tricky one-Try to get more sleep!

The Mil Team
www.milallnaturalbalms.com

Skincare without chemicals

We live in a world where we assume that because food and beauty products are on reputable retail outlet’s shelves they must be safe for us to use.  It is important that we forget the marketing machines, and pick up our food and beauty products and read the list of contents.  Sometimes it is only when we are faced with a health problem in our lives that we start to question the ingredients we put onto our skin and into our body.  As far as possible we should avoid processed foods, artificial sweeteners and high fat, salt and sugar diets.  When choosing skincare products we should avoid artificial colours, parabens and preservatives.  Our skin is the largest organ in the body, and absorbs large amounts of unrecognizable ingredients over a lifetime. 

Mil’s Simple Body and Hand Balm has been used by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment with the drug Caelyx (Doxorubicin).  One of the side effects of Caelyx is that it can leave patients with soreness and redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This is sometimes known as palmar-plantar, or hand and foot syndrome. It can happen after two or three cycles of treatment with Caelyx.  It's usually temporary and improves when the treatment is finished.  It is so important to keep the hands and feet well moisturized while on Caelyx to prevent the skin from become broken as it can be for some patients paper thin and red as a result of the Caelyx.  Mil’s Sensitive Hand and Body Balm is designed for people with sensitive skin and also for people on regimes such as Caelyx to provide an all natural skincare regime.  It contains only organic unrefined shea butter , organic jojoba oil (similar to skin sebum), golden beeswax and Vitamin E.

So before you buy the next item of food or next beauty product, don’t be afraid to pick up the box or packet and familarise yourself with what is in there and how it could negatively affect your body.  Like all good things in life, sometimes it is better to keep it simple! 

From bee to you