Skin Science Reporter: Denise how did you first come to develop an interest in Complementary & Alternative Medical (CAM) therapies?

D R-B: I originally trained as a Nurse and upon qualifying, travelled to Australia to work for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) caring for Aboriginal peoples & their children, as well as miners and people living in the Australian Outback.

After this, I was fortunate in undertaking voluntary mobile medical work in the Chimbu Highlands in Papua New Guinea. This was fascinating. We were put up in village ‘guest houses’ and in return for medical care, food was left outside our hut each morning! Whilst I was there, it became  apparent that many of the tribes-people we worked with, used local  indigenous plants and herbs to successfully treat a number of conditions, which were sometimes more effective than the medicines we had to offer and my interest in Complementary medicine was born!

S S R: How did you progress this interest when you eventually arrived back in England?

D R-B: When I returned to the UK I went on to take a degree in Sociology, focusing on anthropology and medical sociology and also trained in Shiatsu and Hypnosis. As a result I became curious about many therapies labelled as Complementary and Alternative (CAM) and subsequently wrote a number of books looking at the research evidence to support certain health care claims - which has been such an interesting journey!

S S R: Have you come across any therapies that are effective for skin conditions?

D R-B: Yes. As you know, Dermatology covers a broad range of skin conditions. However, there are a number of CAM therapies that are effective in treating specific skin problems. For instance, some skin conditions can occur from dietary deficiencies, stress, anxiety, or allergies. Acupuncture in particular, can be very effective at treating some of these problems. There are a number of oils such as Aloe Vera, arnica which are very effective in helping to heal burns. Other oils work can be valuable in managing eczema and acne. Another lesser known herb called Oregon grape (mountain grapes) can be useful for skin diseases such as psoriasis and acne where is can be applied topically.

S S R: The medical & scientific community have concerns about the misuse of traditional remedies and their possible interaction with conventional drug based therapies?

D R-B: One of the key issues to be aware of is interactions might occur between a prescribed treatment and a CAM therapy you are keen to try. With this in mind, Professor Elizabeth Williamson and I co-wrote a book specifically looking at a whole range of CAM therapies, herbs, oils and so on to review the research evidence behind them and any potential interactions that might occur if you are already on a treatment. This also covers many skin conditions. This has proved to be really helpful for so many people. It is a handbook you can dip into to, to check things out. (Complementary Medicine: A Guide for Pharmacists by Denise Rankin-Box & Elizabeth M. Williamson: Churchill Livingstone 2006).

S S R: Denise, many thanks for your insights and congratulations on your recent award from the ICNM.

Denise Rankin

Yin Yang Skincare is delighted to announce that it is awarding Denise Rankin-Box a complementary set of Yin Yang Skincare products in celebration of her receipt of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Complementary Medicine’ 2010 Award, from the Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine.

Trained nurse, Denise Rankin-Box has been actively involved in pushing back the frontiers of Complementary medicine in the UK, Europe and in America for over 27 years, including assisting in the design of the first University validated, Integrated Diploma in complementary & alternative medicine (CAM) in the UK. For the last 17 years, Denise has been Editor-in-Chief of the journal, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, and an international double blind peer review journal published by Elsevier. The journal draws an international readership and contributing authors from around the world.

Research Evidence for CAM Claims

Her first book written for health care professionals was published in 1987 and this was the first of its’ kind, to focus upon research evidence supporting the therapeutic claims of complementary medicine within health care practice   in the UK.  She has since written widely and contributed to medical and nursing dictionaries providing definitions of CAM terminology. In November 2007, she completed her 5th text: Complementary Medicine: A Guide for Pharmacists; a handbook for use by high street pharmacists. She has presented nationally and internationally on CAM research, integration into healthcare practice and the management of change.

Consumer Safe Guards

Denise was the first Chair of the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) “Complementary Therapies in Nursing” Forum for the first 6 years of its development and established a national nursing RCN CAM nursing network. In 1998 she was directly involved in the design of the first RCN consumer guide for the general public advising upon key questions general consumers should ask a CAM practitioner in order to ensure they receive competent and safe care. This information leaflet continues to be published.

Integrated Medicine

 In recognition of her work in bringing the benefits of CAM to conventional healthcare, Denise was invited and joined, the initial working parties into CAM and the Way Forward, initiated by HRH Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Medicine. She has run private and NHS based clinics employing Complementary Medicine for the management of stress and stress related illnesses.

Additionally Denise has been a Trustee and Deputy-Chair of the British Holistic Medical Association (BHMA), and an External Examiner for undergraduate and post graduate degrees. She is Nursing Adviser and Honorary Member for many complementary therapy organisations in the UK.

CAM In Perspective

 
Data collected at the beginning of this decade suggest that in the UK about 22 million visits a year are made to practitioners of acupuncture, chiropractic, homoeopathy, hypnotherapy, herbal medicine and osteopathy each year (Thomas et al, 2001; Fox, 2001). This figure excludes therapies such as reflexology, massage, nutritional therapy and therapeutic touch. To put this into perspective, Thomas et al (2001) report that there were 14 million visits to A&E during the same period. Fox (2001) says that more than 90% of visits to complementary practitioners - costing a total of about £450m - are purchased privately. In the USA a total of about $15bn is spent on complementary therapies every year, with about one in four of the population being treated with some form of complementary therapy (Eisenberg et al, 1993).

YY Skincare Holistic Approach To Skin Health

YY Skincare’s holistic approach to skin health, with its emphasis on working with gentle effective botanical ingredients to support the skin’s bio-chemistry of constant renewal and self defence, borrows from the science and traditional wisdom of experts in herbal medicine. We strongly support the work of Denise Rankin-Box in making the skills of the CAM sector more understandable to practitioners of conventional health therapies.

Denise Rankin

The past few months have kept me very busy not only working on the Acne products which I mentioned in my April Newsletter but also on the Yin Yang So Sensitive range to be introduced later in the year.  It has always been my view, due to their concentrations, that essential oils should be used as a very low percentage of the product- often well below the 2% upper dilution limit recommended by most aromatherapists.  The great thing about the Yin Yang Scientific Advisory Panel, is that we can access useful information. This includes the European Fragrance and Flavour Associations’ analysis of known allergens in essential oils.   As 2% of the population are prone to allergies and there are at least some of the 16 known allergens in most of our well known e.o., we decided to create Yin Yang So Sensitive choosing from among the few oils which contain 0% allergens.    These include Cedarwood, Myrrh, Patchouli, Sandalwood and Spikenard.  Please do not think that you should not use your favourite essential oils, if they are not included in the list because they all have many useful and appropriate properties and if you have enjoyed using them in the past, please do continue to do so without concern.   However, there is a need for the So Sensitive products, particularly in the present environment, where the use of chemicals is increasing and sensitivities are rising.

The Origins of Beechgrove Herb Garden

When I started my herb garden at Beechgrove Farmyard in 1998, I was inspired by  Pattie Barron’s book “Create a Mediterranean Garden”.   She recommended adding gravel to the soil but as I had a typical Cotswold space, full of  rocks and free draining soil which needed a pickaxe to dig it in many places, I realised that I had An excellent place to start.   She recommended buying the smallest plants possible and treating them meanly – as they would double in size in a month and go from there.   She was absolutely right.   It was September of 2000 when I started the serious planting into tons of gravel on top of a membrane, through which we planted many species of tiny Mediterranean herbs.   The membrane, gravel and rock-like soil all keep the roots of the plants dry, which they appreciate due to their origins.  We concentrated on Rosemary, Sage, Thyme,  Curry, Fennel, Angelica and of course various types of Lavender.  Many of these are as tall as me and this summer I find myself  pruning, transplanting, taking cuttings and giving away fledgling ash trees to my neighbour to create shade in her fields across the road.  

Plant of the Month - Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)

Tidying up has made me realise just how much everything has matured during the decade and I have particularly enjoyed the 4 lavender bushes which now completely surround my outdoor square glass pool.   It has far exceeded my imaginings when I planted the four little plants 6 years ago.  Today it is attended by a host of busy bees and various varieties of colourful butterflies.     The antiseptic and disinfectant properties of the lavender were recognised by the early Romans and used in their bath water, strewn amongst linen, hung in rooms to deter flies and also used to treat snake bites.   Modern research has shown that these attributes are well founded scientifically.  The essential oil is recognised as a powerful antiseptic, which will kill many common bacteria.   Externally it is recommended for burns, infected wounds, eczema and acne.    We use just a little of the essential oil of Lavender in our pH-amino Gold Defence Lotion not only for its therapeutic properties but because it smells so good and fresh.

This is to be a regular column with a professional beauty therapist writing about a favourite treatment. We hope all of you visiting our site find these guest articles interesting and in particular we would like to have your feedback when you visit a salon or spa and try out the treatments mentioned. As a thank you, we will send you a complementary “YY Weekend Essentials” – a mini pack of skincare essentials for an away weekend or other short travel; a perfect handbag size.

We asked Janet Williams of the popular West Bromwich Spa Avalon Health & Beauty to be our first guest contributor.

“Hello to all you Yin Yang Skincare users. I will describe one of Avalon’s most popular treatments – but to really appreciate it you need to come to our Health & Beauty Spa in West Bromwich and experience the treatment first hand; we would love to see you!

As you are probably aware from the YY Skincare website we have been using YY Skincare products for some time now and are only too pleased to tell you how happy we are with the results from using them.
 
One of the treatments that everyone absolutely loves is the Yin Yang Diamond Tip Dermabrasion Facial. What results! Customers just look so fresh faced and youthful after the treatment.

And here is how we do it:

• First we get to know you and your requirements over a coffee or tea.
• Then once you are relaxed & comfortable on a soft massage couch all the face, neck and décolletage area is given a thorough Cleanse using Yin Yang’s lovely Skin Cleanser.
• When the skin is congested or pores are blocked we also use Yin Yang’s wonderfully absorbent Kaolin Face Mask.
• Using the diamond point dermabrasion system we then clear away all the dead skin cells and impurities to leave the skin fresh, smooth and radiant. Within the sanctuary of the Spa, clients often fall asleep during this process!
• We follow the dermabrasion with a spritzing of Orange Flower Tonic to cool the skin right down.
• Then follows a moisturiser of your choice applied with a slow luxurious massage starting from the décolletage and working up to the brow.
• A few moments of quiet time on the couch with a glass of water afterwards and you are totally refreshed and your skin renewed.”

Please feel free to contact me at Avalon Health & Beauty Spa 0121 588 4666 12.00hrs Tuesday to 15.00hrs Saturday.

Janet Williams

Janet Williams

In the very centre of historic Glossop there is a superb holistic beauty salon, ‘Beauty by NKD’ which is the brainchild of holistic health & beauty therapist Nicola Dobedoe. Nicola is a fully qualified & experienced Holistic Health & Beauty Therapist. Whether you want a manicure, a pedicure, or a professional wax & relaxing massage, including hot stone massage, just call Nicola. And if you would like to try reflexology or Hopi ear candle treatments, you can have these at Beauty by NKD as well. Beauty treatments include eye lash & eyebrow work, and of course a range of facials, including Yin Yang Skincare facials.

Revitalise Your Skin With A Facial at Beauty by NKD

Yin Yang Skincare is proud to announce that Beauty by NKD is now stocking the full Yin Yang Skincare range. If you would like to enjoy a truly revitalising facial, then visit Nicola and find out how you can keep your skin in optimal condition by incorporating Yin Yang Skincare into your daily skincare routine.  Nicola is a dedicated and passionate beauty therapist; from age 18 she knew exactly what she wanted to do and set about finding the finance immediately to open her own salon and spa! Talking to Shop Floor Reporter recently Nicola commented, “ I am really lucky because I just love what I do and know that it  brings so much pleasure to other people”.

Visit Ancient Glossop In The Peak District National Park

If you are not lucky enough to live near Glossop but you are one of the 22 million visitors to the Peak District every year, take time out to visit this town and treat yourself with a facial or massage at Beauty By NKD. So ancient that it is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, Glossop lies on the North Western fringe of the Peak District National Park. The beautiful Peak District is said to be the second most visited park after Mount Fuji National Park in Japan!

Contact Nicola At Beauty By NKD

Beauty by NKD, 82 High Street West, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13.
Tel: 01457 863114 or email info@beauty-by-nkd.co.uk.
Open Mondays 9-5; Wednesday 9-5; Thursdays 9-6; Friday 9-5; Saturdays 9-4.

Yin Yang Skincare is proud to announce that True Beauty & Holistics of Macclesfield has become a Yin Yang Skincare stockist. For skincare brands there is a special significance in being adopted by professional Spa Therapists, as these highly qualified beauty treatment experts have wide experience in working with different skincare products.

Pamper, Pamper, Pamper

Shereen Charlesworth founded True Beauty & Holistics to provide women with a complete range of beauty treatments and a little island of bliss in Macclesfield; a professional beauty centre for a full makeover or perhaps just intensive care for damaged nails, or a day of pamper, pamper, pamper!

Professional Holistic Therapists

Shereen combines a full range of beauty treatments at the Spa with deeply relaxing holistic therapies. Not only is she a Member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists, Shereen is also a member of the International Federation of Health & Beauty and a Member of the International Council of Holistic Therapists. Members of the Federation of Holistic Therapists are all highly qualified, professional therapists. All Members, Fellows and Student Members of FHT are required to follow a strict Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The Salon has 7 professionally appointed treatment rooms, complete with state-of-the-art equipment, adjustable lighting and sound system, so whether you want a quick fix for your nails at one of the salon’s nail bars, or a deeply relaxing pedicure including jet whirlpool foot-spa, complete luxury body wrap, sauna or spray tan, go and check out True Beauty & Holistics.

Lovely In Cheshire

The people of Macclesfield are a little bit spoiled, not only do they enjoy some of the loveliest countryside in England nestling in the foothills of the Southern Pennines with beautiful villages like Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, they have True Beauty & Holistics on their doorstep at 9 Thornton Square in Macclesfield SK11 7XZ. Call Shereen on 01 625 410 699 or visit http://beautyandholisticsmacclesfield.co.uk/

My tarragon has survived the winter and is vigorously asserting itself for a good summer.   Sadly I seem to have lost most of my mature fennel – but perhaps it will sprout again as the summer warms up.   In some way to replace the tall elegant fennel, I have decided to introduce some hardy annuals.    They are such fun to grow - and the most fun is just to throw a packet of seeds amongst the herbs and shrubs, just rake them over and let them take their chances.  The sunflowers are bold, exuberant and can be a very exciting addition to any herb garden.    The Organic Gardening Catalogue and Thomson & Morgan sell a good variety of sunflower seeds ranging from the Dwarf yellow (18 to 24 inches) to the Russian Giant (maturing during one summer to over 2 meters).   Perhaps more interesting are the many varieties that grow between 4 to 5 feet tall, which include Italian White, Earth Walker – a mixture of bronze to yellow and Lime Pie Claret which is a lovely chocolate brown.   The plant is native to the Central Americas and was domesticated in Mexico by 2600 BC.   Many indigenous American peoples used the sunflower as the symbol of their solar deity.   Now it is mainly grown for the seeds and oil it produces.   Each mature flower yields 40% of its weight as oil.

New Products for Acne

Apart from the sunflower’s flamboyance in the garden, I have also been working with it in the new acne products for Yin Yang.   The oil is highly recommended for acne because it has soothing properties and is considered to be noncomedogenic, which means that it does not clog pores and consequently discourages pimples.     Physically it is very fine and liquid, as you will know if you use it in salads, but it is also rich in Vitamin E and does not have the distinct “grainy” odor of wheat germ oil.   It is also rich in some of the gentle plant acids, i.e., Palmitic, Stearic, Oleic and Linoleic that keep the skin in a healthy, mildly acidic state without the need for the harsh chemical acids which balance most commercial skin care brands.     For me it has always made sense to use wholesome edible plant acids from fruit, flowers and nuts as the pH adjuster and they always have other useful  properties, such as vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.   So I was not too surprised to learn that studies of daily gentle massaging of premature babies with sunflower oil, have determined that with this procedure, the babies are 41% less likely to develop infections while in hospital.     As well as sunflower oil, the Yin Yang acne products will include also Jojoba Oil, Green Tea Extract, Calendula Extract and Comfrey Extract.   The products, which will be available later this year, will be very light on the skin, with thorough cleansing action, and just moisturising, without overloading the pores.

In Store Consultant Team

Joining Monica, Rebecca, Leila and Gina on the Consultant Team, we now have Joanna, Elaine, Clair and Penelope.   They are all enjoying being in the stores and talking to Holland & Barrett customers about Yin Yang Skincare and I am enjoying reading their reports; it is important to have these communications with customers,  to be able to help with personal skin care advice and to understand the concerns that people have about their skincare routines.   We have now covered around two thirds of the 150 Holland & Barrett stores stocking Yin Yang and quite a number of them are looking forward to their second visit. Click here to see when a Yin Yang consultant will be visiting a store near you.

Our blog entry earlier this month, “Delia Does It For Rhubarb”, reported that due to the awful British winter, domestic rhubarb farmers were not able to meet all the demand created by the doyenne of British cooking when her recipe for Rhubarb Creme Brulee was publicised by Waitrose.

UK Grower Frustration

At the time a representative of the Yorkshire Growers Association expressed the frustration felt by producers “I can’t understand why Waitrose has publicised this rhubarb recipe at a time when it is difficult getting both forced and outdoors-grown rhubarb in the UK.”

Unprecedented Demand

Timing seasonal events that are at the mercy of the weather is never easy, predicting consumer demand can be just as difficult, so Waitrose can be forgiven for what happened after the recipe went into circulation; demand was unprecedented “in the four days after the advertising was aired we sold as much rhubarb as we’d normally expect to sell within 14 weeks” Gill Smith of Waitrose explained to Shop Floor Reporter.

100% British Rhubarb

Faced with this surge in demand Waitrose and other supermarkets were forced to supplement UK supplies with European produce. However before the advertising campaign went live, Waitrose confirms “we sourced all the British Rhubarb we could get our hands on”. But there is definitely good news from Waitrose for UK producers and consumers this week, Gill Smith informs us that, “all the rhubarb in our shops will be 100% British within the next few days”.

Delia Collectibles

As for the Delia recipe that started the Rhubarb Stampede, it will be part of a collection of Delia recipes for Waitrose customers to keep; this augurs well for British rhubarb throughout the season.  Thank you Delia and thank you Waitrose.

Yin Yang Skincare supports British Growers & Producers.

Transforming Experience

For every woman in the Midlands who enjoys Spa pampering, Avalon Health & Beauty Spa offers a totally transforming range of beauty treatments and holistic therapies. You can make glorious new conquests of your own! How do we know this? Well we have a Spa expert on our team; Rebecca Hudson, Yin Yang Skincare Consultant, has managed some of the most luxurious spas in Britain, so we can take her word for the fact that Avalon Health & Beauty Spa provides a great pampering experience. In fact Rebecca likes visiting Avalon so much that she has persuaded the Spa to use Yin Yang Skincare products – a good excuse for her to keep calling!

Complete Makeover

From nail work to facials, Avalon can give you a complete makeover and much more besides with a range of exotic and luxurious massages, body scrubs & wraps, plus full face & body masks. To learn more about Avalon visit www.avalonhealthandbeautyspa.co.uk or call Janet Williams on 0121 588 4666, 12.00hrs Tuesday to 15.00hrs Saturday.

Yin Yang Skincare Stockist

Since the beginning of 2010 Avalon Health & Beauty Spa has been stocking the entire Yin Yang Skincare range and the Yin Yang Wellbeing range, so you can now experience our products as part of an Avalon Beauty Treatment – another good reason to treat yourself with an appointment with Janet and her team in West Brom!

A pilot course is being offered over two days, 11th May and 8th June, at the College’s facility at 41 Riding House Street W1W 7BE. (Great Portland Street Tube Station).

Diet, lifestyle, climate & pollution are all recognised conditioners of skin health and quality. These factors, especially in combination with hormonal activity and chronological ageing, can play a major role in the condition and appearance of your skin.

Day 1 of the course will focus on the major influences affecting the regenerative and defensive biochemistry of the skin. Practical techniques for natural & effective skincare will be demonstrated, focusing both on keeping the skin in optimal condition throughout life and on dealing with problem skin conditions. Day 2 is a consolidator event, building on the theory and practical skills of Day 1 and relating the Course fundamentals to the experience of the participants since beginning the Course.

Monica Savage, Yin Yang Skincare’s Senior Skincare Consultant will conduct the course and the practical exercises in giving Facials. Monica, who is a trained nurse, has been a Yin Yang Skincare consultant since the late 1970s and is deeply experienced in skincare issues and techniques. After managing difficult problems with her own skin through careful management of diet and skincare regime, Monica has developed a deep understanding of holistic skincare management.

The CNM was founded over 20 years ago by homoeopath and natural health expert Hermann Keppler. CNM has colleges throughout the UK & Ireland and provides both Full and Part Time Diploma courses in Biomedical Sciences, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy and Nutrition.  For more information about The CNM visit www.naturopathy-uk.com.

Yin Yang Skincare was founded in 1973 by Katie May and was the original green & ethical supplier of skincare to British consumers. Using only pure botanical ingredients, Katie formulated products that worked with and supported the skin’s regenerative and defensive biochemistry. Yin Yang Skincare led the way in Cruelty Free, Parabens Free, Petroleum Free skincare, and today the range continues to be found in specialist health & beauty outlets including Holland & Barrett nationwide. For more information about Yin Yang Skincare visit www.yinyangskincare.co.uk