From the MASSAGE Magazine article, “Get Your Glide On: Lubricants,” , in the June 2010 issue. Article summary: From oils and gels to butters, creams and lotions, the market for massage lubricants is a massive one, and the variety of options can leave even the most seasoned massage therapist wondering what to choose. The first step toward ensuring you’re using the best lubricant for your daily work is to get informed.
by Meaghan Cochrane
It might be new to you, but the practice of Biodynamic® farming and the inclusion of these natural ingredients in skin care is actually the oldest consciously organic approach to farming and gardening and one of the most sustainable in existence.
In its simplest definition, Biodynamic means working with the forces that create and maintain life, and it comes from two Greek words meaning life and dynamic forces. First introduced in a series of lectures by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), it takes a holistic view and works toward the health of the whole property and regards the farm, plants and animals as a self-supporting ecosystem that lives and breathes.
With Biodynamics, seeds are planted following the lunar cycle, so that when the tides are high, roots receive the most moisture and crops receive the most nutrients. The planting cycle includes rotating crops, so nutrients have the opportunity to return to the earth so that each seed planted in the soil will benefit from the healthiest start.
A percentage of these seeds are then held back to feed future crops and to be used as seeds for the next harvest. These crops are then nurtured with natural medicinal herbs and mineral composts to enhance the soil, igniting the growth of the plants and infusing ingredients with natural nutrition instead of harmful chemicals.
Modern agriculture robs the land of nutrients and often results in genetically modified ingredients, but choosing organic and Biodynamic ingredients ensures there are no chemicals added. Each and every Biodynamic crop is monitored by certifying agencies before inclusion in products, which are then tested and verified before they make their way to shelves and, ultimately, to you. Strict guidelines are in place to ensure only ingredients that follow Steiner’s practice can be called Biodynamic to guarantee their potency and efficacy.
The disciplined practice of Biodynamic farming renders fruits and herbs unusually high in nutrients and active compounds. We can harness these potent ingredients into skin-care products that are the ultimate in pureness and results-driven skin care.
The results are clear to see: Organic and Biodynamic products promise clear, radiant skin with naturally potent and active ingredients from Mother Nature to ensure they deliver the purest nutrition for your skin.
Meaghan Cochrane is an advisor and specialist in organic and Biodynamic skin care, and is a popular contributing writer to national and international industry publications. She is currently working with Eminence Organic Skin Care (www.eminenceorganics.com), a company that embodies more than half a century of herbal craftsmanship and experience in beauty.