9 Phenomenal Benefits Of A Juice Fast

9 Phenomenal Benefits Of A Juice Fast

There’s a whole plethora of information and disinformation out there about juice fasting. So how does one know whether it’s good for you or not? I always encourage people to do their own research, collate the information and make up their own minds. Go onto reputed sites for published medical papers, read, read, read. But, the best thing to do is experience it for yourself.

 

My first juice fast lasted 7 days, I meticulously followed along online and made sure that I completed all the movement and mind exercises that were suggested.

This fast was back in 2017, my body was feeling pretty bad, my legs were like concrete, my joints in my fingers were swollen and sore. I had zero energy. I always remember walking up to our chook house and thinking it was too much, something has to be wrong with me, something bad. Fibromyalgia had been mentioned to me, I hadn’t even heard of it before, so dismissed it and got on with life, well tried to.

 

I had landed at a point where I wasn’t enjoying life though, it was all ‘too hard”. I had hit the wall, no zip, no fuel. Depleted!

 

I also knew that I was the one in charge of my mind and my body and I could go looking for what was wrong with me or, I could go in search of a way to feel better.

I chose option two, signed up for a juice fast and that was that.

 

No more inflammation, no more pain, my head was super clear, my eyes were so wide open it was friggen phenomenal. And the most important thing, I had energy. I felt alive and happy and I just wanted to never feel like shit again.

And as I’ve learned more and more about this ancient technique of fasting, it just makes so much sense.

Animals in the wild don’t eat when they are sick, why do we?

For me fasting is a tool that I keep in my belt. If I’ve indulged for way to long, I’ve celebrated a bit too hard haha over the festive season, or if I become unwell (rarely now) then I will pull it out and use it.

The key though, I have found, is to live a life where we don’t do the things, or consume the things that make us feel like crap in the first place.

Pretty simple hey?

I’ve popped together a list of the key benefits of fasting. These have been taught to me by my mentor and teacher Tyler Tolman.

What a list!

  1. Fasting Promotes Detoxification
  2. Fasting Gives the Digestive System a Break
  3. Fasting Resolves Inflammatory Response
  4. Fasting Reduces Blood Sugar
  5. Fasting Increases Fat Metabolism
  6. Fasting Corrects High Blood Pressure
  7. Fasting Promotes Weight Loss
  8. Fasting Promotes a Healthy Diet
  9. Fasting Boosts Immunity

If you are keen to learn more about how to up your health, not just by fasting, Tyler regularly hosts a 3-day amazing, motivational and transformational event called H.E.A.L The next one is happening really soon, on the 26th – 28th of August. Head over and see if it is something that you would love to do. Full disclosure here, I earn a commission when you click through using my link, but you’ll love the link cause you save a heap of money.

If you love your Social Media, jump over to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VerissimaHealth

Join our Live Simply Enjoy Life Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/713326363369377 – it’s here you will find inspiration, ideas, and guidance on improving your health. No BS, no filters, just realness right when you need it.

Looking for some guidance and help you up your health? Book in for a 1 on 1 consult with me, as a student Tolman Health Coach I am able to offer this to you at $49. I will guide you through your healing, help to keep you accountable, and get you back to that state of real health. https://bit.ly/37jfJXA  

If you feel like a day away from it all, a day just for you… No technology, no work demands and no children (with love!!!) 
To unravel your stress, unwind your tension and reset your body. Come along to our in-person 1-day event https://events.humanitix.com/get-back-to-basics-live-simply-and-enjoy-life September 10th. It’s going to be amazing.

Verissima Health – Learn How To Heal Yourself

Verissima Health – Learn How To Heal Yourself

Do you have those days where there seems like an endless noise of crap in your head?

Am I doing the right thing? Should I be doing this? In 2021 I decided to listen to the loudest noise, share all I’ve learned about natural health, how we can become our own physicians, heal ourselves of the aches and pains, inflammation, bloat, lethargy, constipation, so that we can live a long, energy filled, vibrant life free of dis-ease?

I found my mentor and teacher in Tyler Tolman.

Who’s Tyler? Why him?

I heard Tyler’s Dad, Don Tolman speak many years ago. Back when I was feeling like the only one who thought mother nature provided all we needed to heal. I had my natural skincare business up and running and was trying to share this message through that business.

Back then it was weird for someone to think differently to the ‘establishment’, you’re a bloody hippy Nat, but Don had been doing things differently for decades, so I wasn’t nuts after all. He had been sharing what it was that I was looking for. The key, yet simple truth: how to use what nature provides to heal. This was mymissing piece.

Man was I excited! This is it; I knew it.

I left that presentation full of life ready to change the world. I kept eating the certified organic, or was it biodynamic meat. The raw milk, raised my own free-range chickens with certified organic feed, ate their eggs along with all the other “wholefoods” I knew were fantastic for me. I even reared our own sheep on our chemical free land to fill our freezer with and grew some spray free vegies.

Why was I still feeling like sh*t?

I had misunderstood one thing, and what I was doing was not how you heal yourself.

Whole-foods are what nature created, as close to how she created it. I had been saying that for years. But, she didn’t birth the cow, or the sheep or the chicken. No, she provided the soil, the rain, the sunshine for the seed to germinate, for the plant to grow, to bare the fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains for us to eat. How simple is that? There was also 6 other very important principles to follow to ensure true health.

As a result of my choices my body was filled with inflammation, I was looking ok from the outside but I was lifeless, with no energy, bloated, feeling like crap, and filled with crap basically. I was looking down the barrel of a grim diagnosis, so a GP told me after numerous tests. 

Time to disrupt, get this train wreck back on track.

I immediately began a 4-day colon cleanse, followed by a 14-day juice fast, and finished with a salt flush on the morning of my colonoscopy. That means exactly what it reads, no foods other than juice and water, and I thrived! 

How did I know how to do this?

I discovered Tyler Tolman after hearing Don, signed up, and completed his 7-day online juice cleanse. Back then it got rid of all my symptoms and boy did I feel bloody amazing! But because I had missed the key point, I continued my life the way I always had, so I once again started feeling like I had before. Simple!

What changed?

Apparently, the world did, and in her wisdom, made the teachings of Tyler more accessible to me. I jumped at the chance and signed up to the virtual H.E.A.L event, 3 days of mind-blowing, heart-warming education and inspiration to get me on track to Divine Health.

I continued learning from Tyler and it all finally sunk in, all the pieces fell into place. I’m now, not far from completing my final assessments and becoming a Tolman Health Coach and I want to help you to learn the 7 principles of health that I have, to make simple yet life-changing steps to heal yourself so that you can seize every day, filled with energy.

It’s amazing! I feel amazing! And I want you too.

Let’s get clear on what Verissima Health is all about: learning how to heal yourself.

Verissima means truest of true in Italian, real. It fits perfectly, the truest of true health, keeping it real.

  • Classes, events! I want to teach people about the principles of health I have learned from the Tolman’s. I also want to share the truth about what products are treated with to meet regulatory standards & why I think you need to know this. I want to show you how to whip up a balm in the middle of the night if you need to, or create a yummy whole-food snack that your Kit-Kat-addicted friends will love. 

I’ve created our first event. It’s happening on September 10th.

  • 1:1 consults. I sit down with you and work with you 1 on 1 to get you back to that state of real health. 

Will I still be creating natural skincare products?

  • You betcha! But only a few. I’ll be including our therapeutic oil blends, remember them? Heavenly Balance, Digestive Ease, Inhale & Heal, Chest Rub, Peace Of Mind….

You’re excited, I can feel it.

I’m looking forward to bringing all this together and bit by bit getting even more out of my freaking comfort zone and engaging with you all.

So come on, join me at one or all of the places below –

If you love your Social Media, jump over to our Facebook page 

Join our Live Simply Enjoy Life Facebook group –  find inspiration, simple ideas, and guidance on improving your health

Book in for a 1-on-1 consult with me, by doing so you will be helping this student (me) complete her studies and become a fully-fledged Tolman Health Coach, yes! I will guide you through your healing and help keep you accountable and get you back to that state of real health

Come along to our in-person 1-day event, Get Back To Basics, Live Simply, Enjoy Life, I’d love to meet you 

How To Easily Boost Your Bodies Defence Against Illness

How To Easily Boost Your Bodies Defence Against Illness

There is so much going on in the world at the moment that it is very easy to get caught up in the hype of it all, feel powerless, start to stress, and just succumb to the fact that we are all going to get sick, very sick.

Well guess what, every day, people do get ill, whether a cold, cough, allergies, and some worse than others.

 

What is happening now is a bit scary, Coronavirus is real, it has unfortunately taken many lives and it is on our shores here in Australia. BUT, I feel, like I do with any illness, that we can come through this in the best possible way. I feel like I do when the natural change of season is upon us, or when any illness is upon us, that we can help ourselves, and I’m going to share 6 ways that I believe will help you and your family members.

 

Eat a diet filled with fresh, whole foods.

By this, I mean as close to how nature prepared it. I’ve moved more towards eating plants than meat due to a health scare at the end of 2019 into 2020.  That’s a whole other blog that I will share with you later. But boy does my body feel better since doing this. No feeling bloated, no heavy legs, more energy, and clearer thoughts. I do not follow a diet; I am not vegan. I just choose to eat more plant-based now. It’s a great way to get all your nutrients without your body having to work hard, they are more easily digested and put to use quicker.But change slowly and under the guidance of a qualified health professional, choose one who works within wholefood plant-based nutrition. Guess what there are oodles of online recipes that are soooooo damn delicious, even my carnivore family come back for seconds!

 

Try a Juice Cleanse.

I did this prior to shifting to more plant-based eating and I try to incorporate one into every change of season. I cured my illness/symptoms before I had to go into hospital in January of this year, and as a result, I got the all-clear. I was stoked. As above, do under guidance if you are new to this. I originally started cleansing a few years back by signing up for Tyler Tolman’s free 7-day juice cleanse. I followed his guidance to the letter including the daily enemas (made your face screw up there didn’t I). How I felt at the end of this was bloody amazing, no more joint pains, my eyes so wide open, clarity of thought like never before oodles of energy. Just amazing.TIP If you are super busy, or even sick and can’t be bothered making your own juices there are plenty of online businesses that now offer fresh, cold-pressed (the best), home-delivered juices, even cleanse programs. With my last one, due to work commitments, being a mum, etc, etc I chose to have mine made for me and delivered. I used Inner Ego Their customer service was absolutely amazing and their juices, THE BEST. I would take into the office in my 6-pack and into the hospital too. So easy.

 

Get outdoors, breathe fresh air, let the sun get on your skin.

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, by getting outside you are giving your immune system the strength to fight illness and keep yourself from being susceptible to diseases. Fresh air is a natural powerhouse. Breathing in fresh outdoor air is super important to oxygenate our brain and for cellular function.

 

Try to lower your stress levels.

Easier said than done right. But necessary. When our bodies are under stress our adrenal gland produces excess Cortisol. Cortisol works with your brain to control your mood, it helps regulate your body’s sleep cycle, regulates blood pressure, assists the immune system to address injuries, infections and injuries and it provides anti-inflammatory effects in order to reduce irritation & pain. It’s a necessary part of a healthy system but too much is not so good. To ensure we are reducing our stress levels and keeping our Cortisol at a healthy level we can make sure we get a great nights sleep, exercise somewhat but not excess over the top exercise – try walking, swimming, caving, crabbing, surfing, whatever takes your fancy, try to relax more, be present in the moment and enjoy life – try yoga or pilates and if you are in Perth I highly recommend two ladies Jodie Tapper and Colette Corr. These all help to reduce your stress levels and therefore boost your immune system.

 

Keep healthy, meaningful relationships.

You know the people who make you smile, feel good about yourself, lift you up when down, give you a good belly laugh every now and then, well keep them around you. Toxic relationships whether with partners, family, work colleagues only cause you stress and your body stress. A stressed body is not the best one to help fight off illness. So let the relationships go that don’t feel right if you don’t think they can become a healthy relationship then just let them end.

 

Look for ways that help you take care of you.

For me, this includes a monthly Bowen/ITA session with Tracy Omeara Smith  This is an hour, sometimes more where my body is reset, my brain is given a break and my energy is re-centered. I may walk in there feeling completely scattered, out of alignment, yet  I walk out with steadfast focus, muscles and joints feeling fantastic and my whole being just feeling amazing.

Your go-to might be different, you may enjoy your weekly Yoga, Pilates, Gym session, massage, whatever it may be, but I urge you to find something that incorporates mindfulness, relaxation and works deep within your soul to help you in challenging times but also supports you and keeps you grounded when you are flying high.

 

Overall, we all know that life truly is a gift. We are not promised tomorrow so we might as well make the best use of today.

I hope these tips give you a sense of hope, of happiness and assist you in someway to boost your immune system, to live simply and enjoy life.

If you love your Social Media, then jump over to our Instagram and Facebook pages and give us some love. Spread the word far and wide.

The more people we can educate on healing oneself, living simply and having fun, the better –

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Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

by | Apr 1, 2025 | , | 0 Comments

Is Vegan Skincare Really the Best? Let’s Talk… When I first took over Verissima, way back in 2009, I never set out to create vegan skincare. My focus? Honest, natural, and toxin-free products that truly support your wellbeing. Then, a few years later, a friend asked,...

Whole-life Ways To Help You With That Annoying Rash

Whole-life Ways To Help You With That Annoying Rash

One of the most common questions I get asked is whether I have a natural skin rash cream. Which I do, but I rarely go straight to that. Why, because all it will do is put out the fire so to speak, it won’t fix the underlying inflammation issue forever. Neither will, in my opinion, any strong steroidal cream. What do I suggest instead? Get to the root of the problem, what is causing it?

This means looking inside and yes, it’s not a quick fix, but bloody worth it. I’ve collated some things I’ve done for my kids and used myself over the years. I hope it helps you and your loved ones.

With so many different opinions out there, it can become really confusing and overwhelming when trying to make ours or our little ones lives a bit easier. Often you will find that what causes your inflammation is not what causes another’s.

But the one thing I have found whether for me, my children, friends is that once we get rid of the crap in our diet and lives we improve, and dramatically.

Where to start –

I bounced around for ages from one bit of advice to the next so what I suggest now and help you to stop wasting time and just cut to the chase is listed below.

I’d enlist the help of a professional in nutritional medicine, more specifically orthomolecular medicine or a qualified Naturopath (such as Kat Blake).

Getting to the root cause is imperative.

Orthomolecular medicine is where I ended up many years ago, I didn’t have a trusted Naturopath in my bag of tricks. It works from a cellular level so basically where all life is created. Here in Perth WA we went and seen Dr Igor Tabrizian. No matter where you live there will be someone similar to him working in this area. http://www.nutritionreviewservice.com.au/

You can be eating the cleanest food, full of life, certified organic/biodynamic, yet your body won’t be able to assimilate the goodness if it has high amounts of toxic metals and elements that literally block the goodness from being absorbed. Part of this process involves a hair analysis and then follow up appointments, whereby specific minerals, vitamins are prescribed to help pull the toxins out of the system and then to increase the goodies. A compounding chemist prepares these custom preparations for you.

From here all the improvements you make in your diet will be given their best chance to work.

Alongside this, take note, literally get a notepad and pen and keep track of what you are putting into your body in the way of food and liquids. Or pop them into an app on your phone. Notice how they make you feel.

If it’s your child that you are concerned with, do this for them.

Now start to cut out all the processed stuff with the help of your chosen health professional.

By this I mean anything that is not as close to how nature provided it. This is the packaged stuff, the lollies, the ice creams, all the junk stuff and definitely all the white stuff – white bread, white sugar, rice, flour, and while I’m at it the gluten free flour etc, there are far more nutritious options available, again your health professional can help you.

Look to wholefoods, real food.  You’ll be surprised at the money you save too.

Notice what foods make you feel bloated, lifeless, aching heavy legs.

What you will find is that what creates problems for one person maybe fine for another.

For example, my son as a little one, only tolerated raw milk, if given “normal” readily available milk (homogenised/pasteurised) he would bloat, stools float and then get a rash (eczema). How did I find this out? I cut out my dairy intake altogether when I was breastfeeding. His silent reflux subsided dramatically. He actually slept through for a whole entire night! What bliss.

I was suggested ‘real milk’, but It is illegal in Australia for farms to sell unpasteurised milk to the public. It is available for cosmetic purposes only. The only alternative you have is to get yourself a cow. So, I would source local goats milk, or I would get Cleopatra’s Bath Milk (certified organic) from Qld to soak my feet in :-0 . I would also combine Rice Milk with Coconut Milk (coconut having the fats needed for brain development etc in little ones).

For him, I also limited the yoghurt, although filled with beneficial bacteria, many yogurts also have added sugars, milk solids, flavourings which can disrupt your gut flora. Unless it is again local goats milk yoghurt or I also buy South Australian Paris creek Organic yoghurt, this has no milk solids added to it which some people and kids react to. It’s has a runnier consistency than most yoghurts, this is because it doesn’t have added milk solids (that may cause problems) it’s a really great form of probiotics. You can also easily make your own.

For my daughter, I found out that the rashes would come after consuming grain, mainly wheat, and still does when we get slack. So I turned to ancient grains of spelt instead and as long as not too much in the diet, no rashes.

A topical skin rash cream will provide relief as mentioned, but you need to get to the root of the problem.

If like I was and you have no idea where to start when it comes to wholefoods there are heaps of cooks out there now helping you understand and cook with wholefoods. I did numerous wholefood cooking classes with Jude Blureau, my saviour.

I also love Chef Cynthia Louise – https://www.chefcynthialouise.com/

I did say it wasn’t a quick fix.

This is why.

You will need to take the time to allow your body to cleanse and then restore.

A great time to take control is when your bub is starting solids. I found this is when my two started rashing up.

It’s also where I was completely shocked at the ingredients I found in a skin rash cream and why I now educate others on how to find the toxins in their skincare. It’s so much easier when you don’t have as many culprits that ‘maybe causing the issues’. As adults, well we just have to go back to the drawing board.

It really involves getting back to basics, using real food as close to its natural state as possible.

We, as a family, are far from vegetarian but I think introducing more raw food into anyone’s diet would definitely be a bonus not only for our kids but for us. Smoothies with superfoods are wonderful. Get rid of all the processed foods and reap the benefits.

Another great superfood/probiotic in a cup is kefir. You make smoothies using this it’s wonderful the kids love it and it is super awesome, I have what is called kefir grains if you’re interested to get started. A great site to read on benefits of this is Dom’s About Kefir in-site this requires a good cuppa (or smoothie) and plenty of time, there is so much interesting information. Dom’s About Kefir in-site

Watch what you wash your clothes in too.

For our son I was just using the lux soap flakes but a pain in behind to rinse the machine, so moved onto Tri-Nature, for our daughter I have found the Planet Ark sensitive skin ok.

In a nutshell here’s my alternatives to just using a skin rash cream-

  1. Enlist the help of a whole-life health professional
  2. Get a good probiotic going
  3. Eat unprocessed foods and limit the grain if advised to.
  4. Introduce juicing, supervised at the start into your life 
  5. Introduce kefir / good yoghurt, natural probiotics
  6. Natural topical skin rash cream / lotion to ease the itch as you find your way
  7. Find a fitness class or technique that you enjoy. A great pilates instructor here in Perth is Jodie Tapper, an awesome yoga instructor is Colette Corr, full on, hard yakka fitness might not be the best through this time, go gentle. Walk, swim, but just do something that will be for you.
  8. Try to breathe and get some sleep – this isn’t an easy road for many, I know it was hard going and frustrating for me.

From my experience a lot of skin issues can result from emotional upsets and digestive upsets. Taking care of where you are at, right now in your life is very important. Do something just for you once a week, if only for 15 minutes, just you no distractions.

It may take time and practise but you will get there.

Handy websites / books that I have read, used and followed – 

Wholefood Cooking with Jude Blereau this is where I started 15 years ago now, done many a cooking class with Jude starting with Nourishing Wisdom – basics of wholefood. Then went on from there.

Weston A Price Foundation heaps of info here, very interesting and helps understand the benefits of real fats

Additive Alert Julie Eady

The Untold Story of Milk by Ron Schmid

Benefits of Juice Fasting https://www.tylertolman.com/health-articles/treatment-for-psoriasis/ I’ve done a 7 day fast and it blew my mind! Energy, sleep, just felt AMAZING.

As mentioned this is not a quick fix and I highly recommend you have a trusted health professional to guide you, cheer you on and help you understand what is causing your inflammation issues.

Here’s to getting back to basics, living simply and enjoying life.

x Nat 

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Nature’s ways to help your kids feel better

Nature’s ways to help your kids feel better

Using mother nature’s way to help your unwell kids feel better isn’t as hard as you may think.

And for those of us with young children, or children of any age really, we do everything for them, sometimes more than what we would even do for ourselves. We all know how the world stops when they become unwell, so it’s a welcome relief to have some tricks up your sleave to help them, and you, get through.

Using nature’s gifts to help your kids is so handy. I’ve found that it’s normally the middle of the night when the s**t hits the fan. The midnight hunt for a bucket is on and the call of your own bed to go back to sleep is very loud, but you decide not to in case they vomit again.

It’s comforting to have skills that allow you to remain slightly calm, and help them through the rough time.

Then there is the next day too, a looong day, mum (or dad) is knackered from lack of sleep, bubs is cranky and has a sore tummy from disturbed sleep and a serious work out on their tummy muscles.

So what can you do in this event?

What can be used from the kitchen cupboard, garden or bathroom cabinet?

When my youngest was very unwell one night. I had just crawled into bed, late, at about 11pm, and fallen into a deep peaceful sleep when I heard the unfamiliar call of “muuummmy my tummies sore”.

I thought I would share with you what I did, and pretty much always do when faced with this. Apart from panicking and throwing back a couple of Arnica pillules with some vodka (joking, but that is an option I suppose).

5 things to have on hand when kids are unwell

 

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil in Jojoba Oil to rub clockwise on tummy to help ease pain and discomfort

Neroli Essential Oil in Jojoba Oil – to rub clockwise on tummy and on chest to help with sleep and ease the nausea

Raspberry’s (frozen or fresh, or raspberry leaf tea, or in a pinch raspberry jam) – to help with an upset tummy, eases the vomiting somehow

Lavender Essential Oil – for the chuck bucket or fresh lavender from the garden – with all it’s natural goodness as an antimicrobial, antibacterial and its soothing scent its perfect for this job

A bucket, actually make that 2 buckets, is handy – somehow whilst your cleaning one they invariably need another- to contain the mess! Oh and lavender also might help you and bub drift back off to sleep.

Essential oils are renowned for their healing abilities. Roman Chamomile and Neroli’s ability to calm an upset tummy and help ease the pain is well known from ancient times. Neroli’s other reputation is a wonderful sleep oil. The calming and soothing scent they both impart is magic, and helps the caregiver too. They are wonderful to massage onto baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction. The other essential oil I always carry with me is good old Lavender, in this instance I put a single drop into the bucket and after each wash out I put a new drop. This oil has a plethora of benefits antibacterial, anti-fungal etc so acts as a wonderful germ & bug slayer in this time of need.

What else did I do?

Kept the fluids to small sips of Raspberry leaf tea. Stayed awake and rode the storm. By morning she was a little better, still not eating, but better. Then by afternoon she was her bright sparkly self again.

We took it easy on the foods, started with juicing and little sips, kept up with the Neroli and Roman Chamomile and said thank you that it passed quickly. In warm weather you can make juicy iceypoles by just blitzing up some raspberry’s, and whatever else they like, add a wee bit of water and pop in iceypole containers and in the freezer to freeze. Or just use your ice cube trays.

These are some simple tips you can use to help your children. There are many more but I thought I would just share these first to help you on your way to sanity, sleep and health.

If you think your friends or family members would benefit from reading this please share this blog with them. Together we can make a real difference to peoples lives. 

IMPORTANT NOTES – No essential oil should be placed directly on the skin, it must always be in a carrier oil (couple exceptions but another story). Neroli and Roman Chamomile are expensive oils anyway, so normally they are available already prepared in a carrier oil. Look for jojoba, the best (in my opinion) and most compatible to our own skins sebum levels. We do sell these essential oils and just give us a call or drop us an email.

Oh, Roman Chamomile in a carrier oil is also handy for TEETHING BABIES. You just rub along the jawline (on face not in mouth) as needed. If your child is not getting better always seek help from your health care professional.

Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

by | Apr 1, 2025 | , | 0 Comments

Is Vegan Skincare Really the Best? Let’s Talk… When I first took over Verissima, way back in 2009, I never set out to create vegan skincare. My focus? Honest, natural, and toxin-free products that truly support your wellbeing. Then, a few years later, a friend asked,...

Aromatherapy for Healing Grief

Aromatherapy for Healing Grief

Aromatherapy has always been considered a bit of a witchy medicine.

And after all – women were burned at the stake for playing with less. But that was in the old days, right? Surely we’ve moved on from that?

So why would an evolved society support a Government that halted the use of such healing power? Are we that scared of ‘magik’ still? Are we that frightened of our own historical knowledge that we hit up the chemist at the first sign something’s not quite right in our body? Why don’t we try something like aromatherapy first when we have an ailment?

What do we think will go so terribly wrong?

I have a fair idea. Heck, I’ve been in this industry for ages now and my eyes have been opened. I’ve learned a lot –

and one thing that’s abundantly clear is how impactful the almighty dollar is on the health, wellbeing, and skincare industry.

If it doesn’t make someone some money, then, they are just not interested. And if they are making money, they will do what they can to shut the person or business down that offers a different solution.

Just recently this year – March 2017 –

an Amish man was found guilty in a court of law for making his own home-made products and faces years and years in jail

Does anyone else have a ‘WTF’ moment when reading this? Why is he going to jail? For helping people? For trusting a wisdom that’s age old before asking for medical help?

“We cannot believe the FDA has gone to these lengths to silence someone because they are making a natural health product. Do not believe for one moment they are trying to save or protect anyone from harm- they are silencing and potentially putting an Amish man in PRISON for healing people without the help of pharmaceuticals. That is the extent of it. Quite frankly is shameful”. Erin at Healthnut News wrote March 10 2017 http://www.healthnutnews.com/amish-grandpa-farmer-found-guilty-charges-involving-homemade-salves-faces-48-years-prison/

So, why am I rambling on about this?

Well I want to help you learn how you can heal yourself and your loved ones,

so I am going to flick you an email from time to time with information on various health supportive tips.

It’s not medical help. I’m not suggesting you never visit your doctor again. And I don’t proclaim to be a doctor.

With that disclaimer, I’m going to kick this off by starting with one of the most powerful of essential oils. In my mind this is Rose Oil. Pure Bulgarian Rose Oil, Rosa damascina.

Be careful with what Essential Oils you choose. Not all are the same. Prices vary depending on the plant the oil comes from. Make sure you choose an oil that is pure and botanically based and not created from synthetic fragrance. Rose oil is extremely expensive as it takes roughly 30 roses to make just one drop of pure Bulgarian Rose Oil. Is it worth it? Hell, yes.

The rose is one of the most beautiful of flowers for many. My mum loved roses and her favourite of favs was the very very deep burgundy rose with the most pungent gorgeous smell. So it is apt that the first thing that pops into my head when I think of Rose Oil is my mum.

For me Rose Oil takes me back to January 2005, my son had just had his big number 1 birthday on the 21 December 2004. On January 19th 2005 my mum passed suddenly at the very young age of 55. Mums passing was put down to atrial fibrillation, basically her heart went into overdrive. I was absolutely floored.

How does Rose Oil fit into this story?

A day or two after, I set off up the hill to visit  a woman named Vera as I was studying her Aromatherapy & Alternative Healing course. My mum and dad would drive the 2 hours from Mandurah to look after our son so I could have time to go and do this. I remember walking into the office of the shop and finding Vera and not being able to hold back the tears. Vera promptly got up; found a bottle that had contained pure Bulgarian Rose Oil and filled it with Jojoba.

“Rub this over your heart chakra, Nat” she said, “and inhale whenever you need to.”

So that’s what I did. Daily. And so did my Dad, my sister, and my partner when the day came to spread Mum’s ashes from our boat at her favourite spot; the estuary at Mandurah. And it did something to us.

Interestingly, the Shop I visited that day just happened to be Verissima Natural Skincare.

(How the universe works is definitely mysterious. I had no idea that 4 years later I would decide to give up my career working with the Government to owning and running this very business.)

This story depicts one of Rose Oil’s very powerful qualities, which is to work with you in times of deep seated grief. Its amazing power somehow helps heal that burning inside your chest and calms your mind. It is the first oil I reach for when someone dear is experiencing such deep hurtful loss.

One of my favourite books, The Art of Aromatherapy by Robert Tisserand, notes Rose Oil “tones the vascular and digestive systems through purging, cleansing action rather than a stimulating one… has a soothing action on the nerves… known aphrodisiac. Being ruled by Venus it is of great use in regulating the menstrual function, is a gentle emmenagogue & cleanses the womb of impurities”

I like the fact that Verissima Natural Skincare is based around the ancient wisdom of using essential oils to heal. I am not a beauty queen, heck I hardly ever use a Cleanser or Toner!

I find it wonderful that I can create a product that you need, that will help you and not harm you.

Just like Rose Oil helped me and my family through a very tough time, essential oils can help you.

If you think about it, our skin is our largest organ. What you put on it is absorbed into our bodies. So take care with what you choose to nourish yourself with. Choose products that heal, that support you.

We create all our products ourselves, and we only use Certified Organic and Natural Ingredients, I’m extremely picky. If you cannot decide what you need from looking at our website I am only an email or a phone call away. I want to hear about you, your life, what you are going through so I can help you choose the best product for you, so don’t hesitate, get in touch.

And if you want some help right now calming the nerves, anxiety, depression or even going through the throws of grief yourself we make a beautiful product called Peace Of Mind Sleep Oil, that just may help you, as it has done me, along with the Rose Oil. Much love, Nat. 

‘The rose distills a healing balm the beating pulse of pain to calm’. Anacreon

My Mum and my first born.

How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast

How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast

Do you want to know how to rid of a cold fast? Of course you do. No-one likes feeling darn miserable with a thumping head, nose running like a tap and a blimme annoying cough for too long.

It’s once again that time of year when the cold air wraps around us, we hunt the back of the wardrobe for our long wooly jackets, our ugg boots and beanies (well, I do). The sniffles begin.. our sinuses can become sooo sore that our head hurts and we feel cold and miserable.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know how to get rid of a cold fast, to take it on, and concur it with a vengeance.

Well I believe you can, I believe the natural remedies for cold and flu are the best go-to’s. At least initially, before you’re in that much of a mess that you can’t even get out of bed. Let’s avoid that shall we.

So when this happens to me and I want to know to get rid of a cold fast I whip up a yummy hot health-giving tea,

Mum used to make us one as kids. I have varied it and thanks to a friend of mine I have been adding awesome quality certified organic cayenne (so super powerful for sore throats).

Here it is!

  • Boiling water
  • add some lemon juice (from a fresh spray-free lemon, if possible)
  • grate your ginger and add the juice or leave the sliced ginger in to brew
  • same as garlic (about a clove)
  • some gorgeous raw honey
  • some cayenne, enough to feel the heat but not BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!

I have given this to my kids, adjusting the sweetness and heat as needed. Give it a go!
I do try and use all organic ingredients but when it’s not on hand, use what you have.

And, for those of us who got brought up with the good ‘ol Vicks Vapor Rub, we are also accustomed to having something rubbed on our chests and even under (or up) our noses that will magically get rid of our chesty coughs, try our Chest Rub. for a non toxic, natural home remedy instead. Without the petrolatum found in a lot of over the rubs for this, it’s worth a try. It works even better when coupled with our Inhale & Heal, pure plant based essential oil synergistic blend. Pop a few drops of this in your vaporiser, or your kids and throughout the night you will be inhaling and benefiting from the ancient principles of aromatherapy. Perfect!

What’s your favourite winter recipe? Share it with me below!

Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

by | Apr 1, 2025 | , | 0 Comments

Is Vegan Skincare Really the Best? Let’s Talk… When I first took over Verissima, way back in 2009, I never set out to create vegan skincare. My focus? Honest, natural, and toxin-free products that truly support your wellbeing. Then, a few years later, a friend asked,...