org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 2
Choosing
organic is better for
your body and better for
everybody
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 3
What does organic mean? One of the problems for us in the organic movement is that ‘organic’ isn’t a new word. The dictionary tells us that it refers to carbon-based chemical compounds, or even simply to irregular shapes suggestive of natural forms. When we talk about organic, we mean a method of farming which works with natural ecosystems rather than trying to dominate, one that understands that our world relies on a complex and delicate balance that can be all too easily upset. Organic farmers work in harmony with nature.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 4
By encouraging wildlife biodiversity to act as natural pest control, and by building up the nutrients in the soil to grow strong, healthy crops, reliance on synthetic chemicals is avoided. It all seems very obvious, but it’s a sad fact that over the last 50 years mankind lost sight of this connection and intensive farming techniques have been responsible for the devastation of much of our habitat and loss of species. And the human impact is quite clear too. Over the last 50 years, tens of thousands of new chemicals have been released into our environment. At the same time, even though living standards have improved, serious health conditions are on the increase.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
5
14:33
Page 5
reasons to choose organic
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 6
1 Your planet 2 Your wellbeing 3 Animal welfare 4 Protect wildlife 5 GM & nano free
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 7
1 Your planet 20% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from food and farming. Organic farming avoids polluting chemicals, and can also help act as a CO2 sink by enriching soil with carbon-rich biomass. Artificial nitrogen fertilizers are the worst chemical offender. To produce just one tonne takes one tonne of oil, one hundred tonnes of water and emits seven tonnes of greenhouse gasses. 31,000 tonnes of chemicals are used each year in the UK by the industrialised agriculture industry to kill weeds, insects and other pests. Instead of relying on chemicals, organic farmers work with nature to feed the soil and control pests.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 8
Approximately a third of the average consumer’s carbon footprint comes from their food shopping basket. By choosing organic, local and seasonal - we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 9
2 Your wellbeing No plant food or ingredient has higher amounts of beneficial minerals, essential amino acids and vitamins than those that have been organically grown. Organic sourcing avoids pesticide contamination and products made with organic ingredients - food or cosmetic - avoid all controversial additives including aspartame, MSG, hydrogenated fats, nano-particles and phthalates. We believe farming is the primary health service. Healthy food, natural skincare and remedies mean a healthier you.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 10
Organic foods & ingredients contain higher levels of vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as health-promoting antioxidants and omega 3.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 11
3 Animal welfare Animal welfare is at the heart of organic systems, rigorously protecting all aspects of animal wellbeing. Organic animals are free to pursue natural behaviour because they have plenty of outside space to thrive and grow, and are not routinely dosed with antibiotics. Happier, unstressed animals are healthier animals and naturally more resistant to disease. Many shoppers don’t realise that organic products are also free range. And of course, no organic beauty care products are tested on animals.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 12
At NYR, 100% of our bee-based ingredients meadow honey, manuka honey, beeswax and propolis - are certified organic.This means that the bees forage on organic land and are free from antibiotics.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 13
4 Protect wildlife Organic farming relies on wildlife to help control natural pests, wide field margins and hedgerows allow bugs, birds, and bees to flourish. They are also not sprayed away by the fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides routinely used on non-organic farms. Species aren’t just ‘nice-to-have’ they’re part of a complex ecosytem. And we’re not just talking bugs - top of the foodchain British species, the peregrine falcon and the otter, were devastated by the effects of agricultural organophosphate use from the 1950’s. Only the banning of these chemicals and careful land management has helped these beautiful creatures survive.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 14
The loss of bee colonies is widely believed to related to the impact of industrial farming practices, from direct contamination by pesticides such as neonicotinoids, to food and habitat loss from herbicides and monoculture crops. Research shows to up 50% greater plant, insect and bird life on organic farms.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 15
5 GM & nano free Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are banned under organic standards together with nano particles. Shoppers wanting to avoid GM products may be surprised to know that over a million tonnes of GM crops are imported in the UK each year to feed non-organic livestock, which in turn supply our supermarkets with pork, bacon, milk, cheese and other dairy products. Nano particles are already used in a wide range of products - from cosmetics to kitchenware to clothing, you may not even know you’re using them!
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 16
Until there is absolute understanding of the full impacts of releasing GM & nano materials into our environment and into our bodies, we believe the only safe option is to just say NO.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 17
Why organic beauty? At Neal’s Yard Remedies, we are experts in making the most effective natural skin and beauty care - our scientists understand that healthy skin comes from the combination of a healthy body with skincare made from the highest quality natural ingredients.
Research shows that organic ingredients contain higher levels of natural antioxidants.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 18
Natural antioxidants help defend cells from free radical damage caused by stress, environmental pollutants and the sun.They also protect both collagen and elastase, the structural proteins of the skin, which are needed for a healthy, smooth complexion.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 19
What organic doesn’t mean... Organic farming severely restricts the use of chemicals so of course, by choosing organic you’re getting all the benefits without the hidden chemical burden of pesticide residues. Organic beauty certification standards also ensure that all ingredients are biodegradable as well as guaranteeing that products are free from commonly used synthetic ingredients which may have adverse health effects. We’ve gone even further and created our own NO list...
NO SIL I
We believe in saying
RS • NO DEA LO U
LYC EG OL
OR
LE N
‘NO’
CO
A
Page 20
NO
CE
S
• NO PHTHA LATE S•
NO PARABENS • NO GMO S•
14:33
OMER • CARB NO
PY N O PRO •
•
O• NAN NO
4/12/09
S• NE CO
NO ED T
org_Bklt_04.12.09
AN IM A
FRA L TE TIC STING • NO SYNTHE
GR
AN
Because we make our own products, unlike most beauty brands, we know exactly what goes into them - and why!
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 21
How do I know it’s organic? For health and beauty products, there’s no legal regulation, so the term ‘organic’ can be misleading – there’s no guarantee of even a speck of natural ingredients derived from organic farming methods. However, individual ingredients can be certified organic, and there are voluntary certification schemes for products themselves. For organic foods, it’s much simpler. The basic standard is set by law, so nothing can be labelled or marketed as ‘organic’ unless it really is. When making choices, try asking yourself the following questions:
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 22
1. What are my expectations? Is this product based on farmed ingredients that could be organic? Water, salt and clay are not ‘farmed’ so cannot be organic. 2. Does the ingredient list clearly show which ingredients are certified organic? 3. Are there a good level of organic ingredients listed? (All ingredients are listed in the order of content - greatest first, smallest last). 4. Does the company make clear and unambiguous statements about its organic commitment? 5. Does the company have a relationship with independent organic certification body, for example the Soil Association or USDA?
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 23
NYR Organic What’s different about NYR products is that we really do research, develop and make our products ourselves. Our eco-factory in Dorset houses our laboratory, manufacturing and filling units as well as offices, kitchen and staff restaurant. It also has 5 hectares of land where we have a damask rose field, physic garden, numerous herb beds, orchard, vegetable garden and wildlife meadow. It’s all managed under organic principles of course! We also grow herbs at Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Berkshire, and collect wild growing herbs from organic farmland around our tincture unit on the Blackmore Vale.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 24
We grow our own: chickweed cleavers coltsfoot comfrey echinacea elderberry elderflower elecampagne hawthorn horsechestnut lemon balm marigold motherwort mullein nettle oat plantain rose rosehip wormwood yarrow and many more.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 25
Not all the plant ingredients we use can be grown locally so we also buy in organic ingredients from around the world, including Madagascan ylang ylang, South African rooibos, New Zealand beeswax and fair trade cocoa butter from the Dominican Republic.
When we choose ingredients we test for quality and efficacy Organic certification ensures traceability of our ingredients right back to the very field where they were grown - wherever in the world that is. Our commitment is to ensure our ingredients are of the very highest quality possible, and of complete purity.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 26
By choosing certified organic ingredients we have the independent guarantee that growers and processors have undergone annual audits to ensure they comply with the strictest of environmental, ecological and sustainable criteria.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 27
NYR Organic Certification At Neal’s Yard Remedies we’ve been certified by the UK’s leading organic organisation, the Soil Association, since 1991. 60% of our products are certified organic, and we use organic ingredients throughout our entire range.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 28
Our ingredient listings couldn’t be more clear, we highlight every organic ingredient with a star. *Organically produced ingredient All the ingredients we denote as organic have independent organic certification from a recognised global certifier, and meet European Union regulation EEC 2092/91 as a minimum standard.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 29
Future Friendly Our eco-factory and company stores are powered by 100% renewable electricity. We are the first CarbonNeutral速 high street retailer. Our light weight plastic bottles are made from 100% recycled material. We installed solar panels at our eco-factory. We save water at our HQ by collecting
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 30
rainwater from the roof and recycling water from our manufacturing processes. Our recyclable blue glass jars are made in the UK. All cotton we use is certified organic, from our re-usable shopping bags to the towels in our therapy rooms.We even have a wormery to help make compost from our leftovers.
org_Bklt_04.12.09
4/12/09
14:33
Page 1
For more information on our range of organic skin & body care & herbal remedies, call our advice line on 01747 834 634 or email advice@nealsyardremedies.com Printed on FSC accredited paper with vegetable-based inks Neal’sYard Remedies 1 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP www.nealsyardremedies.com