And so, autumn, the changing colours of autumn and a moment to embrace the natural rhythm of the season, as we slow down and turn inward a little, nurturing ourselves in preparation for the colder months ahead.  Autumn is probably my favourite season of the year and as the nights draw in, I am sure I am not alone in thinking that there is a real comfort in ritualistic bathing, the long warm baths that ask nothing of us, other than to be still for a while. 

We will be taking a look at ritualistic bathing further down this newsletter, but as we prepare for the colder months ahead, I have news, and that news is that Triple Flu Defense has gone to product heaven.  I know how many of you have depended upon Triple Flu for several years, rather a lot of years actually, it was one of our bestselling products at this time of year, primarily because it helped to combat infective viruses, and it did it rather well.

I think it’s important to say that we were aware this time last year that the creator and owner wanted to retire, and although we didn’t have official confirmation until a few months ago, we have had sufficient time to research and source an alternative to Triple Flu and that alternative is Cold & Flu from Liddell Laboratories.  They are in fact tremendously similar and like Triple Flu, Cold & Flu is a homeopathic, natural remedy providing similar triple defence mechanisms to help combat infective viruses, to help relieve the symptoms of colds and flu and to help prevent colds whilst supporting immunity.

Cold & Flu is designed for fast absorption and the formulation combines homeopathic and traditional ingredients, such as Honey, Wild Indigo, Jasmine and Elderberry.  It features an oral spray to provide rapid relief from occasional cold and flu symptoms, but if taken daily, which we recommend, it acts as a preventative remedy.  It is suitable for children over 12 years of age, where the recommended dose is the same as adults, two sprays under the tongue, three times daily. 
Cold & Flu by Liddell Laboratories £20 for 30 ml 

I suppose that every cloud has a silver lining and the silver lining here is that Cold & Flu is £10 less than Triple Flu was, but there is one other thing which is that there are three other excellent formulations in the range, Cough & Bronchial, Jet Lag and Pollen Distress.  Cough & Bronchial has been formulated for cough and bronchial congestion and, as with Cold & Flu, it combines homeopathic and traditional ingredients featuring a soothing blend of Echinacea, Wild Indigo and Nettle designed to offer relief from symptoms associated with coughing, mucus build-up, chest tightness and chest soreness.
Cough & Bronchial by Liddell Laboratories £22 for 30 ml

Although most of us associate hay fever with the months of spring, hay fever can be just as prevalent in the autumn months, primarily triggered by late-release weed pollens, such as Mugwort, Nettles and Ragweed.  Pollen Distress offers temporary relief from seasonal reactions to pollen, such as sneezing, itchy eyes and sinus congestion.  Aligning with formulation protocol, it contains Echinacea, Euphrasia, Rhus Tox and Stinging Nettle, offering a practical alternative to tablets throughout the season.
Pollen Distress by Liddell Laboratories £22 for 30 ml

Finally, Jet Lag is a natural remedy designed to provide temporary relief from symptoms that can occur when travelling across different time zones.  Jet Lag supports common jet lag symptoms, including tiredness, disorientation, dehydration and sleeplessness, dedicated to helping us feel comfortable as our bodies adjust to new time zones.  It is recommended that two sprays under the tongue should be used at departure, after each two hours of flight and upon landing, after which it is recommended to use two sprays, three times a day, until fully acclimatised.  Personally, I would take it for the duration and back again, but that is a personal choice.
Jet Lag by Liddell Laboratories £22 for 30 ml

As one thing leads to another, there is a well-established biological relationship between NAD+ levels and the body’s circadian clock.  Shabir explores the therapeutic benefits of NAD+ Generator for jet lag in his article linked below and I will leave that specific topic of conversation there, other than to say that NAD+ Generator and Liddell’s Jet Lag work exceptionally well together.
VH Editorial: NAD+ For Jet Lag

Staying with NAD+ Generator, we launched this supplement in November 2023 and I mention it consistently, mostly because we really do believe it stands alone in its genre, but also because ‘longevity’ is so often dressed up in language, rather than being grounded in actual science, so some facts.  NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is the second most abundant molecule in the body after water, but NAD+ declines steadily as we age, and that decline has been linked to slower cellular repair and reduced energy production.

But, it’s far more than that, NAD+ enhances the functions of a range of cellular anti-ageing mechanisms, all of which have been studied extensively.  Rather than attempting to introduce NAD+ directly into the body, which the molecule’s own structure makes almost impossible to absorb intact, NAD+ Generator works by supplying the precise precursor compounds the body already uses to manufacture its own NAD+, working with biology rather than trying to override it.  

RiaGev® is that precise precursor compound, it is a patented, next-generation compound that out-performs single precursors such as Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), NADH and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). NAD+ Generator was formulated using a precise mechanism, not a trend, and that distinction matters because real science has never needed noise to be believed, only time, and the patience to let the clinical evidence speak for itself.  With that said, and in celebration of pioneering supplementation, when you buy NAD+ Generator, we will automatically include the travel size (15 capsules), which is worth £16.
VH Editorial: NAD+ Supplements: Benefits & Side Effects; DoSe NAD+ Generator £32 for 30 Capsules + DoSe NAD+ Generator (15 Capsules) Free (worth £16) (offer ends at midnight BST, Monday 28 September)

As the weather turns, our circulation can become a little sluggish, so I thought it pertinent to talk about poor circulation and the associated health concerns, which include varicose veins, spider veins and haemorrhoids.  Each common circulatory disorder is directly associated with poor circulation, but it should also be noted that the ageing process can affect our circulatory system, as the heart has to beat with greater force to move blood around the entire body. 

Our veins, due to the same ageing process, get narrower, are more fragile and the valves within these veins lose their elasticity, which can lead to impeded blood flow and enlarged, fragile veins, whether varicose veins or haemorrhoids, which may become prone to haemorrhaging. These factors are often linked to venous insufficiency, where the veins struggle to efficiently return blood back to the heart, so here we recommend Diosmin Plus, our bestselling supplement for poor circulation.

Diosmin is a naturally occurring flavonoid and has a strong body of clinical evidence behind it.  It works by improving venous tone, helping veins contract more effectively, rather than allowing blood to pool, while also reducing the leaking of capillaries, which causes swelling in the first place.  Most obviously, clinical evidence dictates the inclusion of Diosmin in any formulation supporting circulatory issues, but we considered it important to include other compounds, including Horse Chestnut, Dandelion, Red Vine Leaf and vitamin C, to offer a comprehensive approach and solution to circulatory issues.  And as such, Diosmin Plus drops in price from £29 to £25.
VH Editorial: A Natural Remedy for Varicose Veins, Spider Veins, Haemorrhoids and Poor Circulation; DoSe Diosmin Plus £25 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Monday 28 September)

And so, we arrive at ritualistic bathing.  I have always thought there is something quietly restorative about turning an ordinary bath into something closer to a ritual, where we can pause properly, embracing the flicker of a candle, the scent that fills the room before we even step into the water, the deliberate slowness of it all, giving ourselves permission to simply stop.

There are many exceptional bathing products, some of which I have been writing about in recent weeks, yet there are those products which carry an entire history with them and Wiberg’s Pine Bath Essence is one such product. Founded in the late 1800s, at the heart of Wiberg’s, and rooted in holistic wellness, sits their signature Pine fragrance, a heritage scent designed to refresh the body and revitalise the mind. 

Distinctive and instantly recognisable, the aroma is strong, dry and balsamic with a crisp camphoraceous note, evoking the clarity of fresh woodland air.  The effect is both invigorating and grounding.  Although it was originally formulated to support rejuvenation, today it transforms everyday bathing into a moment of restoration. 

I think it’s amazing, I first wrote about their Pine Bath Essence in 2008 and somehow it fell off our site, I’m not sure how, but it is back on my radar and, joyously, back in my bathroom.  To celebrate, when you buy any Wiberg's products, we will automatically send you Pine Bath Essence (50 ml) while stocks last and in order to be equitable, there is only one gift per customer.
Wiberg’s Products

Let’s talk about candles.  Actually, let’s talk about Neom’s candles because, as ever, Neom bring the magic of the festive season into our homes, so let’s take a look.  I will begin with the Christmas Wish Candle which evokes the warm, traditional aroma of a Christmas cake baking in the oven.  I am fully aware that we are still in September, but these are limited edition candles, but notwithstanding that, Christmas Wish has been expertly blended with natural essential oils, including Mandarin, Cinnamon and Tonka Bean and it is available in three sizes, travel, one wick and three wick.
Christmas Wish Candle by Neom Wellbeing (Travel: 20 Hours Burn Time) £21; Christmas Wish Candle by Neom Wellbeing (1 Wick: 35 Hours Burn Time) £42; Christmas Wish Candle by Neom Wellbeing (3 Wick: 50 Hours Burn Time) £58

The second seasonal candle from Neom is their Sparkling Joy Candle, a refreshing blend of essential oils, creating a zingy, spicy and energising fragrance experience.  With notes of Ginger, Lime and Vetiver, it has been designed to capture the sparkle of Christmas morning, and it is also available in three sizes, travel, one wick and three wick.
Sparkling Joy Candle by Neom Wellbeing (Travel: 20 Hours Burn Time) £21; Sparkling Joy Candle by Neom Wellbeing (1 Wick: 35 Hours Burn Time) £42; Sparkling Joy Candle by Neom Wellbeing (3 Wick: 50 Hours Burn Time) £58

I can’t write about seasonal gifts from Neom without mentioning the Ceramic Shooting Star Natural Diffuser.  Neom bring these out every year and this little hanging star is dedicated to fragrancing your world.  Just spritz the porous ceramic diffuser with your favourite mist, or add a few drops of an essential oil blend for a natural scent diffusion.  Place it on your Christmas tree, tie it to door handles, pop into drawers or wardrobes or gift it to somebody who has starred in your life this year, and perhaps you may also want to explore the Scent The Season Discovery Set which contains six natural essential oil blends, which is also a limited edition gift.
Ceramic Shooting Star Natural Diffuser by Neom Wellbeing £6; Scent The Season Discovery Set by Neom Wellbeing £36

Earlier this month, and together with TEMPLESPA, we launched the Repose campaign, in support of our chosen charity, the Alzheimer’s Society, who are at the forefront of science and research, backing the world’s greatest minds and funding life-changing breakthroughs.  It remains of the greatest importance that we help support this ongoing research, and so a reminder that with every purchase of Repose Relaxing Night Cream (50 ml), we will send you another jar of Repose (50 ml) which is absolutely free and has a value of £50.  For every Repose Duo sold, a donation of £6 will be given to the Alzheimer’s Society.  Raising funds, support and hope.
Repose Duo by TEMPLESPA £50 (valid until midnight BST, 11 October) 

Finally, it is now nearly three months since we launched Icon Skincare and Camera Ready appears to have become a legend in its own short lifetime.  Some products earn that reputation slowly, built over years of proving themselves. Camera Ready didn’t wait.  Neither did you.  Thank you for the belief and thank you for the trust.  If you haven’t tried it yet, Camera Ready also makes an appearance in two of the travel kits, both linked below, with a note to say that each of the travel kits make wonderful gifts, seasonal or otherwise.
Camera Ready by Icon Skincare £47 for 20 grams; Camera Ready Glow Travel Kit £27; The Icon Serums Travel Kit £27

And so, the Saturday only treat, and with every order placed for £35 or above, excluding p&p, we will automatically send you Ceramide Milkshake Tinted Lip Balm in Mocha Choca* from Lanolips.  Full product details linked below.
Ceramide Milkshake Tinted Lip Balm

I began this Weekend Read by talking about the changing colours of autumn, so it feels right to close there too, a song for the season.
Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy; The VH Playlist

With love

Gill x