Seaweed is an algae, an algae that so many of us like to eat in our sushi or whack on our skin as a beautification treatment. It's been used for centuries as a food source and for its healing properties by people living in coastal regions - particularly in South East Asian and Japan but what exactly can this weed of the ocean's garden do for us? Nutrient rich seaweed is high in calcium, magnesium and iodine, something the thyroid requires to function effectively. It's also thought to contain properties that may help sufferers of tuberculosis, arthritis and influenza.

Seaweeds are farmed intensively for their gelling and emulsifying properties. The food industry in particular makes use of the gelatinous substances in seaweed to use in confectionary, deserts, salad dressings and the preservation of meat, dairy and baked goods.

The main species grown for consumption are Nori, Kombu, Kunbu and Wakame - all of which you can find in many supermarkets and health food stores. I recently made a make-it-up-as-you-go-along soup for dinner using Kombu, Kunu and Wakame and felt so energized and light after the meal I felt I could have started the day over. Who needs tablets when you have seaweed for a super mineral boost?

Seaweed extracts are often used in natural beauty products. In bath remedies it can revitalise tired skin. The edible seaweed, Enteromorpha compress, is used as an active ingredient in facial masks and moisturizers to reduce the appearance of lines and nourish the skin.

Mascara is one of those products in the make up bag that can have dramatic impact on the face, especially for the fairer eyelash beauties amongst us. The first mascara invented was by Eugene Rimmel nearly two hundred years ago. But the black concoction you find over the counter today is likely to be based on the formulation of chemist T.L. Williams who created the modern liquid for his sister Mabel in 1913 (that's right, he started Mabelline). William's mixture was made primarily with a combination of coal dust and petroleum jelly. These two ingredients alone are telltale signs of potential health threats. Most commercial mascaras contain petrolatum, a soft paraffin that can lead to eyelashes thinning. Laquer, a substance used in paints to prevent them from running, is also common in mascara. This ingredient can in the long-term lead to lashes falling out.

The worst ingredients that pose threats to your internal health are triethanolamine, propylene glycol, and parabens. These have been linked to neurotoxicity, cancer, organ and reproductive toxicity, amongst other things.

Natural and organic mascara's contain natural oils and waxes to give volume and softness. They are as effective as traditional mascaras without exposing all those nasty toxic chemicals to your body via the thin, sensitive lining of skin at the tip of your eyelids.

Our top recommendation is Lavera's mascara. It creates long silky lashes without clumping.

Cocoa Butter is derived from cocoa beans, and like chocolate is edible. This natural, cream coloured fat is used to add flavour, scent and a smooth buttery consistency to cosmetics, toiletries, lotions, soaps and oils. Used on the skin this butter melts at body temperature and makes the skin feel smooth, supple and well moisturised. The Vitamin E, fatty acids and antioxidants in cocoa butter also bode well in repairing the skin of dryness and scars. Stretch marks and eczema are two skin issues it treats well. Cocoa butter also contains elastin which is the protein that helps to improve the elasticity of the skin. When used during aromatherapy massages, cocoa butter relieves stress by relaxing the senses and promotes a sense of wellbeing.

Like chocolate, cocoa butter is high in Cocoa Mass Polyphenol (CMP) which slows the production of immuno globulin (IgE). Dermatitis and asthma in particular are aggravated by IgE which is why products containing cocoa butter are often recommended for treatment.

Researchers in Japan have also found that CMP reduces the oxidation of LDL (good cholesterol) and reduces oxygen levels in the body which essentially slows cancerous cells in their tracks.

Tea tree oil is extracted from the Melaleuca tree. Its name was coined when the leaves of this tree were used for tea. But don't be mistaken in thinking you can drink or ingest the essential oil of tea tree. For external use only, tea tree must be diluted in a suitable carrier oil to concentrations of 5% or less to be safe.Tea tree has a number of healing benefits. Potent antiseptic properties make it a fine healer of small wounds, insect bites and boils. The antifungal and antibacterial action of tea tree treats acne (comparable to benzoyl peroxide, with a slower effect), has the ability to kill Candida and when inhaled helps to treat colds and coughs.

Some research has shown that tea tree could act as an anti-viral remedy for the Herpes virus - that's cold sores, chicken pox and warts included!

When it comes to cosmetics the anti-inflammatory tea tree alleviates skin impurities and in shampoo acts as a good dandruff treatment. As an ingredient in mouthwash tea tree oil can relieve bad breath and help prevent gum disease. Other health and beauty products in which you can find tea tree include soap, hand wash, cleansers, make-up blemish sticks, lip balms and household cleaning products.

Hair removal. Most ladies remove hair on at least one part of their body and more men than ever are ridding themselves of it (Back, Cr... you know the rest). Being hairless on some parts of your body can feel quite luxurious, depending on the method you use to remove the hair, that is.When it comes to removing hair the organic way you have a couple of options.

The first and quickest is to shave. Using an organic soap or shaving cream to lather on the skin pre shave and an organic body moisturiser post shave, will mean you will not expose open pores or razor cuts to chemicals found in unnatural products. However, if you're like me you get a little frustrated at the coarser stubble that grows back so quickly or you become lazy (especially in the winter) and end up with old growth forests scattered across your body (if only body hair absorbed CO2!).

There's always laser hair removal and electrolysis but both of these can be painful and very expensive. I prefer to use an organic hot wax. I decided to do it myself after my first and last visit to a London beauty salon. I walked out quite shocked - not because of any unbearable hair ripping pain, but because the cost of a simple bikini wax was not too far off a one way train trip to Paris (the French do have a great alternative to hair removal - not bothering at all!).

I use Moom Organic Hair Removal Kit with Lavender for extra sensitive skin - not because I have particularly sensitive skin, I just love how soft it leaves my skin. This all-natural organic product contains sugar, water, chamomile, lavender and lemon juice only - that's no chemicals, perfumes or artificial substances. This combination of natural ingredients does a lot more than remove hair. The chamomile and lemon in particular act as a natural antiseptic and skin enhancer.

Moom waxing draws on both traditional hot wax techniques and the ancient hair removal concept of sugaring. It's water soluble so washes off the skin and cotton strips easily, plus it isn't unbearably sticky (a big gripe of mine). Ten seconds in the microwave is enough to warm Moom as it's not like conventional hot wax and shouldn't be heated too hot.