Evening Primrose collects its name from the facts that its fine, sweet smelling yellow flowers open around six or seven in the evening.

In Ancient Greece the roots of the Evening Primrose were eaten with wine (a little like olives are now) and it is said that it reduced the effects of the wine. Even now some cultures use the roots to garnish salads.

It is said that Evening Primrose is the best preventative medicinal herb since the discovery of Vitamin C. The plants seeds contain the rare essential fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid with the oil containing about 70% linoleic acid which is said to ease premenstrual pains. These essential fatty acids aid cell structure and greatly improve skin elasticity which explains why it is a commonly found ingredient in many beauty products including cleansers, eye creams, shampoos, body lotions, exfoliators and shaving oils.

Early research is indicating that gamma-linolenic acid has promise in the treatment of breast cancer for it has a hormone balancing effect that helps to regulate healthy breast tissue.

Evening Primrose also has sedative properties and has been used to successfully treat gastro-intestinal and irritable bowel issues, asthma and whooping cough. It is also used to treat a number of skin ailments including acne, allergies, dermatitis, eczema, sporiasis and rosacea.

Essential Care was started by a Suffolk mum who wanted to use organic skin care products to ease her children's eczema problems. Margaret Weeds, Essential Care's founding mum, had experience in aromatherapy and herbal medicine that she drew from to formulate a skin care range she could use to remedy dry skin issues over the entire body.

This range is special because it was the first to be awarded the Soil Association's organic beauty tick of approval. Despite their growing popularity Essential Care still produce their products by hand using formulations that are especially good for the most super sensitive skin types. Organic herbs, plant oils and other natural active ingredients have been used to create some really effective products, most of which are suitable for vegans. None are tested on animals.

Margaret believes that children are especially vulnerable to what is applied to their skin and so created the largest Mother & Baby range fully certified by the Soil Association.

So Organic currently have some good offers on a number of Essential Care products so it's a good time to try this terrific, home grown skin care range. Until stocks last when you buy:
• a large Coconut Cleanser or large Avocado Replenishing Cream or a Superfruit Concentrate you get a FREE 30mL Rose Petal Tonic.
• a large Lemon & Tea Tree Face Wash or a large First Aid Lotion you receive a FREE 30mL Citrus Tonic.
• a large Rose Moisturiser you receive either a FREE 30mL Rose Petal or Citric Tonic.