Discovering the essence of health and beauty

Every wife, daughter and mother, they say, is a natural healer. It is a woman’s nurturing and caring qualities, her ability to nurse a sick one back to health, her capacity to mend and repair in times of disagreement, that help keep her family or her friendships or even her company, running smoothly.

Mons Romulo-Tantoco, wife, mother, daughter, friend, and writer, is one among many women who value the importance of well-being and good health for their families and those around them. Not just healing as a cure for remedies and illness, but healing as a way of life.

And this is why she has found an answer in aromatherapy.

"I have been debilitated by severe asthma and allergies all my life," says Mons, "and unfortunately, I passed it on to my children. I’ve tried every drug and medicine imaginable, some of them costing an arm and a leg. But I have discovered that the natural methods have worked best. Especially aromatherapy."

Aromatherapy is a healing art, which uses the essential oils of aromatic plants and trees to promote health of body and serenity of mind, done through the nose and through the skin. It is said that aroma molecules help regulate hormonal activity in the body, while essential oils that penetrate the skin improve skin conditions.

For her daily aromatherapy needs, Mons endorses Nature’s Essence Aromatherapy, a line of essential oils – some pure, some blended–derived from all-natural sources. And Nature’s Essence, in turn, has chosen Mons Tantoco as its official spokesperson.

Nature’s Essence Aromatherapy is a breakthrough Canadian company that embodies a holistic and natural approach to a healthy lifestyle. Established by Jude and Lloyd Barran, experienced pharmacists from Canada, the company sources its essential oils from all around the world, including Morocco, Italy, Sri Lanka, Brazil, India, Australia.

Gelo Serrano of Infinite Ideas, official marketing arm of Nature’s Essence, says that they selected Mons Tantoco as their endorser because of her "wholesome personality, her good name and image, and her roles as wife of years to businessman Sander Tantoco and mother to three children – Simon, 11; Cheskie, 9; and Cara, 7." Mons, on the other hand, chose to endorse Nature’s Essence because she was "very pleased about the marketing. It’s not exclusive and it’s affordable. So the wonders of aromatherapy can be accessible to more people!"

This beauty-and-brains careerwoman, who has developed aromatherapeutic habits such as always having a lighted candle in her bedroom and bathroom, is emphatic about the wonders of eucalyptus and lavender. "Eucalyptus really helps me and my kids live with our allergies. I swear by it! And since I’m a very hyper person – I always feel like doing 10 things at once! – lavender relaxes me and calms me down."

Eucalyptus and lavender are two of the several pure and essential oils carried by Nature’s Essence. Their oils include extractions from basil, chamomile, cinnamon, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, myrrh, patchouli, peppermint, rosemary, rosewood, sage, tea-tree, ylang ylang.

Apart from stress and allergies, Nature’s Essence also offers remedies for the immune system, PMS, focus and concentration, meditation, anti-depressant, insomnia, cold sores and headaches. Through skin application, they also have facial care, body care and skincare products for anti-wrinkle, acne, joint and muscle relief, massage and bath, cellulite, slimming, varicose, scars, stretch marks, insect repellant and scalp treatment.

"What with all the stress and pollution surrounding us every day, I think most of us have realized that good health is really a matter of prevention, especially now that times are hard and it’s very costly to get sick," says Mons.

She adds her own insights on Western medicine and drugs that make use of synthetic ingredients, some of which may have dangerous side effects. "Natural healing is an alternative to Western medicine, which is about popping a pill and seeing instant results. Aromatherapy is different. You see, the key to experiencing the benefits of aromatherapy is patience. You may not get fast relief, but it’s more gradual, and the effects are more long-lasting."

Nature’s Essence Aromatherapy products are available at all Healthfood and Herbs outlets, Caswell-Massey branches at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall and at Park Square, Glorietta, and will soon be distributed at all SM Watsons outlets.