Workout fixes; Dr Hauschka's Birch Arnica Body Oil & Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner Review

This week Angela’s 30 day challenge went viral. It was amazing and we are so grateful for all the e-mails of support to Angela and for all of the people who checked out TBT. As part of Angela’s 30 day challenge, we’ll be kicking off another 30 day challenge next week, reviewing various fitness products or products that help with workouts somehow.

 

Today we’re talking Dr Hauschka’s Birch Arnica Body Oil & Dr Hauschka’s Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner. Adored by the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Dr Hauschka products are all made from natural ingredients that are either biodynamic, certified organic, or wild-harvested.

 

Both of these products claim to help you get rid of cellulite, that may well be the case, and given the ingredients it is likely. But we don’t know how long you’d need to use it or the efficacy of either product in relation to cellulite.

 

Review #1. Birch Arnica body oil

 

Rating: 5/5, 75ml bottles available from feelunique for £17.95 (inc worldwide p&p), Lovelula for £17.95 (Inc p+p), Dr Hauschka UK for £17.95 (+p&p) and Dr Hauschka U.S. for $28.95 (+p&p).

 

According to the Dr Hauschka site (UK, US) this oil activates the skin’s metabolic rate, increases circulation and is ideal for application pre- and post- workout (not to mention after an equally arduous…ahem..sauna). And this particular product was featured in the August 2011 copy of Vogue.

 

Let’s take a look at the ingredients, shall we?

•  White birch extract is an all over stimulant and can act as an anti depressant, and when it stimulates circulation it can aid detoxification.  It is also a powerful antiseptic and analgesic - it helps to reduce joint pains, muscle pain, headache and tooth ache because it contains methyl salicylate, the active ingredient in aspirin. It's also anti-spasmodic and so helps to relieve cramps. And according to homeopathy, regular external application can help to reduce wrinkles, and sagging skin and muscles.
• Mountain Arnica extract - In complementary medicine this plant is used topically for bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, joint pain, insect bites and swelling from broken bones. This study found that arnica root contain derivatives of thymol which can have an anti-inflammatory effect. This study found that arnica gel was as effective as ibuprofen gel in treating symptoms of hand osteoarthritis. 
• Burdock extract – burdock has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties (there's no online link to the original study but it is mentioned in that paper).
• Nettles are traditionally used to treat painful muscles and joints (not to mention eczema, arthritis and gout). And Black mustard seeds have been traditionally used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, lumbago and aches and pains.

So far so good, let’s get into the review…

 

Lemony scented and easy to apply this has become one of our post workout staples. A little goes a long way and it soaks in quickly - which is great if you’re in a hurry. Once you apply it there is a gentle warming effect, which is a great way to soothe your muscles after a workout but it’s also fantastic for sore muscles, lower back pain and people who haven’t managed to get into the habit of bodybrushing or simply prefer a nice massage.

 

We also think that this oil is also perfectly suited to zaggora hotpants given that the birch extract will enhance the hotpants bio-ceramic magic and the other ingredients will help protect your muscles from pain.

 

Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Mountain Arnica Extract, White Birch Leaf Extract, Nettle Extract, Burdock Root Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Fragrance, Linalool*, Citral*, Limonene*, Coumarin*, Citronellol*, Gerianol*, Farnesol*, Eugenol*, Black Mustard Seed Extract.
*Component of natural essential oils

 

Review #2: Dr Hauschka Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner

Rating: 5/5, 100ml bottles available from feelunique for £24.95 (inc worldwide p&p),Dr Hauschka UK for £24.95 (+p&p) & Dr Hauschka U.S. for $34.95 (+p&p).


According to the box this product revitalizes and nurtures arms and legs before and after exercise, reduces the appearance of varicose veins and cellulite and warms and enlivens legs that are tired from standing or sitting too long leaving your limbs energised and invigorated.

 

You know the drill, let’s take a look at the main ingredients;

 

• Borage extract is a source of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), which is required for moisture retention and healthy skin cells.
• Rosemary essential oil is traditionally used to soothe aching muscles, relieve coldness and act as a pick-me-up. Historically it has been used to “renovate vitality of paralysed limbs” and Don Quixote used it to make the miraculous fierabras balm. How’s that for some culture?

I’ll be the first to admit that after using the Birch Arnica Body Oil this product came as a bit of a shock when I applied it; it is not oily, it’s a toner. If this had been a face product I would have fully understood that toner means not oily, but for some reason it didn’t sink in until I wearily applied it to my aching calves the morning after a lot of dancing and jumping around. It has a strong smell of rosemary which dissipates quickly after application. It drys on the skin almost instantly and even though it is a toner it does leave your skin moisturised.

 

This product was a lifesaver (in that instant and others)! Within minutes there was no weariness or pain in my legs or arms and, best of all, the pain didn’t come back at all. I don’t have any varicose veins but this product did help reduce the signs of my thread veins, which is always a plus!

 

Ingredients: Alcohol, Castor Seed Oil, Borage extract, Water, Fragrance, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Linalool*, Citral*, Gerianol*, Citronellol*, Coumarin*.
*Component of natural essential oils