FAQ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#669933" TEXT="#080000" background="138b85a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> SOMA  AYURVEDICS</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" SOMA AYURVEDICS"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="about_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us">About Us</A>   |   <A HREF="more_information.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ayurveda">Ayurveda</A>   |   <A HREF="products_and_services.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Products">Our Products</A>   |   <A HREF="references.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Herbs We Use"> Herbs We Use</A>   |   <B>FAQ</B>   |   <A HREF="contact_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">Contact Us</A></div> <div> <B>Helping the body to heal itself - naturally.</B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#669933" TEXT="#080000" background="13905043.jpg"> <div> FAQ list</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="faq_m.htm#parabens" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="FAQ">Parabens</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faq_m.htm#manufacture" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="FAQ">Manufacture</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faq_m.htm#quality_control" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="FAQ">Quality Control</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faq_m.htm#ayurveda" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="FAQ">Ayurveda</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faq_m.htm#wholesale" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="FAQ">Wholesale</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faq_m.htm#payment" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="FAQ">Payment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faq_m.htm#future" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="FAQ">Future</A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>FAQ</I></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="parabens"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>1</B>. I see that some of your products use Parabens as preservatives, what are they?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B> :  This is a topic that confuses many and more often than not there seems to be a lack of understanding about parabens themselves among those debating this issue. Here, we will attempt to answer this question by refering to wikipedia, the online encyclopedia among other reference sources. </div> <div> Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bacteriocidaland fungicidal properties. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturisers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.</div> <div> Their efficacy as preservatives, in combination with their low cost, <I><B>their long history of safe use and the unproven efficacy of natural ingredients like grape fruit seed extract</B></I> (GSE), probably explains why parabens are so commonplace.</div> <bR> <div> Parabens are esters of para- hydroybenzoic acid, from which the name is derived. They are normally synthetically produced, however some are very similar to those found in nature. For example methylparaben occurs naturally in the fruit of the blueberry shrub, where it acts as an antimicrobial agent.</div> <bR> <div> For more information about this check wikipedia <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben">here</A></div> <bR> <div> <B>2</B>. I hear that parabens are not safe. Is that true?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B> : Parabens are considered to be safe because of their low toxicity profile and their long history of safe use; however, a few recent controversial studies have begun to challenge this view. Studies on the acute, subchronic, and chronic effects in rodents indicate that parabens are practically <B>non-toxic</B>. Parabens are rapidly absorbed, metabolized, and excreted.</div> <bR> <div> In individuals with normal skin, parabens are, for the most part, non-irritating and non-sensitizing. Parabens can, however, cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis in individuals with paraben allergies, a small percentage of the general population.</div> <bR> <div> <B>3</B>. If what you say about parabens is true, why is there so much controversy over them?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: The above mentioned studies have resulted in scientific debate that in turn led to popular controversy largely propagated by mass e-mail. The controversy has led to some concerns (both over its carcinogenicity, as well as its estrogenic effect) being expressed over the continued use of parabens as preservatives, although the scientific community has found no correlation with cancer and mostly agree that any causation is improbable. There has been consensus that any estrogenic effect caused by the doses of parabens received from consumer products are insignificant compared to natural estrogens and other xenoestrogens.</div> <bR> <div> The mainstream cosmetic industry believes that parabens, like most cosmetic ingredients, are safe based on their long term use and safety record and recent scientific studies. Public interest organizations which raise awareness about cosmetic ingredients believe that further research is necessary to determine the safety of parabens.The concerns have led to a significant minority shift from their usage by natural personal care companies seeking alternatives.</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="manufacture"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>4</B>. Enough about parabens, now tell me where the Active Ayurveda products are made?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: The Active Ayurveda product range is manufactured in India, the home of Ayurveda. The GMP certified factory is located in Bhimtal in the unspoilt and beautiful Uttaranchal. Nesteled in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, the factory enjoys access to pure Himalayan natural spring water (thats what we use in the formulae) and is in a pollution free environment. The factory is state of the art and is fully certified (both ISO and GMP) and has a fabulously well equipped R&D wing.</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="quality_control"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>5</B>. What about quality control?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: Quality control checks at Combii Organochem are carried out both in-house and with the help of outside sources. The products are manufactured under FDA approval and adhere to those standards. Care is taken to use only natural, or naturally derived bases and ingredients.</div> <bR> <div> <B>6</B>. Where can I buy the Active Ayurveda product range from in the Republic of Ireland?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: SOMA Ayurvedics Ltd are the sole distributors of the product range in the Irish republic. The products can be bought from our shop in Cork city, through the website and through selected stockists in different parts of the country. Please email us if you need more info about your nearest retailer of the product range.</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="ayurveda"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>7</B>. What is Ayurveda?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: To effectively describe what Ayurveda is, is beyond the scope of this FAQ section. For a brief overview of Ayurveda and its principles please check our <A HREF="more_information.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ayurveda">Ayurveda</A> page. For a more thorough discussion and to look in detail about Ayurveda and how you can benefit from its wisdom please check<A HREF="http://www.ayurveda.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ayurveda.com/"> here.</A></div> <bR> <div> <B>8</B>. Why is an Ayurvedic cosmetic better for me?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: Ayurveda operates on the precept that various materials of vegetable and mineral origin have some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these materials have been documented by the practitioners and have been used for centuries to cure illness and/or help maintain good health. Ayurvedic medicaments are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in combination with minerals, metals and other ingredients. The metals and minerals are purified by individual processes before being used for medicinal purposes.</div> <div> Using herbs, flowers, essential oils and naturally occuring minerals, Ayurvedic cosmetics can bring the skin to its own perfect balance. Cleansing, Nourishing  and Protecting are the key factors in Ayurvedic skin and hair care. The focus on holistic treatment is a key benefit and the fact the ingredients are carefully selected and natural make ayurvedic cosmetics way better for you and the environment.</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="payment"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>9</B>. How can I pay for my products through the website?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: At present we do not have a credit card facility in our website to process orders. We are working towards making that option possible in the near future. In the meantime, you can contact us with your order through the email or phone numbers attached in the <A HREF="contact_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">Contact us</A> section. Payment will have to be made to our bank account, or residents of Ireland can also pay by personal cheques. Please be adviced that if paying by cheque the order will be despatched only upon the cheque being cleared.</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="wholesale"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>10</B>. I run a business and am interested in stocking the product line. Where can I get a price list and terms?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: We would be more than glad to hear from you with your proposal / requirements. Wholesale buyers would need to contact our sales depatment and we will then be able to set up a Stockist account for your business. Price lists, product lists and other informational material can be obtained by <A HREF="contact_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">contacting us</A> through any of the means listed.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="future"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>11</B>. What plans do you have for the future?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: Our R&D team are currently in the final stages of our Active Ayurveda - <B>Organics</B> range! Soon we will have the same products with a big difference - all ingredients will be of certified organic origin and there will be no parabens! Look out for more information on our website. You can also send us an email and we can keep you updated of the progress and proposed launch dates via email. </div> <bR> <div> <B>12</B>. I have checked your FAQ section, but I cant find what I am looking for?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ans</B>: Please contact us through any of the means listed with your query and we will be more than glad to reply to it within two business days.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>