Neal’s Yard Remedies

I’m a city boy, through and through. I was raised in a house of rationality, where computers and Rubix cubes were my first toys. My parents eschewed the conventions of a religious upbringing in favour of letting us come to our own conclusions about the world and everything in it and, as a result of this, I am a tremendous skeptic. Therefore, on principle, if nothing else, I am opposed to stores like Neal’s Yard.
Homeopathic treatments are all well and good. I mean, placebos do have a place in modern medicine, after all. But there’s a reason that it’s called homeopathic medicine and not, you know, actual medicine. It’s because it’s not real medicine. It’s a cynical, money-​clutching ploy and the business is either guilty of ignorance or greed.
However, my girlfriend is of a different opinion, so I am occasionally required to spend time in this store, gently banging my head against the counter and then being presented with an orange peel to rub against my temples to fix my headache. From a present buying perspective though, they do have a great range of ideas for the less jaded members of your friends and family to indulge in, which is why I’m not one-​starring the shop.

I continually find myself in the difficult situation of wanting to look pretty, and not wanting to hurt the environment and the animals that so many beauty products are tested on. I also know deep down, that natural products are probably better for me anyway.
Neal’s Yard Remedies solves this problem for me. Everything is organic and natural and isn’t tested on animals. And there are plenty of skin care products and cosmetics to choose from serving both your vanity and your conscience.
As well as beauty products, this store also sells ‘remedies’ from organic vitamins to more unusual homeopathic stuff. There’s also a huge range of essential oils for anyone interested in aromatherapy.
They also sell beautiful gift sets to suit a wide range of budgets, and they all come so gorgeously packaged that you wont want to spoil it by covering your gift with wrapping paper.

Along with Beanfreaks, the indoor market and a couple of other important shops in the centre, Neal’s Yard is a very definite draw for me. It’s not often that I force myself to go into the centre of town as I’m no great fan of the shopping precinct area. I think I’m allergic to chain stores! But, I have to support my addiction to aroma-​baths somehow!
I’ve been feeling pretty under the weather of late, and decided to go to Beanfreaks to pick up some herbal medicine recently. Somewhat inevitably I decided to replenish my essential oil supplies as well, seeing as the Morgan Arcade is located directly next to St Mary’s Road, making the two shops practically neighbours!
I love the blue bottles that Neal’s Yard use for their products, and although more expensive than many other manufacturers, I do believe that the quality of their essential oils is far superior to the cheaper brands. I bought a selection of about eight oils, along with a new bottle of almond oil base, and I saw off sixty quid in the process… ouch!

Ah the place of cosmetic treats — grapefruit spritzers and coconut hair masks in cobalt blue glass.
These remedies to city pollutants and overindulgence don’t come cheap, but they are made from the finest of natural ingredients. It is rare I visit this shop, but when I do I take deep breathes and step a little lighter.
One lovely friend, one lovely birthday brought me an indian head massage upstairs with one of the Neale Yard therapists. It was mmm, half an hour of mmm.
I need to return asap for an optimistic bottle of organic plant based sunscreen, SOON, before the last rays of sun disappear and the season really changes. My eyes are so sensitive that the Neales Yard cream is really worth shelling out for, if only to stop the incessant eye watering caused by the chemical based creams that turns as sunny day into a wet one.

Last time I walked past Neal’s Yard they offered me a little tub to take into the shop and have filled with whatever cream or lotion I wanted to try. Lured in, I remembered how much I like this chain. Their lovely organic products smell wonderful and make you feel like you’re putting really good stuff on your skin. I noticed they now do a range of organic suncare, too — including lavender sunscreen (SPF22) and aloe vera after sun lotion.
As is the case with many Neal’s Yard shops, Cardiff’s branch is pretty tiny — yet it’s bright and friendly, with large windows lining one side of the shop, and it manages to cram in a wide range of beauty products and tinctures for all skin types and ages. The products may seem expensive on first glance, but they only contain premium ingredients, most of which are certified organic, so you get what you pay for.
Upstairs, the shop’s therapy rooms offer all sorts of treatments, including aromatherapy massage, baby massage, craniosacral therapy, ear candling, facials, homoeopathy, hypnotherapy, Indian head massage and reflexology. You usually need to book appointments in advance.

Neal’s Yard Remedies is a lovely shop as they sell all kinds of herbal remedies. All of their products are natural, good for people like me who are allergic to SLS’s and parabens. I buy all my toiletries here and always get very good service.

Lovely place to go. Excellent quality products. Can be expensive yet you get what you pay for.
I receive acupuncture here weekly by a lovely lady named Yulia. Other alternative therapies are available also.

Superb quality goods and remedies with helpful, professional staff on hand to offer excellent advice on all sorts of ailments, aches and pains.
Their products are child friendly and natural and the shop atmosphere is one of peace and relaxation.

This shop is full of relaxing aromas and soothing vibes. They sell a good selection of body oils and lotions which help cleanse your mind body and spirit. They also do a wide selection of herbal remedies which are of a good price and the staff always offer good advise. I love this little herbal remedy shop, you always feel welcomed and soothed once entering.