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Ingredient Information
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Symphytum officinale |
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| Allantoin |
Botanical name: Symphytum officinale
Origin: British isles
Beneficial properties: soothing,
healing,
anti-irritating,
Stimulates growth of healthy tissue |
Allantoin
is a botanical extract of the comfrey plant and is used
for its healing, soothing, and anti-irrititating properties.
Allantoin helps to heal wounds and skin irritations and
stimulate growth of healthy tissue. This extract can be
found in anti-acne products, sun care products, and clarifying
lotions because of its ability to help heal minor wounds
and promote healthy skin. |
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Calendula officinalis |
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| Calendula
Extract |
Botanical
name: Calendula officinalis
Origin: Mediterranean
Beneficial properties: antibacterial, immuno-stimulant |
This
is an infused oil that contains the active ingredients of
the marigold flower. Calendula is traditionally used in Mediterranean
regions for its skin care properties to help preserve skin
freshness, prevent over drying, and reduce sun-induced wrinkles
and premature aging. The anti-aging properties of calendula
oil may be related to its high content and diversity of carotenes, phytosterols, polyphenols. Calendula oil is good for
all skin types and has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic
qualities. It helps prevent tearing, soothes pain, stops
bleeding, promotes rapid healing and prevents scarring.
The calendula is an annual flower native to northern
Mediterranean countries. Its name refers to its tendency
to bloom with the calendar, usually once a month or every
new moon. The term "marigold" refers to the Virgin
Mary, and marigolds are used in Catholic events honoring
the Virgin Mary. The calendula was originally used as food
rather than a medicinal herb. It adds flavor and color to cereals,
rice, and soups, and its petals can be added to salads. As recently
as 70 years ago, American physicians used calendula to treat
amenorrhea, conjunctivitis, fevers, cuts, scrapes, bruises,
and burns, as well as minor infections of the skin. |
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Euphorbia cerifera |
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| Candelilla
Wax |
Botanical
name: Euphorbia cerifera
Origin: Mexico and Texas
Beneficial properties: protective |
The
common name of the “Candelilla” plant appears
to have been derived from the particular shape of the plant stalks – long,
straight, erect and wax-covered – giving the appearance
of little candles. The plant normally grows in semi-desert
regions, principally on lime soil slopes or hillsides associated
with formations of rocky material.
In 1829, the botanist J.G. Zuccarini described the Candelilla plant for the first
time with the scientific name Euphorbia Antisyphilitica, recognizing the medicinal
properties of the plant juices as a remedy used by the natives of the region
for treating syphilis. Today, the Candelilla plant is considered useful in the
treatment of a variety of illnesses. A new classification of the Candelilla was
presented in 1909 by G. Alcocer, who named it Euphorbia Cerifera, highlighting
the properties of the plant for making wax, which serves as a protective seal
for the plant in retaining moisture.
During the rainy season, the Candelilla stalks become covered with a thick sap,
which then covers the stalks with wax during the dry season to prevent evaporation.
Even in times of severe drought the Candelilla's protective mechanism has proven
to be effective. |
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Symphytum officinale |
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| Cocoa
Butter |
Botanical
name: Theobroma cacao
Origin: Africa
Beneficial properties: Soothing, moisturizing |
An
aromatic solid butter pressed from the roasted seeds of the
Cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) and further processed to yield
a warm color and delightful odor. It is used to help reduce
skin drying and improves elasticity of skin. It melts at
body temperature, and adds a rich, creamy, thick consistency
and light chocolate aroma to lotions and other body care
products. Cocoa butter is a great emollient, adds flexibility
to the skin, is soothing, contains natural antioxidants,
helps the skin retain moisture, acts as a barrier for skin
protection and is commonly used for sunburns, scars, stretch
marks, wrinkles and for softening and soothing rough dry
skin. |
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Mangifera indica |
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| Mango
Butter |
Botanical
name: Mangifera indica
Origin: India
Beneficial properties: Skin healing,
lubrication |
Mango
butter is cold pressed from the seed kernels of the Mango
tree, Mangifera Indica. It's a highly treasured
butter similar in color, texture, and content to cocoa butter. Both mango butter and cocoa butter have high stearic acid content, and mango butter is also a great source of essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
An exceptional base ingredient for
body care products and soap-making recipes, mango butter
has emollient properties and is often
used to regenerate skin cells, restore skin elasticity, prevent wrinkles and as a protectant against the sun. It is also used to prevent wrinkling or skin dryness and to provide relief from the dryness
of eczema and psoriasis.
Mango butter’s hardness makes it a great butter for
stick formulations such as lip balm and lotion bars. |
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Olea europaea |
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| Olive
Oil |
Botanical
name: Olea europaea
Origin: The Mediterranean Basin
Beneficial properties: conditions
the skin, provides disinfectant and wound healing |
In addition to the internal
health benefits of olive oil, topical application is quite
popular with fans of natural health remedies. Extra Virgin
Olive Oil is the preferred grade for moisturizing skin,
especially when used in the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM).
OCM is a method of cleansing and moisturizing the face
with a mixture of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, castor oil (or
another suitable carrier oil) and a select blend of essential
oils. |
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Rosmarinus officinalis |
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| Rosemary
Extract |
Botanical
name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Origin: Mediterranean
Beneficial properties: Natural
preservative |
Rosemary
is an aromatic evergreen mint that can grow to a height of
three feet. It bears narrow, thick, needle-like
green leaves and pale blue to violet flowers. The leaves
and the essential oil distilled form the leaves are used
in herbal medicine.
Known for its antioxidant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic properties, rosemary is
a key herb in European herbal medicine. For centuries, rosemary
has been used to treat arthritis, baldness, headaches, stomach
upset, pains, strains, cuts, scrapes, and bruises. |
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Butyrospermum parkii
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| Shea
Nut Butter |
Botanical
name: Butyrospermum parkii
Origin: African Karite Tree
Beneficial properties: Moisturizing,
soothing, protective |
Shea
Butter, commonly known as Karité, is derived from
the Shea Nut Tree (butyrospermum parkii) which grows in
the western region of Africa. The fruits of these trees
contain a nut which, when dried, ground to a powder and
then boiled in water, creates Shea Butter (Diop).
This butter has been used for centuries in Africa to moisturize
and protect the skin from sun, wind, heat and salt water.
Shea butter promotes skin renewal, increases circulation, accelerates wound healing
and is rich in Vitamins A, E, and F along with other vitamins and minerals. It's absorbed by the skin immediately, providing relief for dry, irritated skin.
Medicinally, Shea Butter has been studied as an anti-inflammatory topical cream,
being helpful in cases of arthritis (Kerharo), and it contains stigmasterol which
is the sterol known as "the anti-stiffness factor" making it helpful
in cases of rheumatism (Hampton). It has additionally been studied as a nasal
decongestant by applying it to the inside of the nostrils (Tella). Shea Butter
is also helpful in cases of eczema and dermatitis.(Falconi).
Note: Individuals with Type B latex allergy and Tree Nut allergy can react to Shea Butter. |
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Soja hispida |
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| Soybean
Oil |
Botanical
name: Soja hispida
Origin: USA
Beneficial properties: Epidermal
healing, contains vitamin E (natural preservative),
readily absorbed by the skin |
Soybean
oil is expressed from the soy bean and is high in linoleic
acid, contains proteins and vitamin C, A, E, and K. It
is also high in lecithin and sterolins and makes a useful
base for skin care products created for epidermal healing.
Soybean oil is readily absorbed and leaves your skin feeling smooth. |
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