|
|
Roots, leaves, flowers, stems, fruits, bark and even the sap of plants
are used in the production of pharmaceuticals, herbal medicines and skin
care products. They are used as flavours, colours and, of course, for
the benefits that they can bring. It was once said, that there is not
a single plant that does not have a useful function and have benefit to
man. All plants are complex chemical factories that make sophisticated,
complicated molecules. Quinine for malaria, salicylates for headaches
and other pains (willow), taxol (yew tree) and vincrastine (periwinkle)
for cancer treatment, pilocarpine (jaborandi tree) for eye disease, galanthamine
(snowdrop) for senile dementia - they all come from plants.
|
|
| |
Aloe
Vera
Aloe Vera grows in very hot
places and contains a precious gel. It is good for soothing sunburn and
red skin.
|
 |
| |
Carrot
Carrot contains a chemical
that helps you to see in the dark (Carotene has been shown to stimulate
visual purple in the retina and to help night vision] This is a natural
orange colour which is also an antioxidant and could be used in any skin
care product such as a facial moisturiser or body lotion.
|
|
| |
Chamomile
There are two chamomiles
that belong to the same daisy family (Compositae) - these are Roman Camomile
(Anthemis nobilis) and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). The flowers
are used to produce both an oil and an extract, both of which are considered
healing, calming and soothing. The water soluble flavonoids are found
in the extract, while bisabolol and azulene are present in the oil. The
azulene is a glorious deep blue. These materials are great in any product,
where you might want to soothe and calm the skin, whilst at the same time,
keep it blemish free. This would be ideal in a skin cream for nappy rash
or for a dry sensitive skin that is easily irritated.
|
|
| |
Lavender
Lavender produces a relaxing
essential oil that can be used to calm, and aid sleep - try putting a
few drops on a hanky or your pillow after a stressful day. It is also
recommended for sore and irritable skin and has been used in the treatment
of burns.
|
 |
| |
Lemon
This plant is full of vitamin
C (a water soluble antioxidant) in the extract and if concentrated can
be used as a skin exfoliant because it contains AHAs (particularly citric
acid). It is also an astringent and tightens up the skin, so this would
be great in a toner or refresher. The essential oil is obtained from the
skin of the lemon and this has been proven to stimulate the brain cells!
|
 |
| |
Mint
Mint is a herb commonly used
in cooking. It contains an oil that is widely used in toothpaste and peppermint
sweets but there is also evidence to suggest that the mint oils and extracts
are soothing and refreshing in preparations for sore, smelly feet! Did
you know that peppermint contains menthol and spearmint does not? Menthol
is what makes the peppermint more cooling than spearmint.
|
 |
| |
Nettle
The tiny spines on nettles
are made of a natural plant silica, which is just like a glass hyperdermic
needle. Inside is a powerful irritant called acetylcholine, which as the
spine enters, is injected just below the skin to produce a nettle rash.
The skin complaint ”urticaria“ is named after the nettle’s
Latin name (Urtica urens). It is an old fashioned remedy to encourage
hair growth and perhaps surprisingly, was used as a remedy for nervous
eczema.
|
 |
| |
Rosemary
Rosemary is a herb.The oils
present in the plant are also useful antiseptics and antimicrobials and
can be used to help the skin ward off micro-organisms. This would be useful
in a product designed for problem skin like acne or for greasy skin where
spots might be a problem. Rosemary is also used for dark hair to keep
it bright and lustrous by adding it to the final rinsing water after washing.
|
 |
| |
Rose
The rose has many members
in its family. Rosa gallica was the apothecary rose loved by ancient pharmacists.
Rosa centifolia, Rosa damascena, Rosa chinensis all smell different but
you still know they are roses. Why? Because plants contain hundreds of
different chemicals (many of which smell) and in rose they all have the
same chemicals but in different proportions, which is why they all smell
of rose, but all are slightly different. From the distillation of rose
one can obtain rosewater and this is used as a natural skin freshener
or it could be used in a night cream. It is said to make the skin soft
and also to have a calming effect. Rose oil is very expensive to produce.
|
 |
| |
Self-Heal
These are beautiful flowers
that are short and stubby. The plant is so-called because it was used
in olden times to heal wounds.
|
|
| |
Tomato
Tomatoes are fruits, originally
from Peru, South America. Tomato contains lycopene, a strong antioxidant
and free-radical scavenger that is also a red-orange colour and will help
colour the product and at the same time help protect the skin. This would
be great in a sun tan lotion!
|
|
| |
Wheatgerm
The oil from wheatgerm is
very precious and is one of nature’s richest sources of Vitamin E
(Tocopherol). Vitamin E is another of those good vitamins that not only
encourages healthy skin, but also protects it from the damage caused by
free-radicals produced by pollution and UV rays from the sun. It is used
in nearly every category of skin care.
|
 |
|
|
Witch
Hazel
The small twigs and buds off
this tree produce a natural alcohol which is full of astringent tannins;
these firm and tighten the skin and witch hazel is often used instead
of alcohol in skin fresheners and toners. It is also good for insect bites,
scratches and bruises.
|
|
