Herbal Ingredients for Calendula Cream and their Medicinal Applications
CALENDULA, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS
Calendula flowers have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and healing effects, and are intended for the treatment of infections, inflammation, skin lesions, varicose ulcers and slow-healing wounds. The phytochemicals in calendula make it a particularly good treatment for cuts, scrapes, bruises, and minor wounds.
Calendula was attributed many fantastic virtues by the older herbalists who used it in a salve (preferably cooked in goat lard) for burns, bruises and sunburns. It is still used in this way today—minus the goat lard.
Some of the many uses of Calendula:
stimulates circulation and promotes healing of cuts, scrapes, bruises, insect bites, and minor wounds
ointment has healing, anti-inflammatory, soothing, antibacterial and anti-fungal effects
fresh petals can be infused in boiling water and used to treat minor infections, conjunctivitis, and mouth sores
face wash for dry, irritated skin and acne
fresh petals can take the sting out of insect bites and rashes
brings relief in phlebitis, varicose ulcers, fistulas, frost bites and burns
effective for more serious skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema, and lends itself well to long-term use
ALOE, ALOE VERA
Dominique Larrey, chief surgeon of Napoleon’s army, was initiated by a marabout, who he had seen miraculously cure the worst wounds inflicted upon his mamelouks. He then learned how to treat the soldiers of Napoleon’s “Grand Armée” with the pulp of Aloe Vera leaves opened with the cut of a saber.
Uses of Aloe Vera:
kills fungus and bacteria
soothes skin injured by burns, irritations, cuts and insect bites
moisturizes and softens the skin
speeds the healing of skin wounds, burns and other injuries
relieves itching and swelling of irritated skin
improves the effectiveness of sun screen products
OREGON GRAPE ROOT, MAHONIA AQUIFOLIUM
Due to its numerous skin-related medicinal applications as a holistic allopathic remedy, the root of the Oregon Grape treats:
psoriasis
blepharitis
eczema
acne
Berberis aquifolium, one of its primary constituents, contains berbamine, a substance that kills bacteria on contact and improves immune conditions.
COMFREY, SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE
Comfrey leaves are of much value as an external remedy, both as a fomentation for sprains, swellings and bruises, and as a poultice for severe cuts, to promote suppuration of boils and abscesses, and gangrenous and ill-conditioned ulcers.
The whole plant, beaten to a cataplasm and applied hot as a poultice, has always been deemed excellent for soothing pain in any tender, inflamed or suppurating part. It was formerly applied to raw, indolent ulcers as a glutinous astringent. It is useful in any kind of inflammatory swelling.
Allantoin in aqueous solution in strengths of 0.3 per cent has a powerful action in strengthening epithelial formations.
Herbal Ingredients for Silky Day Lotion and their Medicinal Applications
SHEA BUTTER, VITELLARIA PARADOXA (PREVIOUSLY BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII)
Shea butter, also known as karite butter, is a cream-colored fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees that grow in the savannah regions of West and Central Africa. Karite trees, or shea trees, grow only in the wild, and can take up to 50 years to mature (they live up to 300 years!). In most parts of West Africa, destruction of the shea tree is prohibited because the nut provides a valuable source of food, medicine, and income. In fact, shea butter is sometimes referred to as “women’s gold” in Africa, because so many women are employed in the production of shea butter.
Why is shea butter in such demand? Western countries are just beginning to recognize the considerable health and beauty benefits of shea butter, something Africans have known for thousands of years. Shea butter has been used to help heal burns, sores, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff, and stretch marks. It may also help diminish wrinkles by moisturizing the skin, promoting cell renewal, and increasing circulation. Shea butter also contains cinnamic acid, a substance that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
Shea butter is a particularly effective moisturizer because contains so many fatty acids, which are needed to retain skin moisture and elasticity. The high fatty acid content of shea butter also makes it an excellent additive to soap, shampoos, anti-aging creams, cosmetics, lotions, and massage oils—its soft, butter-like texture melts readily into the skin.
Shea butter protects the skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains vitamins A and E, and has demonstrated both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
BURDOCK, ARCTIUM LAPPA
Burdock is a root that is found in Europe and Asia. It has many medicinal qualities and has been used in many herbal remedies. The root is sweet to the taste and has a gummy consistency.
It has been applied externally as well as taken internally to relieve eczema and psoriasis. Many herbalists find burdock helpful for skin and scalp conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis.
It is also useful for inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
WILD CARROT, DAUCUS CAROTA
Carrot Seed Extract has an earthy and woody aroma. Carrot Seed is used primarily for its healing properties and effects on the skin.
It stimulates circulation, repairs and tones the skin, increases elasticity, and reduces the formation of wrinkles and scars. It is also useful for balancing oily and dry skin.
The benefits when used externally:
anti-oxidant, which is why it helps to reduce stretch marks and wrinkles
protects against free radicals and lessens your risk for skin cancer
helps to stimulate circulation and metabolism
helps skin cells regenerate
tightens and tones skin and muscles
used for eczema, itching, abscesses, and to help heal wounds.
VITAMIN E / TOCOPHERYL
Vitamin E is vital in protecting skin cells from ultra violet light, pollution, drugs, and other elements that produce cell damaging free radicals. One of its most important benefits is preventing skin cancer through its sun-protection and powerful antioxidant properties.
In our lotion, it aids in both preventing and treating sunburns. The lotion protects the epidermis layer of the skin from early stages of ultra violet light damage. Vitamin E preparations increase the effectiveness of sunscreens and can aid in the treatment of various skin diseases or skin conditions.
Scientifically speaking, as an antioxidant, Vitamin E acts as a peroxyl radical scavenger, preventing the propagation of free radicals in tissues, by reacting with them to form a tocopheryl radical which is oxidized by a hydrogen donor (such as Vitamin C) and thus returned to its reduced state. As it is fat-soluble, it is incorporated into cell membranes, which protects them from oxidative damage.
ST. JOHN’S WORT, HYPERICUM PERFORATUM
St. John’s Wort is native to Europe but commonly found in the U.S. and Canada in the dry ground of roadsides, meadows, and woods. Although Australia produces 20 percent of the world’s supply, we use a concentration of the plant from Eastern Russia in our skin care.
The use of St. John’s Wort dates back to the ancient Greeks where Hippocrates recorded the medical use of St. John’s Wort flowers. St. John’s Wort was given its name because it blooms on June 24th, the birthday of John the Baptist. “Wort” is an old English word for plant.
Traditional medicine has used St. John’s Wort extracts as a topical remedy due to its possible antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Oil of St. John’s Wort, applied to the skin, was a folk remedy for bites, bruises, scrapes, inflammation, muscle and nerve pain, burns, and hemorrhoids. However, applying St. John’s Wort directly to the skin is risky and can cause serious sensitivity to sunlight.
For Educational purposes only . This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.