What is Kukui Nut Oil?

Aleurites moluccans

Kukui; a stately tree, with origins in Asia, was introduced to Hawaii's fertile soil by sea faring polynesians hundreds of years ago.  Historically speaking, Kukui trees quickly became invaluable to the natives of Hawaii and revered by the islands chieftans known as the Ali'I.  The Ali'I wore leis of highly polished Kukui nuts showing their spiritual and social status. The oil rendered from the nuts of this tree (Kukui Nut Oil) was used to waterproof the boats and canoes of these sea faring peoples.  In the late 1800's this oil also became highly reviered in a "surf building ritual" and would be used to oil down the surf boards prior to putting them into the water.  But the Pacific Islanders also loved this oil for it's benefits for the skin, hair, and body. It was consider the oil of choice by the Ali'I , who were massaged, sometimes for hours at a time, with Kukui nut oil.

Kukui Nut

This oil in recent years has begun to make a name for it's self outside of the Hawaiian Island chain. Kukui nut oil is used to moisturize and protect the skin from the external environment. Sun, saltwater,  and wind are no match for the moisturizing ability of this fine oil.  It works great in reducing the inflammation of sun burn as well as other types of burns.  Currently Kukui nut oil is being tested in Hawaiian hospitals to see how well it helps reduce to symptoms related to radiation and chemo burns.

This oil is known for leaving the skin soft and supple.  By nature it is non greasy making application easy and mess free. It contains skin protecting vitamins such as A, C, and E who's antioxidant properties are known to help fight free radicles.  Also containing essential fatty acids (EFA's) linoleic and linolenic acids. Essential fatty acids keep the skin looking youthful.  Young skin is full of plump water filled cells.  As we age our skin looses it's ability to retain water causing sagging, dull, and "crepe" skin.  A healthy skin cell has a healthy membrane, keeping the good things such as water and nutrients in and allowing the cell waste to leave the cell.  And low and behold essential fatty acids are what make for a healthy cell membrane, hence a healthy, vibrant skin cell.

Kukui Nut Oil

Dried Kukui Nuts

 Uses of Kukui Nut Oil:
*Hair and Scalp treatments
*Babies Skin
*Reducing Dry Skin
*Reducing Dandruff
*Minor Burns, Cuts, Wounds
*Exposure to elements
*Radiation/Cheomo burns


This oil needs to be expeller pressed at cool temperatures to maintain the quality and health giving properties.  As always make certain the the oils you choose come from reputable sources.

We would love to hear about your experience with Kukui Nut Oil!  Please like, comment, and share to insure that we are able to keep presenting you with quality information.

Thank you and until next time,
Recherche Organics

2:3 Herbs for Skin Health: Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis; Rosemary

  This herbacious evergreen plant hails from the Mediterranean however now can be found the globe over.  Rosemary belongs to the mint family, a family that includes other common plants such as basil, lavender, myrtle and sage.  

Rosemary in Bloom

This plant has been used for centuries for medicinal, culinary, and beauty regiem purposes. It is said that in the 13th century, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary (who had suffered from debilitating gout and rheumatism) claimed at age 72, that drinking rosemary infused water helped her regain back both her strength and beauty over the years.

Rosemarinic acid (property of rosemary) is known for it's ability to kill bacteria, fungi, and various viruses on the skins surface.  This makes it an ideal helper in wound healing, acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.  The extract or essential oil of rosemary as well as rosemary tea, helps stimulate cell renewal, supports healthy creation of collagen, increase skin tone and fights free radicals.  Free radicals damage the support structure of skin cells, leading to wrinkles, sagging and uneven skin texture and color.

This plant is found in many skin cleansers, soaps, masks, creams and shampoos and conditioners. It is effective for many skin types but especially for oil or acne prone skin. It improves micro circulation within the dermal layers of skin.  This means that it helps  bringing in fresh oxygenated blood filled with nutrients to all the cells.

Rosemary is also great for hair care.  When used on a regular basis, it stimulates the hair follicles, making hair grow longer and stronger.  It is also said to help slow down premature hair loss and the graying of hair. It helps improve scalp conditions such as dandruff and balances your hairs secretions of sebum (oil).

 *Like most essential oils do not apply directly to the skin.  It is better to use diluted in a carrier oil or mixed into a product.

DIY BEAUTIFUL SKIN:

 *1 small sized cucumber (or 1/2 a med. large) peeled and either juiced or pulverized into liquid with food processor 

 *Add 15-25 drops of rosemary essential oil

 *Add 3-4 tbs of clay (any type) kaolin white, pink, french green, cambrian blue, rhasoul

 *Allow mixture to sit for 5 or so minutes while the clay absorbs some of the moisture.

      your mixture should be that of a paste

 *Apply to facial skin for 10-15 minutes and gently remove with warm water and a wash cloth. 

 * ENJOY~

What is Murumuru?

Information Brought to You By: RECHERCH'E ORGANICS

MURUMURU

Astrocaryum murumuru

Astrocaryum murumuru, commonly known as the murumuru palm and pronounced as Moor-oo-Moor-oo, is native to the Amazon rain forest of South America. This palm differs from most due to it's huge numbers of protective spines.  Even the seeds and flowers have little spines on them! This palm sports very long leaves up to 20 feet long, with striking whitish silver undersides. These leaves have been used through out history to make many accoutrement's by the natives including baskets, hammocks, woven into their homes and much, much more.  The oil rendered from the seeds has been a main source of edible oil for the people of this region since time immortal. 

Spines on Murumuru

Murumuru Nuts

 

In Spanish this tree is called Chonta, Chuchana, or sometimes Huicongo.  The large fruits of this palm have been highly valued through out history for the rich butter that they produce. Murumuru oil  has a unique odor, not dis-similar the characteristic scent of coconut oil.  Murumuru is solid at room temperature, with a slightly higher melting point than its much more well known cousin the coconut oil ( murumuru 91degreese Fahrenheit or 33 degrees Celsius and coconut 72 degrees Fahrenheit and 22 degrees Celsius). Due to it's many saturated short chain fatty acids, murumuru has a long shelf life and tends not to go rancid easily.

Murumuru Seeds and Unrendered Meat

Murumuru butter is rich in pro-vitamin A and C and Omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9.  The main fatty acid found in this butter is called Lauric acid (at an astonishing 47%).  This is a similar amount of Lauric Acid that is  only found in one other natural ingredient...breast milk!  Murumuru has 7 other essential acids  besides Lauric acid, ( essential meaning your body needs to get them from outside sources but fully needs them to fully function) including myristic acid, oleic, palmitic, linoleic acids making.  Murumuru has been shown to be a wonderful moisturizer for sensitive skin.  This gentile moisturizer is readily absorbed into the deep layers of skin, helping to restore elasticity and suppleness of the bodies outer layers.

Murumuru Nut, Oil, and Butter

This highly moisturizing, natural emollient, hard and waxy butter has many noteworthy actions.  It is anti-allergenic, anti bacterial, anti inflammatory and considered anti viral.  It is a potent source of antioxidants and can be used as a mild antiseptic.  It therefore works with acne, aids in the healing of mild abrasions, helps moisturize psoriasis, and in conjunction with eczema. Murumuru does all of this but also has some pretty amazing attributes that you do not necessarily find with in other palms.  Possibly it's most significant lone characteristic is it's uncanny ability with HAIR~

Oh so Beautiful~

Yes Hair~ This butter makes a wonderful addition to hair products.  It helps to even sun damaged and chemical damaged hair.  It gives an other wise unseen ability to control frizzy, kinky, dry, damaged locks. It has natural saponins with in the kernel (as most all nuts of the coconut family).  However due to it's many differentiating nutrients, found naturally in perfect harmony with one another, it makes this the number one (all time best (in my humble opinion)) for coarse, kinky, and highly curly hair.  It renders these hair types highly manageable.  Soft and supple it lends a protective layer and lasting hydration.  It gives a healthy shine to all hair types but lends its magic to these tresses in particular~