Mango Butter: Your Skin is HUNGRY for it!

Mangifera indica

Native to South and Southeast Asia, the mango tree and it's delectable fruit has come to be cultivated almost world wide in frost free zones and known far beyond those reaches as an exotic and nutrient rich food. This long living tree has been known to reach ages of 300+ years and produce thousands of individual fruits each year of it's life!

Though the fruit is well know and well loved, the semi solid oil or "butter" cultivated from the mango seed is much less well known.   For hundreds if not thousands of years this butter has been used by the native people of the tropics.  It is prized for it's skin softening and soothing properties, the ability to rejuvenate sun and weather damaged skin as well as tackle skin issues such as rashes, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.  Yet this butter is so gentle in nature that it is also the perfect solution for babies skin. It remains semi- solid until about 95 degrees Fahrenheit, then becomes a liquid.

Unadulterated Mango Butter

What is it you ask, that makes this butter such a prize among plant based oils and butters?
It contains stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids (unsaturated omega 6 fatty acid), each of these acids are hungrily eaten up by our skin. And also contains vitamin A, copious amounts of vitamin E, C and D, multiple B vitamins, folic acid, calcium, iron and magnesium! It helps the dermal layers maintain hydration and reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles while helping to restore elasticity and tensile strength of skin.

Science has shown us that vitamins A and C have a direct influence on the growth, strength, and structure of our hair.  As well as combating and reducing free radical effects and other daily toxins that come into contact with our skin.

Mango butter also is touted to have a natural SPF of about 4-6. Though not advised here to use as a replacement for sun screen it does have the ability to protect skin and hair from damaging UV rays and in the aftermath of sun burn soothes and nourishes the sensitive skin.

Traditional Extraction of Oil

Traditional harvesting begins with the collecting of the mango's in their peak of ripeness. Once collected the fruit is pealed away leaving only the "stone" or seed of the mango. These are washed with water and the seeds are left out to sun dry, reducing the moisture content to 12-15%. The dried seed stone is then roasted in a drum roaster and the hull is removed manually by beating with wooden clubs. The separated kernels are crushed into small pieces and placed in hot water so the fat's float to the top where they are scraped off and collected as "butter".  There are more modern practices also used today involving hexane and solvent extraction and mechanical instead of hand powered processes. 

 *It is always advised to know where your product comes from and decide for your self if solvent extraction oils are something that you want to use for your skin. 

DIY Hair Tonic: 

Take mango butter 1 time per month using a liberal amount coat your hair from scalp to the end of each strand. 

Brush through alleviating all the tangles and wrap in a warm moist towel for 20 minutes prior to showering

Rinse out and shampoo and condition as normal. 

Let us know HOW this works for you! Do you notice a difference? 

From us at Recherch'e Organics to you!

Enjoy

Which Witch Hazel is Which?

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch Hazel, Hamamelidaceae, is often seen as a yellow flowering shrub or more rarely as a small standing tree. Etymologically the name is believed to stem from the Middle English word wiche and reaching further back to Old English wice, meaning "bendable or pliant". Occasionally this plant is referred to as "winter bloom" for it's odd nature of blooming throughout the fall and winter months.

Witch Hazel Distillation

Historically,  Witch Hazel was taken as a tea or in a bath.  However during the 1800's herbalist began distilling this plant thus began the path to the Witch Hazel product of today.  The clear liquid Witch Hazel with which we are most familiar, is made by distilling the bark, twigs, and leaves of the Hamamelis virginiana a species found in North America. During the distillation process anywhere from 15-30% alcohol is added to the liquid content.

Witch Hazel Leaf

The main component in Witch Hazel is  tannins. Tannins are a naturally occurring polyphenol that many plants make as a way to protect them selves from predation.  Even if we don't know what tannins are directly, most all of us have experienced them in our wine, and under ripe fruit.  It is the substance that makes the "dry and puckery" feeling in our mouths. This is called astringency.

Witch Hazel Flower

Witch Hazel "Fruit"

Witch Hazel is almost exclusively used externally.  It is considered a strong anti-oxidant and astringent.  Often used for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, treating insect bites and poison ivy rashes, as well as to reduce swelling and ease minor wounds.
Now why would it work on such an array of issues? For one, Witch Hazel works wonders on fighting bacterial attacks.  The tannins which we spoke of earlier, once applied to the skin shrink the pores basically sequestering our  internal bodies from external agents.  In all making our skin even better at doing the job of keeping the outside world out of our bodies. Another property of Witch Hazel is its proanthocyanins, catechin and flavonoids. These little beauties are what give this plant it's cell protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities.  This means if any bacteria has been trapped under the skin once the pores have been closed off, it is also the job of Witch Hazel to destroy the "invaders".

After Shave

The beauty behind this plant, continues on.  As mentioned earlier Witch Hazel shrinks pore size and thus tightens and tones the skins appearance.  It is a common ingredient in aftershaves for men. It has been found that using Witch Hazel (the less alcohol content the better for all Witch Hazels) on a cotton pad and going over the surface of the face works wonders for people with oily skin as well as for people who sweat profusely from their faces!  It has also been used by many as an acne treatment that doesn't dry out the skin.  So many benefits from a commonly known substance. As always it is important to get your products from a reputable source and be sure in reading the labels all that you are purchasing is Witch Hazel distillation and 15% or so of alcohol by volume.  

I hope you have enjoyed the read, please as always comments and questions are wanted and welcome.  Have you had a particularly great experience using Witch Hazel? We would love to know. 

Warm Regards, 

Recherch'e 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~

Note Worthy Neem Oil

Azadirachta indica: Neem Tree

 Neem has been called The "tree of promise", this is an Indian Lilac,  a large standing tree of the mahogany family.  The Neem tree, Azadirachta indica, is native to the Indian subcontinent and has it's roots deep in historical uses of this culture.  Used both internally and externally, this tree has been used as a "cure all" in many tropical cultures throughout the world.

Immature Neem Seeds

 Every part of the Neem tree has medicinal and botanical uses; the branches, leaves, bark, fruits, flower and roots are all extreemly beneficial as they contain a compound called azadirachtin which gives this plant it's anti-septic, anti-viral,  anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic qualities.

Fresh Harvested Neem Fruit

Neem Oil is procured from the fruit of the Neem Tree. Often hand harvested, this oil has become a cash crop of the the tropics.  Since being "discoverd" by the Western culture, demand for this precious oil has sky rocked.  The oil it's self comes in an array of different colors, depending on methods of extraction and quality of how the Neem fruit has been handled.


 


Often times, the oils is obtained by crushing the interior kernal and extracting the oil it's self by methods of cold process or temperature controlled heating.  In India, neem oil extractors, "Teli" or oil men, were considered as a specialized profession.

 Recentally, hexane extraction has become a cheap and quick method in comparison of more traditional methods of oil extraction. It is important to note that this chemical extraction  is always an inferior oil end product.

Lets begin to talk about the oil it's self.  This oil is rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.  It also contains Palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid, the rarely known omega 7.  These acids provide building blocks for hair, skin and nails, help combat wrinkles, increase elastin in skin, help maintain hydration and helps repair sun and oxidative damage to skin cells. It is widely considered for it's anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties.

Benificial Uses of Neem for Beauty

Hair: Neem is a natural cure for dandruff and dry scalp.  Weekly applications of this oil have shown to reduce dandruff, cleanse hair folicals, strengthen individual hair strands, and promote growth.  It can also be used to condition rough or frizzy hair as well as countering the effects of thinning hair due to stress, medication, pollution and more.

Skin: Neem has proven its effectiveness with eczema, psoriasis, and acne prone skin.  Due to it's astringent properties, it helps with wound healing and skin dammage caused by the above said skin conditions. Neem helps fight acne by distroying the bacteria that causes break outs. Neem oil contains an asprin like compound that helps with on site pain relief while it's anti-inflammatory agents (nimbidin and nimbin compunds) help reduce redness and further inflammation.  The high fatty acid content in this oil helps prevent scar tissue from forming and the oil it's self is non-comedogenic (or non pour clogging).

Neem naturally has a high level of anti oxidants which protect the skin from environmental dammage.  It also contains carotenoids, an anti-oxidant, that helps defend the skin from free-radicals.  All of the vitamin and esssential fatty acid content is readily absorbed into the skin, improving elastin, and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. 

Neem can also be used to fight fungal infections of the skin, such as athletes foot, ring worm, nail fungus.  Tests have proven that 2 compounds found in the leaves of the neem tree, gedunin and nimbidol, are effective against 14 different cultures of fungi. 

DIY BEAUTY TIP:

*1 TBS: of you favorite Clay (bentonite, french green, kaolin to name a few) 

*Add 3-5 drops of neem oil 

*Add coconut oil or another liquid until the consistancy of tooth paste.  Other liquids could

        include: water, aloe vera water, hydrosol, any carrier oil of choice, milk, etc...

* Put on face in nice circluar motion and allow about 7-10 minutes to dry. 

*Rinse with warm water just before clay mask gets totally dry.  This is when the most of the 

    toxins have been pulled out and nothing is yet being taken back into the pores. 

This mask is good to use on a weekly basis, much more and skin will begin to dry out.  It is natural for our skin to produce oil and constant stripping of this natural process is less beneficial for our skin.

Bath In Your Own Personal Ocean. Why Bath Salts?

Information Brought To You By: Recherch'e Organics

 ~AN ODE TO SALT WATER AND IT'S BENEFITS FOR YOUR SKIN~

 

How would you like to bath in your own personal ocean? Think of that calm, relaxed, and tranquil environment.  What if it were available any time you wished? What if I told you, it was?

Your Own Personal Ocean..

Have you ever wondered why people bath with bath salts?  Is it because it's a fad thing, or a smell good thing, or perhaps there is something more to it?  Let me introduce to you a few more reasons why bath salts are something to take notice of.  First, lets "clear the water" so to speak.  It  very important (as always) that you know the quality of product you are buying.

Things to Look For:

 1: That it's REAL salt: not just sodium chloride but of the sea, or saline lake or Himalayan Mountains

 2: That essential oils are used for the aroma therapy aspect of the bath salt

 3: Personal choice: if you want unnatural colors or dyes in your salt

The Salt of The Sea

There is a long history to bathing in sea water and salt solution baths.  Hippocrates, the Father of  Modern Medicine,  first noticed some time around 500 BC that fisherman who injured their hands were also very quick to heal.   He began encouraging patients to bath in warmed sea water and called these treatments "thalassotherapy" or sea therapy in Greek.

Green Tea Infused Sea Salt (By: Recherch'e Organics)

 Natural salt contains many micro-nutrients and minerals that are beneficial for your body and your skin. While the warm water of any bath opens your pores and naturally relaxes you, there is much more happening in that bath with salt added to it.  Natural salts work to draw out impurities, pollutions, dirt and oil from the skins surface and pores, while helping release toxins from the blood stream and replenishing the mineral balance with in.  It hydrates the skin, increases moisture retention, and promotes cellular regeneration. Saline water stimulates your circulatory system, meaning it effects your heart, blood, blood cells, plasma, arteries, blood vessels, veins, and capillaries.  Natural salt combine with warm water helps keep your skin smooth, soft and supple, while improving common irritations like bug bites, rashes, as well as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.   Let's delve just a little further in to see what some of the common minerals found in salt can do for your skin and bodies over all health.

Himalayan Salt (Colored By Natural Mineral Content)

Magnesium is commonly found in natural salt.  Magnesium helps us combat day to day stress and fatigue.  It helps the nervous system respond less to "fight or flight" but in patterns that are more conducive to the given situation.  This mineral also helps with healthy calcium balance, calcium needs magnesium to be properly absorbed and used with in the human body.

Calcium is another mineral commonly found in natural salt.  Calcium has long been known to strengthen bones and nails which can help stave off diseases such as osteoporosis.

Potassium helps to balance moisture levels with in the skin.  It helps give the skin cells a plum and youthful look.  Potassium is needed after exercises and is used as a total body energizer.

Bromide is the mineral that soothes tired, sore muscles and relieves aches and pains from the joints.  It helps with the healing time between exercise and physical exertion and reduces internal inflammation.  This is the muscle relaxer, so to speak, of the mineral make up of salt.

Sodium, and of course there is sodium.  Sodium helps the body balance it's lymphatic systems fluid regulation. The lymph system is highly responsible for our bodies immune function and white blood cell transportation, there for sodium is actually an integral part of the health of our over all immune system support team.

*It is important to remember that bath salts can be a challenge to your circulatory system if you have a history of a weak heart or other circulatory related problems, you may want to consult your doctor before extensively exploring the use of these natural salts in your bath water.

DIY: Bath Salt  Exploritorium...

Making Bath Salts:

It is getting easier and easier to find unique salts even in local grocery/health food stores.  Going on line you can find a plethora of "gourmet" salts.  Almost any of these that are not flavored or infused salts can make a wonderful bath soak.  Some of my favorites are Himalayan Sea Salt (coarse grained), Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt, Cypress Flake Salt, any Black Lava Salts, just to name a few.

*Get a bowl and pour a hand full of your desired salt into it

*Add 3-7 drops of essential oil of choice (steering away from citrus which photo reacts with the sun           making your skin very sensitive to UV rays)

*Add dried flower petals if you choose approx a tbs. Lavender, Rose, Chamomile all make great 

       choices, but experiment and come up with your own.

*Have ready a 7x7 inch (approx) square of cheese cloth or muslin draw string bag and place the 

       contents of your bowl in the center of the square.

*Fold up the sides and rubber band or tie off to secure your salt and additions into the baggie. 

* Add to a hot bath and allow 3-5 minutes for it to fully dissolve

*Step in and ENJOY.

Argan oil ~ from Morocco's Tree of Life

Information brought to you by: Recherch'e Organics

 ARGAN OIL

Moroccan Oil, have you heard the term fluttering around your salon, are your girlfriends reporting shining results due to it's use?  More about that petroleum based product later, what I really want to delve into is the history, cultural influences, the whats and whys of Argan Oil and because of this oil, Moroccan Oils rise to fame.

Argania spinosa

Goat Tree's

The Argan Tree, which grows only in Southwestern Morocco, reaches heights of 8-10 meters tall and provides much desired shade in this arid part of the world.  This tree is home to the fleshy green fruits that produce Argan Oil, a vitamin rich oil used both for nutritional and beauty purposes.   Inside the green fruit casing there is an extremely hard shell protecting 2-3 almond shaped kernels filled with this Argan "liquid gold".   These trees have supported the local Berber community since the dawn of time.  Hailed as the "Tree of Life" the Argan tree's leaves and fruit have sustained the goats, camels and sheep of the Berber peoples for centuries. Cattle live off of the pressed nut cakes that remain after the Argan Oil has been extracted.  The people of this region eat the oil and the nut shells are used as a source of fuel for their fires.  Argan tree's need no cultivation and are perfectly suited to their dry and arid natural environments.  Living any where from 125-450 years these trees are viable source of both food and income for generations to come. 

Argan Fruit

Within this Argan fruit there lies in wait a glorious moisture enhancing oil. Upwards of 50% of this fruits total weight by volume is oil weight.   It is a time intensive task however, for the local Berber women to retrieve this precious oil.  It takes 3 days for a single woman to produce just one liter of oil.  Traditionally the Berber women have collected the seeds, which are then dried in the open air. Once dried, the pulpy flesh is removed and often used for feed for livestock and animals.

Sun Dried Argan

Next, the nut is cracked open to reveal the Argan kernels.  These kernels are then roasted and cooled if to be used for culinary purposes, and then ground and pressed (weather for culinary or cosmetic use).  Many attempts to mechanize this entire process have been tried,  however the traditional ways have always prevailed.  This time and labor intensive process has been the only way thus far to retrieve the precious Argan Oil to date. 

3 Phases of the Argan Kernels Life

 After pressing the oil is left to decant for approximately 2 weeks.  This allows any remaining pieces of the kernel to settle to the bottom.  Natural unrefined oil may still contain some small amount of sediment.

Argan Oil

Argan Oil has extremely high levels of Vitamin E and upwards of 80%  of the total volume is comprised of essential fatty acids.   Making Argan a perfect natural serum for many skin aliments as well as protecting the skin cells from aging caused by oxidation.  One of the leading active substances in Argan Oil is called triterpenoids.   This group of sterolins improve skin metabolism, reduce inflammation, and promote true moisture retention.  Argan Oil is reported to help in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles by it's ability to restore the skin's hydro-lipid layer. It has also been used effectively for treating skin aliments such as chicken pox, acne, psoriasis, eczema and stretch marks from rapid weight gain/loss.

MOROCCAN OIL vs. ARGAN OIL

So what is the difference you ask?  Moroccan oil is a company that highlights the use of Argan oil.  The only problem here is their formulas only contain approx 3% or less of natural Argan Oil.  The rest of the "filler" ingredients are things like silicons, petroleum byproducts, and fragrance.  To reap the true benefits of Argan Oil, one is much better off going strait to the source.  Below are many different ways in which one can add Argan Oil to their daily beautification regiments. 

*Facial Moisturizer: Argan Oil is considered a dry oil, it absorbs quickly and will not be greasy or clog pores.  Adding a couple of drops of pure Argan oil to your favorite facial moisturizer or using a direct application where fine lines and wrinkles appear. 

*Leave on Conditioner: After showering, while hair is still wet, ad a few drops of pure Argan Oil to your hair, both ends and scalp to hydrate and moisturize.  It is especially useful if you often dye your hair or daily use a blow dryer. 

*Cuticle Softener: Apply a drop or two of pure Argan Oil to a cue tip or other such device and liberally apply to your cuticles at night.

Since this is such a labor and time intensive oil and is a huge supporter of the communities of Southwestern Morocco, it is always best to by from reputable fair trade companies.  These companies are not only insuring the pureness of product but also insuring the livelihoods of the people who harvest, dry, and render this precious oil. 

Bath your self with... Wine?

Information brought to you by: Recherch'e Organics

...Wine, Vino, Vin, Wijn, Wein, Viini, Vinho, Wine...

For the love of wine... Many of us come home in the evening and begin our daily routines of helping kids with homework, cooking dinner, sitting down with the family, cleaning up, and somewhere in this litany of things we do, we crack open that bottle of wine. We sit back, cherish the first sips, and relax. Well, have you ever thought of bathing with wine? This is something that is usually last on peoples minds when they think of this drink, hailing from grapes, descending from Italy (and now from many places around the globe).

Lets talk about it...
There are very few companies that are creating body care products with wine as an ingredient.  A spa in Japan, the Hakone Kowakien, has taken this idea to a whole different level. As viewed below...

Hakone Kowakien Spa, Japan

Why would one want to use wine for skin care???

(example: Recherch'e Organics has just come out with a new soap, Black Currant Rose and Red Wine).  Red wine contains high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols which soften skin, fight free radicals, stimulate circulation, increase elasticity and flexibility within the cell walls, the tannins firm skin and shrink pore size, all while evening out skin tone and color, leaving you with youthful glowing skin. Red wine is also effective in helping combat things like eczema, psoriasis, and acne.  It helps detox the skin, pulling many skin dulling and harmful toxins from the pores, leaving the skin fresh and healthy.  

There is secret ingredient, possibly the most potent aspect for the argument of using wines in your beauty products, this little lovely is called Resveratrol.  Resveratrol is a naturally occurring part of a  plant's defense system.  It is an anti-microbial substance created in response to stress, infection or strong UV radiation that the plant goes through while alive.  It appears Resveratrol uses its antioxidant effects in a two fold manner; savaging existing free radicals, and preventing new free radical formation.  It has also been reported that this anti-oxidant stimulates healthy cell proliferation as well as collagen synthesis.  As we age the natural collagen and elastin structures within our skin's matrix diminish, leaving us with a wrinkled and loose appearance to our dermal layer (skin).   Resveratrol may in fact be able to help improve the function of "fibroblasts"(a cell in connective tissue that produces collagen and other fibers), which in turn creates new and healthy connective tissue with in our skin. 

In a recent study that I read this is an exact excerpt from those pages:

"In a recent study, the antioxidant strength of 1% resveratrol was compared to that of 1% idebenone. Idebenone is a powerful pharmaceutical antioxidant. Its benefits include shielding the skin from environmental damage, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reducing dryness, and smoothing skin texture. The results of the study revealed that resveratrol had a stunning 17-fold greater antioxidant capacity than idebenone!"

Maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all!!!!!

For more information on where to purchase bathing products imbued with wine, please contact Recherch'e Organics at (406) 209-3755

Thank you. 

Hemp Seed Oil: Fad or For Real?

Information brought to you by: Recherch'e Organics

Hemp, Seeds, & Oil

I have been asked often what is all the hype about hemp seed oil? Is it merely fad or is there truly something behind this taboo substance? I would like to explore this oil in depth and allow you, the reader, to make up your mind if in fact there is something beneficial about this oil.
  

Can You Get High From Using Hemp Seed Oil? 

 In a day and age when Marijuana is all over the news, every state in the USA is trying to figure out their own methods to the "war on drugs, and every third person is proclaiming the "health benefits of this almighty plant", it is difficult to discern what is true and what is merely hype.  So lets first start with this question.  Can you in fact get high from using hemp seed oil? The answer is NO and here is why.  Plants that are being grown for oil production (mainly Canadian seeds are here in the USA) have a very low resin content to begin with.   The resin or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana)  is not found with in the seed it self.  Instead it is contained in the flowering bud and to a lesser degree the leaf of the plant. Once the seeds are harvested, they are then washed and cleaned of any potential resin (industry average says up to 99.99%) that could have encountered the outer husk of the seed.  The seed is then sterilized (so it will not be a viable plant producing seed any longer) and then pressed into the finalized product... the oil.  

So What is in Hemp Seed Oil (if not THC)?

With that question behind us, lets take a further look as to what is in hemp seed oil.  Hemp seed oil is in fact a nutrient dense and highly usable oil.  It can be used in skin and beauty care as we will be looking further into.  It can also be used as a food grade oil (though not recommended for cooking  even low heat exposure). This oil contains antioxidants, protein, carotene, phytosterols, phospholipids, as well as many valuable minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sulfur, zinc and phosphorus.  It is considered a complete protein and contains all 20 amino acids, including the 9 amino acids that are essential aminos (meaning our body does not produce them).  It also has a horde of vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and vitamin E.  With each oil, with each natural ingredient, there is always one thing that stands out above all else.  The ONE, possibly single most important or interesting fact about hemp seed oil is the fact that it has a very high percentage of Essential Fatty Acids (or EFA's)  and not only is the percentage high, it is also in perfect balance between omega 6 and omega 3 at a ratio of 3:1.  This is the perfect balance for our human bodies. 

From whole seed, to ground seed to oil

What Does This Mean For Our Skin? 

Now understanding that hemp seed oil is full of nutrients, how does this oil benefit our skin and hair? 

The protein found with in this oil repairs damaged skin on the cellular level.  It is able to strengthen the cell walls while it is hydrating and helping the epidermal layers of skin maintain its moisture content. This oil is great for skin suffering from inflammatory conditions, such as acne, roseacia, eczema, psoriasis.  It has strong anti-inflammatory agents such as; GLA gamma-linolenic acid to aid in reducing the skins inflammatory response. This natural moisturizer contains vitamin D (as above mentioned).  Vitamin D helps achieve soft, smooth and well hydrated skin.  It has been used abundantly to help prevent premature aging and does this by helping maintain the moisture balance with in the skin cells.  In 2005 a study conducted in Finland by J. Callaway and was published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment.  J. Callaway's findings were the "symptoms of skin dryness and itching significantly improved in dermatitis sufferers after suing to hemp seed oil for a period of 20 weeks."

Hemp Seed Oil for Beautiful Skin and Hair

DIY

1 Tbs of Hemp Seed oil massaged into the the scalp 1 time per week and followed with regular shampoo and conditioning will strengthen the hair follicles, help repair damaged hair, and leave a beautiful and lustrous shine.

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~