a lil' cup of Joe

INFORMATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY: RECHERCH'E ORGANICS

A lil' Cup of Joe~

Coffea arabica: A Coffee Plantation

Coffee, "nectar of the gods", referred to by many names, consumed by millions daily, and  known planet wide for one sole purpose (ok maybe 2 purposes), to please the palate and awaken the mind. This shrub is grown in tropical regions through out the world.  With it's distinct aroma, and bitter and delightful flavor, humans have come to know this plant well. But did you ever consider it has many, many other uses than only that of the "morning eye opener" it has become best know for?

Fruit of the Coffee Shrub

Did you know that Coffee actually grows on a Shrub?  Some people picture a large stately tree that these lovely little fruits and thus coffee beans grow on, but in fact it is a small shrub with a relatively strait trunk, preferring shade but will also grow in full sun.  These shrubs live for approximately 50-70 years.  The first flowering usually occurs the 3rd year after planting, however true yields do not come on until the fifth year of growth. There are over 60 different types of coffee trees planet wide however 2 alone dominate the world trade; Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora.  Coffea arabica is responsible for approximately 75% of the coffee world wide.

Roasted Coffee Beans: Coffea arabica

"COFFEE- THE FAVORITE DRINK OF THE CIVILIZED WORLD." 

Thomas Jefferson

The process of roasting coffee beans is a complex practice.  It is the art of removing all, or nearly all of the moisture content and in it's place allowing the aromatic oils to come to the forefront.  The typical "coffee smell" is produced my the caffeol oil.  Research is showing that this aromatic oil is highly beneficial for both skin and hair applications.  The oils in dark roast coffee maintains the strongest forms of this aromatic oil.  It mildly cleanses and moisturizes the skin resulting in soft and supple skin tone.

  It is not only this oil that is found to be beneficial to skin and hair.  In fact caffeine works wonders with the outer shell of our beings.  In the way that caffeine increases circulation and awakens the "coffee consumer" in the morning (afternoon, or evening:) it also works in these ways with your dermal layers of skin. Caffeine treats redness and inflammation due to its anti inflammatory properties, it can reduce under eye circles by reducing the blood build up in the sensitive under eye skin.  This build up of fluid and blood is associated with puffiness and dark circles that adorn so many eyes.   Many companies and even individual people claim the reduction (short term at least) of the appearance of cellulite through out the body.  This is due to the fact that caffeine makes small blood vessels contract and therefore makes cellulite less visible (as I said this is a temporary solution, but a plausible one).   A research project preformed at the University of Sao Paulo Brazil, researchers found that the application of skin cream containing caffeine to cellulite riddled areas reduced the size of cellulite fat cells by 17%.  

A Little Cup of Joe

In the same way that caffeine stimulates the circulatory system, it can also be used to stimulate hair growth.  Massaging directly into the scalp, the caffeine in coffee can stimulate the hair follicles to speed up growth and tensile strength.  Research suggests that hair roots are sensitive to the male hormone testosterone.  Caffeine in coffee may work to protect the follicles from letting loose of the hair.   Coffee has also been known to enhance natural hair color for brunettes.  It can darken and add shine and dimension to the hair.

 

DIY RECIPE: 

Hair Treatment:

Use a very strongly brewed coffee as a hair soak or rinse.  Pour the coffee through the hair, and allow it to skin in (10-30 minutes).  You can cover with a shower cap for convenience.  For a thicker moisturizing experience mix coffee grounds with your favorite conditioner.  After allowing to sit 10+ minutes rinse, your hair will be left shiny with an even over all tone and color.  You will notice a brilliance and silkiness left in the hair. Doing this on a regular basis (maybe 1 time per week), you will likely notice less shedding and an increase in hair growth.  

Savvy to Seaweed...

 Seaweed is another of our worlds age old beauty secrets.  A food source, a medicine chest, and an  advocate for beauty and vitality anchored into another world, not inhabited but often visited by humans.  Pelagic seaweed (meaning living at sea, growing independently of land) has been used by coastal villagers for food, medicine and beauty since the dawn of time.

Seaweed Harvest

Seaweed Harvest

Seaweed Harvest

Seaweed has been harvested by hand and sun dried world over for century upon century. Harvest methods have included leaving a couple of inches of plant attached to its parent rock or surface, which in turn allows faster regrowth. Only today, with increased demand on sea vegetation do we begin to see unsustainable practices with seaweed harvesting occur. Prior to the last 50 years, seaweed was harvested on a much smaller scale.  Allowing the forests below the waves time to regenerate and propagate.  Today there are companies touting 100,000 tons of commercially harvested sea vegetation annually.  Poverty stricken coastal towns have offered jobs (even here in the USA) mechanically harvesting 6 tons of seaweed per day at a pay rate of $25.00/ton.  There are companies that vacuum harvest certain seaweeds such as Irish Moss, with serious threats to both the ecosystem as well as huge numbers of by-catch of other fauna.

Seaweed Farm in China

 Thankfully though, there are sustainable seaweed farms happening around the globe.  People have found different ways to create surfaces that seaweed attaches to easily and harvest and re-harvest as one would take lettuce leaves  from a home garden.  Taking some fronds as they reach maturity and leaving the rest to continue growth.

 There are hundreds and hundreds of varieties of seaweed world over.  It is found in every ocean across the globe.  These plants draw an incredible amount of minerals, micro and macro nutrients from the water that surrounds them.  Some seaweed have a mineral content of up to 36% of total dry weight!  They have Vitamins A, B's (1, 2, 3, 6, and 12) , C, E, D, K and Folic Acid.  Over 60 trace minerals such as flourine, calcium and magnesium are found hidden within their leafy fronds. B vitamins are known for protecting the skins surface and helping reduce inflammation.  Flourine, calcium and magnesium restore radiance to the skins complexion. It is full of lipids, proteins, which are easily absorbed to moisturize and nourish the skin.  This helps to maintain firmness and deep seeded hydration of the dermal layers. There are many amino acids and enzymes present in seaweed that are potent anti oxidants, fighting off free radicals and working to promote tissue regeneration and elasticity.  Algae's and Seaweeds are a superfood for the skin. Ultimately skin is made healthier by simply using this ingredient.

Brown Algae

BROWN ALGAE:

Brown Algae has a chemical component called Citrinol that has been found effective in fighting against gram-positive bacteria, including bacteria associated with acne and acne inflammation.  It helps boost collagen production (which works hand in hand with elastin) one of the major components in keeping skin firm, youthful looking and wrinkle free.

Green Algae

GREEN ALGAE:
Green Algaes work wonders with dry, irritated and edematous skin due to over exposure to the elements.  It has detoxifying and antiseptic properties and is found in numerous skin benefiting personal care items. It's anti-inflammatory properties make it a wonderful ingredient for sensitive skin, and this group of algeas in particular have great natural propensities to reducing redness and excessive irritation.

Red Algae

RED ALGAE: 
 Red Algae is the best of all the algae types for drawing out impurities and toxins as well as  regulating oil levels of your skin.   When applied topically, Red Algae draws out toxins and helps the skin absorb some of its many nutrients.





SEAWEED: restores moisture levels, revitalizes and firms skin, nourishes, oxygenates and detoxifies skin, balances oil levels, cell generating, purifying, improves skin texture and tone, makes hair shiny, cleanses, soothes, slows skin aging, restores micro and macro nutrients to the skin.

 DIY SEAWEED BATH: 

Get dried seaweed in bulk from your store; Kelp and Dulse are both great options but any kind of seaweed will work.  10 lbs of wet seaweed dries out to 1 lb of dried seaweed.  Online sources may be another great place to purchase bulk seaweed from.  Twenty dollars will give you 5-6 baths worth of plant material.

add 3-4 oz of seaweed mixture (or single type) to a muslin bag, cheese cloth or some other enclosed bag that will allow the nutrients to seep out and into your bath water.  (3-4 oz is approx 2.5 lbs of wet seaweed). Keeping it enclosed will make clean up after bath time much simpler.

Allow your self 20+ minutes to soak in this nutrient rich water.  For something a little extra add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to the water, sit back and relax.

This and more from the head soap maker at RECHERCHE ORGANICS.  Master Herbalist, Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Soap Maker extrodinaire...

http:///www.rechercheorganics.com