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

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

Pumpkin Mania...eerily good for your skin!

Cucurbita maxima

Fall is in the air and pumpkins are abound!! Seen on nearly every door stoop and in every supermarket, growing on many acres of farm land all to satiate our affinity for these fine berries.
Yes, you read right!  Often thought of as a fruit, sometimes as a vegetable, but in truth these fine orange specimens are berries.  Another little known fact of pumpkins is: they are chalked full of skin purifying nutrients and vitamins!!!


Pumpkins are packed with antioxidants, natural enzymes, iron, zinc, phytonutrients and vitamins such as vitamin A, C,  and K.  The fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) increase cell turn over and rejuvenation.  These work as natural exfoliants ridding the body of dead and dying cells, bringing the new layers of healthy skin to the surface.  Thus helping to maintain bright, beautiful, and smooth skin complexion.   Vitamin A and C work together to increase the bodies ability to produce collagen (the wonderful substance that helps keep our skin tight, smooth and hydrated).  The zinc found in pumpkins works like a dream for acne sufferers.  Zinc assists in hormonal balancing and as well as sebum (skin oil) production. Helping the body find a natural balance between too much and too little oil production.

Pumkin is gentile enough for all skin types.  Though not though of as a "go to" in the beauty industry, this time of year I can not help but think about all of the wonderful nutrients (in big, round, orange, berry form) just sitting out on peoples door steps.

DIY Pumpkin Beauty (it's a Cinderella tale...)

1: 1 tablespoon cooked pumpkin puree (organic canned pumpkin will also do)

2: 1 tsp raw honey 

Mix ingredients together, apply a thin layer to the face allowing 10-15 minutes to do it's magic, then rinse with warm water. 

*If you are prone to acne add 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar to the mix and follow above mentioned directions. 

As always we would love to hear from you! Are you a pumpkin lover, wondering what to do with that pumpkin after the holidays? Let us know, post us photos. Happy holidays.  

Thank you and until we meet again. Tata

Recherch'e Organics

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

Vitamin C... Topically?!

Vitamin C

Vitamin C: a vitamin that is well known for its ability to help fight off cold and flu season, but much less known for it's ability to maintain healthy and youthful skin. Vitamin C has been used  topically for ages by women (like you and I) searching for that something to maintain our healthy and vibrant glow.  As early as the Tang Dynasty of Tibet (618-907 AD) women would crush and use Seabuck Thorn berries (a very note worthy source of vitamin C) and apply this to their skin.  It is also known that Native Americans would take wild rose petals and rose hips and use topically on their face and hands as a way to care for the skin that was so exposed to outward elements. So why would women, world over, use these fruits and plants as sources of maintaining youthful, taught, healthy and glowing skin? What is it that makes vitamin C so notable for maintenance of healthy skin cells?

As we all know, vitamin C is an important nutrient for over all health. However very little of what is ingested actually reaches our skin, and humans are one of the only mammals on earth that do not produce vitamin C on our own.  This vitamin is crucial for the synthesis of collagen, and collagen is what keeps our skin vibrant and plump with hydration, healthy and smooth looking.  Collagen production naturally begins to decrease as we age.  Along with oxidative stresses such as exposure to out door elements, sun shine, UV rays, harsh chemicals, and smoking, as we enter our early to mid 30s we begin to notice the smile lines that do not go away.  We see the little wrinkles at the edges of our eyes that become a permanent fixture to our facial features.  This is due to the slow decline of collagen production. 

How Our Skin Ages Naturally

As above pictured, over time with the reduction of collagen production and it's partner elastin (enter vitamin E) our skin looses it's ability to maintain it's structure, firmness, and tensile strength. Vitamin C applied topically is known to help with many sensitive aging "issues".  It helps with things like: improving the appearance of elemental damaged skin, supports skins structure from UV/external stressors and damage, reduces inflammation, lessens hyper pigmentation (dark spots), increases collagen production, and mitigates effects of free radicals.  Reading all of this, PLEASE remember aging is beautiful, but there are things we can do to help this process and change take hold gracefully.

 Vitamin C is unstable at best, if packaged poorly it is one of the first essentials to go, if under heat it vanishes into thin air (sort of). The most stable forms of vitamin C are: ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate, sodium ascorbic phosphate, retinal ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and magnesium ascorbic phosphate.  Looking at packaging (if you are buying a product that contains vitamin C for topical use) it is important that it is in opaque and or dark package/container, lest the degradation of the vitamin that your are trying to purchase.

Do you have experience with product that contains topical vitamin C? Has it been a success story in your quest for healthy and beautiful skin? We would love to hear from you!! All questions and stories are welcome.

To Your Health and Ours,

Sincerely,
Recherch'e Organics

A Marriage of Aloe and Hemp Seed Oil:

Not often do I actually tout the Products from my company, usually it is only information on healthy individual beauty care  ingredients.  But this weekend marks a special time for my company.  As we near the 2nd birthday of Recherch'e Organics, we have finally come out with our first new product since the opening of this business.

August 1, 2013 debuted KEY ELEMENT hemp aloe body lotion.  This lotion is available in 13 different scents. A luxuriously creamy yet light lotion designed to penetrate deep into the epidermal layers of your skin.  A little bit about why I have decided to use Hemp and Aloe as the main beneficial ingredients of this lotion line:

ALOE VERA

 
With regular use, both Aloe Vera juice and gel will help improve skin elasticity which in turn minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  It also helps to even out the color of your facial skin. It lightens dark spots and helps to slough off old dermal layers, while improving circulation (of new blood, oxygen and micro nutrients) to your newly forming skin cells.  The result, beautiful and vibrant skin.  (a small excerpt from "The Aloe Appeal": another blog by Recherch'e Organics)

HEMP SEED OIL

Hemp seed oil is made up of approximately 80% essential fatty acids.  This is the highest amount of essential fatty acids found in any plant currently known.  Hemp seed oil prevents moisture loss of the skin on a physiological level, and is said to slow down the unavoidable aging process.  This oil has a long history of use dating back at least 4,000 BC, and has been found amongst the ancient books of medicine through out Asia.  Hemp seed oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, helps repair/heal lesions, prevents tissue damage, is filled with anti-oxidants  as well as being a complete protein oil and filled with essential amino acids.  This is a wonderful oil for people suffering from eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and dry skin.  Regular topical applications of this oil hydrates and changes the texture and over all glow of the skin. 


I hope that this quick write up gives you some insight as to why I decided on a marriage between these two wonderful natural ingredients.  If you have interest in Recherch'es Key Element Lotion or any of our other products: please do not hesitate to contact me.

Other resources available besides our website: http://www.rechercheorganics.com You can message me, Email me at rechercheorganic@gmail.com, look us up on facebook, or call (406) 209-3755 for further information.

Prodigal Pomegranite (seed oil)

Punica granatum (pomegranate tree)

The Pomegranate tree is native to Asia and throughout the Middle East.  This tree and it's prized red globe-like fruits have been cultivated by humans for food, medicine, and beauty since ancient times. Like many fruit trees, it takes the pomegranate tree approximately 3 years to begin bearing fruit, and once reaching maturity (around 10-15 years after planting) 500 or more fruits can ripen in a single growing season.  Typically pomegranates are found to be "in season" from late September to February in the Northern Hemisphere and early March through May in the Southern Hemisphere. These trees are naturally drought resistant however the most fruit comes from trees that are watered in regular intervals.

Harvest Time

Only the best fruit is sold as fresh whole fruit, the remainder of each harvest is set aside for juicing and turning into pomegranate seed oil.  What is left after juicing is often fed to cattle and other livestock animals in the region.  There has been a spike in demand for both pomegranate juice and the precious oil that resides with in the seeds over the last 5-7 years.  The United States and Europe are the number one consumers of pomegranate products in the world. Did you know that it takes over 200 pounds of fresh ripe pomegranate fruit to make just a single pound of its precious seed oil?

Pomegranate Seeds

Why is the oil of this delicious and beautiful fruit so sought after?   This soft amber liquid holds fast to its origins and carries along with it a slightly fruity odor. It is a highly nutrient dense oil that can be used both internally as well as having many external uses.  Pomegranate seed oil is rich in the rare Omega 5 essential fatty acid (not nearly as well known as its counterparts omega's 3, 6, and 9).  In fact pomegranate seed oil is the only known botanical source of Conjugated Linolenic Acid CLnA, also known as Punicic Acid.  Punicic Acid is one of the most potent antioxidants currently known. This little beauty also falls under the category of a natural plant based estrogen (phytoestrogen).  The molecular structure of this particular fatty acid makes it very easy to be absorbed and used by our skin. It works in a way that helps bring other nutrients directly into the skin cell.  And when our cells have proper nutrition this in turn accelerates the process of healing and rejuvenation. Pomegranate seed oil contains many vitamins and minerals that are also beneficial to our skins health and well being. For example vitamin B1, B2, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium are all found with in.  In studies it is showing that this lovely little oil has much to contribute to our skins vitality.  It creates firmer more supple skin by improving elasticity, balances skin pH, has anti inflammatory properties, and leaves no greasy residue on the skins surface.  It helps unify color and overall tone of facial skin by lightening hyperpigmented areas. It is moisturizing and a known natural preservative, it protects our skin from free radicals and is even said to prevent and help destroy the formation of caner cells when applied topically to sun damaged skin.

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What do you know about pomegranate seed oil? do you currently use it internally? Externally? Please share, we would love to know your thoughts on this recently very sought after oil.

Information brought to you by: RECHERCHE ORGANICS
http://www.rechercheorganics.com

Ohhhhh So Shea (butter)

Karate Tree from which Shea Butter is harvested

 Shea Butter ( Butyrospermum parkii) comes from a tree that grows wild in the savannas (grasslands) of western and central Africa.  These magnificent trees do not need any irrigation, fertilizer or toxic pesticides to produce copious amounts of fruit.  Because they are native to this environment these trees are also resistant to the fires that sweep the savannas every dry season.   

Shea Nuts before harvest

 Shea butter is quite possibly one of the worlds most sustainable natural resources.  Shea trees are wild and are not grown in plantations.  There are two reasons why efforts to start Shea plantations have failed.  First, Shea trees do not germinate easily and have proven not viable in crowded plantation settings.  Second, it takes 25 years for Karate trees to reach production maturity.  For these reasons Shea remains a wild-craft product.  This is a hand harvested and hand produced nut butter.  The people of western and central Africa are in control of this precious resource and over-harvesting is very rare.

Steamed and Dried Shea Nut

The process of collecting and turning Shea nuts into a usable butter is a very labor intensive task. Women and children often have to walk upwards of 10 miles a day searching for and collecting nuts.  Almost all of the nuts are carried back to the villages in baskets worn upon the head.  These baskets can hold up to 100 lbs of Shea nuts per load. Only after this trek, comes the time consuming process of rendering the fat from these precious fruits.  First the nuts are sorted through, selecting only the healthy nuts for production. After selection, the fruits are steamed to shrink the kernel inside.  Shells are pealed away by hand thus revealing the tender fruit inside.  This fruit is set aside and dried under the hot African sun for many hours. This dry time is crucial to ensure that the Shea nut maintains it's shelf life of 5 years time.  Once again the dried nuts are sent for inspection to remove undesirable kernels. The remaining kernels are crushed in a large wooden mortar with an electrical grinder (for wealthier villages).  The crushed Shea kernels are slightly grilled to reduce water content
and then ground down further into powder form.  Clean potable water is added to the powdered Shea nuts and whipped by hand until the color changes, anywhere from 1-3 hours. Warm water is occasionally added, causing the Shea fats to rise to the surface and separate from the non-oil portions. Once collected, the Shea fats are heated slightly to a liquid form once more and put in a gravity filter thus filtering into a clean basin to cool.  This process from time of first selection to end product is 10-14 hours in length.  Due to the length of time and amount of work needed to render this precious resource is the reason why it is so important to buy fair-trade products,  and fairly compensated for ingredients. 

Process of hand stirring Shea butter

Unrefined Raw Shea Butter along side dried Shea kernels

      

Unrefined Shea butter has been used for centuries among the African people and has a rich history of it's own. Shea butter is mentioned in almost all African historical documents, including a reference as early as Cleopatra's Egypt.  Today pure unrefined, unadulterated Shea Butter has many beneficial uses.  It has been shown effective for helping skin against climate and UV aggressions, preventing wrinkle formation, slowing signs of aging by providing natural collagen, it soothes irritated, dry, chapped skin and hair, helps heal blemishes and diaper rash, and is a substantial moisturizer for the epidermal layer of skin.  Shea butter also enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation which helps in the prevention of stretchmarks, inflammation, scarring and accelerates wound healing. In addition to all of this Shea butter also has a natural 6 SPF.  Shea butter is filled with micro nutrients and vitamins such as Vitamin A (which gives it the rich yellow tint), Vitamin E, Vitamin F (which contain our omega 3, 6, and 9's) .

Refined Shea Butter

One can find Shea Butter on ingredient lists through out the beauty industry today.  This highly prized and highly potent, age old nut butter has made it's debut in a very large way across Europe and through out America.  However, most of the Shea butter available on the market and in products has been "refine" to remove the natural scent and color of natural or unrefined Shea butter.  In this process, the majority of the healing properties are removed and or destroyed.  Furthermore,  during this process of "refinement" usually hexane or other petroleum solvents are used, the extracted oil is boiled (in temperatures upwards of 400 degrees, which kills and devalues the natural vitamin content) then the oil is refined, bleached and deodorized with chemicals such as sodium hydroxide.  Leaving the end product lacking in its natural goodness and with the addition of harsh chemical residues.  The healing effects and potency of refined Shea Butter is greatly reduced through these processes with the only added benefit being it "near white color".  It is important to know and understand what ingredients are in the products we choose to support, how these ingredients are handled, and in this case when Shea Butter is no longer really the Shea Butter we thought it was.

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