Meet the Matriarch of the Plains, Queen of the Salix and her entourage of Salicin rich courtiers; Aspen, Willow, Cottonwood. These are all Salix plants, all Salix plants contain an important pain relieving compound called Salicin. Salicin is the precursor of Salicylic Acid. Aspirin is a derivative of Salicylic Acid. Since the dawn of time Salicin has been extracted from plants by various means and employed to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation associated with inflammatory issues of the skin and musculoskeletal system. Cottonwood buds are a rich source of Salicin … a true and enduring gift from the world of plants.
I’m absolutely thrilled when I speak to someone using coconut oil as a “moisturizer” with good results! Organic, virgin coconut oil is a healthy, traditional oil and so many people are having an all-out love affair with it! But if you ARE NOT getting the results you’d hoped for, you are NOT alone! I’m constantly hearing reports from those who are developing NEW skin problems after using just coconut oil as a moisturizer (or any pure oil for that matter) for a period of time. The bad news is that the deteriorating condition of the skin will probably get worse, the good news is we can fix this!
There’ SO much anecdotal evidence indicating real problems with this practice that it surely warrants further study.
I was expecting a weird sticky mess the very first time I washed my face with honey - well, was I pleasantly surprised! Honey, along with many other Nourishing Skin Care Traditions is making a comeback. Join me in discovering the benefits honey has to offer all skin types at any age, and how honey works its special magic on those with inflammatory skin disorders such as acne , rosacea, and psoriasis and for those seeking to support strong, healthy resilient skin as the years go by.
I hope you’ll be inspire you to try some things with honey you’d never have thought possible! Stay tuned for the next installment in this series.
Debunking myths in this day and age is quite a task! The internet is overflowing with misinformation. I have just finished my adventure down the proverbial rabbit hole in my search for published data on the safety of glycerin in your skin care products. Seeing as glycerin is the #3 most common ingredient in skin care, behind water #1 and fragrance #2 , it is important to know how it functions and what the literature has to say about it.
UPDATE 1/1/2020 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The #1 condition I’m asked to help resolve is “dry skin”. The vast majority of you actually have “normal skin” - meaning your dry, flaky skin is not a problem on your torso. This means also that parched, dehydrated skin on your face, arms and legs can be resolved relatively quickly.
Know what it craves helps so you can give it what it needs because dry skin can lead to more serious conditions such as eczema.
Thermal Waters are making a big splash in the world of natural skin care. We like simple, pure things which benefit our skin. But there’s a hidden danger lurking in that bottle of clear, pure water.
Next time you’re tempted to try this popular French skin care “secret” make sure you understand why maintaining the right skin pH is so darn important - you’ll reach for 100% pure, steam distilled hydrosol water instead.
Many of today's skin care habits, products and routines can contribute to dis-ease of the skin. Adopting practices and skin treatments which support skin's biology and chemistry will help us to reconcile our modern lifestyles and our skin's needs. Adopting nourishing skincare traditions in novel ways, and by wisely applying modern science and technology we can help support strong resilient skin, able to be withstand the ravages of the environment, lifestyles and time.
Add the acid mantle to the long list of bodily functions which doesn't receive much attention but which can easily be at the root of skin issues, or be making them worse. If we knew better how the acid mantle functions we would take better care of it! It's surprisingly easy to damage it; unknowingly, we don't properly nurture this microscopic film. In the past 100 years our habits and expectations have been entirely altered by the explosive growth of the cosmetic, beauty, fashion, hair and skin care industries. And this is spelling bad news for the skin of people of all ages. If we knew a bit more about the acid mantle and the history of cleansing we would be adopting more nourishing approaches to skin care, and making a habit of employing a few simple tricks to help along the way.
I love nourishing traditions! I like growing a vegetable garden, making traditional food, foraging for edible and medicinal wild plants, and creating nourishing skin care based on ancient traditions. Here are some of my favorite ones I have written about. I hope you will be inspired to give them all a try! You skin will love you for it ... promise.
This ain't your grandma's "lye soap" my dear! Dispelling the myths surrounding REAL, old fashion soaps made from plant oils, seed butters, and fats is helpful to those seeking natural products. Learn what it is, how it's made today, it's ancient past and modern history. I found learning about how people cleansed themselves and their dirty stuff in the past to be particularly interesting.
In a past post I explored some of the benefits of distillates (aka hydrosol waters) in general. Here I will explore in more details the specific benefits of individual plant (leaves, flowers, roots, needles, bark etc) hydrosols. Starting with the lovely Rose. But first I want to restate some important aspects of hydrosols in general.
I am very fortunate to live in a place I can harvest FRESH plant material from pristine wilderness for my creations. Few people have year round access to such a place. I have been exploring and learning these mountains for 27 years I have memorized dozens of secret spots, deep in the wilderness where I wander silently through the forest soaking in the peaceful quietude of this magical place and filling my basket with wild plants.
Strong, resilient skin, able to perform it's vital functions from the beginning to the end of life, requires us to carefully consider our diets. In order for our largest organ to develop properly so it can perform it's critical functions we must supply our bodies with optimal nutrition. We aren't born knowing what this means or how to achieve it. It's knowledge we have to acquire.
You know I love nourishing traditions! So when I spritz my face with a Hydrosol water I know I'm not just nourishing my skin with pure, plant quintessence, I'm participating in an ancient healing ritual. The use of hydrosol waters predate essential oils by hundreds if not thousands of years! Here's a brief intro to these healing waters and how to use them to nourish, condition & beautify your skin.
The coniferous denizens of the Northern Forest possess powerful healing properties. I am enthralled by these evergreen sentinels of my alpine world and the more I learn about them, the deeper in love I fall. Oils infuse with spring Evergreen needles, resin, bark, and cones are featured in many of my oil blends and salves. Not only do these creations smell like heaven, they are imbued with the power of these mighty trees .... which studies show might compare to that of the well known cancer killer Frankincense.
The lovely Salix plants ... hugging the banks of the rivers and climbing the slopes of the mountains. If you are interested in natural skincare, you are probably familiar with White Willow. White Willow Bark is part of the Salix family of plants, which all contain Salicin in their leaves, bark and buds. Salicin (the precursor of Salicylic Acid) is a natural compound renown for it's ability to relieve pain, swelling and inflammation. White Willow bark is the most common Salicin source found in natural skincare formulas and the herb most easily acquired, but it is not the only one. And this where Cottonwood Buds fit in ....
Spring has arrived ... But here in the high country of Colorado, at 9'000' above sea level, you have to look closely for the signs. The obvious ones, the new green growth pushing up through the ground and the tops of tulips and crocus peeking through the damp earth are hidden beneath the snow as it slowly melts under the sun's strengthening rays.
Mineral rich sea salts are unique in their ability to mitigate the impact of environmental stress & pollution, sun damage and cellular aging. Earth minerals dissolved in water and allowed to remain on our skin will help keep it plump & healthy, free of pathogenic bacteria and yeast, control outbreaks and acne, enhance cellular communication and increase hydration.
Just say the word "Preservative" and many people looking for natural skincare back away shaking their heads! Many of us have a deep aversion to these ingredients but at the same time we want super fresh products with a shelf life, and we don't seem keen on the inconvenience of storing our skincare in the refrigerator much at all. Some products just must include a preservatives – otherwise bacteria, mold, and fungus will be swarming in your lovely creams and lotions quickly, and you won't even know it! OMG yuck. So please don't just run screaming when you see a preservative listed on a label! Take a moment to learn when they are needed.
Instead of "clearcutting" your skin's "forest" by washing away all the diverse creatures living there, learn how to nourish them! These microbes help support, maintain, and nourish strong resilient skin which is better able to withstand the ravages of the environment, air borne toxins, aging, stress, and sun damage, and help it heal from more quickly from injuries. Skin microbes also play a vital role in supporting your immune system. Your skin loves you .... LOVE IT BACK!
