As touted by Dr. Oz, Tamanu Oil is a must for all cosmetic products. This most unique oil has been used for centuries by the Polynesians as cure all for skin aliments, as well infections. It is known as the “sacred oil,” promoting healing and regeneration of new skin.

Tamanu possesses significant antimicrobial qualities, as proven in antibacterial and anti fungal tests. It contains powerful bactericide and fungicide agents that defeat human and animal pathogens.

Tamanu Oil comes from the Tamanu Tree, which is native to the island of Tahiti but can also be found in other tropical areas. The tree blooms twice annually with a fragrant white flower; which later yields clusters of yellow skinned fruit. The fruit pulp tastes similar to an apple, within which a large nut is embedded. The nut contains an odorless pale kernel, called punnai. This kernel is dried in the sun for two months until it becomes sticky with a dark and thick, rich oil similar to olive oil.

Tamanu Oil also contains a unique fatty acid called calophylic acid, and a novel immune supportive and anti- inflammatory agent called calophylolide, which promotes the formulation of new healthy skin.

Tamanu Oil is a remarkable tropical healing agent. It is known to heal severe burns, acne, diaper rash, sores, swelling, rashes, scleroderma, sunburns, stretch marks, and severe dry skin; it is a great addition to a first aid kit.

So, read those cosmetic labels and look for this most unique oil. It will help prevent aging skin and leave the skin you are in with a youthful glow.

References:

1. Dweck, A.C. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2002, 24, p1.

by Jennifer Gray, Pharmacist |

Eczema comes in many shapes and sizes; but one thing is constant, the ITCH. It is always there taunting its victims, urging them to abandon all control and scratch. “It feels so good to scratch that I keep on doing it even though I know it will hurt more when I stop,” says one teenage sufferer. What can be done about this increasingly common skin affliction?

First of all, education and understanding the reasons for the disease go a long way to treating it. Environment, diet and heredity all contribute to the development of eczema. It is estimated that 15 million people in the United States currently suffer from some form of this disease. The National Institutes of Health estimate that 10 to 20 percent of all infants will suffer from eczema at one time or another until age five. Between the ages of five and fifteen there is a significant improvement in skin health.

Eczema covers a wide range of symptoms and characteristics. In children, the most common form is atopic eczema. Like most eczema, the itch is the first symptom. Once the child begins to scratch, a rash develops and worsens as the scratching continues. Often an infection settles into the rash from the germs and irritants hiding under the fingernails. Common sites for childhood eczema are cheeks, forehead, scalp, inner arms, back of knees, and trunk. No skin area is immune to the rash, though. Treating eczema in children is often difficult and frustrating.

Steroidal creams, antihistamines, and petroleum products are frequently prescribed to stop the itch and trap in skin moisture. Natural skin care products, like Nature’s Baby Face and Body Moisturizer, contain emollients aloe and Shea butter which sooth and moisturize the skin. While it cannot cure eczema, a regimen of moisturizing with products such as these can lessen the itching by increasing the moisture and can make the skin look and feel better.

Adults may first notice skin, especially on exposed skin like the hands or feet, becoming dry and flaky with red patches. Eventually the patches begin to itch and burn. Sometimes the eczema is more of a red bump that may be filled with clear fluid.

Scratching releases the fluid making the rash appear wet. Scratching, as in the case of childhood atopic eczema, leads to more irritation and itching, and the cycle goes on and on. Malcolm’s Miracle Hand and Body Treatment uses the natural healing powers of hemp seed oil to increase skin’s moisture and repair the affected patch.

Rich in Omega-6 Gamma-Linolenic Acid, Malcolm’s Miracle absorbs easily and quickly into the skin. Essential oils, such as Lavender and Rosemary, soothe and cool the skin while encouraging dry skin to produce its own oil.

Once an eczema episode gets going, it is impossible to stop. Preventing one from beginning and regularly moisturizing the area are the best lines of defense. A healthy diet rich in Omega-3, limited stress, and avoidance of known allergens can help reduce the frequency and severity of eczema attacks.

References:

1. Malcolm’s Miracles.com/allproducts
2. www.aad.org, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
3. www.nationaleczema.org, National Eczema Association (NEA)
4. www.skincarephysicians.com
5. www.isdionline.org, The Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute (ISDI) on patient education and public awareness
6. www.protopic.com/Understanding-Eczema
7. www.derma.org, Society of Dermatology Physicians Assistants
8. www.nlmnih.gov, US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health
9. www.fda.gov, Food and Drug Administration
10. Andrew Weil, M.D. “Therapeutic Hemp Oil” www.csdf.org, Children’s Skin Disease Foundation

For more info, contact Jennifer Gray at (775) 232-5766.

Just below the Great Sahara Desert lies a broad swath of the African Savannah lands. Outside of the rainy season, this is one of the harshest, driest, dustiest places on earth. Brutal sun, wind, and the Hamatan dust take a terrible toll to exposed skin.

This is where shea butter originates. Characteristically, shea butter has a smooth and soft paste texture and is either yellow – white to ivory color depending on how it is processed. The tree resembles the American oak. The kernel is enclosed in a sweet pulp, under a thin green rind. The fruit from the kernel is first sun dried, the butter is prepared by boiling the kernel in water, and has the appearance of a Spanish olive. Women are usually responsible for the process of making shea butter. This process takes place in the rainy seasons from May to August when the shea nuts are harvested and involves many days of carefully picking, gathering, drying, pounding and kneading. Raw shea nuts are harvested off the ground, put into water and de-husked. The fleshy pulp is eaten, and the nuts are boiled for 30 minutes, then sundried 4-5 days.

Women of this region long ago learned how to extract an oil from the kernel of the nut of the Shea tree. Because it is solid at room temperature it became known as shea butter. While most people use shea butter as a valuable food oil, African women and men began rubbing it into their skin at night, before sleeping.

Healing Properties

100 % pure shea butter is a superior moisturizer, containing remarkable healing properties for various skin aliments. Unrefined Shea Butter has the largest healing fraction and contains very special natural ingredients that are ideal for healthier skin. Shea butter has a vast number of proven healing properties stemming from its physical makeup of vitamin E, vitamin A and cinnamic acid to name a few. Shea butter’s ingredients increase the healing of wounds and improve scars.

Additionally, shea butter contains several natural natural anti-inflammatory agents. Clinical studies have shown that this product transforms the skin into a softer, smoother, and better looking skin. Those who routinely use shea butter report a number of other special benefits for skin ailments, including blemishes, itching, sunburns, small skin wounds, eczema, skin allergies, and wrinkles. Because of an abundance of healing ingredients, and its superior moisturizing activity, Shea Butter is in a unique class, as a stand-alone personal care product.

Skin protection: Shea butter contains natural UV sun protection. Daily use of shea butter on the face and body drastically reduces sun exposure, which in turn slows down the rate of aging due to external factors. Shea butter also acts as a natural mantle against elements of cigarette smoke, smog and chemical pollutants in the atmosphere.

Skin moisturization: Shea butter leaves skin smooth, supple and soft. It is rapidly becoming the #1 moisturizing agent used today. It quickly provides stretch mark prevention and healing, as well as healing of bruises and burns. Warning: some manufacturers of skin care products will label their moisturizer “Shea Butter”, but you MUST read the labels to make sure that it contains a substantial amount of shea butter, or you may spend your money on inexpensive imitations. Ingredients are listed in order of dominance, so remember, if you don’t see “Shea Butter” listed at the top of the list, you may be buying a diluted product.

Regular use of shea butter, in addition to sun screen products before and after exposure to the sun, leaves your skin with a satiny finish and a healthy tan. Shea butter also maintains the elasticity of the skin and repairs cellular degeneration. To moisturize the hair, apply shea butter before and after swimming. For revitalizing the hair, one day prior to shampooing, massage your hair with shea butter and wrap it in a hot towel—- your natural keratin will absorb all that is required. For very dry hair, ten minutes after shampooing, apply shea butter to bring brightness and life to your hair.

Submitted by Wendy Evensen, Sadie’s Herbal Garden.

Visit www.sadiesherbalgarden.com.