This all sounded right up my alley. I love data, and especially data about my body, because it’s where I live. After studying the human body obsessively in medical school and having used numbers like heart rate and respiratory rate to inform my care of countless patients in the ER and the ICU, I was thrilled with the idea of being able to track my own body in a numerical way on a daily basis. So I signed up, and soon had the app installed and the little doodad on my wrist. And it was every bit as cool as I had hoped.
I’ve been wearing my Whoop for over a year now, and while it may not be a tool I use for the rest of my life, it’s taught me some super useful things about my body. While these learnings may not apply to every human body, I’m guessing many of them do. My Whoop revelations are not terribly shocking, but having the cold hard numbers in my face has helped me understand them as facts, rather than unproven theories. Here are the top seven things I have learned from wearing a Whoop.
Let’s just get this one out of the way. I’m not going to bother sugar coating it: alcohol has some toxic effects on your body, in pretty much any quantity. Every time I have any alcohol, it shows up in the numbers. My sleep is not as good, my heart rate variability is lower (higher is better), and my recovery score is reduced the next day. This is especially true if I’ve also done a hard workout that day. As a medical doctor, I have long known that alcohol is not good for you, but seeing the exact physiological effect it has on my body has helped change my relationship with alcohol. I now take three or four nights a week away from alcohol, and usually stick to one serving on the nights I do drink. It’s so easy to slip into a nightly habit of one or two drinks, but after seeing the consequences of alcohol on my cardiovascular system, I simply can’t justify that level of consumption anymore. It doesn’t feel fair to the body that works so hard for me every day, especially since athletic endeavors are such an integral part of my life. I also have a strong family history of atrial fibrillation, and have dabbled in arrhythmia myself, so I’m doubly motivated to drink less than my fibrillating relatives do. (Alcohol has an almost linear relationship to atrial fibrillation.) In the screenshot below, I had consumed alcohol on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and my recovery scores the following days were either yellow or red.
While I drink less regularly than I used do, I still have a few drinks a week. Even though it's not the biologically healthy choice, there is often a nice social element to sharing a drink with friends that I enjoy, and I take pride in crafting a pretty perfect cocktail! When I stop drinking by six or seven o’clock, and switch to water or electrolytes, the impact on my Whoop scores is substantially mitigated. I’ve even had a few occasions where I’ve had a cocktail or a beer early in the evening, and still managed to Whoop green the next day. If I have more than one drink, or if I drink anything after 7pm, green usually goes out the window. As I write, I’m still enjoying the gentle warmth of the (one) margarita I had at the airport bar before boarding an early evening flight to LA. We’ll see what it does to my numbers tomorrow!*
I grew up in the Jane Fonda era where you did all cardio all the time. Even if you lifted weights, which I did, you did an hour of cardio first. After wearing a Whoop for a year, I can see a very clear pattern: my recovery scores are lower the day after a hard cardio session. This means, not surprisingly, that my little heart muscle worked its ass off and appreciates some time to recover before the next hard cardio day. So I tend to alternate cardio and strength days now, which means I’m able to get a green recovery most of the time. On the occasions, like our annual family cross-country ski trip, when I want to do multiple hard cardio days in a row, I know that my choice will have a negative impact on my recovery, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay from time to time.
Not a newsflash, I know, but the first time I saw a super low recovery score in a gruesome shade of red on my app, I felt like I must have done permanent damage—kinda like when you get that one C in college and it tanks your GPA for two years? It turns out that it only takes one day of good hydration, nutrition, and rest to get your Whoop score back up to an A+! I think seeing those numbers shift so dramatically with a little TLC confirms for me that when we care for our bodies, they care for us right back. Lucky for us, our bodies don’t hold much of a grudge as long as we don’t abuse them too often.
You know those nights where you think you’re up all night, tossing and turning, tending to a kid or a dog, worrying about work, or simply flopping around in existential angst? On nights like that, I’m often surprised to see that I still somehow managed to get 70-80% of the sleep my body needed, and that’s not so bad! While nothing makes me happier than a sleep score of 100, I have been reassured to see that even on nights I would describe as horrible, I’ve been able to snatch some meaningful ZZZZs. In case it helps, here are my top ten tips for better sleep.
I already knew this, based on the massive body of medical evidence demonstrating the myriad benefits of meditation, but it’s still cool to see it on my Whoop! Whoop introduced a Stress Monitor feature last year, where you can see your stress level bounce around in real time throughout the day. Stress goes up when you exercise, or when you’re hustling to get things done around the house, or when you step in dog poop on your way to the car when you’re carrying sixty-four things and running late for a meeting. And stress goes down when you meditate. Like, it plummets. My ten or twenty minutes of meditation are the lowest stress minutes of my day, every single day, without exception. Nothing reinforces a good habit for me more than raw biological data. So on days when I don’t feel like meditating, I sit down and get the job done because I know my body will appreciate it, even if my mind stays in the monkey zone. Here's how I got started meditating—it's not as hard as you think.
Well, gentlemen, all I can say is Whoop, there it is. The numbers don't lie. The days before our periods are physiologically different. Now, even before the cramps start, I can tell that the red tide is coming, because my numbers are trash. And while I’m not training at a level where I necessarily adjust my workout based on my cycle, I have found that seeing the numbers has made me a little more gentle with myself when I’m feeling off in the days preceding my cycle. My recovery takes a hit about 3-4 days before my period, and tends to rebound quickly once I start bleeding, but I’m sure this pattern varies among women. In the screenshot below, I started my period on the 6th of the month.
I’ll finish this post with the question everyone will ask: should I get a Whoop or an Oura ring?? And I have not worn an Oura, so I’m not perfectly qualified to answer this question, but here’s what I’ve gleaned from talking to the Oura people in my life.
Hope this helps you decide whether a device like a Whoop would be useful to you in living your healthiest, happiest life. If you have any questions, send me a DM on Instagram!
* I whooped yellow the next day, with a 50% recovery and an HRV of 53. One drink and a night in a rather horrifying motel room with a 78% sleep score showed up in the numbers.
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With love and a finely groomed man,
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Ginger doesn't just make your dinner taste delicious—it's a luxury for the skin. The welcoming warmth of ginger paired with its Latin seal of officinale approval for use in herbal medicine invites all sorts of uses in aromatherapy, skincare, and home remedies.
]]>Ginger
Zingiber officinale
The welcoming warmth of ginger paired with its Latin seal of officinale approval for use in herbal medicine invites all sorts of uses in aromatherapy, skincare, and home remedies.
Ginger can be found all over the world today but originated in China and Southeast Asia. Its role in promoting gut health made it highly regarded in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine since good digestion is one of their shared basic rules for promoting longevity and good health. Over time, ginger and its medicinal properties found their way to the Mediterranean via traders from India.
Ginger is often mistaken as a root, but it’s actually an underground continuation of the plant's stem called a rhizome. Ginger’s family, Zingiberaceae, comprises some of the oldest known spices in the world including turmeric and cardamom. So, cooking with all three creates a delicious family reunion!
Ginger is an uplifting oil, often comforting and mildly energizing. It's useful to reduce nausea and indigestion, and can even be taken internally by adding a drop or two to a smoothie or to your water.
Ginger has a gently warming effect on the skin, making it an amazing choice for a massage oil or butter; we have used it in our Ginger Body Mousse and Sandalwood Ginger Body Mousse. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and could be helpful when applied in the proper dilution to arthritic joints.
With love and the warmth of spicy ginger from us to you,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of ginger. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Honey
Raw honey is such a simple ingredient, yet so luxurious. This golden substance contains pollen, propolis, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants that all contribute to its soothing and healing benefits.
Honey has an ancient global story. Almost every continent has its own species of bees that nest and store honey. Mesolithic cave art in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe show the first recorded interactions between humans and bees to be about 20 thousand years ago. Civilizations that lived alongside bees simultaneously came up with their own methods for finding nests and harvesting them. Early bee hunting gave little consideration to the health of the colony and all parts of a nest were taken for use upon discovery. About 9,000 years ago, beekeepers began to develop different hive structures to domesticate bees and harvest honey in a way that wouldn’t damage the colony. Honey has historically been used to sweeten dishes, treat wounds and skin ailments, and promote healthy skin. A combination of honey and olive oil was popular in ancient Greece for both hair and skin treatments. Ladies of the court in ancient China, meanwhile, used masks made with honey and turmeric to keep their skin plump and nourished.
You can use high quality, organic honey as a face wash, a face mask, a lip treatment, and a spot treatment. Of, if that's too sticky for you, you can just shop our Honey Collection! We use manuka honey in our Lip Repair, and can't believe how much it helps dry, chapped lips heal in just one night.
The gap between traditional medicine and modern Western practices can feel worlds apart at times, but honey manages to exist in both spaces without burning the bridge to either side. Honey’s ability to aid in healing is the topic of ongoing research with scientific evidence to support the viability of certain types of medical-grade honey in treating shallow cuts and moderate burns. These studies are based on the medical traditions of multiple continents and cultures that have historically used honey to topically treat cuts and wounds, burns, dermatitis, eczema, and skin diseases in ways that are still practiced today. Further research is still required to fully understand honey’s uses and limitations, but how neat is it to see an overlap of traditional and modern medicine!
With love and bee-utiful golden honey from us to you,
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7036894/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7700082/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S168411821500033X?via%3Dihub
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5661189/
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of honey. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Honey.
This one, sweet word can serve as a term of endearment, conjure the taste of divine nectar on your tongue, and describe a very potent medicine, but not all honey is the same. You’ve probably heard of manuka honey, but do you know what makes it different and why it has become all the rage in the world of healing and wellness? It may be trendy stuff, but there’s impressive and emerging science behind it. Here’s what you should know about manuka honey, and what you can do with a jar of it at home.
Honey has been used for centuries to treat wounds, and we now know that it is naturally antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. There are at two main reasons for the antibacterial qualities of normal honey. First, it has a very high sugar concentration and a low pH, a combination that makes it difficult for bacteria to thrive. Second, when honey comes in contact with human skin or fluids, the higher pH and presence of sodium activate an enzyme in honey called glucose oxidase, which breaks down glucose and releases hydrogen peroxide. Isn’t that INSANE?? Hydrogen peroxide! The same stuff your mother poured on your cuts as a kid as you whimpered and watched it foam! So, when you apply honey to a cut or a scrape, the honey both disinfects the wound and protects it from infection. (I hope that is the coolest thing you’ve learned all week!!) Learn more about honey here!
Manuka honey, produced in New Zealand and Australia by bees that pollinate the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), works a little differently. Back in the 1980s, Professor Peter Molan at Waikato University in New Zealand noticed that the local manuka honey seemed to have WAY more antibacterial activity than other honey, so he started investigating. What he discovered is that manuka honey is very high in a compound called methylglyoxal, which is one of the main factors responsible for its antibacterial potency.
Why should this matter to you? Well, if you’re interested in medicine, this stuff is mind-blowing (even to a physician like me). Research has now shown that active manuka honey can effectively inhibit the growth of almost all known human pathogens, including those becoming more resistant to antibiotics, like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile. This has huge implications in wound-healing, especially because bacteria do not seem to develop resistance to manuka honey over time. Some studies even indicate that the use of manuka honey alongside traditional antibiotics may decrease the development of resistant strains, something we should all be considering! (Please tell me you’ve gotten rid of your antibacterial hand soap by now?)
In addition to wound-healing applications, manuka honey has the ability to penetrate biofilm, which is a protective layer formed by certain bacteria, and is difficult for most antibiotics to penetrate. Biofilms form on mucosal surfaces (like your esophagus or stomach), in wounds, on your teeth (making gingivitis harder to treat), and on implanted medical devices like mechanical heart valves. The science is very young in this area, but it’s ripe for exploration by forward-thinking researchers.
Because not all manuka honey is high in methylglyoxal, a need for standardization arose. The Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association was established, and now provides a trademarked "UMF" rating system for manuka honey: in order for manuka honey to be considered “active”, it must have a UMF rating of 10 or greater, indicating a certain level of antibacterial activity. The higher the rating, the greater the activity.
When looking for a manuka honey to purchase, make sure you see a UMF rating or logo—it guarantees a pure, unadulterated product, and there are lots of manuka scammers out there! It’s expensive stuff, and the busy bees have to visit about four million flowers to make each kilogram of honey, so be sure to use it well and wisely. Here are some ways to use this incredible healer in your home.
Last note: be sure you’re buying all of your honey from responsible suppliers who care about the health of the bees! Colony collapse is a frightening problem, and we need to do all we can to protect them and the critical work they do in the world.
With love and buzzing health from us to you,
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6613335/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5302252/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/wounds/article/honey-biologic-wound-dressing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837971/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6225154/
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of manuka honey. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender is native to the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean, but is now grown all over Europe, Australia, and the USA. Lavandula angustifolia is considered "true lavender, and has a sweet, pure scent with very little camphor. Spike lavender, which grows at lower altitudes, has a camphorous odor, and is sometimes used to adulterate the more expensive true lavender essential oil. (Osmia does not use spike lavender, in case you're curious.) We grow some of our own, organic lavender (pictured above) in the Colorado mountains, at about 7000 feet. We also use organic lavender essential oil from France and Bulgaria.
Lavender essential oil is most effective in alleviating anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. It reduces both the time it takes to fall asleep and the number of times you wake in the night. Recent studies have shown that lavender essential oil can be therapeutic before surgery, decreasing anxiety during IV placement, and increasing patient satisfaction scores. It's even been studied and proven effective as an oral treatment for anxiety, on par with conventional antidepressant medication.
Lavender essential oil, lavender-infused oil, and lavender hydrosol are all widely used in skincare products. Lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin without dilution. It is non-irritating and can be soothing to skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It has also proven useful in treating primary alopecia (hair loss) when applied to the scalp daily. Some studies have shown that it increases collagen synthesis, which may help with skin healing, and may contribute to healthy skin texture and tone. Lavender flowers can be used to make an infused oil when combined with a cold-pressed oil like olive oil: after several weeks or months, the flowers are strained out, leaving behind the scent and anti-inflammatory constituents of the plant. (We make our own lavender-infused oil, and use it in some of the products listed in the chart below.)
Lavender is a great essential oil to keep in the kitchen for treating burns and bug bites. It is anti-inflammatory, and has some pain relieving properties, mostly due to a component of the oil called linalool. If you apply it immediately after a burn or a bite, you should experience significantly less pain and swelling, as it has an anti-histamine effect. (As an added benefit, it will make you feel all mushy and warm in your soul, which distracts you from whatever painful thing just happened.)
Soak away your sore muscles or worried mind. Lavender-infused oil, from our own organic lavender, coats the grains of French sea salt, leaving you soft and deeply relaxed.
Excellent for sunburned or post-procedure skin, this lavender-rich oil is profoundly healing to damaged skin. Helichrysum works with lavender to repair cells and strengthen collagen production.
Know for its ability to help you transition into sleep, this nourishing body oil should be part of your bedtime routine. It's also excellent for eczema-prone skin, with lavender, cedar, and roman chamomile essential oils.
Lavender maillette, a beautiful French cultivar, gives all the aromatherapy benefits of lavender, with a beautifully pure, sweet scent. Massage into tired muscles, temples, feet, hands, knees, and elbows after bathing, and prepare to be hooked for life.
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of lavender. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
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Most Himalayan pink salt is mined in Punjab, a region comprising a state in northern India and a larger province in eastern Pakistan. Translated to the “land of five rivers” this combined territory spans 98,000 square miles and is home to 137 million people.
So, how were the massive mines formed? Believe it or not, tectonic plates shifted and trapped an underground sea millions of years ago. The sea then evaporated slowly, leaving miles of pristine, crystallized salt beds. The salt was then protected under ice and snow and sat unknown and untouched for millennia.
The salt mines were discovered, allegedly, by horses. After conquering Persia in 326 BC, Alexander the Great found the “the vast seams of salt... [when he] noticed his horses licking the rocks,“ says British daily newspaper, The Times. The salt was traded as far as Central Asia for food and shelter, but it was hard to reach and uncover. Finally, in 1872, miner Dr. H. Warth excavated the salt beds to make efficient pathways and accessible tunnels. Today, Warth's diligent work is still on display in the second largest excavated salt mine in the world, the Khewra Salt Mine. In 2007 the mines expanded to include a 20-bed medical center to treat respiratory problems via halotherapy, otherwise known as salt therapy. The Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research suggests the drying properties of salt could possibly “clear up bronchial secretions.”
Today, the Khewra Salt Mine is lit, operates on 18 levels, and radiates a warm pink glow inside the tunnels. Producing 350,000 tons of pink sea salt and hosting 250,000 tourists each year, the mine is still hugely active, and the surface has barely been scratched - it is estimated that over six billion tons of salt are available in the mine. If you were to visit, you would find replicas of national monuments (like a miniature Great Wall of China made from salt), thousands of salt carvings, a functioning railway system, a mosque, and a post office— all made of salt.
Our Himalayan Body Buff is made from the pink salt of the Punjab region. It’s the perfect texture for scrubbing away rough, dull skin. Hand-mined, hand-crushed, hand-washed, and dried in the sun, the salt is then mixed with organic botanical oils and essential oils of Bulgarian lavender and Canadian fir. You’ll be immediately transported to places high, wild, and pure, and you'll definitely be petting your soft skin for the rest of the day. We also have a seasonal bar soap called Himalayan Crystal that sometimes comes out in the fall, so keep your eyes peeled for our Craft Series launches!
First, wash your body with one of our divine body bars. Rinse clean, and put your hair up if it’s long. Use the spoon to scoop out a little heap of salt into your hands, and gently scrub your body from the shoulders down, avoiding any cuts or sensitive areas. Inhale the aroma deeply as you slowly massage the product into your skin. Lastly, rinse away all the salt, wash your hands so they’re clean for your facial products, and step out of the shower onto a bath mat to air dry. The oil stays on your skin, and you shouldn’t need any other product on your body on scrub days. It’s excellent for the bumpy skin on the backs of your arms, or before shaving for an extra close shave. (Don't use it after shaving, when it could irritate your skin!)
Yes! Here are two super simple recipes for an at-home salt scrub experience!
DIY Lip Scrub with pink salt
Mix the following, apply to lips in a circular motion, and remove by rinsing thoroughly after a few minutes, using soap and water to rinse if you have sensitive skin or perioral dermatitis.
DIY Body Scrub with pink salt
Mix the following and apply to clean wet skin in a circular motion. Remove by rinsing thoroughly in the shower, and allow yourself to air dry if possible so the oil stays on your skin!
Happy salting!
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of Himalayan pink salt. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Rose essential oil
Most of the roses used to make rose otto essential oil are grown in Southern Bulgaria, whereas most of those used for rose absolute are from Morocco, east of Marrakech. What’s the difference? Rose otto essential oil, or attar of rose, is steam-distilled from the petals of the rose, and requires WAY more plant material to produce. Rose absolute is made using solvents like hexane and alcohol to extract the scent molecules—it smells divine and is wonderful in perfumery, but aromatherapists prefer rose otto, as it is produced by a more natural method of extraction. The first rose essential oil was allegedly distilled by a famous Persian physician/philosopher called Avicenna in the 10th century. Until then, the oil had only been extracted by a technique called enfleurage, a beautifully romantic word for a not-so-romantic process of mashing the rose petals in hot fat.
Rose is used to help treat dysmenorrhea in women (painful menstruation), as well as infertility in women and men. It is an aphrodisiac oil—a drop on the collar bones can stimulate sensuality in the wearer and anyone in sniffing range. Rose has long been used to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and grief. It is especially useful in helping people move through states of trauma, allowing them to open to and finally release from sadness.
Rose otto essential oil is used to decrease redness in skin conditions like rosacea and dermatitis. It has a tonic, astringent effect on the capillaries, making them less visible. It is also excellent for dry, mature, and sensitive skin, and has potent antibacterial activity, making it useful in skin conditions like acne and dermatitis. The dermal use maximum is 0.6% (Tisserand/Young).
Rose absolute, though obtained using solvents rather than steam, captures the true scent of a rose, and is one of the natural perfumer’s most cherished oils. It is soft and lovely, and can unify a blend like no other oil. It can soften sharp corners in a perfume without taking over the entire aroma – very few oils can do this in natural perfumery. That said, rose is absolutely divine worn alone in a base of jojoba oil, and complicated enough to stand on its own.
It takes 5000-10,000 pounds of rose blossoms to make a pound of oil. Still not picturing it? It would take 30 roses to get one, single drop of essential oil. Can you imagine the number of picking hands required to gather 50,000 roses? Now you know why it’s so expensive, and why we are willing to pay over $500 per ounce for the certified organic essential oil.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus trees and shrubs come from Australia and Tasmania but have been naturalized in many other countries. The essential oil is steam-distilled from its leaves and has a thin and clear appearance with a medicinal, woody scent. The beautiful Eucalyptus globulus grows rapidly and ranges from a shrub to a hundred-foot-tall evergreen tree with a large open crown. Eucalypt forests comprised of three genera—eucalyptus, corymbia, and angophora—dominate Australia’s landscape with an estimated sprawl of 227 million acres. (Is it just me or does anyone else want to plan a spring break trip to Australia?) The particular essential oil we use at Osmia hails from Portugal and transports you straight to the humid heart of a towering eucalyptus forest.
There are 569 species of eucalyptus native to Australia alone with more than 700 known species worldwide. Add in the fact that there are different chemotypes within the various species and the possibilities for eucalyptus’ different aromas and uses become a little overwhelming. I’m feeling dizzy right now just thinking about them all! E. globulus is one of the most commonly distilled species for aromatherapy and cosmetics, alongside E. radiata whose gentler aroma is preferred for children and people with sensitivities. Still, those are only two of the many, many different species and chemotypes of eucalyptus!
Diffusing eucalyptus helps to purify the air, provide grounding mental clarity, and inspire deep breathing. Having trouble with breathing period due to respiratory gunk? Eucalyptus helps to clear out the sinuses and respiratory system. Colds, infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, and bacterial inflammation may meet their match in this antibacterial essential oil, thanks to the cineole and pinene content of the oil, especially the E. globulus species. Inhaling deeply, you can almost feel it reaching down into your lungs and chasing away trouble. So sprinkle a few drops on the floor of your shower and mentally prepare yourself: spring is coming.
Eucalyptus is an antimicrobial and contains a compound called eucalyptol. These elements make it a go-to essential oil for many athletes in relieving aching muscles and helping to stimulate healthy circulation. Even if you aren’t an athlete, eucalyptus can help ease arthritis symptoms and everyday achy muscles. The specific species we use is also great for soap making. Like a good baseline in your favorite song, the eucalyptus lifts up the other aromas present while also adding its own delicious note.
While its proper external use and inhalation is generally considered safe, eucalyptus is a great example of how even pretty plants can be dangerous: as little as a teaspoon of the essential oil taken orally is enough to cause central nervous system depression, dizziness, vomiting, and respiratory dysfunction in children, and one ounce orally can kill an adult. Eucalyptus oil should be used with caution in children, and avoided entirely in infants.
With love and springtime forests of eucalyptus from us to you,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of eucalyptus. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease
]]>India and Australia, predominantly. The Indian species, Santalum alba, is the most revered form, but is now endangered due to aggressive harvesting practices, and the essential oil supply is very limited. We use wild Australian sandalwood, Santalum spicatum, which is wild or plantation-grown and ethically harvested, with sustainability practices monitored closely by the Australian government. The aromatic profile of the Australian species is similar to that of the Indian species, especially as the oil wears on the skin over time.
Sandalwood has been used in religious and social ceremonies for millennia, and is still used to facilitate meditation, move through stages of grief, and encourage creativity. It is also used to aid in cases of depression and anxiety, and is an effective aphrodisiac. It may help in some cases of insomnia. In Ayurveda, sandalwood is used to calm excess Pitta (fire). Traditional Chinese medicine uses sandalwood to cool inflamed conditions of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and pulmonary systems.
Sandalwood is a mild astringent, and has antibacterial qualities. It is also anti-inflammatory, and can be useful for certain skin irritations like acne and eczema. Red sandalwood powder, which comes from a completely different family of trees than sandalwood oil, is used as a mild exfoliant and skin brightener.
With love and so much (sustainably-sourced) sandalwood from us to you,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of sandalwood. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Pelargonium graveolens, var. roseum
The organic rose geranium we use is from South Africa, where the Pelargonium genus originated, but it is also grown in northern Africa, China, and several European countries. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the plant (also known as the aerial parts). Rose geranium is not an actual rose—it's just a rosy smelling type of geranium! Rose essential oil comes from a plant called Rosa damascena, so it's a completely different genus than rose geranium.
Rose geranium oil is used to calm anxiety and other nervous conditions and to lift the spirits. It can be useful in helping to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Rose geranium is also helpful for during mood swings related to hormonal shifts, especially for mood changes around the menstrual cycle and perimenopause. It is both soothing and energizing, and works beautifully to create positive energy when used in a diffuser. Diffusing rose geranium oil with a citrus, like bergamot or sweet orange, is especially lovely.
Rose geranium is suitable for all skin types, and is both soothing and balancing when used in proper concentrations on the skin. It has been studied by the medical community in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions and infections, and has shown promise for future investigations. It helps balance sebum production, which makes it very useful for very oily, very dry, or combination skin types. We love rose geranium in our Balance Facial Serum for that reason, and in our Restore Facial Serum thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a very effective oil to use in a natural insect repellent formula, along with citronella and lemongrass.
Rose geranium has many of the beautiful elements of rose essential oil, but without the natural indole component that can smell slightly rotten in true rose essential oil. For this reason, rose geranium is often used to extend the rose scent of Rosa damascena, or even to imitate the more expensive rose essential oil. Rose geranium can be used to support a healthy menstrual cycle, and to ease menstrual discomfort and diminish bloating. It is safe for use in pregnancy (diluted in a carrier oil or diffused properly) in low concentrations, but should not be applied full-strength.
What does rose geranium smell like?
Rose geranium oil is an earthy, floral scent. It's not super sweet, and has a very green aroma that smells almost as much of the geranium leaves as the flowers themselves.
How do I diffuse rose geranium oil?
Try a few drops of rose geranium in your diffuser when you need help relaxing, such as before bed or during times of increased stress. You can add a citrus oil to help increase feelings of positivity, or citronella to help repel insects.
Is rose geranium oil good for skin?
Rose geranium oil is anti-inflammatory and helps with skin repair and the balancing of sebum production. It's beneficial for most skin types, unless you have an allergy to geranium. It's better to use rose geranium in a properly diluted concentration, rather than using it undiluted on the skin.
What is the difference between rose oil and rose geranium oil?
Rose geranium is a geranium species, from the genus Pelargonium. Rose is from the genus Rosa, and is a true rose plant. Both smell earthy and floral, but rose tends to have a deeper, more complex scent profile. Rose is substantially more expensive than rose geranium.
Wishing you love and a bushel of balancing rose geranium from us to you,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of rose geranium essential oil. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
The concept of Halloween originated from the Irish festival, Samhain, celebrated as a transitional time marking the end of harvest to the darker days and cooler weather. According to The History Channel, “Tradition dictated huge bonfires be built in fields, and it was believed that fairy spirits lurked in the shadows. To distract these spirits from settling into houses and farms, people would carve rudimentary faces into large turnips, and set candles inside.” As time went on, and Irish and Scottish immigrants journeyed to America to make new homes, they soon unpacked their local lore. Since North American soil produced more pumpkins than turnips, the turnip-o’-lanterns faded and jack-o’-lanterns as we know them were born. The term jack-o’-lantern also came over from the UK, where night watchmen with lanterns have been referred to as “Jack of the Lantern” since the 17th century. Pumpkin carving grew in popularity and by the 1930’s costumes and trick-or-treating was the new way to celebrate the harvest holiday.
Pumpkins are rich in vitamin A, C, and E, all of which have benefits for the body and the skin. Vitamin A is excellent for your vision, and for helping skin cells recover from chronic sun damage. Vitamin C is a critical component of collagen, so having a handy supply in the body increases the likelihood of healthy collagen production. Try it roasted in the oven with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt—delish!
Pumpkin seeds are an incredible source of fiber, protein, and zinc—throw them on top of salad or yogurt for a nutritional boost! If you want to make your own, scrape the seeds out of the center of the pumpkin, clean them off, then toss the seeds with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper, and roast them at 300 degrees in the oven for about 20 minutes, until slightly brown and crispy. Let them cool on a paper towel, and then snack on them incessantly until they’re all gone, which will be in about seven minutes.
Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, a known antioxidant and free radical fighter. Applied to the skin, pumpkin’s alpha-hydroxy-acids help increase cell turnover, resulting in brighter, smoother skin over time. Pumpkin seed oil contains zinc and vitamin C, both of which can help strengthen skin cells, diminish scarring, and improve skin tone.
Yes! It's super easy! Try making a DIY face mask by mixing pure, organic pumpkin puree with raw honey and almond meal. Leave it on your skin for 10 minutes, then massage away in the shower!
Check out our favorite, pumpkin-packed products!
Organic pumpkin and tomato are incorporated into our well-loved facial soap recipe for a gentle yet effective enzymatic exfoliation. The mild exfoliating action is complemented by the soothing, softening action of organic honey and camellia seed oil. Calms the senses, brightens the complexion.
This brightening botanical treatment was formulated to support healthy cell turnover and improve the texture of the skin. Camellia seed, argan, prickly pear, broccoli, and pumpkin seed oils create the perfect, velvety texture to nourish and soften the skin.
Organic oils of safflower, argan, prickly pear, and pumpkin seed work together to create a powerfully softening blend with a smooth, silky texture. By adding 3-4 drops of Nectar to your usual face cream or serum, you will notice that your skin is finally able to retain moisture throughout the day.
With love and scoops of pumpkin,
,
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Opuntia ficus indica
Prickly pear seed oil is extracted from the seeds found in the fruit of the cactus—the brightly-colored, flowering bulbs that emerge from the flat pads during summer and fall. The fruits are hand-gathered in a laborious (and very pokey) process. The seeds are extracted, dried, and pressed to obtain the light-colored oil. The prickly pear is native to Mexico and South America. It slowly made its way to North America by traveling through the digestive tracts of animals, though you may not want to consider the details of that journey. The cactus was then taken overseas and has now adapted to many different climates across the world. In fact, it has flourished to such a degree in Australia that it is considered an environmentally invasive species there. At Osmia we use cold-pressed, certified organic prickly pear seed oil from Tunisia.
Prickly pear is a nutrient-dense cactus that, despite being a little dicey to prepare, is eaten as a seasonal treat in many cultures. It is referred to as nopal in Latin cuisine. Prickly pear is a good source of several important nutrients, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and betalains, the same potent antioxidants found in beets. These nutrients may account for its alleged usefulness in preventing hangovers. The cactus is high in fiber, and is being studied in Type II diabetes, as it may have some beneficial effect on blood glucose in these patients.
Prickly pear seed oil has the rare combination of a light texture with deep penetration, leaving the skin extremely soft and velvety. It is rich in tocopherols (vitamin E) and omega-6 fatty acids, both of which nourish and protect the skin. High levels of vitamin K and zinc help heal dark spots and scars. The amino acids and antioxidants in the oil improve skin elasticity and appearance, especially for dry or mature skin types. Prickly pear seed oil is one of the most expensive beauty oils in the world due to its method of extraction and the massive number of seeds it takes to make even one ounce of the oil. No solvents are used, so the oil retains all its skin-enhancing nutrients. The prickly seed oil is light yellow in color, and is quick to absorb, leaving your skin velvety soft. Packed with natural tocopherols (Vitamin E), this oil is a potent antioxidant that helps improve skin elasticity and retain moisture. With a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, specifically omega-6, prickly pear seed oil proves powerful in keeping skin hydrated, plump, and glowy, which is exactly why we use it in our Nectar Nourishing Drops.
Prickly pear has been a staple in the Mexican and Central American diet for thousands of years. The pads, the petals of the flower, and the fruit can be prepared in many different culinary fashions. The pads taste like green beans, while the fruit tastes more like watermelon. The inexpensive, fiber-rich leaves find their way into tacos and salads and bean dishes.
With love and a perfectly prickly pear,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of prickly pear. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Juniperus communis
Juniper berries grow all over the world, on chubby conifer shrub trees that are part of the pine family. Juniper trees are found mostly in mountainous regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Osmia's juniper essential oil is certified organic and steam-distilled from berries grown in Hungary.
Juniper berry essential oil has a woody, warm, fresh, green scent, with a touch of spice and a hint of fruitiness. Juniper oil is used to relieve stress and anxiety, and to help purify the air. It can be used in a vaporizer to clear the air of airborne germs, and to facilitate meditation or prayer. It has strong diuretic capability, and can be useful in treating water retention or edema when working with a trained aromatherapist. We love it in our Water Body Oil, especially leading up to or during the menstrual cycle.
Juniper essential oil has a mildly astringent quality, and, like many essential oils, is antiseptic. It is helpful in treating acne (only when properly diluted), and can be effective for alleviating symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, as it helps decrease the irritation and infection that can accompany angry skin. It is very useful in massage therapy, as it is anti-inflammatory and helps mobilize excess fluid from overworked joints and muscles.
With love and juniper berries,
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Cypress Essential Oil
Cupressus sempervirens
The ancient romance of the cypress tree offers many modern day uses—and a unisex, spicy, resinous aroma.
These conical evergreens towered over the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean where their slender, statuesque shape struck the imaginations of the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. Cypress became associated with practices surrounding death and mourning, but this is in part to the tree’s Latin name—sempervirens, which means “always flourishing”— and the lovely idea of eternal life in death. Today it is grown across much of Southern Europe and North Africa while cultivation and distillation mainly take place in Spain, France, and (our choice) Morocco.
Much like its evergreen nature, many of cypress’ uses have been long-lived. The Greeks would steep cypress cones in their wine to help treat asthma and coughs while the Egyptians imported oils of cypress from their neighbors in the Mediterranean for use in their body oils.
Many people still use cypress essential oil in home asthma and cough remedies today since it is an antispasmodic and soothing to the respiratory system. Adding a few drops of cypress essential oil to our Naked Body Oil, meanwhile, harkens back to the practices of the ancient civilization along the Nile: ancient Egyptians (men and women alike) were the original masters of DIY beauty, blending carrier and essential oils in their bathing rituals on the banks of the river.
With love and woodsy smells,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of cypress essential oil. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
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Chamomile
Anthemis or Chamaemelum nobilis (Roman chamomile) or Matricaria recutita L. (German blue chamomile)
It’s almost impossible to count the ways in which we love chamomile, actually. Both Roman and German chamomile have myriad uses, most of which are calming in nature. From soothing teas to healing balms to skincare products made with chamomile essential oil, this potent herb offers something for everyone.
German chamomile is a medicinal herb native to southern and eastern Europe. It is now grown all over the world, with Hungary as the main producer and the source of our blue chamomile oil.
Roman chamomile is grown all over, and is also referred to as English chamomile. We source ours from the Willamette Valley of Oregon.
With love and calm chamomile energy,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of chamomile. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
Reference articles:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210003/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10799352/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5646235/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6970572/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5074766/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5589135/
]]>In short, because borage seed oil makes your skin stronger and healthier! That’s why it’s in all of our body oils, including our Craft Series oils. (In case you’re new to Osmia, we choose all of our ingredients for specific reasons. We don’t just throw stuff in a bottle and hope it works!)
Borage is an annual, flowering herb that is native to Syria and some other Mediterranean countries. It is also referred to as starflower, and has soft, fuzzy stems and beautiful, periwinkle flowers. It’s a hardy plant, and thrives in gardens all over the world.
Borage seed oil is very high in gamma linoleic acid, an essential, omega-6 fatty acid that has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin when used topically. A small study of children with eczema showed that daily application of borage seed oil to the skin reduced itching and redness and reduced TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Translation? One of your skin’s main functions is to keep water inside your body, rather than letting water escape. When your skin is inflamed or irritated, it loses more water, and that makes your skin more angry—bad cycle, right? But daily application of borage seed oil supports your skin’s barrier function, so you can keep all your water to yourself!
Some folks take borage seed supplements to help with eczema, but clinical studies of oral borage seed oil for conditions like eczema did not show evidence that oral supplements improve symptoms. Oral supplements are also used for hormonal support for PMS and menopause, and anecdotal evidence supports its efficacy, but no studies show conclusive proof that it works to relieve symptoms. Some evidence exists for borage seed oil supplement usage in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Borage seed oil supplements may help support healthy gums.
Black Spruce Essential Oil
Picea mariana
Aromatherapy, aromatherapy, aromatherapy. Say it three times fast and it’ll summon a vial of black spruce essential oil for cozy winter days.
The black spruce tree is native to the Northern United States and Canada. The species name, mariana, means “of Maryland” in Latin. Which is a bit odd considering that the species does not naturally grow there. The man who named the species, Philip Miller, believed that Maryland epitomized North America and designated the species’ Latin name to reflect that. The tree is also known as "swamp spruce" or "bog spruce," and in French, as “epinette noire” because its needles can appear black from a distance. We use organic and wild-grown Canadian black spruce essential oil in our products.
Wildfires and controlled burns can actually aid black spruce trees in their life cycle. The cones usually open gradually when left to their own devices, but will rapidly disperse their seeds when exposed to extreme heat. The arrangement of the tree’s branches promotes ignition while also protecting its cones. Black spruce is the most prominent plant life to regenerate in an area after a fire, putting down roots after devastation and thriving.
With love and black spruce resiliency from us to you,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of black spruce. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
REFRENCES:
https://www.aoc.gov/nations-stage/capitol-christmas-tree
https://www.conifers.org/pi/Picea_mariana.php
https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_pima.pdf
https://aromaticstudies.com/black-spruce-essential-oil/
http://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/society/arms-seals-and-emblems.php
https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/history-spruce-beer
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-chewing-gum-61020195/
https://www.northernontario.travel/sunset-country/facts-about-black-spruce
African Black Soap is made mostly in West Africa, specifically Ghana and Nigeria. The secret is in the ashes of cocoa pods, plantain leaves, and palm fronds, in various combinations, which are mixed with honey, shea butter, and other oils, and then stirred in the African sun for several weeks in a slow soap-making process. (Doesn’t that sound romantic?) It is called dudu osun, or ose dudu. (Dudu means “black” in several West African dialects.) An authentic piece of this type of soap looks like a lumpy piece of wood; brownish in color, with an earthy, fairly neutral smell. If it smells like perfume, or is perfectly pitch black, it isn’t the real African version.
So, what can this age-old recipe do for you? There are lots of claims made about what African Black Soap (ABS) can do. Some are probably accurate, and some likely aren’t. Most of the claims revolve around relieving dry or irritated skin, psoriasis, eczema, and acne. In fact, for those who believe in the benefits, there is almost nothing that this little, plain-looking bar can’t do! And, there is some evidence to support it. So, let’s examine the reasons for some of the beneficial effects of black soap.
Osmia’s black soap is different. It isn’t made by Nigerian women (though I would love to see that process one day). We make it by hand, in our sustainably-built shop, in the mountains of Colorado, in small batches, using natural and certified organic ingredients. (That also sounds romantic!) We call ours Black Clay Facial Soap, so you know right away that it's made with black clay, and that it's for your face. We don't want you to get confused and think you are buying ABS, because that's not what ours is. However, while it’s not the African recipe, it actually contains many of the same compounds, and has a similar profile in terms of its use and benefits.
Our Black Clay Facial Soap is black in color because of two ingredients: black clay (also called magnetite), and pure Dead Sea mud. (Note: there's no charcoal in this bar.) We choose these ingredients for many of the same reasons the wise African women use charred plantain skins. Black clay is rich in iron oxide, and mud from the Dead Sea is likely the most mineral and protein rich mud in the world, loaded with sulfur, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. As with the iron-containing, charred plaintain skins in ABS, the minerals in our soap all act to draw water to the skin, and soften the appearance of flaky spots and fine lines by plumping up those little skin cells. The mud is also very finely granular, and acts as a mild exfoliant, keeping the top layer of cells vibrant. Finally, there is a small astringent effect of the Dead Sea mud, making it an excellent skin toner.
In addition, Osmia’s vegan black soap contains organic coconut milk, which is impressive in its ability to clean deeply, but very gently. The fat in the milk helps bind and remove dirt and oils, and the proteins prevent stripping of the top layer of skin. Coconut milk is very high in antioxidants, and has a mild antibacterial action as well. The gentle cleansing action and antibacterial effect are two of the qualities that make honey an effective ingredient in many ABS recipes.
The plant oils in the soap, which ultimately get turned into soap molecules (see nerdy explanation here), are carefully chosen to nourish and balance delicate facial skin. Mango butter, rich in essential fatty acids, and organic, cold-pressed avocado oil, high in Vitamins A, B1, B2, and E, are two of the specialty oils we use. (Also included are the following certified organic oils: extra-virgin olive, organic, RSPO palm kernel, coconut, sweet almond, castor bean, and jojoba.) The mild, unisex scent is achieved by adding a tiny amount of wild-harvested balsam of peru, two types of cedarwood essential oils, and organic lemon and bergaptene-free bergamot essential oils.
Osmia's Black Clay Facial Soap seems to work for a diverse group of consumers, including acne-prone teens, mature (over 50) women, men who use the soap for shaving, and especially those with perioral dermatitis. In fact, I initially developed the soap as part of my effort to create natural products that would help mitigate my own PD symptoms. If you're struggling with skin issues, search the Black Clay Facial Soap reviews for your skin concern, and you can read about people's individual experiences using our little black bar.
Those are the basic facts about black soap, both the traditional African kind, and the Osmia kind. Both are excellent choices for normal or troubled skin, from acne to mild dermatitis to combination skin. The traditional version is appropriate for use all over, while Osmia’s version is more specifically designed for thinner, more temperamental facial skin.
Got questions? Feel free to email us at info@osmiaskincare.com.
]]>Basil Essential Oil
Ocimum basilicum
Basil is a short, compact herb grown in a number of countries including Egypt, Greece, Italy, Iran, India, Thailand, and Mexico. The essential oil is most commonly steam-distilled from its leaves and flowers and has a thin, pale yellow appearance. Basil comes in different “chemotypes” (ct.), which determine its aroma and usage. The essential oil Osmia uses from Egypt is a soft, woody linalool chemotype that smells exactly like a freshly crushed basil leaf.
The methyl chavicol chemotype has an anise-like, spicy scent. Generally, the linalool chemotype tends to have a more appealing scent profile for perfumery and skincare, more like the smell a basil leaf, than the methyl chavicol chemotype, as not everyone likes the smell of licorice!
Basil essential oil is effective for stimulating the brain and helps to soothe mental fatigue, stress, and depression. Start your work day by inhaling a few drops of this energizing oil to put a spring in your step. A little bit goes a long way since basil is a high-intensity essential oil; its strong aroma loves to take center stage in an essential oil blend if given the opportunity. The simplest way to use basil oil is to add a few drops to a tissue and inhale ten times or add a few drops to the corner of your shower away from the running water for some instant aromatherapy. Basil is also excellent in the early stages of a headache, and can prevent progression if you get to it in time.
Basil is antimicrobial and shares many skincare uses with rosemary essential oil. When added to a balm or oil rub in the proper dilution, basil can help to alleviate sore muscles as well as other aches and pains. Some people like using it in hair care to help stimulate hair growth, though there is no scientific data to support this. You can try adding 2-3 drops to your hair conditioner, or making a hair oil with four ounces of jojoba, 5 drops of basil, 5 drops of lavender, and 5 drops of rosemary essential oils for a once-a-week pre-shampoo treatment.
Feeling the sniffles creeping up on you? Basil, especially the methyl chavicol chemotype, is a great essential oil for colds. You can add a few drops to boiling water or the floor of your shower for steam inhalation or one drop to a cup of tea and let its antibacterial/antiviral qualities work their magic. Basil can also help calm nausea and promote digestive health if taken internally. This essential oil is not recommended for people who are pregnant or have seizure disorders.
With love and bundles of fresh basil from us to you,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of basil. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
]]>Aloe
Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis
The ancient Greeks were onto something with their regard of aloe as a universal panacea. Though not a true cure-all, aloe vera is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world today. Its thick, spiny leaves are a rich composition of water, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, sugars, and amino acids that come together for some seriously synergistic healing.
Aloe in its raw form is easy to use! Simply snip a leaf from the plant, cut it (carefully) in half lengthwise, and scrape out the inner gel. You can mash it with a whisk until it's less chunky, and apply it directly to your skin and hair as a soothing treatment. One downside to using raw aloe is that it's actually a bit stinky! You can purchase aloe gel and aloe juice, but check for other ingredients, as they are sometimes preserved with things you might not want to use.
In our products, we use organic aloe powder and reconstitute it with water to form the base for our Purely Gentle Mud Cleanser, Purely Simple Face Cream, and all three of our hand creams. In fact, it's one of our favorite skincare ingredients because it's simple and incredibly effective!
Get creative in the kitchen with aloe vera! Its gel is rich in antioxidants and potentially beneficial for those with digestive issues, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. It is also packed with nutrients such as vitamin C and trace minerals of calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and zinc. Aloe vera gel has a clean, light, and refreshing taste that is easy to combine with other ingredients. The bitter, yellow latex of the aloe leaf should be thoroughly washed off any gel when preparing it for salsas, salads, or smoothies. This latex isn’t recommended for regular consumption since it is a powerful laxative and could lead to kidney damage. Juice is the most common ready-to-consume aloe vera food product on the market, but people make their own juice at home as well. Not feeling up to juicing or food prep? Plenty of supplements on the market use aloe vera gel for its many benefits in supporting overall health.
Remember, please do not eat aloe vera skincare gels. These gels are made for topical use only and often contain preservatives that are not meant to be ingested.
The exact origin of Aloe vera is a rich mystery that is up for debate since it has historically been so widely traded and transplanted. The most commonly cited and supported theory is that it hails from the Arabian peninsula, but plenty of other locations boast their own endemic aloe species. The first known mention of aloe usage comes from a 2100 BCE Sumerian clay tablet, but it isn’t until around 1550 BCE that the earliest detailed description of its medicinal uses were recorded by the ancient Egyptians. It was traded across the Red Sea and Mediterranean region and touted by those living in the ancient world for its benefits in medicinal and skincare applications. Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra gave their skin "the royal treatment" with aloe, while Alexander the Great used it on the battlefield to treat his soldiers' wounds. The modern day usage of aloe still falls mostly in those same two categories: cosmetics and healthcare. It's a staple in the natural skincare world, and has uses in wellness from digestion to wound care. Today, aloe plantations can be found around the world with the largest located in Thailand, the United States, China, and Australia.
With love and healing synergy from us to you,
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of aloe. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.
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Fast forward to 2017. Osmia was a growing natural skincare brand, and my creative flame had been burning like a wildfire for eight years. The brand, which launched in 2012, was struggling to keep all of our 40+ products in stock, and I still had ideas. I needed to keep creating, but knew we couldn't keep adding permanent products to the line. So my clever team suggested The Craft Series as a way to contain my creative fire, while sparking it at the same time. I started with Craft Series body oils, and later expanded the series to Body Soaps and Body Mousses.
Emerald was my first Craft Series creation—a gorgeous blend of wild mint, geranium, and frankincense. Here's an excerpt from a post I wrote about Emerald, as it was coming to life:
]]>"Perched on a throne, as close as I will ever be to ruling a kingdom. That’s how it feels when I’m seated at my perfume table, the rest of the world becoming blurry and slightly irrelevant. Each vial I open carries me across centuries, over oceans, underground, through busy marketplaces, and back again to my seat in the mountains of Colorado. Isn't it incredible how, with a single sniff, you can become instantly lost? Places you’ve never been, languages you’ve never heard, wars you’ve never fought, flowers you’ve never even imagined, and countless passionate embraces, both condoned and forbidden. One day, as I lingered with a vial of neroli, I found myself wondering what Cleopatra might have worn on her skin after one of her milk baths. As I imagined the life of the Egyptian queen, I was impelled to create a line of body oils inspired by ancient royalty, comprising oils that have long been the olfactory equivalent of draping oneself in precious gems. In a world inundated with cheap alternatives and manufactured scents, I wanted to create a series of oils made with the most luxurious components nature has offered for thousands of years: simply put, the most expensive, most opulent, most sensuous stuff you could possibly put on your skin, natural or otherwise. I chose organic sunflower and avocado oils for their excellent skin penetration, and their high levels of vitamins A and E, both of which are critical for skin function and healing. Organic camellia oil (made from tea leaves) and borage seed oil (made from starflowers) provide potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits. What does this mean to you? It means that your skin, which gets damaged by UV rays and pollution and the simple yet inevitable passage of time, has an increased chance to repair and protect itself as these oils scavenge for free radicals, decrease inflammation, and strengthen skin cells. The final additions to the blend are the organic oils made from hand-harvested shea nuts in West Africa and hand-cracked argan nuts from Morocco, both of which are widely used in skin care and have extraordinary emollient properties."Now, six years later, the Osmia Craft Series serves as a celebration of the seasons, with scents inspired by changes in the weather, travel, and moments spent in nature. Our Craft Series Soaps come out four times a year, with aromas to usher the new seasons into your home. Our Craft Series Body Oils and Mousses launch roughly every other month, taking your senses on a journey, even when you’re too busy to travel. We hand-craft, hand-label, and hand-box every product with love and intention, because we want our Craft Series to make you feel as special as you are. They’re all limited-edition, and usually sell out in minutes to weeks—make sure you’re on our mailing list so you don’t miss a launch!
Got any Craft Series ideas you’d like to see brought to life? Do tell—I’m all ears.
Stay up to date on all of our latest special releases by signing up for our newsletter!
Ready to try our miracle mud? Find it here.
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Want the antioxidants without the science? Check out some of our favorite antioxidant-rich products!
We need oxygen. We can’t live without it. But it does damage, too. Inside cells, a phenomenon called oxidative stress causes trouble. Oxidation is a process by which exposure to oxygen produces free radicals—another term that means something hazily, amorphously bad. A free radical is a molecule with a dangling bond. You just rolled your eyes. I felt it. Stay with me.
You’re at Nordstrom. There's a sale on handbags. You have one in each hand and are headed to the checkout counter. Then you spy another woman with a better bag. You narrow your eyes. You WANT her bag. You drop one of yours—now you have a dangling bond—and you grab her bag. Now she has a dangling bond. She goes after someone else's bag. Soon it’s chaos—a bunch of crazy, sale-frenzied, bag-grabbing people. There are screams, bloody scratch marks, and a horrible vortex of negative energy swirling wildly about, each free radical hag for herself. Are you picturing this? THAT’S what happens inside your cells when the oxidation of molecules produces free radicals!
Shopping analogy firmly in place, now picture a water molecule – an oxygen atom with a hydrogen atom in each hand (H2O). When the water molecule gets oxidized, it loses one of its hydrogen atoms, and has a dangling free bond (this molecule is now called the hydroxyl radical). That dangling bond grabs anything and everything it can, including intracellular proteins and DNA. Once it starts grabbing with its dangling bond, all hell breaks loose inside the cell. It grabs on to proteins, like collagen, causing them to uncoil and become damaged, resulting in cell injury and cell death, ultimately translating to saggy, looser skin. Free radicals also cause trouble in DNA by bonding with the DNA structure and causing mutations, which can ultimately do horrible things, like cause cancer.
This same type of free radical damage may be involved in the development of dementia, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and atherosclerosis – to name a few.
Yes, but before you hate all radicals, let me say that A FEW of them are necessary. Their presence inside a cell can indicate that the cell is damaged and ready to be disposed of by the larger cells (macrophages, the little Pac-Man garbage collectors) responsible for cleaning up debris. Cells with unwanted bacteria often have radicals, which signal to the extracellular environment that they need help. But, when too many free radicals show up, it’s impossible to keep track of the helpful, signaling molecules versus the destructive, mutation-causing ones. The clean-up cells get overwhelmed and confused, and then it’s the Nordstrom scene all over again.
Finding the right balance is the trick. Despite the beneficial actions of antioxidants inside the body, high-dose antioxidant supplements have not been conclusively shown to prevent the diseases caused by oxidative damage, and can even be harmful. However, consuming antioxidant-rich foods (see recipe below!), and using skin products high in antioxidants can help keep free radicals at optimum levels.
Three antioxidants particularly relevant to skin care are Vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin A, commonly referred to as tretinoin or retinoic acid, is the active ingredient in Retin-A. While it is available in pharmaceutical format, and has been shown, without a doubt, to improve skin appearance, it's hard for some skin types to tolerate. Retinol, a milder form, is not as harsh on the skin, but may still irritate very sensitive skin. Using oils rich in Vitamin A is a safer alternative, and can improve skin appearance, albeit more slowly.
Vitamin C also has activity against free radicals, and can help lighten dark spots and improve skin texture. Using products with a relatively stable form of Vitamin C, such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, may help keep the vitamin in its most active, beneficial state. Both Vitamin A and Vitamin C increase sensitivity to the sun, and can have diminished efficacy when exposed to sunlight, so you need to be cautious about exposure.
Finally, Vitamin E, which is essentially a collection of 8 tocopherols and tocotrienols, has been shown to limit oxidative damage. This is useful for application on the skin, as well as in the skin care product itself, where it helps prevent rancidity and oxidation. (We use Vitamin E as part of an antioxidant system in many of our products, both to protect the product and to improve the texture of your skin.)
So, those are the basics. There is SO much more to be learned about antioxidants and free radicals, but that seems like enough for one session, especially since you were so patient and put up with all that science. As a reward for your efforts, here's a recipe for an antioxidant powerhouse breakfast, so you can go conquer the world today!
I use sprouted sunflower and pumpkin seeds for a little extra nutrition, and they're very lightly salted, so it adds a touch more flavor. This is a power breakfast—hope you feel like a superhero and have a completely radical day!
With loads of love and blueberries from us to you,
]]>While synthetic fragrances are derived from laboratory chemicals, natural scents are made from raw plant materials. Synthetic fragrance often has hundreds of undisclosed ingredients, including petrochemicals, mystery allergens, and phthalates. With natural fragrance ingredients, what you see is what you get, like "lavender essential oil". Synthetic fragrance tends to smell the same on everyone, for hours and hours on end. (Have you ever tried to wash the smell of Tide out of clothing? Impossible. What about when your friend hugs you with her favorite perfume on, and you smell it on yourself for the rest of the day? That's synthetic scent.) Natural scent smells different on everyone, and it changes and fades over time, just like the plants themselves. Best of all, the more you know about the beautiful processes that go into making these natural fragrance ingredients, the more you'll find them to be irresistibly romantic and alluring. Who wants to spray on a mass-manufactured chemical when you could dab on an oil made from the petals of thousands of Bulgarian roses collected by careful hands in the pre-dawn light?
Now that I have been working intimately with these natural perfume materials for many years, I finally understand the technical differences among these natural fragrance ingredients. I'll do my best to explain them all below.
The most straightforward group is essential oils. Essential oils have been used for centuries in aromatherapy, perfumery, medicine, and skincare. (Note: using natural fragrance in skincare must be done carefully, as even natural essential oils can cause skin reactions if used incorrectly! There are lots of ways to make natural fragrance safe in skincare, but it takes an educated formulator—you can't just sprinkle in the oils you like and hope it works out for the best!)
There are several ways to make essential oils, the most common of which is steam distillation. This means that steam is passed through a hopper (like a steaming basket in your kitchen) containing raw plant material, causing the plants to release the aromatic compounds stored in their leaves or flowers, which rise with the steam into a cooling system. As the combined steam and plant compounds are cooled in another tube or chamber, they separate into water and oil. The water contains the water-soluble (hydrophilic) parts of the plant, which is why the remaining water is called a floral water or a hydrosol.
Hydrosols are used frequently in skincare. They are very mild, and have gentle benefits to the skin. A properly made hydrosol is sterile—as it undergoes distillation, a process where the liquid is turned to gas and then liquid again—all organisms are left behind. Hydrosols make excellent skin toners, or can become part of the water phase of a skincare cream or lotion.
The oil-soluble aromatic compounds rise to the top of the hydrosol in a separate layer, which can be decanted off, and is then called the essential oil of that plant.
This same procedure is used in hydro-distillation, where the plant material is actually submerged in water, and in hydro-diffusion, where steam is forced in from the top, rather than passed through the plants from below. Not all botanicals can withstand this high-heat method of extracting essentials oils, which is why other methods exist.
Citrus essential oils, for example, are more commonly obtained by expression (also known as cold-pressed or expeller-pressed, the former being a temperature-controlled process). This means that the peels are first pricked all over to puncture the cells containing the oils, soaked in warm water, and then mechanically pressed to squeeze out the essential oil. Certain citrus peels are obtained in bulk as a byproduct of the citrus juice industry, which is why many of these essential oils (lemon, orange) are readily available and less expensive than things like geranium or lavender. Citrus essential oils are a great example of natural scent that must be used carefully in skincare; some are safe when exposed to sunlight, and some are not!
So, that covers the term "essential oil". I hope you're still with me, because that was the easy part.
The rest of the aromatics (natural scent materials) are obtained using solvents: hexane, dimethyl ether, or supercritical carbon dioxide. Previously, benzene was a commonly used solvent in the fragrance industry. We are glad it is no longer used for two reasons—first, it is carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and, second, it leaves a fairly high residue in the final product. With hexane and ether, the residue is typically less than 10 ppm (parts per million), which is fairly negligible. The least toxic of these solvents is carbon dioxide (CO2)—you know, the stuff you just exhaled?
In this method, carbon dioxide is placed in a chamber with raw plant material. The chamber is then put under extreme pressure (100 to 200 times normal atmospheric pressure), at approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and this combination of mildly increased temperature and hugely increased pressure puts the CO2 into a “supercritical” state. This is an uber-geeky concept, but basically it is a condition where the CO2 is part liquid, and part gas (like a dense fog), and allows the aromatic components of the plant to dissolve in the CO2 fog stuff. The supercritical CO2, which now contains the extracted aromatic compounds, is separated from the remaining raw plant material, and then returned to normal atmospheric pressure, where carbon dioxide can only exist as a gas. When the CO2 changes back to gas, it leaves behind ONLY the extracted aromatic part of the plant. There is literally ZERO residue of the solvent in the remaining CO2 extract, because it has changed physically from a supercritical state to a pure gas. Such a cool trick, right? One of my favorite CO2 extracts is our organic rosemary antioxidant, which we add to your natural body oils and natural bar soaps to keep them from going rancid before you've had time to enjoy them. Another cool trick!
These are the more traditional fragrance compounds that have been used in the world of perfumery for many years. Long ago, people used a technique called enfleurage to extract scent from flowers like jasmine and rose—flower parts were combined with animal fat and pressed between pieces of glass.
After a few days, the flowers were removed, and replaced with fresh flowers—this process was repeated for several rounds until the fat was full of the desired aroma. This technique is used much less frequently now, as most people do not want the fragrance in their personal care products to be derived from killing animals. In most instances, concretes and absolutes have taken the place of enfleurage.
A concrete is made by combining plant materials, a solvent (hexane, a liquid, or ether, a gas) and natural waxes or resins. Once combined, the solvent is removed by gentle heating in a vacuum (negative pressure environment) and reused. The remaining waxy compound is the concrete. It comprises wax, resins, and other high molecular weight (heavy) botanical components, as well as the low molecular weight (light) aromatic compounds.
Once you have a concrete, you can make an absolute. The concrete gets washed with ethyl alcohol, which takes with it the light aromatics from the concrete. The ethyl alcohol mixture is then distilled again, which removes almost all of the alcohol (>95%), leaving behind the extracted aromatic compounds in the form of an absolute. Modern natural perfumery uses absolutes for things like jasmine, rose, and orange blossom, as they can't withstand the process of steam distillation.
With love and beautiful natural scents from us to you,
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While my handmade corn tortilla technique is still, um, a developing skill, and the meal looked ...rustic, it was actually super yummy—my whole family loved it. By using store bought corn tortillas and canned black beans, prep time could drop to about 15 minutes, making it a practical dish for working families, too. If it's a Sunday and you're feeling patient, try making the tortillas by hand, while chanting the following mantra: ugly tortillas are people too.
Ideally, you'll want to make the dough an hour ahead of time, and save the tortilla cooking for the last 20 minutes before the meal so they are served toasty and warm.
I used the gluten-free masa harina from Bob's Red Mill, but any masa harina flour will do if you're not super-sensitive to gluten. Masa harina corn flour that's been treated with a lime water solution to make it more digestible. Making the dough is absurdly easy: you just add warm water. The hard part comes with rolling it to the right thickness and cooking for the right amount of time, but the only way to figure it out is to start making them! Costa Rican women make these by hand, but I used parchment paper, a cutting board, and a rolling pin. Here's my technique: pull off golf-ball sized piece of dough, roll it into a little sphere, and put it between two pieces of parchment paper. Then, use the cutting board for the initial smoosh of the dough into a disc. Pull the paper away on both sides, and then use the rolling pin to roll it into a thinner disc, peeling the paper away and flipping the disc often, until you have what feels like an uncooked tortilla to you. Place the tortilla into a hot, dry cast iron skillet over medium heat and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or as long as necessary to make you feel that you now have a cooked tortilla. Keep warm in the oven or in a tortilla warmer while you finish cooking the others. Like I said, don't be mad if the first one looks scary. They're like children—the first one is the hardest, and then you get the hang of it.
So easy! Heat black beans on low heat with 1/4 cup of vegetable stock, a generous squeeze of lime, cumin, chili powder, and coriander. Keep warm and set aside.
Have you worked with plantains before? They're like grumpy bananas. Not as sweet, very fibrous, and harder to peel. Using a sharp knife, slice the skin along the length of the plantain in two places and peel the skin. Cut each diagonally into 1.5 inch slices. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and add the plantain slices, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until brown on one side. Flip and brown the other side, then remove and drain on paper towels.
Putting the dish together is much like putting paint colors on a palette. The component parts of the meal are not all heaped together but served in little, adjacent piles so you can customize each bite. It's so pleasing, really.
To assemble, spoon 1/2 cup of rice or quinoa and 1/2 cup of seasoned black beans onto a plate. Add 3-4 slices of avocado, a few tablespoons of cotija cheese, 5-6 slices of plantain, and a handful of cilantro. Place a fresh, warm tortilla in the center, and serve with a juicy wedge of lime.
As you enjoy this healthy, vegetarian meal, consider these two Costa Rican phrases that permeate their culture and infect your spirit in the most positive way. First, rather than saying hello or goodbye, they say "pura vida," which translates into their life philosophy: "A real living—to live a peaceful, simple, uncluttered life with a deep appreciation for nature, family, and friends." Second, instead of saying "de nada" for you're welcome ("it's nothing"), they say "con mucho gusto," which means "with much pleasure." These small nuances in vocabulary make a profound difference in the culture of the country, just as a small kindness can affect the whole flavor of someone's day.
With love and lumpy corn tortillas,
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What about witch hazel, you say? If you can find witch hazel hydrosol, use it to make a lovely toner! But most witch hazel on the market is high in alcohol, which is why we didn’t use it in any of our recipes. Alcohol-based toners are drying to most skin types, so we’ll stick with aloe and tea!
Want to see these toners being made? Hop on our Instagram to see our founder making all three! Happy toning, friends!
]]>Sautée the celery in the olive oil for about 8 minutes over low-medium heat. Add asparagus, bay leaves, salt and pepper and stir gently for another 5 minutes. Add the veggie stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Remove bay leaves.
Once it has cooled a bit, add soup to a high-speed blender (insert Vitamix infomercial here), and purée until smooth. Add the avocados and lemon juice, and blend again. To serve warm, pour into bowls from the blender and finish with toppings below. To serve cold, refrigerate for about two hours prior to serving, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooling, and then serve with desired toppings.
Easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy. Literally.
With love and happy taste buds from us to you,
P.S.
COOL YET SLIGHTLY DISTASTEFUL ASPARAGUS TRIVIA: Did you know that all people's pee smells from eating asparagus, but about 25% of people are not equipped with the proper receptors to smell it? (That, by the way, is called specific anosmia.) So the next time you hear someone bragging about how his or her pee does not smell from asparagus, you can nod smugly and think: "Oh, yes it does, you ignorant fool - you just can't smell it."
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Okay. It’s time to share some secrets. Like my absolute favorite, go-to salad dressing. This has nothing to do with Osmia or skin care, except that there is some cool emulsion chemistry involved, and you can apply the chemistry piece to any salad dressing you make. I make this dressing almost nightly, and my kids won’t touch dressing from a bottle. Smart lil’ buggers.
Et, voila, c’est ca! You've created a strangely thick emulsion that will make you want to eat salad all day, every day. Or at least once a day. If it’s too tart you can add a teaspoon of organic maple syrup. If you like a little kick, add a bit of dijon. (Add these things to the vinegar and salt step, allowing them to sit before adding oil.) The dressing will keep for three days at room temperature. If it separates a little, just shake again before serving, though it should stay fairly emulsified if you followed all the magic instructions.
Try it, and let us know how it goes. Hope it makes you eat your greens with a big fat smile!
With love and a HUGE salad from us to you,
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