Aloe Vera
In cosmetics, Aloe Vera helps the hair and the skin replenish lost moisture, keeping it hydrated and smooth. It also contains vitamin A, C, E, B12 and other minerals that beneficial to skin moisturizing and toning. It is also known for soothing, cooling, and its anti-irritant property.
Gugo (Entada phaseoloides)
Helps to increase micro-circulation of blood in the scalp with anti-fungal & anti-bacterial properties.
Kalamansi
Kalamansi is a small citrus fruit that appears as cross between a lemon and lime. The juice of Kalamansi is known as a refrigerant, a remedy for coughs and for itches, a deodorant, and an antiphlogistic (reducing inflammation or fever; anti-inflammatory).
Lawat Leaves
Lawat leaf extracts are traditionally used in the Philippines in preventing hair loss, promoting hair growth and relieving itchiness and skin inflammations.
Green Papaya
The fruit is used in cosmetics for healthy skin complexion. It contains the enzyme papain,which has exfoliating properties when applied to the skin.
Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocus nuciferas)
Rich in vitamin E and is processed without the use of heat to preserve all the good cholesterol, enzymes and other inert substances that help in maintaining the skin’s natural beauty.
Carrot (Daucus carota sativa)
Rich in Beta-carotene and pro-vitamin A which is important in the maintenance of the skin and hair.
Licorice Extract
Contains glycyrrhetic acid which is known to be effective in reducing redness, swelling, itching, and skin discoloration.
Castor (Ricinus communis)
Scientific Name : Ricinus communis
Family : Euphorbiaceae
Common Name : Castor Oil Plant, Eranda, Verenda, Vatari, Rendi, Bofareira, castor-oil plant, Mexico seed, Oil plant, Palma Christi
Part Used : Oil, Leaves, Roots, Seeds, Fruit
Habit and Distribution : Castor is usually a wild plant growing in remote areas where human interaction is little.
Chemical constituents : Fatty oil, Protein, Lectins, Others ricin D (RCA-60. severely toxic), RCA-120 (less toxic), Pyridine alkaloids, Triglycerides: chief fatty acids ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy-oleic acid, share 85-90%), Tocopherols (Vitamin E).
Uses : Castor oil is a natural skin and hair softener and is used to treat skin diseases like ringworm and itching. It also uses in abdominal disorders, colic, enlarged liver and spleen, fever, headache, lumbago, nervous diseases, pain relief (joints), promote menstrual discharge, promote milk production, rheumatism, sciatica.
Guggul (Commiphora wightii)
Scientific Name : Commiphora wightii, Commiphora Mukul
Family : Burseraceae
Common Name : Guggal, Guggul, Guggul lipid, Commiphora, Mukul, Balsamodendron, Mukul myrrh tree
Part Used : Whole Plant
Habit and Distribution : The guggul plant prefers arid and semi-arid climates and is tolerant of poor soil. It may be found from northern Africa to central Asia, but is most common in Rocky tracks of Western India and Eastern Himalayas.
Uses : Traditionally guggul lipid has been used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, haemorrhids, urinary disorder, obesity, skin diseases and high cholesterol. Guggul (aka guggulu) is a gum resin, historically used for its antiseptic and deep penetrating actions in the treatment of elevated blood cholesterol and arthritis. Guggul is effective as a weight-loss and fat burning agent. It increases white blood cell counts and possesses strong disinfecting properties. Often used as a carrier and combined with other herbs to treat specfic conditions.
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre)
Scientific Name : Gymnema sylvestre
Family : Asclepiadaceae
Common Name : Gurmar
Part Used : leaves
Habit and Distribution : It is native to the tropical forests of southern and central India.
Chemical constituents : The major bioactive constituents of Gymnema sylvestris are a group of oleanane type triterpenoid saponins known as gymnemic acids. The latter contain several acylated (tigloyl, methylbutyroyl etc.,) derivatives of deacylgymnemic acid (DAGA) which is 3-O-glucuronide of gymnemagenin (3, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28-hexahydroxy-olean-12-ene)2. The individual gymnemic acids (saponins) include gymnemic acids I-VII, gymnemosides A-F, gymnemasaponins.
Uses : Gymnema is traditionally used in formulas to control blood sugar levels in the body. The leaves, used in herbal medicine, which chewed, interfere with the ability to taste sweetness, which explains the Hindi name Gurmar,, the destroyer of sugar".
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Scientific Name : Ocimum tenuiflorum
Family: Lamiaceae
Common Name: Ocimum sanctum, Tulasi
Part Used: Leaves
Uses : Tulasi’s extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria. The dried leaves of Tulasi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects. Traditionally, tulasi is taken in many forms: as an herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted from Tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics.Widly used in skin preparations for its anti-bacterial activity.
Mucuna pruriens
Scientific Name : Mucuna pruriens
Family : Fabaceae
Common Name : Velvet bean, Cowitch, Cowhage, Itch bean, Picapica, Kapikachu, Yerepe (Yoruba), Atmagupta
Part Used : Seed
Chemical constituents : Mucuna contains L-Dopa, a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Uses : Mucuna has been used for Parkinson's disease. L-dopa converts into dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement.
Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Scientific Name : Azadirachta indica
Family : Meliaceae
Common Name : Neem
Part Used : All parts of the tree (Seeds, Leaves, Flowers and Bark)
Habit and Distribution : It is native to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions.
Chemical constituents : Nimbin, Nimbinin, Nimbidin
Uses : Neem is used for preparing many different medical preparations. Also used for anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-infertility, and sedative. It is particularly prescribed for skin disease and anti-inflamatory for joint and muscle pain. It balances high pitta conditions. Neem twigs are used for Dental care. Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics. Neem Gum is used as a bulking agent.
