Natural and Sustainable

Scan the label of nearly any skin-care product and you will find them there, clustered toward the bottom of the ingrideints list; rose, lemongrass, peppermint, chamomile, rosemary, white willow bark, and more. Herbs are making their way into everything from facial cleaners to foot creams-and not just because of their names and alluring aromas, because they work. Though they may be present only in small amounts, they’re a powerful presence nonetheless. Some plants can be highly active at low dose, so you don’t need a lot of these herbs. They can have active properties at 1 or 2 precent. Here is a list of the top 6 to look for and use:

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita):
Chamomile can be a source of serenity for your complextion. The plant, which has small, daisy like white flowers with yellow centers, has been used throughout history to calm itchy, reactive skin and ease rashed., Chamomile cream worked better than 0.5 precent hydrocortisone in the treating of inflammation and irritation associated with eczema. It’ s calming, anti-inflammatory powers also make it highly effective at evening skin tone. Chamommile is vasoconstrictive, meaning it helps shrink blood vessels temporarily, decreasing facial redness and blothiness. The bottom line: It soothes the skin.

• Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis):
Rosemary is for remembrance. But its stimulating more than just memory; when it comes to skin, rosemary is invigorating, energizing, and protective. It has an anti-aging ingredient that works to safeguard skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Because rosemary also has astringent properties, which both stimulate the scalp and remove excess oil. The bottom line: It protects and stimulates.

• White Willow Bark (Salix alba):
The bark from the white willow shrub contains salicin, which has been used for centuries to break fevers, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. (It’s the original source of asprin .) Willow bark is also an effective natural exfoliant-in fact, it’s the source of the salicylic acid contained in many beauty products today. Willow bark extract helps break down oils, so it’s great at helping to clear oil plugs and breakouts. The bottom line: It exfoliates congested skin.

• Rose Hip (Rosa affinis rubiginosa):
Rose Mosqueta is a pink-colored wild rose that grows throughout the Americas and lives for one breif but glorios day. As the petals fall off, its seeds-known as rose hips-are revealed. These seeds contain essential fatty acids called linoleic and linolenic acids, which can help soften dry skin, fade scarring, and even erase sun damage. Rose hips oil is also rich in antioxidant vitamin C. It helps protect the skin from sun damage and improve the appearance of fine lines. The bottom line: It rejuvenates dry, aging skin.

• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus):
This topical Asian plant is harvested for its earthy, lemony flavor and pungent aroma. Lemongrass is marvelous for acne since it’s an astringent and it’s anit-bacterial. It’s great for circulation, refines the pores, increases skin elasticity, and, when used as a toner or spritzer, can refine and even out skin tone. The bottom line: It calms acne.

• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): (My personal favorite)
Pepermint’s essential oil is a source of cooling menthol-which makes it a natural rememdy for aches, pains, and itches. It is an effective topical treatment for pain and stiffness of joints and muscles. Peppermint oil cools the itch because it increases blood flow to the skin to temporarily reduce pain and discomfort. The invigorating aroma also helps awaken the senses. The bottom line: It cools and refreshes.

**Survivor: China has love in the air over at Grid Effect. Read the whole story here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Cooking your food at temps above 116 degrees depletes nutrients and uses more energy. Eating more raw foods boosts your health and saves energy. Do it for 3 weeks and feel the difference mentally and physically.