Natural ingredients provide many health and cosmetic advantages, without harmful chemicals contaminating our bodies and products. They’re therefore great choices for body products like skin care.
Unfortunately, there is no agreed-upon definition of what constitutes “natural”. For instance, the FDA allows food companies to list natural emulsifiers, solvents and preservatives on food labels even when these have been linked with respiratory and digestive health concerns.
Olive oil
Olive oil is packed with heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats as well as an abundance of antioxidants such as vitamin E, oleacein and oleocanthal, all linked to powerful health benefits including protecting against cardiovascular disease, improving brain function and fighting certain forms of cancer. Plus it makes an incredible versatile addition to stir fries, baked goods, sauteed vegetables and salad dressings!
Olive oil boasts a high smoke point, meaning that it can be safely used at medium temperatures without burning or degrading its health-promoting compounds. This makes it suitable for sauteing and roasting but not frying, although dark containers stored out of direct light will keep it fresh for as long as possible. Given its shorter shelf life than most oils, buying small amounts is best to ensure quality oil.
Clay
Clay is an effective natural healing remedy, offering relief for joint, muscle and back pain as well as insect bites, itching, sunburns and insect stings. Apply it thickly on skin; whether cold or room temperature clay works best depends entirely upon individual preference; explore all possibilities until you find what suits you best!
Clay contains a cation exchange capacity, meaning it attracts positively charged ions such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium ions. Additionally, it may contain trace minerals such as iron silica or aluminum.
Some types of green clay such as kaolin and bentonite have been shown to inhibit bacterial growth, making these discoveries especially significant in an age of antibiotic resistance. While their antibacterial mechanism remains unknown, these clay minerals likely possess some kind of chemical interaction with bacteria – something which could prove invaluable against Buruli ulcer, an infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans that causes severe pain.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller; family: Xanthorrhoeaceae) is a plant with widespread uses across cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. Its latex and juice contain nutrients with many therapeutic applications for skin and body conditions; aloe vera may reduce inflammation while having antifungal and antibacterial properties as well as laxative qualities to ease constipation symptoms.
Spirulina can also bolster immunity and skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, increase hyaluronic acid production in skin cells and treat infections caused by mycoplasmas (bacteria that lack a cell wall). Furthermore, it has antimycoplasmic properties to treat infections caused by these mycoplasmas and help treat infections caused by these.
Aloe vera plants can easily be grown in home gardens. To obtain fresh aloe vera juice, cut away its spikes and peel away any yellow latex to expose its gel inside, before rinsing off any remaining latex that might impart a bitter flavor to the final product.
Vitamin E
Due to an ambiguous definition from the FDA, it can be hard to define exactly what a product containing natural ingredients contains. There is no legal definition and the term can encompass everything from organic herbs to synthetic vitamins.
Vitamin E is an indispensable fat-soluble vitamin with numerous health advantages. As an antioxidant, it protects cells against damage caused by free radicals while decreasing your risk of disease. Furthermore, Vitamin E inhibits blood clot formation in blood vessels and enhances immunity function – three benefits in one!
Vitamin E can be found in plant-based foods like olive, sunflower and safflower oils; nuts, seeds, whole grains unprocessed cereals and green vegetables. Fortified breakfast cereals, margarine and spreads may also provide sources of this essential nutrient.
Diet is the primary way of getting vitamin E, though supplements are available as an option. Speak with your physician or registered dietitian about which is right for you; high doses of alpha-tocopherol may increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke for those who already have certain health conditions.
