NATIVE TO SA this common species found in South Africa has a wide distribution. It grows in thick bushy clumps between 0.5 – 2 meters high. It’s well known medicinal properties are used by people of all cultures for a wide range of ailments ranging from loss of appetite, headaches, earaches and treatment of malaria.
Artemisia Afra (Afra = come from Africa) is the only indigenous species in this genus
Artemisia Afra is a well-known medicinal plant in Africa, and is still used by people of many cultures. The roots, stems and leaves are used as enemas, poultices, infusions, lotions, inhaled (e.g. smoked or snuffed), or as an essential oil.
In addition, Artemisia Afra is frequently used as a moth repellent, and in organic insecticidal sprays. The species name Afra means from Africa.
Artemisia Afra is one of the oldest and best known medicinal plants, and is still widely used today in South Africa by people of all cultures. The list of uses covers a wide range of ailments from coughs, colds, fever, loss of appetite, colic, headache, earache, and intestinal worms to malaria.
Artemisia Afra is used in many different ways and taken as enemas, poultices, infusions, and body washes, lotions, smoked, snuffed or drunk as a tea. A not so common use is to place leaves in socks for sweaty feet.
Also commonly known as African Wormwood, Artemisia Afra, Lanyana and Wilde-als, this is one of the most widely used Southern African medicinal plants.
Main Qualities: Its properties include anthelmintic, antiseptic, choleretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, insect repellent, narcotic, stimulant (digestive), tonic, vermifuge. Can Benefit: Diabetes, measles, coughs, colds, fever, stomach disorders, loss of appetite, colic, earache, haemorrhoids and headaches.
It has been shown to be a very effective antimicrobial agent against certain bacteria and fungi, as well as possessing an anti-oxidant effect.
It is also said to be an effective insect repellent, leading to its use in formulations for animal shampoos.
SALICYLIC ACID
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxyl acid that exfoliates the skin. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution helps exfoliate the inside walls of pores to fight the appearance of blemishes and for better visible skin clarity with continued use.
As an acid exfoliate, salicylic acid works by softening and dissolving keratin. Keratin is the protein found in our skin that causes cells to stick together. So, the acid makes these dead skin cells much easier to slough off.
Salicylic acid also exfoliates the pore lining. Because it is an oil-soluble acid, it has the ability to penetrate deep into pores instead of remaining only on the skin surface. Inside the pores, it helps to loosen clogs and allows oil to flow out more freely.
Salicylic acid has been around for a long time. It’s well known for its ability to exfoliate the skin and keep pores clear, which helps reduce acne. You’ll find it in serums and cleansers at concentrations between 0.5 and 2 percent, as well as in spot treatments for breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also used in higher concentrations as a peeling agent for treating acne, acne scars, melasma, sun damage, and age spots in dermatology clinics. It’s so effective that it’s used in wart and corn removal solutions, although it’s still safe to use in pigmentation-prone dark skin. Since it’s related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), it also has anti-inflammatory properties.
To really get the benefits of salicylic acid, you need an entirely different concept—a low-dose, gentle treatment that you put ALL OVER YOUR FACE. As long as it’s gentle in strength, applying an acid this way, every single day, can dramatically improve your skin.
Here are some specific skin concerns you can treat with salicylic acid:
- Acne: Salicylic acid is probably the best acne fighting topical ingredient you can choose. Not only will it work to clear and calm active breakouts, but it will also help PREVENT future comedones from even forming in the first place! This is why the daily low-dose application is critical. “Instead of treating pimples as they appear, it’s more effective to use a gentle product that contains salicylic acid every day,” says Dr. Whitney Bowe. “This helps prevent breakouts on a regular basis.”
- Oily skin: Derms agree: Salicylic acid is one of the few ingredients that can actually SLOW DOWN your skin’s oil production. “Salicylic acid decreases oil production,” says Dr. Annie Chiu, while Dr. Sue Ann Wee says “salicylic acid can reduce sebum secretion.” The trick is to find the right amount and frequency to keep your skin’s oils in balance without over-drying.
- Large pores: “The reason pores look bigger than they actually are is because they’re clogged with dead skin cells mixed with oil,” says esthetician Shani Darden. Salicylic acid helps unclog them, so they’re not so stretched out and will appear smaller.
- Blackheads: Salicylic acid helps to soften blackheads, making them easier to extract. It also helps prevent new blackheads from forming.
- Dull, rough skin: There’s no reason why you can’t use salicylic acid the same way you’d use an AHA, for brighter, smoother skin. “Exfoliation leads to a reduction in thickness of the dead-skin-cell layer, which gives the skin a brighter, more glowing appearance,” says Dr. Dendy Engleman.
- Fine lines and wrinkles: “The exfoliative properties of salicylic acid have been shown, over time, to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen growth,” adds Dr. Engelman. Just like AHAs, BHAs have been shown to increase epidermal, collagen and elastin thickness.
Hyperpigmentation: Salicylic acid is also a pigmentation fighter—not just because of its exfoliating effect, but also from its ability to inhibit melanin formation with low risk of irritation. “I use it to treat patients with darker skin looking to correct sun and age spots and hyperpigmentation issues,” says Dr. Haleh Bakshandeh
Shea Butter exhibits several health benefits particularly for the skin and hair. It is used in a variety of cosmetics and medicinal formulas in combination with other botanical ingredients. Some of the health benefits of Shea Butter are given below.
1. Healing Qualities: It is known for its healing properties, which can be attributed to the presence of several fatty acids and plant sterols such as oleic, palmitic, stearic and linolenic acids. These oil-soluble components do not undergo saponification or convert into soap on coming in contact with alkali. Shea butter is more non-saponifiable than other nut oils and fats, thus imparting it a great healing potential for the skin. Raw unrefined Shea Butter is effective for curing skin rashes, skin peeling after tanning, scars, stretch marks, frost bites, burns, athletes foot, insect bites and stings, arthritis and muscle fatigue.
2. Antioxidant Qualities: It contains plant antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, as well as catechins. The vitamins A and E protect the cells from free radicals and environmental damage. The cinnamic acid esters in Shea fat helps in preventing skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.
3. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Several derivatives of cinnamic acid are found in Shea Butter which exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. Research has proved that in addition to its anti-inflammatory benefits, lupeol cinnamate found in Shea butter prevents the development of tumours. Its anti-inflammatory properties render it beneficial for improvement of skin conditions. Shea Butter For Skin Being rich in precious constituents such as unsaturated fats with a large proportion of non-saponifiable components, essential fatty acids, vitamins E and D, phytosterols, provitamin A and allantoin, Shea Butter is considered a super food for skin. It has been used since time immemorial for skin care, baby care and for consumption. In fact, the legendary Egyptian queen Nefertiti owed her beauty secrets to Shea Butter which further demonstrates its goodness for skin. Given below are its various benefits for skin.
4. Sun Protection: It acts as a natural sunscreen by providing protection against the ultraviolet radiations of sun though the level of protection offered may be variable. Shea butter is considered as the best skincare for winter and after-sun care as it provides the extra moisture, nutrients and protection needed by your skin during the cold season and summer.
5. Healing Agent: Shea Butter has amazing healing properties. It is often used as a base in medicinal ointments due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used since ages for the treatment of scars, eczema, blemishes, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretch marks, dark spots and in reducing the irritation caused by psoriasis. Due to its high content of vitamin A, it is effective in promoting healing and disinfection; and soothes skin allergies like poison ivy and insect bites. Vitamin F acts as a rejuvenator for soothing and healing rough and chapped skin.
6. Anti-ageing Benefits: Shea Butter is considered as one of the best anti-ageing and moisturizing agents for skin. It stimulates the production of collagen, the youthful scaffolding protein in the skin. The vitamins A and E found in this butter keep the skin supple, nourished and radiant and prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines. Shea butter penetrates the skin easily without clogging the pores and is effective for dry skin.
7. Baby Care: Shea Butter is an excellent natural moisturizer which is devoid of chemicals. Thus, it is ideal for baby care as besides being gentle and soft on skin, it is specially adapted for delicate and sensitive skin of babies. It can be for after bath application on skin and as also for healing eczema or diaper rash on the skin of babies.
8. Lip Care: It is easily absorbable and provides extra moisture and nutrients that are needed during cold season and dry weather. Thus, it acts as a perfect lip balm to protect your lips from cold and dry weather and is effective for treating dry and chapped lips.
9. Restores Skin Elasticity: Non-saponifiable matter and vitamin F in this butter are vital ingredients for maintaining skin-elasticity. Thus, application of Shea Butter restores the elasticity of the skin and helps maintain an even skin-tone besides hydrating, softening and beautifying it. Shea Butter For Hair When we talk about the skin and hair benefits of Shea butter, the list is simply unending. In short, one can say that it is considered a natural conditioner for hair, thanks to its moisturizing and healing properties. Some of the numerous benefits of Shea Butter for hair are given below.
10. Soothes Dry and Irritated Scalp: Shea Butter is effective in soothing a dry itchy scalp or dandruff. It possesses anti-inflammatory qualities and gets absorbed into the skin without leaving a greasy residue or clogging the pores. Being rich in vitamins A and E, it soothes dryness, repairs breakage and mends split ends. Hence, it is extremely effective in providing relief against dry scalp, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
11. Moisturizer: The presence of vitamins A and E makes Shea butter an excellent moisturizer to moisturize your hair from roots to tips. Thus, it can be used as a natural conditioner. It is highly effective in locking in moisture without leaving the hair greasy or heavy. Shea butter has wide usage in curly hair treatments due to its emollient qualities. A number of chemical treatments like straighteners, perms, curlers etc. are responsible for stripping off natural moisture from the hair. Shea butter can help restore this lost moisture.
12. Hair Protection: It provides protection to the hair against the harmful free radicals in the air and water and harsh weather conditions. Moreover, Shea Butter has low amount of SPF which is sufficient enough to protect the hair from sun damage caused due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation and repairs the damage that has already been caused by harsh weather and sun. This is largely due to the fact that once absorbed, Shea Butter coats the hair shaft so that it is protected from a heat tool or any other damaging material being passed along the hair. This is particularly beneficial for processed or colored hair. It also protects the hair against salt and chlorine when applied before swimming.
13. Hair Softener: It is great for softening and revitalizing damaged and brittle hair. Due to its non-greasy nature, it helps to control and spread excess oil in the scalp. Massaging the hair with generous amounts of Shea butter can give soft and silky tresses. This benefit of Shea butter is applicable for dry as well as fragile curly hair. Shea butter should be applied twice a week for hair growth, improving hair texture and moisturizing the hair.