Ingredients

All Leafyhead ingredients are organic and food-grade when possible. They are sourced from reputable dealers or are home-grown or ethically wildcrafted.

The Herbs:

Aloe vera (Aloe barbaderis) is soothing, moistening, and healing to the skin. Keep an aloe plant in your house to use on minor burns -- the gooey inside of the leaf reduces pain and speeds healing! We use cold-pressed organic aloe vera gel. It contains a few other ingredients to preserve and thicken it: potassium sorbate, citric acid, and xanthan gum. These gentle, plant-based substances help to preserve the finished cream as well.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis):

The International Herb Society's Herb of the Year in 2008, calendula helps to soothe and heal skin. The calendula flowers used in Leafyhead products are organically home-grown.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

has a long history of use, both internally and externally. Clinical trials have shown that chamomile is powerfully anti-inflammatory. Just as a nice mug of chamomile tea can calm and soothe you in the evening, chamomile flowers can soothe the skin externally! Some people are allergic to chamomile; if you've got ragweed allergies, test products containing chamomile on a small area of skin before using them all over your body.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) was traditionally used to heal broken skin and broken bones -- and is commonly used by horse-owners today.

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is an herb from India that is used to heal tissue.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is high in anti-oxidants.

Plantain (Plantago major & Plantago lanceolata),

a humble, common weed, is one of our favorite herbs. It is powerfully anti-inflammatory. In fact, if you get a bug bite, chew up a plantain leaf and apply it to the bite to stop the itching!

 

About Herbal Infusions:

An herbal infusion is the technical name for "herbal tea." It is dried herbs soaked in boiling water, so that the water takes on their healing properties. When making lotions and creams, we can use an herbal infusion in place of the water portion. This increases the healing properties of the cream, while at the same time it decreases the shelf life. If you left a glass of water and a glass of tea out on the counter for two weeks, the water would be fine, while the tea would not be very happy! This is why infustion-based creams need to be refrigerated.

 

The Oils and Butters:

Almond oil (Prunus dulcis): a gentle, balanced oil that matches the moisture of human skin and easily blends in.

Castor oil (Oleum ricini): an intensely moisturizing and healing oil from the castor bean tree (Ricinus communis). Castor oil has been clinically shown to raise white blood cell levels when applied to the body.

Cocoa butter (Theobroma cacao): a decadent, rich, deeply moisturizing butter.

Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera): gentle and moisturizing.

Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii): exotic, rich, and deeply moisturizing. Shea butter brings a smooth, shimmery texture.

 

About infused oils:

An infused oil, also known as a fixed oil, is much like an herbal infusion (or tea). An herb is soaked in the oil and then heated to a low temperature for a number of hours -- sometimes up to three weeks. The gentle heating process transfers the healing properties of the herb into the oil.

 

Essential Oils:

All Leafyhead Lotions & Potions are scented with pure essential oils, never with synthetic flavor oils or chemicals. Essential oils are the volatile oils found naturally in scented plants, which are distilled out of the plant. It can take many pounds or even tons of fresh plants to produce just an ounce or two of essential oil!

Essential oils are antibacterial, which means that they help to preserve lotions and creams. Some essential oils have specific healing qualities. Simply by smelling them, your body benefits. Lavender essential oil has been clinically proven to relax. Melissa essential oil (lemon balm) is uplifting. Rosemary and other members of the mint family have been shown to stimulate nerve growth in the brain!

Auric Blends has written a nice summary of the difference between essential oils and synthetic fragrance oil.

 

Other Ingredients:

Beeswax: pure beeswax brings texture to our lotions, creams, and salves.

Sodium borate: a natural mineral substance, our food-grade sodium borate (borax) acts as an emulsifier -- it keeps the lotions and creams from separating. It is also a mild preservative. Here's more information on sodium borate and emulsifiers, by Sharon Kinnier of Botanical Skin Works.

h2o: filtered water is whipped with oils, butters, and waxes to create creams and lotions. Products that contain water need emulsifiers and preservatives to extend their life past a week or two. Salves and lip balms contain no water.