According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “botanical” can be used as…
- a noun: a plant used as medicine
- an adjective: involving or relating to plants
When it comes to our botanical skincare, it’s that second definition that we’re talking about… though that first one comes in to play to an extent, too.
Botanical ingredients are substances that come from plants – namely, herbs.
We could get into the definition of what counts as a herb, but that’s where things can get a bit complicated, so for our purposes here, let’s say that herbs are plants with beneficial properties.
For centuries, humans have been using herbs for skin care. Who remembers, as a child, picking dock leaves to soothe the irritation of nettle stings? That is a simple example of plants being used for skin care.
At Freyaluna, we use that knowledge and traditional practise to develop our range of botanical skincare products which help to improve and maintain skin health.
Allow us to introduce you to some of the beautiful plants we’ve got growing in our Herb Garden, and why we use them in our skincare products. Perhaps you’ll find some skin inspiration and fall in love with these botanicals as much as we have.
Long used as a remedy for bruises, wounds, swellings, and rheumatic pain, arnica contains ten different constituents which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. This plant helps to “clean up” blood from bruised tissue and aid the replacement of damaged cells with new cells.
Helps to strengthen skin tissue, tone the scalp, prevent hair loss, and leave hair soft and shiny. The saponins in birch help to open up the pores of the scalp, which means the nutrients and minerals from other ingredients can penetrate deeper.
Helps to promote the healing and repair of skin tissues, is anti-inflammatory, and minimises scar formation. Soothes irritations and inflammation. Calendula also helps to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight off infection.
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Helpful for repairing damaged skin conditions such as sunburn and blisters, as well as soothing skin complaints like dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and hypersensitivity. Chamomile also helps to improve the elasticity of the skin and strengthen skin tissue.
Helps to remove toxins and congestion from the skin. Fennel is highly beneficial for dull, and tired skin, helping to enliven the complexion. Fennel also and has a reputation for keeping wrinkles at bay.
Thanks to its high silica content, horsetail helps promote the formation of collagen, which improves skin, hair, and nails. It is helpful for healing wounds, and has been found to ease rheumatism.
Helps to balance oil production without causing excessive dryness. Jasmine has skin-softening properties, and increases blood circulation to the skin, bringing oxygen and nutrients to cells.
Promotes the growth of healthy new skin cells, and has a balancing the skin’s oil and moisture levels. Lavender has a strong healing effect, and is useful for acne, eczema and psoriasis, as well as sunburn and irritation.
Called “The Elixir of Life”, lemon balm is famed for its rejuvenating properties. Lemon balm has a generally calming effect, and so can be helpful with skin problems such as eczema. It is very soothing for the scalp, reducing itchiness and irritation.
With analgesic properties, Marjoram is helpful for soothing rheumatic aches and pains, and swollen joints, especially where there is a feeling of cold and stiffness. Generally warming, Marjoram improves blood flow to over-worked muscle to ease tightness and aching.
Has a reputation for counteracting hair loss, and can be helpful as prevention and remedy to dandruff. As well as all of that goodness for the scalp, nettle can also improve the feel and quality of dry and lifeless hair, making it softer and shiner.
High level of anti-inflammatory properties can calm down redness, swelling and irritation. Has a cooling effect while also brightening dull skin. Prevents free radical damage, helpful for acne and to protect skin from sun damage.
Long known as a herb for healing wounds and sores, this plant is second-to-none for treating bee stings and insect bites. Its anti-inflammatory effects are beneficial for reducing the pain and redness of spots and blemishes.
With a complex array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, rose is great for nourishing dry skin as well as soothing redness and reducing inflammation. Rose can refine skin texture, and help with psoriasis and dermatitis.
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With warming and slightly analgesic qualities, rosemary is beneficial for increasing blood circulation in skin and muscles. This has various benefits, helping to ease muscle aches and tension, as well as improving skin complexion.
Has an ability to increase collagen, which is key for the elasticity of the skin. It is rich in vitamin A which encourages the rejuvenation of skin cells which can reduce the appearance of dark spots and scars.
Loaded with nutrients that offer a wide range of healing benefits. Sweet violet is naturally anti-inflammatory and so may be helpful for those with eczema and other dry skin conditions. It can also help to soften hard skin.
With strong antibacterial properties, Thyme is effective for healing acne, wounds, and similar skin conditions. It is helpful for calming insect bites. Thyme stimulates the body’s own immune system, helping to ward-off infection.
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Years ago we used to buy-in our botanical ingredients and it always saddened us to open a delivery box and see all of these beautiful botanical ingredients – so vibrant and life-giving – suffocated by plastic bags and packaging.
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Aside from the environmental impact of the plastic, that is not the best way to treat, package, and store botanical ingredients, which means that those lovely vibrant botanicals… weren’t so vibrant when they got to us… which means they weren’t offering as much skincare goodness to your skin (via our skincare products) as they would when treated with care and respect.
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And that care and respect is required long before the dried plant materials are placed somewhere to be stored before use. Care and respect is required throughout the plant’s life. And that’s what we give them at our Freyaluna Herb Garden, from seed to serum.