Goat milk soap:
Switches out the water in soapmaking for goat milk, so it is richer and creamier. This necessitates an ultra-cold-process soap which also helps to preserve the other ingredients.
- Contains alpha-hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid, which help remove dead skin cells, promotes blood flow and collagen production and helps absorption of the other minerals
- Very high Vitamin A, which is necessary for the body to repair damaged skin tissue and maintain healthy skin. There have been several medical studies showing that creams and soaps made with Vitamin A reduce lines and wrinkles, control acne, and provide some psoriasis relief.
- Rich in niacin, which helps protect skin from sun damage.
- Contains thiamine and Vitamin B6 which both promote healthy skin growth and maintenance.
- Extra fat content and potassium help the moisturising effect by creating a sealing layer
- Magnesium, which can help calm irritated skin, encourage healthy skin turnover and can help reduce the appearance of acne
- Selenium, which can protect against sun damage and cancer
- Zinc, which can prevent the body from over-producing oil
- Caprylic Acid which is antifungal and anti-inflammatory
Horsetail:
Infused with goat milk for water and fat extraction
- Contains more silicon in the form of silica and silica acids than any other herb, in absorbable form
- Natural source of calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C
- Astringent to tighten pores
- Antioxidants (bioflavonoids and phenolic acids) at levels that give strong protective activity against free radicals, lipid peroxidation and oxidative agents
- Topical application has been shown to help wound healing, reduction of inflammation and pain relief
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6245282/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441770/
Turkey tail
Long-infused in hot water
Long use in traditional Chinese medicine for immune support and detoxifying. Recent clinical trials also demonstrating a range of interesting benefits. Has a similar reputation to chaga for anti-cancer and general immune boosting.
Infused in hot water to make a tea: a longstanding traditional method, and water extraction seems the best for effective antioxidants
- More than 40 naturally occurring antioxidants (flavonoids baicalein and quercetin, gallic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids, water extract exhibited the highest antiradical activity against •OH)
- Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP)
- Mild natural antibiotic and antibacterial
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010034/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6044372/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4972825/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25271984/
Western Redcedar
Infused with oil
Many of cedar’s amazing properties come from a monoterpene called thujaplicin which is a powerful antimicrobial and anti-fungal. Owing to their antibacterial activities against various microbes colonizing and affecting the skin, thujaplicins are used in skin care and hair growth products, and are especially popular in Eastern Asia.
Demonstrated anti-inflammatory
References:
https://academic.oup.com/jac/article/51/1/113/771184?login=true
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2005/437374/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214008517300044
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thujaplicin
Usnea longissimi lichen
Infused with goat milk for water and fat extraction
- Usnic acid is a phenolic compound with dibenzofuran structure that has been shown to have potential anti-cancer effects, and is antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal
- Norstitic acid which is an antioxidant
References:
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-694/usnea
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32316674/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23203090/
Medicinal properties not confirmed by the FDA—sheet for informational purposes only
Kate McCallum 