Not Just Skin Deep: Grace's Daily Routine

It can seem daunting and time-consuming to establish a well-rounded body care regimen. But caring for your skin is a very personal thing, and, as you'll read below, it certainly doesn't have to be a burden! Grace describes her effortless routine that covers all the bases and leaves her feeling (literally and figuratively) confident in her skin.

Grace says, "I'm an incredibly low-maintenance kinda gal when it comes to body care. To keep my skin happy and clean, my simple daily routine focuses on 3 steps: wash, moisturize, protect. The products I use include a face and body soap, face and body lotion, deodorant and chapstick. That's it! I probably have the most clutter-free shower and bathroom cabinet you can imagine."

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser
What I love most about this cleanser is that it can be used as both an exfoliate AND a gentle cleanser. Use 'as is' for exfoliating (which I do no more than twice a week), or rub the sugar crystals between your hands until they dissolve/melt, and it becomes a foaming cleanser. Suki's signature lemongrass scent is inspiring, and my skin always feels smooth and amazingly rejuvenated after washing with this product. Highlights: The Suki skincare line was created for ultra sensitive skin with a focus on passion, purity, potency, and real results. 

Dr. Ohhira's Kampuku Beauty Bar (probiotic soap)
The skin is the largest organ in the human body, so I think it's one of the most important organs to take care of and protect. This high quality beauty bar is made with natural plant extracts and essential herbs. Most bar soaps leave my skin feeling dry, but this beauty bar actually moisturizes my skin and makes it feel soothed, hydrated and healed. Highlights: The pH-balancing blend of pre- and probiotics maintain and strengthen the skin by deterring the growth of harmful bacteria, stimulating its innate immune system and limiting the production of free radicals, leaving skin clean, hydrated and supple.

DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+
I ride my bike to and from work most days, so it's important for me to protect my face with sunscreen. Most sunscreens with zinc oxide tend to leave a white residue on the skin, but this product is feather-light and rubs in completely with little effort. I've also had trouble with sunscreens burning my eyes (even natural ones), but this one is magical- no itching or burning. Highlights: Absorbs quickly, deeply moisturizing, formulated specifically for sensitive skin.

North Coast Organics Naked Deodorant
For years the ONLY deodorants that worked to keep my body odor at bay contained aluminum (boo!). Recently I decided to try this all-natural deodorant because a few of my co-workers and a bunch of our regular customers SWEAR by it. They were right! It totally works and stands true to the company's motto: "an elite assassin of odor that you can trust". Highlights: VEGAN!, sweet packaging, simple and clean ingredients (coconut oil, carnauba wax, corn starch, baking soda).

Dr. Robin Daily Moisture Cream 
I love to slather this lotion on my legs after I shave. Some lotions burn and irritate my skin after shaving, but this one is super hydrating and soothing! This gentle, fragrance-free moisture cream is ideal for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.  Dr. Robin (who developed the formula) is a Pediatric Dermatologist, so she markets the formula specifically for kids, but it totally works for grown-ups, too (wink!). Highlights: It's free of parabens, phthalates, nanotechnology, unnecessary preservatives, extracts and additives.

Benevolent Bee Ultra Moisturizing Honeyed Lip Balm
I'm one of those people who can't go anywhere without bringing lip balm with me. This is my most favorite kind! The mild honey flavor is lovely, and it keeps my lips soft for hours on end, so I hardly ever have to reapply. I'm also a big sucker for local products, and this company is located just across the river in Jamaica Plain. As Mother Nature shifts into cooler and drier temps, try this awesome product for excellent lip protection! Highlights: Locally made, ultra moisturizing, simple ingredients!

Announcing Coexist Cold Brew: Drink Good, Do Good

At Cambridge Naturals, we dedicate hours - no, days - and an incredible amount of care to reviewing each and every product that comes into the store. We consider everything from the safety and efficacy of ingredients to the integrity of the company we're sourcing from. For months we've been seeking the perfect cold-brewed coffee to bring into our small grocery section to meet the growing desire of customers (and frankly, our staff!) for that delicious, non-acidic, caffeinated drink. So when we met Coexist Coffee at the Natural Product Expo East trade show, we were blown away by the combination of the superior quality of their coffee and their social impact mission.

On their website, the company explains, "Coexist Coffee is a uniting force, bringing farmers and families of different faiths together to work towards common goals and be in charge of their own development and futures. The farmers of the Cooperative spent decades in civil war, where whole tribes were almost wiped out, before realizing that to survive and develop economically they must put aside their differences and work together. Hence they formed Peace Kawomera, which means “Delicious Peace” in the local Luganda language. What’s more, we send back our profits to help fund the schools for the Cooperative’s children, so that the farmer’s children have a greater opportunity to learn and grow."

This delicious and truly world-changing cold-brewed coffee hits our shelves today, and we couldn't be more excited about it. Look for it in the refrigerated case!

Schisandra: The (Flavorful!) Berry That Does It All

By Steph Zabel
Herbalist, Ethnobotanist and Educator

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a somewhat obscure herbal medicine that many people have never heard of before. Although it is indeed a relative newcomer to the Western herbalist’s pharmacopeia, it has been known, used, and loved by traditional Chinese herbal practitioners for thousands of years.  A native of Asia, schisandra is a woody vine that produces bright red fruits at the end of summer; these fruits are then harvested and utilized for their extensive medicinal properties.

But before we get into the historical uses of the unique schisandra berry, let’s talk about its taste… 

As I write this I am chewing on several dried berries and it’s as if a thousand sour fireworks went off in my mouth. Whew! To say that this plant is extremely flavorful is an understatement! I can taste the acutely sour and bitter notes as well as a peppery pungent taste. 

The Chinese call it wu wei zi or “fruit of five flavors”, noting that schisandra incorporates all of the five tastes (sour, salty, bitter, sweet and pungent). Because of this distinctive quality it was thought to be an especially important tonic medicine.

In classes I always remind my herbal students that a good way to become better acquainted with a new herb is to tune into its taste. Although we may not realize this simple fact, our taste buds can actually give us a lot of important information about a plant, i.e., how potent it is and how it could make us feel.

Schisandra is a great example of how our tongue can give us clues about a plant’s action in the body. For instance, when I taste a few dried schisandra berries I immediately feel more awake and invigorated. The intense and sour taste is incredibly stimulating to my tongue (and, for lack of a better word, is very zing-y). 

It also clears away all other tastes and leaves my palate feeling cleansed. You can imagine that if this tart, little berry has such an invigorating and clearing effect on the tissues of the tongue, that it might have a very similar action on the rest of the body’s tissues and organs…

Which indeed it does, according to traditional Chinese medicine where schisandra has been an important tonic herb for centuries – used to prolong life, slow the aging process, and increase stamina and energy levels. It was also believed that when used consistently over time, schisandra berry would cause one’s physical appearance to remain youthful.

Scientific studies have validated the age-old regard for this plant, confirming that schisandra can help to reduce fatigue and also support mental concentration. Try chewing on a few dried berries or drinking the tea when you need to study for long periods of time or do focused work. The taste stimulates the mind and helps to keep your concentration steady and focused. 

Schisandra is also known as an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it helps to reduce mental and physical stress, increase energy, and enhance physical performance when taken over time. Not surprisingly, these qualities make it a great herb for athletes as it helps to increase endurance. 

However, even if you aren’t an athlete but want to improve your overall energy levels, schisandra can be beneficial. Even better, like many deeply colored berries, schisandra contains many protective antioxidants that help to maintain healthy cells throughout the body and reduce inflammation.

Finally, another wonderful virtue of this plant is that it supports the liver. Schisandra is a hepatoprotective (liver-protective) herb. It also exerts a gentle detoxifying action – remember how it makes your palate feel refreshed and cleansed? It has this same purifying effect for the liver, too. 

How to use: 

To make schisandra berry tea at home, simmer 1 to 2 tbsp. of the dried berries in 2 cups of water in a small, covered saucepan for 15 to 20 minutes. This will yield a much more medicinal and flavorful cup of tea than simply pouring boiled water over the herb.

Try using schisandra tea as an unconventional, but very effective, coffee alternative for an early morning jumpstart, or a caffeine-free energy boost in the afternoon.

As mentioned in last month’s post, schisandra blends well with other herbal fruits such as hawthorn, elderberry and rosehips. You can also try substituting schisandra berry in any tea blend that would call for hibiscus.

Schisandra is also readily available in tincture form, which is convenient when you aren’t able to make a cup of tea. 

Or, just chew on a few dried berries to reap schisandra’s benefits: start with one or two and work your way up.

Steph Zabel is an herbalist and educator based in Somerville, MA who helps urban dwellers connect with the plant world.  She teaches herbal classes, is available for individual consultations, and is also the founder of HERBSTALK, a community herbal conference.  Learn more about her work at: www.flowerfolkherbs.com and www.herbstalk.org.

References:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037887410800216X

http://www.drugs.com/npp/schisandra.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24944771

http://www.mediherb.com.au/pdf/6056_AU.pdf

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-376-schisandra.aspx?activeingredientid=376&activeingredientname=schisandra

http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/pdfs/011007-185.pdf

Chevallier A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants . New York, NY: DK Publishing, 1996.

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This Web site — Herbs and Botanicals  — is for general health information only. This Web site is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Users of this Web site should not rely on information provided on this Web site for their own health problems. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider.

Not Just Skin Deep: Alex's Picks

This is the second post in our series Not Just Skin Deep - the products our staff use every day in their body care routines. Alex is one of the buyers in our body care department and has a background in cosmetology. She's scouted some wonderful new items for the skin care section, including A Wild Soap, and is always on the look out for amazing natural make up products!

1. Heritage Store Organic Castor Oil

This organic castor oil has been a great addition to my oil cleansing routine. I like to mix it with organic sweet almond oil and a touch of rosemary essential oil to create a facial cleansing solution in place of a traditional face wash. Castor oil is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and is a bit astringent, which is helpful for removing impurities from the skin.  Heritage Store’s castor oil comes in a nice big glass bottle, cold-pressed, pesticide and paraben free, the company also tests the oil to be free of solvents and chemicals. My skin is still adjusting to this cleansing method but so far I love it!

2. Bamboobino Baby Washcloths

Ok, so these are supposed to be for babies, but why not get some for yourself? I like to use these after oil cleansing my face, run it under hot water to gently steam the skin and wipe of excess oil. These washcloths are seriously soft! Added bonus, bamboo fiber is hypoallergenic and has antibacterial properties. The company Bamboonino uses organically grown bamboo and cotton and is working towards become a carbon neutral company.

3. Evan Healy Light Moisture Replenishing Fluid

I really enjoy this product, I use it as my moisturizer before I apply my make up. The name pretty much sums it up! Super light, has a more liquid texture than your average moisturizer. Featuring tamanu oil, pomegranate seed oil and organic, sustainably sourced argan oil, it leaves my skin feeling balanced. Despite the fact that there is so many beneficial oils in the product, it is still super light. Evan Healy sources the argan oil from a protected and self governed women’s cooperative in Southern Morocco.

4. Hurraw! Moon Balm

Love this lip balm. First off, it smells amazing, almost like a vanilla cookie! It is intended as an overnight lip balm, as it contains soothing chamomile and a blend of therapeutic oils including meadowfoam seed oil and rosehip seed oil. However, I wear mine during the day - it’s certainly creamy, but I don't find it to be too heavy. And I can’t get enough of the scent! Hurraw!’s balms are vegan, raw, organic, fair trade and they also use sustainable argan oil from the Berber Cooperative in Southern Morocco.

5. A Wild Soap - Sea Scrub Bar with Sea Clay and Kelp

We just brought this line of soaps into the store. They come from a family owned company in Austin, Texas that uses organic and sustainable palm oil, wildcrafted herbs and unique essential oil blends. The Sea Scrub bar is my favorite. It has a super light and refreshing scent (palmarosa, cassia, vetiver are just some of the unique essential oils used!) that is blended with pumice, sea salt, sea clay and kelp. Refreshing, lots of lather and mineral rich!

6. Dr. Hauschka Liquid Eyeliner in Black

If you enjoy makeup and are forever trying to achieve that perfect cat eye, then this liner is for you! The brush on this eyeliner is crazy delicate and thin to help with precision. The eyeliner liquid is infused with eyebright and neem oil to help sooth and rose wax to help maintain color throughout the day. I definitely am still working on the perfect cat eye, but getting closer!

7. Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tint in Adorn

Another product new to our store, I love that this helps round out our cosmetic selection providing a quality yet cost effective (and cruelty free) lip color option or all ages. My favorite color is a rich plum called “adorn”, the darkest of the fun hues mineral fusion offers. It goes on pretty light - the color intensifies as you apply more to your lips. The consistency is super smooth, almost like a gloss, which is great. I keep it in my back pocket and reapply as needed!  

Not Just Skin Deep: Our Natural Body Care Rituals

The truth is, when it comes to body care, the products you use every day go more than skin deep. At Cambridge Naturals our mission is to provide you with the best choices in truly natural, healthy and effective body care products that you can feel good about putting onto your body's largest organ: your skin. Whether it's five or 15, each of us on staff has body care products that we just can't live without. They make up our daily body care routines, helping us start and end each day feeling clean, refreshed, beautiful.

In this new blog series, our staff will tell the story of the products they use every day in their own body and beauty care rituals. Zack, our Assistant Manager and champion of our improved Men's Section, is the first one to step up to the plate! Read on for all of Zack's favorites...

(1) Black Willow Bark Shaving Soap by A Wild Soap and (2) Vegan Shaving Brush by Omega

I love shaving, but it took me years of razor burn as well as trying different products and techniques to get to this point. If only I had known about natural shaving soaps! Now I look forward to shaving instead of dreading it. This is an incredible shaving soap infused with Black Willow Bark extract to sooth irritation and Activated Charcoal for exfoliation. Shaving soap is an often misunderstood body care product; it will work on its own but works amazingly better if you use shaving oil and a shaving brush. I like the Omega brand Vegan Shaving Brush and the Badger Shaving Oil. The key is to take your time and turn shaving from a chore to a joy.

Using a wet shaving brush, rub the shaving soap until a dense lather develops and then gently brush the lather into your oiled skin. And only shave in one direction before rinsing off and re-lathering!

(3) Clay Dry Deodorant - White Pine by Adama Minerals

How many deodorants does one have to try before they find the right one?! I have searched high-and-low for a deodorant that works through my entire workday that doesn't irritate my skin and doesn't smell like I'm wearing cologne. This is one of my new favorites, it goes on smooth without friction, smells 'clean', and gives me a good 6-8 hours of full effect. It also comes in three other scents. Two or three swipes and I’m good to go for the day.

(4) Scalp: Follicle Treatment and Volumizer for Thinning Hair by John Masters

Like a lot of people I rotate shampoos and conditioners every so often.  And despite my best efforts, my hair is thinning fast. Some shampoos and conditioners can help by volumizing it or giving me a better balance of cleanliness and moisture, but this spray from John Masters is the best solution I have found. It is light in texture like water, is full of scalp stimulating herbs and essential oils, and leaves your hair and scalp feeling fabulous. Mist on after toweling off and gently massage into the scalp and hair.  It’s no “miracle hair loss cure!” but it has helped improve my scalp and I like the way it leaves my hair looking, clean but not frizzy.

(5) Neem & Turmeric Face Wash by Himalaya

Oily skin can be a struggle, especially when you’ve got blemish prone skin too. This face wash from Himalaya is a great pick for anyone with oily, blemish prone skin who doesn’t want their skin drying out immediately after washing. Not only does it leave your skin feeling super-clean, it smells like fresh marjoram! I like to begin my day with this wash and end it with something more astringent.

(6) Lemon Thyme Hydrosol and (7) Sea Algae Serum by EvanHealy 

What can I say about EvanHealy… their products are simply the best. Their Sea Algae Serum is a slick, lighter serum that is packed with natural antioxidants and beneficial oils and leaves the skin feeling smooth and looking radiant. And I love using their Lemon-Thyme Hydrosol for its oil-balancing and anti-microbial properties. It is honestly my favorite smell in the entire world.  After washing your face morning or night, spray liberally with hydrosol and finish with one or two pumps of this serum. Heaven.