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Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean… (Psalms 51:7)

 - King David sang repentantly, playing the psaltery. Why exactly hyssop? What is it about this obscure medicinal herb that inspired the most famous poet in the ancient world to sing about it?

In fact, this herb is mentioned with great respect not only in the Old Testament, but also in various medical texts from ancient Greece to Mesopotamia, from Egypt to Arabia. It was widely used not only in religious ceremonies, but in magical potions popular at the time, as well as in various elixirs and balms created by the medieval monks. 

In ancient days, people believed that this plant was able to drive the angel of death away from their dwellings if the walls and beams of the building were sprinkled with the infusion of hyssop, and if the dried herb bundles were placed in the corners of the building.  Believe it or not, there was a legitimate reason behind this custom – hyssop possesses strong antibacterial properties and is able to help lessen the danger of infection and its potent aroma was responsible for driving away various insects that could potentially carry and transmit typhoid fever, malaria, yellow fever and other ailments that could appear with these uninvited guests.

It was reported that in towns affected by the plague, some families were able to protect themselves by using hyssop vinegar (vinegar infused with the areal parts of the plant). The infusion was poured onto a hot brick and the dwelling fumigated.  Trade caravans departed for their long journeys through the desert with large amounts of hyssop that they believed would drive away desert demons. In reality, the herb protected them from numerous insect bites that carry various diseases, as well as from the invisible world of bacterial pathogens.

During these uncertain times many of us are committing to pay better attention to our health and do more for prevention of various ailments. Among the amazing variety of supplements and herbs, one stands out for delivering a wide range of benefits supported by numerous studies – Sea Buckthorn Oil. It is not very well known here in the west, but in Siberia, Tibet and other parts of the world it is the number 1 go to remedy for numerous conditions. Sometimes referred to as the “sacred fruit of the Himalayas,” Sea Buckthorn is used, as it has been, for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine.  It has shown to possess numerous health benefits, such as heart muscle support, boosting the immune system, protecting from diabetes, as well as healing of stomach ulcers and soothing various skin conditions.  Here are 11 scientifically proven beneficial properties of Sea Buckthorn Oil.

1. Immune Support - Sea Buckthorn Oil can help protect your body from infections. Experts attribute this effect, to a large extent, to the high content of antioxidants, (1), flavonoids and “live” fat-soluble forms of vitamin C and E. Flavonoids are beneficial herbal compounds that can strengthen your immune system, increasing disease resistance. In one test tube test, Sea Buckthorn Oil prevented the growth of bacteria such as E. coli (2). Sea Buckthorn Oil may also provide protection against various viruses, such as influenza and herpes viruses (1).
2. Support Healthy Heart - Sea Buckthorn Oil can benefit heart health in several different ways. First, its antioxidants can help reduce risk factors for heart disease, including blood clots, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol content. For example, in one study, 12 healthy men were administered 5 g of Sea Buckthorn oil daily. Four weeks later, thrombosis markers were significantly reduced in this group of subjects. (3). In another study, a daily intake of 0.75 ml of Sea Buckthorn Oil for 30 days helped lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Levels of triglycerides, as well as total and “bad” LDL cholesterol also decreased in people with high cholesterol.
3. Skin Rejuvenation - Sea Buckthorn Oil contains certain compounds that improve skin health when applied topically. For example, studies show this oil can help stimulate skin regeneration, helping wounds heal faster. (4) Similarly, animal studies show that sea buckthorn oil can also help reduce inflammation after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, protecting the skin from sunlight (5). Researchers believe that both of these effects can be associated with the omega-7 and omega-3 fats it contains (6). In a seven-week study involving 11 young men it was found that a mixture of Sea Buckthorn Oil and water, applied directly to the skin, improved skin elasticity better than a placebo (7). There is also some evidence that Sea Buckthorn Oil can increase skin moisture levels as well as help skin heal faster from burns, frostbite, and pressure sores (8.9). 
4. Nutrient Rich - Sea Buckthorn Oil contains numerous vitamins, minerals and useful plant compounds: flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenes, fat-soluble vitamin complexes - antioxidants (9) that help protect your body from aging and diseases, such as cancer and cardio vascular disorders. (Sea Buckthorn Seeds are rich in quercetin (10), a flavonoid associated with lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease. Sea Buckthorn berries contain a high level of potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus in easily absorbable fat-soluble form. They also contain a large amount of folate, biotin and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and E. More than half of the fat contained in Sea Buckthorn Oil is mono- and polyunsaturated fat, which are two types of healthy fats. Interestingly, Sea Buckthorn Oil is one of very few plant based sources to contain four fatty omega acids: omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9 (and according to some Russian studies, all 6 omega acids). (11)
5. Diabetes Prevention - Sea Buckthorn Oil can also help prevent the development of diabetes. Studies show that it can help lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion and improving insulin sensitivity. (12) One human study revealed that Sea Buckthorn Oil can help minimize the rise of blood sugar levels after consuming foods high in carbohydrates (13). Preventing frequent long-term spikes in blood sugar levels can decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
6. Liver Benefits - Sea Buckthorn Oil may also help improve liver health. It contains healthy fats, vitamin E and carotenoids that can protect liver cells from damage (14). In one study, Sea Buckthorn Oil significantly improved liver markers (15). In another study, people with cirrhosis — an advanced form of liver disease — were administered 15 g of Sea Buckthorn extract or placebo three times a day for six months. People who received Sea Buckthorn extract improved liver function blood markers significantly more than the placebo group (16).  Since the condition of skin depends on the health of the liver, improving liver function indirectly affects skin rejuvenation.
7. Cancer Prevention - The compounds present in Sea Buckthorn Oil may help prevent cancer. This protective effect may be caused by flavonoids and antioxidants in the oil. For example, Sea Buckthorn is rich in quercetin, a flavonoid that appears to help kill cancer cells (17). Various antioxidants contained in Sea Buckthorn, including carotenoids and vitamin E, may also protect us against this terrible disease. Several in vitro studies show that Sea Buckthorn extracts can be effective in preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells (18).
8. There are a number of studies reporting that Sea Buckthorn Oil possesses a number of other healing properties. For example, it can improve the condition of the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies show that Sea Buckthorn Oil is able to both prevent and treat stomach ulcers (19, 20).
9. Other studies demonstrate that Sea Buckthorn Oil can reduce the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. For example, it can reduce vaginal dryness and act as an effective alternative treatment for postmenopausal women who cannot or do not wish to take estrogen (21).
10. Sea Buckthorn Oil possesses an anti-inflammatory effect. Studies show that Sea Buckthorn leaf extract help reduce joint inflammation (22).
11. Sea Buckthorn may reduce symptoms of depression. Various animal studies have reported that Sea Buckthorn may have an antidepressant effect. (23).

Too many face products, too little time?

With several products now available in our face moisturizer line up and 2 more available at our sister company Axiom, one begins to wonder which product is the one that is best for me?

In this short article, we would like to help highlight the differences between the available face moisturizers that can help you decide which one is the right choice for you.  

1. Restorative Day & Night Moisturizer remains our number one seller. If you have been using Golden Phae or another oil based brand for a while, this product is a perfect combination of anti-aging and soothing ingredients. Instead of purchasing a day cream and a night cream, this product is a 2 in 1 – it is great as an under-makeup product and it soothes and relaxes skin in the evening, after makeup is removed. This product is very concentrated and a little goes a long way. If this is your first time using an oil based moisturizer, please be ready for an adjustment period when your skin learns to follow a new skin care regimen and begins the gradual restoration process day after day.
2. Face The Sun Daily Moisturizer SPF15 is your everyday moisturizer with sunscreen. It is a stand-alone moisturizer and does not need another product underneath. It provides hydration as well as sun protection, all in one jar. Although most clients prefer to use it in the day time only and use a different product at night, there is nothing in this product that prohibits you from using it as your night time moisturizer as well. The SPF is provided by Zinc Oxide that acts as both sunscreen and a soothing agent.  According to the latest research, zinc is also a great way to boost the response of your immune system. A proprietary soothing herbal complex also helps calm the skin after a day of sun exposure, especially if it was prolonged or high intensity, like a day at the beach or outdoors, hiking, gardening, etc. This moisturizer feels lighter than Restorative Day & Night Moisturizer.
3. Restorative Face Oil can be used in two different ways – by itself and as an additional layer of moisture. By itself, it is perfect for clients with slightly oily to slightly dry skin or for clients who have never used oil based products before.  Let this oil be your first introduction to a new way of hydration. Whether you decide to quit chemicals cold turkey or gradually switch (read more about this process here), Restorative Face Oil is a great way to start on your new journey into natural skincare. However, if your skin is extremely dry and dehydrated and you feel like you want to bathe in moisturizer several times a day, you can layer the Restorative Face Oil under Restorative Day & Night Moisturizer. Although this usually happens during winter months when the combination of cold air, low humidity and indoor heat can make your skin feel particularly dry and dehydrated, some clients prefer this combination year round.
4. Acne Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 18 is perfect for anyone with oily, slightly oily, combination or acneic skin. Although the name suggests that it fights acne, it is also an anti – aging product and the ingredients were selected specifically to promote healthy, balanced skin that is free of breakouts, but is not stripped of moisture and nutrients which can lead to faster dehydration and lines later in life. This moisturizer is the lightest among all our creams and can be used by anyone from teenagers to acne prone adults already experiencing their first lines and wrinkles. The proprietary herbal complex promotes soothing and rebalancing and the addition of zinc oxide serves as sun protection, immune system booster and a calming agent for skin.

We hope that this quick guide can help you decide which combination of products is right for you. Please, feel free to reach out to us to discuss your own unique situation. We are happy to help!

*Please check out our other face moisturizers at Axiom