Glossary
Benzoin Resin | Styrax Benzoin
Benzoin resin is harvested by hand by tapping Indonesian Styrax trees for their sap. It is a rich, tree gum resin with a warm, sweet, balsamic and powdery vanilla-like scent.
Benefits: mild antiseptic, soothing, balancing, uplifting.
Found In: Aphrodite
Cacao | Theobroma Cacao
Cacao beans are the seeds from the fruit of the cacao tree, and have a long history of ritual use by healers in many cultures around the world.
Cacao butter is made from cacao beans, which are fermented, roasted, dried and crushed into cacao nibs. These are then ground down until a liquid forms, known as cocoa liquor. The fat separated from the liquor is known as cacao butter.
Benefits: energising, improves mood, rich in essential vitamins and minerals, moisturising and protective (cacao butter).
Found In: Wild Nettle Hot Chocolate, Aphrodite
Camomile | Chamomilla recutita
Both German and Roman camomile were used as far back as ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. Ancient Egyptians believed camomile was sacred and a gift from the God of the Sun, and the Saxons saw camomile as one of the nine sacred herbs.
Benefits: calming, soothes inflammation, brightens skin, eases nausea, induces sleep.
Found In: Wildflower Radiance Mask
Castor | Ricinis communis
Castor bean seeds, from which the oil is pressed, have a long history of use, having been found in tombs in Ancient Egypt.
Benefit: produces big bubbles and has a lovely cleansing action.
Found In: Lemons of the Hyades
Cardamom | Elettaria cardamomum
Cardamom is considered to be one of the oldest spices in the world, used in medicine and ritual for thousands of years. It is believed that cardamon was one of the key ingredients in Cleopatra's aphrodisiac perfume blends.
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, aids digestion, aids heart and oral health.
Found In: Passionflower Calming Chai
Cinnamon | Cinnamomum Zeylanicum
Cinnamon, native to Sri Lanka, is high in antioxidants and is considered an aphrodisiac. Researchers believe this was another ingredient Cleopatra used to blend her alluring perfumes.
Benefits: anti-inflammatory, blood sugar stabilising, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, natural pain reliever, soothes cramps and increases circulation.
Found In: Passionflower Calming Chai, Wild Nettle Hot Chocolate
Coconut | Cocos nucifera
Benefits: softens, soothes and moisturises the skin, relieves inflammation, adds cleansing properties and in soapmaking, produces big, frothy bubbles.
Found In: Wildflower Radiance Mask, Aphrodite, Lemons of the Hyades
Egyptian Rose Geranium | Pelargonium graveolens
Rose geranium oil is extracted from the velvety leaves and stems of the plant by steam distillation. The resulting oil is warm, sensual and inviting, carrying a sweet, rosy and green scent, with a slight hint of refreshing mint.
Benefits: calming, rebalancing and uplifting, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory.
Found In: Hedgerow Nectar, Aphrodite
Ginger | Zingiber officinale
Ginger is an ancient spice, used in India and China for thousands of years.
Benefits: calms nausea, eases digestive issues, menstrual cramps and inflammation. Fresh ginger is high in gingerols, whilst dried ginger is higher in shogaols, and early studies have indicated these compounds possess anticancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects.
Found In: Passionflower Calming Chai, Wild Nettle Hot Chocolate
Ho Wood | Cinnamomum camphor
Ho wood essential oil is steam-distilled from the branches of the camphor tree, native to South East Asia. It has a warm, sweet, floral, woody scent and is a wonderful alternative to endangered rosewood thanks to their similar constitution.
Benefits: soothing, calming, uplifting during times of stress.
Found In: Aphrodite
Hemp Seed | Cannabis sativa
Unrefined, cold-pressed hemp seed oil is emerald green in colour, with a nutty aroma and flavour. Naturally rich in essential fatty acids such as omegas 3 and 6, this oil is deeply moisturising, with a comedogenic rating of 0, meaning it doesn’t clog pores.
Benefits: helps to prevent skin damage caused by free radicals, and is anti-inflammatory in nature, which helps soothe dry, itchy, flaky skin.
Found In: Hedgerow Nectar
Hibiscus | Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hibiscus is known as the botox plant, and for good reason. This flower is thought to limit the activity of elastase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down our skin’s elastin. By preserving this enzyme, it helps our skin to remain youthful and firm.
Benefits: natural source of AHAs (which unclog pores and rebalance oily skin), contains malic and citric acid which brighten and exfoliate, has been shown to protect skin from free radical damage and UV-induced photodamage, rich in Vitamin C which is essential for the formation of collagen and wound healing.
Found In: Wildflower Radiance Mask
Kaolin Clay | Kaolin
Kaolin clay is a mineral, mined from the earth, and widely used in the production of ceramics, pottery and skincare. It has an extremely fine grain, a neutral pH and is rich in silica which promotes collagen production, keeping skin elastic.
Benefits: gentle and suitable for all skin types, absorbs excess oil and sebum and may reduce the appearance of pores by removing the impurities that clog them.
Found In: Wildflower Radiance Mask, Aphrodite
Oat | Avena sativa
In Greek mythology, it is written that Gaia, the goddess of the earth, was raised on the milk that exudes from wild oat tops in the summer months. We have known about the nourishing, fortifying power of oats since ancient times.
Benefits: moisturising, antimicrobial, provides a protective barrier against irritants and contains saponins which cleanse the skin.
Found In: Wildflower Radiance Mask
Olive | Olea europaea
Using extra virgin olive oil to craft solid bar soaps dates back centuries. Many historians consider Aleppo soap, made with olive oil, to be the first example of a modern soap bar and one of the oldest types of soap in the world.
Benefits: Deeply moisturising and nourishing.
Found In: Lemons of the Hyades
Passionflower | Passiflora incarnata
The beautiful, trailing, twisting vines of the passionflower, their stunning flowers and bright hanging fruits are one of our founder’s favourite herbal sights to behold. The scent is so captivating and the nectar so divine that there’s even a species of passionflower bee that feeds solely on these flowers.
Benefits: early clinical trials indicate that passionflower has calming and sedative effects, and scientists believe this herb works by increasing levels of the chemical GABA in the brain, making us feel more relaxed.
Found In: Passionflower Calming Chai
Raspberry Seed | Rubus idaeus
Raspberry seed oil is a sustainable oil that is pressed from the discarded seeds of raspberries used in Europe's jam-making industry.
The seeds contain high levels of essential fatty acids, including omegas 3 and 6 which help to soften and smooth, making skin appear more youthful. Raspberry seed oil is also rich in vitamin E, which protects skin against damaging free radicals, such as pollution.
Benefits: early studies show that raspberry seed oil provides some protection from damaging UVA and UVB rays, so it is a great oil to use throughout the year, alongside your usual sunscreen.
Found In: Hedgerow Nectar
Rose | Rosa spp.
In western culture, our perception of the rose symbolising love and romance dates back to Ancient Greece when it was believed that the red rose was created by the goddess Aphrodite, formed from her tears on the ground and the blood of her lover, Adonis.
Benefits: rosewater soothes redness, irritation, and may help reduce acne. Rose petals are cooling, and gently soothe the nervous system, providing welcome relief in times of hot anger, grief, stress and worry.
Found In: Damask Rose Hydrolat, Wildflower Radiance Mask
Rosehip | Rosa canina
The wild rose bush synonymous with our hedgerows, that forms juicy hips in autumn, has been used as a medicinal plant for over 2000 years. The vitamin C content in rosehips is so high that during WWII, the government ordered a mass harvest of the hips in order to provide people with vitamin C throughout the war.
Benefits: keeps skin looking youthful and firm, contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant that reduces damage caused by UV light.
Found In: Hedgerow Nectar, Wildflower Radiance Mask
Strawberry Seed | Fragaria ananassa
Strawberry seed oil is a zero-waste oil, cold-pressed from the seeds of the strawberries used in Europe’s jam-making industry. It is a silky, emerald green, fast-absorbing oil with a "dry" feel that has an aroma of wild strawberries.
Benefits: rich in ellagic acid which protects against oxidative stress that occurs when free radicals and antioxidants are out of balance in our body. Helps strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, keeping irritants out and locking moisture in when used in combination with Damask Rose. Also combats dryness and signs of premature ageing.
Found In: Hedgerow Nectar
Yarrow | Achillea millefolium
Yarrow has been used for its botanical medicine since ancient times, particularly for its use in healing the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, with a particular affinity for sensitive and problematic skin types. Yarrow is restorative, nourishing, soothing and pain-relieving, and has long been used in folk medicine.
Benefits: studies show it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, both of which aid in the healing of wounds. In Ancient Greece, Achilles (who yarrow is named after) healed his injured soldiers with the plant.
Found In: Wildflower Radiance Mask