Rahua Goes Into the Mystic
PALO SANTO / (pal-oh san-toh) / n. / 1. Also known as Bursera graveolens, a spidery, fragrant tree that flourishes in South America’s coastal regions; / n. / 2. Translated in Spanish as “holy wood,” a mystical shrub that is frequently used as a spiritual healer and energy cleanser by shamans in ayahuasca ceremonies; / n. / 3. A “smudge stick” that acts to remove bad energy, improve meditation, and repel insects when burned; / n. / 4. A tea that reduces inflammation and relieves cold and flu symptoms, asthma, and headaches when consumed; / n. / 5. A woodsy-scented essential oil with uplifting properties frequently used in natural-minded beauty products, e.g., “Ward off bad energy and add an aromatic element to any hairstyle with Palo Santo.”
Try it: Rahua Hair Wax with essences of Palo Santo, $32, www.rahua.com.
Milk Thistle Does a Body (and Hair) Good
MILK THISTLE / (milk this-uhl) / n. / 1. Latin name Silybum marianum, the sturdy thistle with the spiny stems, native to the Mediterranean region, is so named because of its milky-white-streaked leaves; / 2. The plant is characterized by the presence of the flavonoid silymarin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and is thought to help protect and repair the liver; / 3. Because of its liver-reinforcing abilities, milk thistle has been used in the treatment of viral hepatitis and cirrhosis; / 4. There is anecdotal evidence of its performance as an emergency antidote when ingested immediately after eating a poisonous mushroom; / 5. Thanks to its ability to flourish in hot, dry climates, the plant has remarkable emollient qualities when incorporated into haircare. E.g., “Boost liver function and condition lackluster hair with milk thistle.”
Try it: Phyto Secret de Nuit overnight beauty treatment, $38, www.phyto-usa.com/.
Himalayan Crystal Vision
HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL / hymn-a-lay-in kris-tal/ n. / 1. Halite, commonly known as rock salt, which is mined in the Pakistani mountains; / n. / 2. A pinkish-white salt that has been maturing over the past 200 million years, under intense tectonic pressure, creating an environment of zero exposure to toxins and impurities; / n. / 3. An increasingly popular condiment that contains the same eighty-four natural minerals and elements found in the human body and boasts a unique cellular structure that stores vibrational energy; / n. / 4. A tasty, healthy popcorn-topping alternative; / n. / 5. A potassium-, iron-, and magnesium-rich beauty aid that is known for fortifying the hair fiber, e.g., “Say no to butter flavoring and yes to stronger, healthier strands with Himalayan crystals.”
Try It: Shu Uemura Muroto Volume Pure Lightness Treatment Masque for Fine Hair with Himalayan Crystals, $68, www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com.
The Giving Tree
OAK / ohk / n / 1. A deciduous or evergreen species of the genus Quercus that is native to the northern hemisphere; / n / 2. Planks and beams often used in the construction of buildings and boats for its strength and hardness; / n / 3. Tannin-rich wood that is resistant to insect and fungal attack; / n / 4. Barrels used to age wine and spirits; / n / 5. An antiseptic, astringent extract that helps to tighten the skin, shrink pores, and increase cell turnover for a more youthful appearance, e.g., “Oak nurtures the complexion so that it’s built to last.”
Try it: Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiageing Foundation, $39, www.sephora.com.
The Spice Of Longer Skin Life
NUTMEG / (nut-meg) / n. / 1. The seed from the fruit of the evergreen Myristica fragrans tree that is indigenous to Indonesia; / n. / 2. / An essential oil believed to be an aphrodisiac by Islamic scholars and used to enhance men’s virility in traditional Chinese medicine; / n. / 3. / An aromatic spice referred to as jaiphal in India, where it is frequently employed in dessert recipes; / n. / 4. / An antioxidant-rich skin-tightening and -lightening agent, e.g., “For a youthful complexion—and a good time—call on nutmeg.”
Try It: Eminence Organics Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream with Nutmeg Seed, visit www.us.eminenceorganics.com for spas.