MILK THISTLE

Milk thistle is a potent antioxidant preventing free radicals from causing skin cancer.   It has been used to benefit health for at least 2000 years. The Roman Pliny wrote of the beneficial effects of Milk Thistle on the Liver. And it was highly regarded by Dioscorides, Galen, Gerard and Culpepper.   In the last few decades, much research has been carried out in Europe on Milk Thistle. Recent studies also indicate benefits in using the herb for treating psoriasis and some types of skin cancer.

CHINESE LICORICE ROOT

Chinese licorice root, or "Gan Cao," has been popular for 5,000 years in China, where it is sometimes called "the grandfather of herbs." Chinese licorice root is said to revitalize the "Center" referring to the "middle burning space." It is believed to drive out all poisons and toxins from the system and to eliminate side effects from other herbs used with it. Gan Cao is said to aid all other herbs in entering their respective meridians and is thus of tremendous importance in the Chinese tonic herbal system. It is also believed that licorice root will clean the meridians and allow Qi to flow smoothly.

Laboratory tests in China have demonstrated that extracts of Radix Glcyrrhizin can help to eliminate or detoxify over 1,200 known toxins. This remarkable capacity as a detoxifying agent is virtually unparalleled in the realm of pharmacology.

ANNATTO SEED

Annatto seeds have traditionally been used in food coloring, and currently there has been a trends showing an increasing use in body care products. Annatto oil is an emollient, and its high carotenoid, a beneficial antioxidant. In body care products, annatto oil provides antioxidant benefits while adding a rich, sunny color to creams, lotions, and shampoos.

SPEARMINT

Spearmint contains the substance rosmarinic acid, which has several actions that are beneficial in asthma. In addition to its antioxidant abilities to neutralize free radicals, rosmarinic acid has been shown to block the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals, such as leukotrienes. It also encourages cells to make substances called prostacyclins that keep the airways open for easy breathing. Extracts of spearmint have also been shown to help relieve the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis (colds related to allergy).