Ingredients | Definitions

I am very picky about what ingredients I use and where I get them. I only use all natural ingredients, as in wildcrafted herbs, 100% essential oils, no man made vitamins or oils. I will not buy ingredients that are not listed as all natural, and I will not use perfumes in my products. Here is a brief description of ingredients that I use most often:

Ingredient List

Angelica Root - wildcrafted - Often used in compresses for scabies, itching and gout.

Beeswax - Wonderfully anti bacterial, my beeswax comes directly from the hive, so pure I have to filter out the bees! I get it from a wonderful couple in Lady Lake FL who have their own apiary. I met them at a local pow wow, and won't buy my beeswax anywhere else! Phil & Dee's Apiary, 352-753-2099.

Basil is warm, sweet and spicy. It is reported to be anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anti-infectious, antibiotic, a great skin tonic, stimulates blood circulation, uplifting and helps to relieve tension. Avoid during pregnancy. If you suffer from a seizure disorder it is best to avoid Basil.

Bergamot is reported to be antibacterial, antiseptic, good for aging skin, reduces anxiety, stress and has mood-lifting qualities.

Cedarwood is woody, sweet, fruity and soft. It is reported to reduce anxiety and tension, promotes restful sleep, antifungal, antiseptic and relieves arthritis. Avoid during pregnancy.

Chamomile, Roman has a fresh, fruity, sweet and herbaceousis scent. It is reported to be beneficial in all skin conditions. Anti-inflammatory, relieves cramps and spasms, relaxes the mind and body, promotes restful sleep, healing to the skin. Avoid during first trimester of pregnancy.

Clary Sage is herbaceous, nutty, peppery. It is reported to be antiseptic, anti-infectious, calming, eases tension, good for mature, wrinkled skin. Do not use during pregnancy.

Cloves - Spicy aroma, antibacterial, pain relief.

Cypress has a woody, clean fresh scent. It is reported to promote restful sleep, improve skin tone, relax tight muscles, reduce tension and stress.

Croneswort - wildcrafted - also known as black sage, is often burned near the skin for rheumatism and gout.

Eucalyptus has a crisp, clean scent. It is reported to be antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, anti-infectious and anti-parasitic. Good for muscular aches, pain, headaches, rheumatism, rashes, insect bites, mental exhaustion, flu, colds, fever, asthma, lung infections, immune stimulant, aids hypoglycemia, raises blood sugar level, aids concentration. Do not use with children under twelve years of age or with high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Fir, Balsam is fresh, clean and woody. It is reported to have antimicrobial, antiseptic, analgesic properties and has been used for muscular aches and pains.

Frankincense is sweet, incense like, soft, heady, warm, balsamic, slightly spicy and fruity. It is reported to be beneficial for dry, mature, aging skin and is said to have a calming effect, reducing anxiety, nervousness, helps overcome stress, helpful for meditation, stimulating and elevating to the mind, a sedative, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.

Geranium has a sweet scent with citrus, flowery rose undertone. It is believed to promote emotional well-being, uplifting and balancing, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-infectious, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Avoid during pregnancy, and avoid with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Grapefruit has a sweet and citrus scent. It is reported to tone and tighten skin, antiseptic, disinfectant, reduce muscle fatigue and stiffness.

Green Oat Straw - wildcrafted - soothes nerve related skin itching, replenishes weak or brittle hair, bones and fingernails.

Juniper is woody, spicy, herbaceous, fruity and fresh. It is reported to be antiseptic, helps inflammation of arthritis, good disinfectant, relieves nervous tension, relaxing and uplifting. Avoid during pregnancy.

Lavender is floral, fresh and sweet. It is reported to aid in dermatitis, insect bites, anxiety, tension, fatigue, spasms, used to calm, relax, balance, relieve stress and reduce blood pressure. Avoid during first trimester of pregnancy.

Lemon has a clean citrus scent, sweet and sugary. It is reported to be antiseptic, antibacterial, sedative, used to refresh and revitalize.

Lime has a fresh citrus scent, sweet and candy-like. It is reported to be an astringent, eases inflammation, aids in nervousness and anxiety. Believed to be uplifting and cheering.

Mandarin has a light citrus, fruity scent with floral undertones. It is reported to be an antiseptic, good for toning and softening dry skin, relieves nervous tension and irritability.

Myrrh is musty, earthy, warm, woody, and balsamic. It is believed to be beneficial for mature and wrinkled skin. Promotes calmness, good for weak emotional states, antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Avoid during pregnancy.

Sweet Orange is fruity, fresh and sweet. It is reported to be an antiseptic and disinfectant, promotes calmness, reduces tension and stress. Good overall skin care.

Palmarosa has a rosy, floral, sweet, lemony, and fresh scent. It is believed to relieve stress related problems, nervousness, athlete's foot and other fungal infections, antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic and anti-infectious. Tones muscles, great as a circulatory stimulant.

Passion Flower - wildcrafted - calming, known to relieve shingles, considerd a nervine.

Patchouli is sexy, earthy, heavy, musty, smoky, rich, and woody. If is believed to reduce stress, anti-infectious, antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, rejuvenates skin cells, may help to prevent wrinkles.

Peppermint - wildcrafted - Calming, refreshing, reviving, cooling, pain relieving and antiseptic, is useful for minor skin irritation and inflammation. Peppermint oil contains menthol, known for its ability to open breathing passages and settle upset stomachs. Peppermint has a minty, fresh and candy-like scent. It is believed to relieve nausea, fatigue, headaches, sinus congestion, stimulating and uplifting. Avoid during pregnancy. Also, contra-indicated during breastfeeding.

Petitgrain is floral, with a hint of orange, fresh, and slightly woody. It is believed to aid in relaxation, calming effect, anti-infectious and antiseptic.

Pine, White has a fresh, balsamic scent reminiscent of a pine forest. It is believed to promote alertness and mental focus. Considered to be elevating and strengthening. Reported to be antiseptic, antiviral and an analgesic. Not to be used by children under five years of age.

Rosemary is woody, fresh, herbaceous, and sweet. It is believed to relieve muscular pain, arthritis, infections, exhaustion, headaches, relieves tension, antiseptic, analgesic and promotes restful sleep. Avoid during pregnancy. Not to be used with high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Rosewood has an underlying rose scent, sweet and woody. It is reported to be antifungal, antibacterial, anti-infectious, antiseptic, relaxant, cell stimulant and emotionally regenerating.

Sandalwood is warm, rich, sweet, soft, floral, and woody. It is believed to promote relaxation, calmness, relieve stress and tension, antiseptic, astringent, encourages new cell growth. Is said to increase fat metabolism and is moisturizing to the skin.

Tangerine has a sweet fresh citrus scent. It is reported to be a relaxant, helps with anxiety and nervousness.

Tea Tree has a spicy, warm, fressh, woody, and earthy scent with medicinal tones. It is reported to be anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic, anti-infectious, analgesic and antiseptic. Is said to hasten healing of wounds and has high germicidal value.

Vitamin E - Antioxidant, protects against cell damaging free radicals. Also helps maintain the skin’s oil balance during the cleansing process and reduces transepidermal water loss from skin and strengthens the skin’s barrier function.

Ylang Ylang is floral, sweet, tropical, fresh and intense. It is believed to reduce stress, nervous tension, anxiety, antiseptic, sedative and has a calming euphoric effect.

<< Back To Top

Definitions

What is saponified oil? Saponification is the process of reacting a fatty acid (oil) with an alkaline base (lye), which produces soap (the alkali salt of fatty acids) and glycerine. The oil(s) may be anything from liquefied lard, shortening, or rendered tallow, to any of the naturally liquid forms of olive oil or other crop oils, i.e., corn, seed, nut, or a blend thereof.

Lye is created by nature whenever water leaches through potash, or wood ash; the accrued result is natural potash lye, or potassium hydroxide. This natural, but variable-quality lye, used by the earliest soapmakers, gave way in 1790 to the discovery of a more reliable, and less expensive, process of running brine through soda ash, producing sodium hydroxide. The term 'lye' is now generally synonymous with sodium hydroxide. Lye can be readily purchased in the dehydrated (unreacted) form.

Alkali: A type of soap base, alkalis neutralize acids and soften the skin. Too much alkalinity in a soap, however, removes the natural protective film of proteins and oils that coat the skin and guard it against bacterial invasion, moisture, and heat. Commercial soaps are typically high in alkalinity; consequently, the softer a commercial soap promises to make your skin, the more it removes your skin's naturally protective 'acid' mantle.

Exfoliant: An ingredient that sheds the superficial, dead skin cells; peels skin away using acids, enzymes, or abrasion. Removal of dead skin cells encourages new cell growth and improves the skin's appearance. Keratin, a keratolytic, achieves the same result.

Essence: A solution of a volatile plant oil in alcohol; also called "spirit of" (a given plant). A typical solution consists of one ounce of pure essential oil of herb or plant, dissolved in one or two cups of alcohol, or 1/4 ounce oil to 4 ounces of 50% alcohol.

Extract: The natural, raw oil or substance drawn out of a plant, usually by distillation with a solvent, resulting in a concentrated product.

Essential Oil: That part of the plant that possesses the fragrance of the plant or flower in concentrated form. Essential oil is usually obtained by steam distillation, whereas 'flower oils' are generally extracted by using fats (a process called "enfleurage"). Essential oils do not contain alcohol or other solvents, or other added fragrances, extracts, or essences. Essential Oils are the pure living essence of plants, flowers, trees, leaves and shrubs. The molecules of essential oils are small enough to be absorbed through the skin and circulated by the capillary blood vessels (tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin). Essential Oils are said to have healing properties and the ability to soothe, relax and promote a sense of well-being.

pH: A term indicating the ratio or balance of acid and alkali in a product. pH ranges from 1 to 14; a pH of 7 is considered neutral.

<< Back To Top

   

Home | Contact | FAQ | Online Store | Soapmaking Process | Augusta | Ingredients List | Resources | Testimonials | Retail Outlets | Truth in Labeling | About Me
Site Design by: Amy Keel Designs. © 2007 Augusta's Way.