Rosacea Treatment Ingredient Information

Cedarwood (Juniperis virginiana)
This tree is native to North America and can grow up to 100 ft. tall and ages up to 1,000 years. The oil is extracted from wood chips and saw dust. The main chemical components of cedarwood oil are a-cedrene, b-cedrene, thujopsene, other sesquiterpenes, cedrol and widdrol. Cedarwood oil has anti-fungal, insecticide and astringent properties. It soothes the skin by its astringent properties and it relieves itchiness.

Coenzyme Q
Coenzyme Q (CoQ), otherwise known as ubiquinone, is structurally related to vitamin E and vitamin K. Many different forms of coenzyme Q exist, each of which is related to the length of the so-called "isoprenoid side-chain". Coenzyme Q10 is the most commonly found coenzyme Q and is present in the energy-producing organelle, the mitochondria. Since coenzyme Q is a powerful antioxidant, it has become popular as a health supplement.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Cucumber fruit, a member of the pumpkin family, has gained considerable popularity recently as an ingredient in many skin care products. Its skin rejuvenating effects can be attributed to the glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids present in cucumber fruit, which help to loosen dead skin cells.

Fucoidan (from Chordaria cladosiphon)
Fucoidan consists of glycoproteins and glyconurients from a super low molecular weight extract of Angel's Hair Seaweed, Chordaria cladosiphon, a type of brown seaweed harvested from pure ocean water. A study released in 2005 by Japanese researchers demonstrated that F-fucoidan is able to induce apoptosis in human lymphoma cell lines.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Geranium is very important for the perfume industry and it is cultivated on a large scale. The essential oil of geranium has potent anti-oxidant as well as anti-fungal activity.

Grape fruit Seed (Citrus paradisi)
Grape fruit seeds contain a large number of antioxidants (e.g. quercetin, rutin, hesperidin etc.). The seeds also contain a natural biologically active compound, which acts as a broad-range anti-microbial. Other components of grape fruit seeds are vitamin C, potassium, folate, iron, calcium and other minerals.

Grape Seed (Vitis vinifera) extract
Grape seeds are full of proanthocyanidins, one of the most powerful antioxidants. Additional compounds found in grape seeds help vitamin C enter cells, which helps to strengthen cell membranes, while the proanthocyanidins help protect cells against oxidative stress. Proanthocyanidins have also been found to be anti-inflammatory as well as to act as anti-histamines. These compounds can be beneficial in reducing swelling, promoting collagen formation, strengthening blood vessels and improving circulation.

Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan is a glycosaminoglycan mostly found in connective, epithelial and neuronal tissue. It is one of the major components of the extracellular matrix, it can promote cell proliferation and migration and it has sometimes been attributed to the progression of certain malignant tumors. Hyaluronic acid is a large polymer consisting of disaccharides, which themselves are made up of D-Glucuronic acid and D-N-Acetylglucosamine. Hyaluronic acid applied to the skin promotes moisture absorption and retention.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice root extract has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and has been known for its healing properties. It is also widely used in Asia and Europe as a sweetening agent. Glabridin is a flavanoid found in licorice root extract and has been known for its beneficial effects on the skin by inhibiting inflammation and its anti-microbial effects. Recent studies have found that glabridin is able to inhibit a major constituent of inflammatory processes by blocking nitric oxide production and iNOS gene expression. Furthermore, licorice extract applied to the skin has been able to reduce erythema, edema and itching of atopic dermatitis. Glycyrrhizin, another major component of licorice, was recently found to induce melanogenesis by inducing the cAMP pathway.

Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus)
Gum mastic is a unique crop, which grows only in Chios island in the Aegean Sea (Greece). Mastica, the resinous gum of the tree Pistacia lentiscus, has been used in Greece for centuries as a natural remedy for a broad range of gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, gastro-esophegal reflux disease (GERD) and many types of intestinal inflammation. It is a safe and effective alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcers and it has been shown to effectively eradicate Helicobacter pylori, which is often implicated as the cause for these G.I. conditions. Unlike antibiotics, mastic gum does not eradicate the friendly bacteria in the intestines, which are important to health.

Patchouli (Pogosteman culstin)
Patchouli essential oil is derived from the patchouli plant. The word patchouli is derived from the Tamil words patchai (green) and ellai (leaf). It is a very pungent smelling oil, but despite that it is used in many perfumes, in particular men's fragrances (over 50% of men's perfumes contain patchouli oil). Patchouli oil and incense became very popular in the sixties and seventies, due to the fact that the smell of patchouli was thought to cover up the smell of burnt cannabis. Patchouli oil is also active against a number of microorganisms.

Pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo)
Pumpkins are native to central and North America, but have been cultivated since around the world. Healers in Asia started using the pumpkin seeds in the seventeenth century for medicinal use. Pumpkin seeds contain large amounts of magnesium, zinc, other minerals and some vitamins. The most popular uses for pumpkin seeds are against intestinal worms and for treating burns and wounds. Other uses are for treating impotence.

Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
Also known as 'Lingzhi' in China, the mushroom Ganaderma lucidum has been used for morethan 4,000 years in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Lighzhi means "herb of spiritualpotency" in Chinese and because of its absence of side-effects, it has become one of the most popular herbs in Asia. Reishi mushroom is the only known source of a group of triterpenes, known as ganoderic acids, which have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones and may lower blood pressure and lower LDL and triglyceride levels. Reishi mushroom has many medicinal uses, some of which are anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-tumor and immune system stimulating.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
The essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) has been used extensively as a topical antiseptic. Tea tree oil consists mainly of cyclic mono-terpenes, many of which possess anti-microbial activity. Recent studies suggest that the mono-terpenes found in tea tree oil disrupt the mechanical barrier of cell membrane structures of micro-organisms and that the resulting loss of osmotic control is lethal even at low concentrations of tea tree oil.

Tumeric Root (Curcuma longa)
Tumeric root, also known as curcuma or curcumin, is native to Southern Asia and is closely related to ginger. It is often used as a cooking spice in Indian and other South-East Asian cuisine, but it has also been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Tumeric root extract possess anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to treat liver ailments, parasitic infections, skin disorders, digestive problems and as a food preservative. Some studies suggested that tumeric may help lower cholesterol and aids in weight loss.

White Tea (Camellia sinensis)
White tea is made from the new leaves and buds from the tea plant Camelia sinensis. The leaves are then steamed prior to drying to prevent oxidation. White tea leaves therefore contain larger amounts of catechins than green tea, which is processed later. Due to minimal processing, use of white tea has higher than normal medical benefits. White tea contains a high amount of antioxidants and contains compounds that are anti-microbial.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Wormwood's name is derived from the fact that herbal extracts of the plant were used to get rid of intestinal worms. Wormwood is a perennial plant native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. The secretions of its roots inhibit the growth of surrounding plants (weeds). Wormwood has been used to prepare the drink absinthe and is still being used as a flavoring agent in vermouth. In traditional medicine, wormwood has been used primarily to treat gastric pain and as a tea to reduce the pain of labor. It is also a strong anti-septic.

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Selected literature

Aisa, Y, Miyakawa, Y, Nakazato, T, Shibata, H, Saito, K, Ikeda, Y and Kizaki M (2005) Fucoidan induces apoptosis of human HS-sultan cells accompanied by activation of caspase-3 and down-regulation of ERK pathways. Am J Hematol 78: 7–14.

Campos Ziegenbein, F, Hanssen, HP and Konig WA (2006) Secondary metabolites from Ganoderma lucidum and Spongiporus leucomallellus. Phytochem 67: 202-11.

Cox, SD, Mann, CM, Markham, JL, Bell, HC, Gustafson, JE, Warmington, JR and Wyllie, SG (2000) The mode of antimicrobial action of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil). J Appl Microbiol 88: 170-5.

Friedman, M, Henika, PR and Mandrell RE (2002) Bactericidal activities of plant essential oils and some of their isolated constituents against Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. J Food Prot 65: 1545-60.

Fujii, H, Yokozawa, T, Kim, YA, Tohda, C and Nonaka G (2006) Protective effect of grape seed polyphenols against high glucose-induced oxidative stress. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 70: 2104-11.

Kang, JS, Yoon, YD, Cho, IJ, Han, MH, Lee, CW, Park, SK and Kim, HM (2005) Glabridin, an isoflavan from licorice root, inhibits inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression and improves survival of mice in experimental model of septic shock. J Pharm Exp Thera 312: 1187–94.

Lee, J, Jung, E, Park, J, Jung, K, Park, E, Kim, J, Hong, S, Park, J, Park, S, Lee, S and Park, D (2005) Glycyrrhizin Induces Melanogenesis by Elevating a cAMP Level in B16 Melanoma Cells. J Invest Derm 124: 405-411.

Saeedi, M, Morteza-Semnani, K and Ghoreishi, MR (2003) The treatment of atopic dermatitis with licorice gel. J Dermatol Treatment 14: 153-7.

Tassou, CC and Nychas, GJE (1995) Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil of Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) on Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria in Broth and in Model Food System. Int Biodeter Biodegrad 36: 411-20.

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