Prima Fleur Ingredient: ALOE VERA GEL

Aloe Vera Gel is one of the oldest medicinal plants known to science, and its remarkable healing abilities are due to its  anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. As a natural oxygenator that can draw and hold oxygen to the skin, Aloe is considered one of the most effective cellular renewal ingredients for use in skin care. 

Aloe is about 96% water and the remaining portion contains active ingredients including essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and glycoproteins. It has a composition similar to that of human blood plasma and seawater, and is extremely soothing and protective because its pH is the same as human skin. Prima Fleur uses only certified pure, whole leaf Aloe Vera, extracted by a patented process in the United States.

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

Prima Fleur Essential Oil: NIAOULI

Niaouli Essential Oil [Prima Fleur No. 187] is organic from Madagascar. It is a colorless to pale yellow, watery oil, non-viscous, medium intensity odor (4-5 on a 1-10 scale). The scent is pungent with herbs, a fungal and green subsidiary note and fruity, spicy back notes. The taste is herbaceous. Properties of this essential oil include anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and vermifuge, anti-infectious. It is useful for all sorts of skin ailments and disease, even as a gargle for sore or strep throat. It's also an effective ingredient for men's skin care products.

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

 

 

Prima Fleur Essential Oil: LANTANA CAMARA

Lantana Camara Essential Oil [Prima Fleur No. 300] comes from fresh leaves of the plant grown organically in Madagascar. The yellow oil is clear, non viscous, with an intensity of 2 (1-10) and the scent is mild, slightly green, slightly fruity. The major constituents identified in the oil included β-caryophyllene (23.3%), α-humulene (11.5%), germacrene D (10.9%), davanone (7.3%) and γ-curcumene (6.3%).

photo by Zeynel Cebeci

Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic shrub up to 0.3-3” in height native to tropical America and was introduced elsewhere as an ornamental and hedge plant. The leaves are used in teas the treatment of tumors, tetanus, rheumatism, malaria; they possess diaphoretic, carminative, antiseptic properties, and are main source of phosphorous and potassium when used as green mulch. In Africa, an infusion of the leaves is used against rheumatism, asthma, coughs and colds. The oil is reported to possess insecticidal and repellent activities towards bees, mosquitoes and cattle flies. The leaf oil of L. camara exhibits antimicrobial activities. 

When used in a custom blend, Lantana essential oil should invoke a sense of calm. The mild, fruity scent is beneficial in skin care due to its anti-microbial properties.

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

Prima Fleur Essential Oil: CALENDULA

Calendula Total [Prima Fleur No. 502] is a wonderful ingredient to nourish dry skin. This natural product added to a good carrier oil are used in aromatherapy massage, and can be added any skin care product. It is a local remedy for pain; a healing remedy for cuts, scratches, skin boils or pimples; it is smoothing and soothing to the skin. It is also a useful remedy for the pain and swelling caused by the sting of a wasp or bee when rubbed on the affected area. Prima Fleur offers premier stock products with calendula for spas and body care salons. 

 

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

Prima Fleur Essential Oil: VERVEINE

Verveine Essential Oil [Prima Fleur No. 296] is from Morocco, steam-distilled from the leaf. This is a richly complex, delicately herbal and lemony scented oil. Even a small amount adds great depth, tenacity, and sophistication to a blend. It is used for healing skin care. Our Moroccan Verveine oil is distilled by a family-owned distillery near Meknes. Considering the yield is very low - about 0.3 to 0.5%, the price is remarkable, especially for what it adds to a blend.

 

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

 

 

Prima Fleur Essential Oil: LEMON MYRTLE

Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil [Prima Fleur No. 370] contains high amounts of citral, up to 95%, and used to treat sinus infections and respiratory problems, and externally for athlete’s foot, acne, itching, and applied to an aching tooth. Use it in healthful blends and soaps for the lovely lemon odor. It is a slightly yellow oil, clear, non-viscous and watery, semi-intense odor (5-6 on a scale of 1-10 ), citrus odor predominating, some herbaceous and mildly woody back notes. Strong aromatic citrus peel taste.

 

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.

 

Global View: "Takulandirani" (Welcome) to Malawi, Africa

Malawi is famous for its slogan “the warm heart of Africa” because of its warm, friendly people and abundant natural resources. Located in southern Africa, bordering Tanzania in the north, Mozambique in the east and south, and Zambia in the west, it ranks among the world’s most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 85% of the population (over 13 million) living in rural areas.

We currently purchase a beautiful rose geranium oil from a community grower in Malawi. Our Rose Geranium Essential Oil [No. 157] is certified under the USDA’s National Organic Program as well as EU certified through BCS OKO-Garantie GMBH Germany. This oil is a gorgeous emerald green with heavy notes of rosy floral and herbal-infused honey.
 

Planting rose geranium crops in the fields of Malawi.

An abundant crop and the native workers who harvest it.

There are more than 700 varieties of cultivated geranium; however, most are grown for ornamental purposes only. The oil producing species are P. graveolens, P. radens and P. capitatum. Pelargoniums are native to South Africa, and the Sotho used a paste made from the leaves to treat wounds and abscesses. The well-known geranium oil "Bourbon" is produced from the cultivars Rose, which is a hybrid of P. radens and P. capitatum.

Distillation process ... and the final beautiful essential oil.

Between 300 and 500kg of plant material is required to obtain about 1kg of essential oil. Most of the essential oil glands are found in the leaves. After cutting, the plants are partially dried leaving less water to be vaporized and extracted from the plant material during the distillation, thereby increasing the yield of oil. Geranium oil has been described as a natural perfume complete unto itself. It is often used to scent soaps and detergents because, unlike many other essential oils, rose geranium's aroma profile is not readily affected by the alkaline nature of soap products. Rose geranium varies much across strains and distillations, in part because the plant is greatly influenced by the climate and soil in which it grows.

A borehole for running water ... food distribution.

We have recently received reports from the Rotary Club of Limbe and Gift of the Givers, two African-based organizations that have been developing community projects to improve the living standards of this profoundly poor area. Projects include improving agricultural production, water quality and sanitation, healthcare, education, access roads, as well as food and vitamin distribution, donations of solar lighting (many villages in the air have no electricity at all), and developing income-generating activities. We are proud to be part of the solution in this area as we contribute to this effort by supporting the growers who produce such a remarkable essential oil.

 

For information on our Premier Products and pricing, please visit our website. For questions and to explore custom development with exquisite botanicals from our extensive library of raw materials, please contact sales@primafleur.com ~ or call (415) 455-0957.