Neem oil and Neem leaf extract [INCI: Melia azadirachta] The neem tree is traditionally labelled The Village Pharmacy because of its multifaceted healing properties. These range from immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects to antimicrobial and pesticidal attributes. The leaves and seeds of neem yield limonoids with wide biological applications. These have antibacterial, antiviral, insect repellant, anti-protozoal […]

Turmeric oil [INCI: Curcuma longa] Turmeric oil is obtained by steam distillation or solvent extraction of the powdered rhizome of species of the genus Curcuma (family: Zingiberaceae). Of these species, Curcuma longa is the most well known. Curcuma longa yields 0.3-7.2% (usually 4-5%) of turmeric oil following steam distillation. The chief constituents of the essential […]

Kaempferia galanga [INCI: Kaempferia galanga root extract] Kaempferia is a genus in the Zingiberaceae family found in southern & southeastern Asia. These gingers grow from small globular rhizomes which grow fleshy roots. Most are low growing with colorfully marked foliage. Flowers either emerge in the spring just prior to the foliage or with the foliage […]

The need to control microbial activity is inherent in two major facets of personal care. The first area is that of antimicrobial care where the product helps to retard the growth of topical pathogens or eliminates them. The second is in the area of preservatives that retard the growth of microbes in product formulations. Recently […]

Call for Papers: With the recent advances in imaging and genetic technologies, the last decade has witnessed an explosion of work on human cognitive and affective functioning. Among some of the more publicized work is that on sex differences. Basing research on neuroscience lends studies particular credibility in the public mind, with the result that […]

When one keeps an Igor, one will find that one spends an inordinate amount of time outside under the burning rays of the DayStar, and often submerged in water saturated with either salt or chlorine.  None of these are terribly good for one’s hair. However, repairing the damage is pretty simple.  Here’s the formula for […]

The store had bing cherries on sale, and we brought a couple pounds home, only to find that they needed to be used asap. So…what better use for cherries than cheesecake! Everyone loves a good cheesecake. Heck, folks love a bad cheesecake, but a good one is even better. When making cheesecake, I use a […]