What is African sage?

African Wild Sage also known as leleshwa, is a small tree or shrub common in the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa. Leleshwa oil is obtained through steam distillation of the flowers and fresh leaves of the leleshwa shrub. This condensation process is safe and completely organic. The oil is a pale greenish/yellowish liquid and mobile at room temperatures. Research has proven it to be more effective in cleansing the skin than Tea Tree oil. Its scent is herbaceous with a floral camphor note to it.

Benefits and uses

Leleshwa oil has powerful antiseptic, antifungal, anti-acne and anti-dandruff properties. It is good to note that application of this oil is only safe in small quantities unless diluted with a carrier oil or a solubilized solution. It is great when used in lotions, creams, masks, soaps, cleansers, shampoos and gels. It is also used in detergents as a natural disinfectant (non toxic and non irritant). Leleshwa oil is also great in aroma therapy for the treatment of anxiety and headaches. It is also used as a relaxation oil and great for soothing sore legs and feet.  Used in a diffuser, it promotes sleep, clears most stagnant residual odors in a room and acts as an insect repellant. It also reduces transmission of infectious diseases like colds and flu. Aromatherapy is however not recommended for pregnant women in the first three months.  

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Boosting your water intake improves the skin too

Water intake varies from one person to another, but, at least 8 to 10 eight – ounce glasses of water a day is good or a healthy person. You need more if you exercise a lot or live in hot climates.  It is also important to be careful on what water you take; distilled water is not good for your health as it sucks out the minerals from your body.

Clean water high in minerals keeps the body and skin hydrated hence keeping the skin supple and looking young. Water helps supply and move nutrients around the body and flushes out toxins and impurities through sweating and waste. Sweating is therefore healthy as it keeps the pores clean and clear leaving the skin looking smoother and younger. It also replaces the moisture lost due to everyday activities. Water is therefore vital to a beautiful skin. 

Tips: You can add lemon or lime to your water to make it taste better. This makes you want to drink more of it. Stick to warm water, cold fluids disrupt proper energy flow in the body and shock the body. Avoid sweet drinks as they add calories to your body, unsweetened fresh fruit juice is however ok. Caffeinated or alcoholic drinks should be avoided except in modest quantities as they cause or worse health related problems.  

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Natural clay and mask: Rhassoul Clay!

Yes, rhassoul clay is here with us, a product we have used and approve its benefits, but first….

What is Rhassoul clay? Rhassoul Clay is an exceptional clay mined from ancient deposits in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and has been used as a natural beauty treatment for skin and hair for over 1400 years. This clay is rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, silica and other trace minerals that are healthy for skin and hair. It is extremely absorbent more than other cosmetic clays which makes it ideal for cleansing and detoxifying. The skin and hair absorb a lot of toxins from the environment including heavy metals. Detoxification improves the skin and hair by removing these toxins and excess oils. It detoxifies by replacing toxins with these minerals and as it removes these toxins, it also nourishes the skin and hair by adding these trace minerals.  The clay's high level of ions exchange also makes it ideal for toning.

Benefits: Rhassoul clay benefits are visible after just a single use. Continued use impressively improves the skin and hair. Studies have shown that it reduces dryness and flakiness of the skin and scalp; it improves skin texture, firmness, clarity and elasticity; it yields to a smoother skin and as well reduces surface oil on hair and skin. Unlike other commercial soaps and cleansers, rhassoul clay contains no surfactants or artificial colors, no petrochemical derivatives and no synthetic preservatives.

Application:  It can be used as soap, shampoo, facial, hair and body masks as well as a skin conditioner.

SliceofNature is now stocking this product.