Shea Butter

Shea Butter originates from West Africa. To produce Shea Butter, fat is extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. The word ‘shea’ comes from the Bambara (Mali) word ‘shísu’ meaning ‘shea tree’. Shea trees are indigenous across the African continent but primarily in West and Central Africa. Shea Butter is well known for its extremely moisturizing and nourishing properties. Traditionally, Shea Butter is produced by indigenous African women in large pots to be packaged and shipped around the world. In the Yorùbá spiritual tradition of Isese Ifá, Shea Butter is said to melt away all the trouble on Aye (Earth). Shea Butter is often given as an offering to specific Orisa. ‘Gbedegbede nii ro igba ori’ A calabash filled with shea butter will never see misfortune. Our Shea Butter is sourced from North Shea, a Black owned company dedicated to sourcing their Shea Butter from women in Ghana to help fight poverty in the region.

Hempseed Oil

Native to Central Asia and North Africa, hemp is known for its utility. As one of the fastest growing plants (similarly to bamboo), hemp has been cultivated around the world to produce a variety of products including textiles, rope, and oils. Hemp is mostly known for its flowers which are often smoked for spiritual and medicinal uses throughout South Asia, across the African continent, and in the Caribbean. Hemp flowers, typically called cannabis, have grown in popularity around the world, as countries rollout legalization and/or decriminalization of the plant. Hemp oil, produced from the seed of the plant, is used to reduce the symptoms of various skin conditions due to its ability to strengthen and nourish skin.

Damiana

Native to Central America, Mexico, and South America, Damiana flowers and leaves were traditionally used by Indigenous Americans as an aphrodisiac, mild anti-depressant, and flavoring for liqueurs.

Skullcap

There are two main species of skullcap: Scutellaria baicalensis which is native to China and Scutellaria lateriflora which is native to the Americas. Scutellaria lateriflora was traditionally used by Indigenous Americans to ease menstrual pain, aid in sleep, and ease symptoms of anxiety. Skullcap was also used to treat rabies, earning it the “folk” name of “mad dog”.

Ginger Root

Ginger is native to Southeast Asia and has been cultivated by Austronesian peoples, the indigenous people of Melanesia, Polynesia, and Madagascar, for centuries. Ginger plays a key role in Southeast Asian and East African medicine, due to its ability to aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the circulatory system. Some traditional East African and Southeast Asian uses for ginger include reliving menstrual pain, either by ingesting ginger tea or soaking in ginger baths.

Lavender

Native to the “Old World”, Lavender species can be found across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Part of the mint family Lamiaceae, Lavender is well-known for its aromatherapy benefits. Its floral aroma is used to make incense, cocktail flavors, and calming baths and teas.

Eucalyptus

Indigenous to Australia, Eucalyptus trees have been cultivated by the indigenous Blak First Nations/Aboriginal Peoples of Australia and the Torres Straight Islands for centuries. About 3/4 of Australia’s forests are Eucalyptus forests. Highly prized for their ability to grow fast, provide timber, aid in honey production, and produce powerful essential oils, Eucalyptus trees have been transplanted all over the world. In California, they’re a fast growing “invasive” species that threatens the state because of how highly flammable the plant is. Eucalyptus essential oil (aka the volatile oils from the plant) are used for a variety of medicinal and aromatherapy treatments.

Hibiscus

Native to Africa and the surrounding tropical regions, Hibiscus is known for its vibrant flowers and bittersweet taste. The word ‘Hibiscus’ means “plant that is consecrated to the ibis”, a sacred Egyptian bird. Brought to the Americas during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, Hibiscus and its lesser known relative Roselle made its way into the gardens and diets of people around the world. In West Africa, Hibiscus or Roselle tea is brewed into a sweet, cool drink known as bissap, wonjo, tsobo, or zobo. This drink is used to help ease colds, aid in digestion, and ease inflammation. This recipe was carried by enslaved Africans to Jamaica where the drink is known as Sorrel. In Mexico and the surrounding Spanish-speaking regions, the drink is known as Agua de Jamaica.

Castor Oil

Indigenous to East Africa, India, and the Southeast Mediterranean, Castor plants are best known for their seeds. Oil extracted from Castor seeds was traditionally used to help stimulate milk production after childbirth in India and East Africa. Castor Oil is also a staple in Black/African hair care, used to help thicken and strengthen hair as well as seal in moisture.

Rose

Indigenous to West Asia (near Iran), Rose has long been heralded as a symbol of love, feminine energy, and beauty. Used to flavor West Asian and North African dishes and desserts, Rose is often added for its light floral flavor and pink or red color. Today, Rose is grown all over the world and cherished as a prized possession in many gardens. Throughout the ages, Rose has been used as a mild anti-depressant, for aromatherapy, and as an anti-inflammatory.

Echinacea

Indigenous to Central North America, Echinacea has long been used to boost the body’s immune system. Indigenous Americans use Echinacea to treat snakebites and other insect bites and stings. Enslaved Africans in the United States called Echinacea Sampson Root, and used it for a variety of ailments including common colds and respiratory illnesses. Traditionally, Black Americans mixed Sampson Root with whiskey and Bloodroot for joint pain or brewed on its own into a tea. Wild Echinacea is threatened, so wild crafting and harvesting is not recommended. Only commercially grown plants should be used and if possible, seeds should be kept for future generations.

Matcha Powder

Matcha Powder is produced from powdered green tea leaves which are native to East Asia. Green Tea originated in China and spread throughout the region, eventually leading to colonial wars as the British attempted to expropriate the plant for their own benefit. Matcha plays an important role in Japanese culture and spirituality, as it was traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Matcha is traditionally blended in water using a chasen, or bamboo whisk and then served in a chawan, a traditional bowl. Today, matcha is used to flavor and color many desserts and foods and is often incorporated into skincare products.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne Pepper, originally from modern-day French Guiana, are a staple in Black, African, and Caribbean cuisine. Serving as a stand-in for Guinea Pepper and Alligator Pepper, Cayenne Pepper’s spicy and hot flavor quickly became a favorite addition to gumbos, jambalaya, catfish, and stews. The word “cayenne” comes from the Tupi word “kyynha” meaning “capsicum” which describes the heat of the pepper. In Black Diaspora spiritual traditions, Cayenne Pepper is sometimes used to either “spice up” relationships or compel people to leave (ex. “Hot Foot Powder”). Today, Cayenne Pepper can be found in Mexican, Caribbean, West African, and Thai cuisines.

Mango Butter

Native to Southeast Asia (near Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India), mango trees are highly valued for their fruit. The fruit has spread to tropical regions around the world, though they’re primarily cultivated in Asia. As India’s national fruit, mangos are integral to South and Southeast Asian culture and spirituality. Some stories about the Buddha speak of him sharing his teachings in a mango grove. Known as “Manna” in Malayalam, mangos are composed of 85% fruit pulp (the yummy bits) and 15% seed. West African Mangos (a different but related species) are used in Nigerian and Cameroonian cuisine as well as herbal remedies for a variety of ailments. Typically, the leaves, bark, and roots are used to treat skin conditions. Mango Butter is produced from the fat extracted from mango seeds. Throughout the African Diaspora (especially in the Caribbean) mangos are a staple food item. Mango Butter is soft and creamy, nourishing skin and protecting it from harmful UV rays.

Calendula

Native to Central and West Asia and southern Europe, Calendula is one of the most well-known and widely used herbs. Renowned for its ability to nourish skin, Calendula makes an appearance in several Àìkú cosmetic products, from soaps to salves to teas and tinctures.

Lemon Balm

Native to North Africa, Southern Europe, and West Asia, Lemon Balm has long been used to chase away melancholy and usher in calm and tranquility. Lemon Balm’s botanical name Melissa, comes from the Greek word for bee, referring to its ability to attract bees. Lemon Balm is often prized for its volatile oils (the oils that make up essential oil). Among them are citronella, most commonly used as an insect repellent.

Valerian Root

Indigenous to Europe and North Asia, Valerian Root is commonly used to aid in sleep, due to its mildly sedative properties. Valerian Root is also used to ease symptoms of mild anxiety.

Raspberry Leaf

Raspberry is indigenous to Europe, most known for its red or pink-ish berries. Raspberry Leaves are often made into tea to help relieve menstrual cramps, aid in labor, and strengthen uterine muscles.

Beeswax

Beeswax is made from the honeycomb of the honeybee and other bee species. The wax gets its yellow coloring from the pollen mixing with the wax of the honeycomb. Beeswax is used in cosmetic products to help harden softer oils and provide moisture to skin. Beeswax and honey are widely used across the African continent in food and cosmetic products.

Coconut Oil

Coconut plants were first domesticated in Southeast Asia and Melanesia. Coconut plants ca be found all throughout the tropics and play a key role in different indigenous cultures. Palm Trees are sacred to the Yorùbá and coconut trees are no different. Among the Yorùbá, coconut is used as offerings to ones Ori (your higher self) and for different methods of divination. Coconut Oil is widely used in West African and African Diaspora hair and skin care. Coconut Oil is also widely used in cooking in West Africa and Asia.