Plant Cells in Skin Cream
The skin is the body’s first line of defense. This insuperable
barrier between the body cells and the external aggressive elements such
as bacteria, viruses and fungi is certainly one of our most important
allies in the fight against infections of all sorts. The skin repels the
vast majority of infective agents that it comes across daily. Yet, the
skin has requirements of its own. If these requirements are not
fulfilled, many skin disorders appear. These disorders worsen with age
and lead to wrinkling, and other more serious conditions such as cancer.
Recent research has linked wrinkling with the breakdown of the skin’s
immune system. This immune system aids the skin in self-repair.
Nurturing and strengthening the immune system is therefore believed to
be the key in fighting the symptoms of age.
Plant extracts contain numerous nutritious elements that are
beneficial to the body’s immune system. The following are examples of
plant extracts that have beneficial impacts on the immune system:
(i)
 Lavender
Oil—studies have shown that application of lavender oil to the skin
helps increase its the infection-fighting abilities. Indeed, with
repeated use of lavender oil, the B-cell count in regions of the skin
that was damaged increased dramatically. B-cells are the cells that
fight against bacteria and other invaders. The same effect is shown by
bergamot and tea tree oils.
(ii) Purple coneflower—essential oils of this plant contain chemicals
that stimulate the activity of white blood cells. Its proteins also help
fight viruses.
(iii) Chamomille—this famous plant has been used for centuries by
Europeans and Americans alike in the fight against skin irritations.
Scientists have been able to isolate its active substance, levomenol, in
in vitro studies. Levomenol stimulates immune cells by spurring them
into action even before they detect an infection.
(iv)
 Eucalyptus
oil—this has a very strong anti-microbial effect that destroys a wide
variety of invaders such as molds, yeasts, fungus, bacteria and viruses.
It is very efficient against athlete’s foot, blemishes, skin disorders,
cuts and scrapes.
(v) Aloe Vera—a recent addition to the list of beneficial plants,
aloe vera is now widely accepted in the scientific community for its
infection-fighting
properties. Aloe vera is very useful against skin ulcers and acne. The
clear gel of aloe vera contains a complex blend of minerals,
polysaccharides and enzymes that form an effective anti-bacterial
ointment. Recent research has isolated the plant’s most effective
enzyme, bradkininase. This enzyme helps immune cells to locate foreign
agents and fight against them.
Even more advanced scientific breakthroughs have determined the
positive effect that plant stem cell extracts have in protecting skin
stem cells. Stem cells are the source cells that lead to the production
of normal tissue. Longevity of these cells leads to production of
healthy tissues for a longer time. Plant stem cell extracts have been
shown to increase the lifespan of skin stem cells as well.
With the proliferation of skin care products, it is difficult for the
consumer to determine which products would have the most desirable
effects. Choosing creams with plant extracts is the best choice as they
provide long-term solutions to the age problem. |
