Skin Healing Plant: Tepezcohuite
Despite my years of studying as a doctor, I shy away from chemicals and prescriptions and opt for the natural approach to healing. There is an intelligence that exists in nature, and believe it or not we are a part of this symbiotic relationship with other organisms on the planet. The remedy often resides in nature.
Many of the pharmaceuticals created are based off of native and ancient plant remedies used for healing. Except in the pharmaceutical versions, many compounds are extracted without the checks and balances that naturally exist in the whole form of the plant. Stripping the medicinal plant of this can result in side effects, and it may not be as effective as in the natural form because there are many cofactors in the plant that play a role in the healing dynamics.
Even though I don't practice western medicine anymore, healing modalities find me in many shapes and forms, and most recently I’ve been looking into skin care, because I did at one time want to be a dermatologist more than anything.
This past week I spent time with a beautiful friend of mine who really knows how to cook delicious foods from the earth, and she also knows how to use the plants of the earth for everyday healing as well.
After returning from the festival, Lightening in a Bottle (read blog), I could feel my immune system worn down from minimal sleep, too much sun and miles of walking. My skin was super dry from the desert climate of the old lake bed. She fixed me up with one of her healing ginger tonics, and supplied me with numerous plant infused oils to lather upon my skin.
Ester has beautiful skin and she shared one of her special masks with me, Manuka Honey and Tepezcohuite. After my yoga practice I walked into the house to see her face covered in what looked like chocolatey deliciousness. Soon after I lathered some on my face and could feel the natural exfoliant texture of the ground up tree. And it tasted pretty good too.
Though more studies need to be conducted on Tepezcohuite, this plant has with stood the test of time as a skin remedy and has been around for thousands of years.
Tepezcohuite is great for the skin:
Antibacterial properties to help fight against acne, and aids in healing wounds
Anti-fungal properties can help with hair loss
A natural exfoliating texture
Treats most skin conditions (such as eczema, psoriasis, burns, wrinkles, etc.) because it promotes regeneration, rejuvenation, and repair of skin cells.
From just that one mask I see a difference in my skin. I recommend you purchase the ground up tree bark yourself to avoid any harmful chemicals added to most beauty and bath products you find in stores. Simply open the capsules and mix it with Manuka Honey until it looks like the chocolatey consistency in this picture.
Let me know how you enjoy it!
P.S. I’m now consulting for BeautyCounter and using their products because I love their philosophy. Keep a look out for more skincare articles to come as I continue using the products and researching the active ingredients. I highly recommend all of their products because they are SAFE, shop here.
Citations:
Zippel J1, Deters A, Hensel A. Arabinogalactans from Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret bark as active principles for wound-healing properties: specific enhancement of dermal fibroblast activity and minor influence on HaCaT keratinocytes. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jul 30;124(3):391-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.05.034. Epub 2009 Jun 6.