Q.  Can you give me more information regarding the ingredients in your creams, butters and lotions please.
A.  Certainly.  Here is a list of the basic ingredients and their properties:
Vegetable Glycerine
Vegetable Glycerine has a rich oily texture, but is water soluble.  Because it is derived entirely from vegetable oil and pure, it is hypoallergenic and safe for food and cosmetic purposes. Vegetable glycerine (glycerin) is used in cosmetics and body care products to assist in retaining moisture and is helpful in pulling oxygen into the skin.  Vegetable glycerine is a natural emollient that adds a cooling effect on the skin and has become a predominant ingredient in most skin care products and soaps.  It is invaluable as a natural source ingredient with emollient like properties which can soften and soothe the skin and it assists the outer epidermis to retain moisture. This helps to explain why it is one of the most popular cosmetic additives used today.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a naturally occurring ingredient found in many edible fruits and berries, corn, even seaweed.  Sorbitol has many uses in consumer products due to its superior ability to retain moisture. We use it in our products because of its outstanding moisturizing properties.  
Grape Seed Oil
Grape Seed Oil is used as a base oil for many creams and lotions.  It is the preferred carrier oil for many massage therapists because of its light, satin like finish.  It also has some astringent qualities and is good for oily, acne prone skin.  Grape Seed is one of the lightest carrier oils available and is easily absorbed.
Polawax
Polawax is a self-emulsifying vegetable based wax used in the cosmetic industry.  It is the premier emulsifier for use in personal care.  It produces very stable emulsions in creams and lotions, giving them opacity, body and conditioning.
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol derived from naturally occurring fatty acids in coconut oil which acts as a gentle humectant.  Not to be confused with drying ethyl alcohols.  Its primary use is as an emulsifier to thicken lotions and creams.  It is also an emollient that helps condition the skin.
Sodium Borate
Sodium Borate occurs naturally as a mineral and is commonly used as a preservative in cosmetics.  Borates occur naturally in plants and are essential for their growth.
Potassium Sorbate
Potassium Sorbate is a potassium salt version of sorbic acid, a poly-unsaturated fat used to inhibit mould growth.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit Seed Extract is a natural quaternary compound derived from the seed and pulp of grapefruit.  The manufacturing process converts the grapefruit bioflavonoids into an extremely potent compound that has been proven highly effective as a natural preservative.
Potassium Sorbate
A potassium salt version of sorbic acid, a poly-unsaturated fat used to inhibit mould growth.
Our creams, butters and lotions are 100% completely natural.

Q.  What is the shelf-life of your products? 
A.  Our products are natural and in many instances certified organic.  Wherever appropriate, only natural preservatives are used. 
Without the addition of chemical preservatives, shelf-life is somewhat limited:
Tea Blends will retain their herbal properties up to 2 years if stored properly.  Store away from direct heat and light,
preferably in a glass jar.
Therapeutic Salves & Oils which contain natural oils generally 
last about 6 - 9 months.  The addition of essential oil help to retain them, but if you are not planning on using the product within this timeframe, we recommend refrigeration to extend shelf-life.
Face & Body Products generally last for about 1 year.  Again, refrigeration is recommended to extend shelf-life beyond this time period.
Bath Care Our Bath Salts and Milk Bath, if stored properly with a sealed lid, will retain freshness for approximately 1 year.  Scrubs, due to oil content, last about 6 - 9 months.      

Q.  Do you make a night moisturizer?
A.  Herbal Healing's Face Cream and/or Heavenly Body Butter may be used as a night moisturizer.

Q.  Do you make an eye cream?
A.  The mild constitution and absence of chemicals in our Face Cream and/or Heavenly Body Butter provide a safe and gentle cream to be used as an eye cream. For those sensitive to essential oils, try our fragrance free products.

Q.  Do you provide customized packages or gifts?
A.  Yes!  You may select individual product items to be gift packaged.  We also cater to corporate and group functions.  Contact our creative staff for ideas. 

Q.  I've heard that herbs are a safe way to improve and maintain health in my horse!  In what ways might this be true?
A.  Herbs are an effective practice of healthcare for horses, just as much as for humans.  Herbal remedies may be used to improve the quality of the horse's digestion and absorption of nutrients, to improve respiratory and circulatory systems, to strengthen the horse's nervous system, to cleanse waste and toxins, to improve skin and hoof health - almost anthing you may come up with!  An example is our traditional Asthma combination for horses, to be included with their feed:

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Lobelis (Lobelia inflata), Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and Mullein (Verbascum thapsus).

*Note:  Always check with your vet before attempting a new healthcare regime for your horse.
**Note:  The bigger the animal, the less herb and/or medicine they require proportionately for effect.

Q.  My finger nails are dry and cracking.  No matter what I try, they never improve.
A.  Brittle and malformed mails are usually due to mineral deficiency.  As well nails are almost wholly protein.  Therefore, a diet high in protein such as nuts, seeds, omega 3,6 & 9 oils; soya products is beneficial.  Nail growth, like hair growth, requires silica.  Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) is an herb high in silica and therefore promotes strong nail growth both taken internally, as a mild tea, or used externally infused in an oil.  (Herbal Healing's Nail Cream)
*Note:  Always check with your healthcare practitioner prior to undertaking a new healthcare regime.

Q.  I am prone to headaches, especially when a Chinook wind blows into town.  Is there an herbal alternative to Advil?
A.  Yes!  Depending on the trigger for your headaches, herbal remedies may differ.  The most common choices include Scutelaria lateriflora (Scullcap) which is perhaps the most widely relevant nervine availabe to us; Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet) is high in salicylic acid which is the key anti-inflammatory component found in Aspirin; Passiflora incarnata (Passion Flower) is a Central Nervous System relaxant; and the list goes on.
Herbal medicine is based on a "whole plant" philosophy, meaning that a whole plant is greater than the sum of its parts.  Therefore, to isolate just one of the chemical components of a plant, such as salicylic acid (found in willow, meadowsweet, etc.) is, herbally speaking, not as effective either short term, but especially long term, as consuming the whole plant.  As a rule the simplest way to consume herbs is as a tea. 
*Note: Always check with your healthcare practitioner prior to undertaking a new healthcare regime.

If you have a question for us, or require more specific information regarding any of the above, please contact us via email at info@herbalhealinginc.com