Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet has many antioxidant qualities that are helpful for a range of skin issues. Antioxidants can reverse free radical damages and protect you from oxidative stress associated with a cellular breakdown. They can also help with photo-oxidative stress and damage caused by UV exposure (hello farmers and landscapers and sun lovers, I have found your skin savior).  Studies show that meadowsweet can combat harmful infections such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. This magical plant reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands by inhibiting the activity of 5a-reductase; it should limit the amount of sebum secretion due to an astringent effect by its tannins, and it may prevent acne that is caused by bacterial proliferation. The enzyme 5a-reductase is accountable for the production of the androgen hor­mone dihydrotestosterone that generates the sebaceous glands’ activation, and so by inhibiting 5a-reductase, it can considerably reduce the amount of sebum produced.

The astringent effect is produced by tannins, which are able to constrict tissues and contract the pore openings in the skin. Because there is a decline in the accumulation of sebum within the pilosebaceous channel, there should be less bacterial proliferation which leads to a decrease in problem skin and should provide a healthier overall appearance. The specific tannins that are responsible for meadowsweet’s astringent properties are gallotan­nins and ellagitannins, which act as natural astringents and regulate the skin and may reduce complications resulting from excessive sebum production and thus help to maintain a healthy balance on the surface and interior of the skin so that we can avoid overly oily or dry skin.

Our meadowsweet is organically grown in the western United States without the use of harmful pesticides.