CHI Spring 2008 - (Page 61) n Jasmine n Siwan Sands and Mud Dubbed the “King of Flowers,” the essential oil was prepared by the Pharaohs in a process now termed enfleurage. Its highly floral aromatic quality is sufficient to impart a characteristic and powerful odor in fragrances. It has sedative and antidepressant qualities. It is used in cosmetics for skin irritations, sun-care preparations and treatment of oily skin. It is also popular in hair preparations, specifically for dandruff and oily hair. Cleopatra reputedly soaked the sails of her ships with the scent of jasmine and neroli oils when she embarked upon her successful seduction of the Roman conquerors. n Tamanu Oil Calophyllum Tacamahaca Seed Oil is a coldpressed, pure extract of the Tamanu nuts used by natives as a natural skin care aid, skin and hair protector and moisturizer. It is an anti-inflammatory with scar healing properties. In addition, it offers the skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, smoothness and also antiwrinkling properties. Photograph by Thomas Hartwell Due to its remoteness, Siwa, a desert oasis near the Libyan border in the Egyptian desert, has preserved many unique and ancient beauty treatments within its culture and its agriculture. Alexander the Great was known to retreat to this oasis and probably received treatments similar to those available today. Use of healing sands and muds reveal the minerals trapped in the land of a desert oasis that was actually under water long ago, as evidenced by the presence of sand dollar fossils and pink flamingos in the desert oasis! Just as aquatic minerals have remained encased in the mud of the desert, the ingredients and expertise of the natural world await rediscovery for our health and benefit. Our ancestors have left us a potent legacy that is still vital to us. Imagine providing our bodies with the natural therapies lying dormant around us and around the world! Olive therapy and other early healing oils are wonderful and timely examples of ancient, natural and therapeutic ingredients that are waiting to be incorporated into modern beauty regimens. n Photograph by Thomas Hartwell About the Author Dr. Nadim Shaath received his B.Sc. degree (Honors) in Chemistry from the University of Alexandria, Egypt and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. After three years as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Department at the University of Minnesota, he joined the Chemistry Faculty at the State University of New York at Purchase. He served as the Chairman of the Chemistry Department at SUNY-Purchase and then joined Felton Worldwide, a flavor, fragrance and sunscreen company, as executive vice president and technical director. In 1990, Dr. Shaath became the President and Chief Executive Officer of KATO Worldwide, Ltd., a flavor, fragrance, sunscreen and essential oil company. In 2000 he founded Alpha Research & Development, Ltd., and is currently its President. Alpha R&D, Ltd. is a research, sourcing and product development company in the fields of cosmetics, sunscreens, analytical testing, fragrances, essential oils and aromatherapy. Dr. Shaath has developed and supplied fragrances, extracts and essential oil blends to Farouk Systems since 1990. He is currently working on his new book entitled Healing Civilizations: Therapeutic Essential Oils and Nutrients. Volume IV, Issue 14 61
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