Our Favourite Canadian Botanical Ingredients!
In celebration of Canada Day, Plant’s Power is highlighting our top nine products sourced and produced in “the great white north.” Each of these products are sourced from dedicated growers and distillers committed to the highest standards of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and quality assurance. From forest to field and everything in-between, we are proud to showcase Plant Power’s leading Canadian botanical products:
9. Abyssinian Seed Carrier Oil
Also referred to as Crambe, the silky smooth oil is quickly gaining traction in the beauty industry. Originally from the Mediterranean, Crambe can be found growing in the U.K. as well as Canada’s East Coast. The oil contains erucic, oleic, and linoleic acids, making it absorb quickly and keep the skin supple and well-nourished. The quick absorption rates and a non-greasy feel mean that it can easily be used on the face, hands, hair (including beards, eyebrows, and eyelashes), and incorporated into at-home mani-pedi treatments or as a non-greasy make-up primer. Abyssinian oil is great for summer skincare formulas as it helps balance sebum production, reducing acne and irritation caused by excess sweat and exposure to air pollution. Abyssinian farmers make sure nothing goes to waste. The leftover seed husks feed livestock while the remaining crop is used to fertilize the soil, which is then used for a different rotational crop. We love how the natural beauty industry is helping keep farms healthy for generations to come!
8. Meadowfoam Seed Carrier Oil
Native to the Pacific North-West, sweet-smelling Meadowfoam oil is North America’s hidden gem. On the verge of gaining traction, this oil which is pressed from tiny seeds of Limanthes alba, is one of the most stable, anti-oxidative oils in natural skincare. This means that it will extend the shelf life of your products and keep the entire formula from oxidizing. Truly in tune with the zero-waste movement, meadowfoam is eco-friendly on both the consumer and producer sides. Meadowfoam oil’s benefits include moisturizing, anti-aging, nourishing, and UV protective capabilities. Similar in texture to Jojoba, Meadowfoam’s richness makes it the perfect choice for salves, balms, and ointments that lock in the skin's natural moisture to help prevent dryness while adding a soft feel to the skin. Those who use it attest to gaining a “light, youthful glow.”
Hemp Seed Carrier Oil is a high-quality, nutrient rich oil derived from hemp seeds cultivated in Ontario. Since its production which began in Canada in the mid-1990s, it has become a popular ingredient in health and natural personal care products. The oil is GMO-free, and organically grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals. An added advantage for farmers is that hemp cultivation can positively impact neighbouring crops and contribute to the overall health of the soil.
Furthermore, hemp is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids, and it features a well-balanced ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Its mellow green hue and subtle aroma make soaps and hair products stand out from the crowd. Topical application of hemp seed oil offers several potential benefits, including promoting healthier hair growth and shine, increasing skin hydration, alleviating discomfort and soreness, enhancing circulation, reducing inflammation, and providing supportive care for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, and psoriasis. Additionally, it may aid in the improved absorption of vitamins and minerals into the skin cells.
As colourful leaves and cool winds settle upon the Northern Hemisphere, cranberry harvesters get busy collecting the ripe red berries by the ton. Organically grown and sustainably harvested cranberry seeds are not only a staple in Thanksgiving dinners, they are now becoming a vital part of a balanced anti-aging beauty routine. This fruity smelling amber oil contains a high concentration of polyphenols, anthocyanins, tocopherols, tocotrienols and proanthocyanidins. What this means is that it has protective agents against UV-mediated skin damage, skin repair mechanisms, inflammation soothing properties, and naturally derived components that are perfect replacements for synthetic vitamin E used in many common skincare regimes. With it’s anti-oxidizing benefits, Cranberry seed oil is easily incorporated into eye-care and skin-firming formulations and used as a stabilizing agent for other oils. Cranberry seed oil is the answer to maintaining year-round healthy, supple skin. We sure are grateful to have discovered it!
5. Sweet Grass Hydrosol
Sweet grass is a culturally significant plant for the First Nations people. Sourced from Alberta and Ontario, the watery by-product of the distillation process, Sweet Grass Hydrosol can be used in many finished products. It’s astringent properties make it a great facial toner. Spray it on directly on the skin or add as an uplifting ingredient in a face cream or balm. Just like the fresh braids of the herb, the sweet smelling hydrosol may also be used for space and spiritual cleansing.
Also known as Greenland Moss, this pale yellow, herbaceous smelling essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of a shrub that is ubiquitous from coast to coast. Growing in peaty soil, Labrador Tea leaves were commonly infused in a calming beverage by Indigenous peoples, and early Europeans. Research shows that the essential oil is antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. It harmonizes balance, lowers stress, and brings on feelings of calm and serenity to anyone using it. Labrador Tea Essential Oil would make a perfect addition to your next soothing cream, healing balm, or as a addition to a “Canadian forest” aromatic diffuser blend.
Clean and fresh smelling, Fir balsam essential oil comes from the Province of Quebec, where the Paix des Braves was formed in the early millennium in order to change policies and practices towards sustainable forest management in agreement with the First Nations. Made using steam distillation of the needles, fir balsam oil is an excellent sedative for tension and anxiety while also fighting odours and relieving muscular aches and pains. The uplifting coniferous oil is antiseptic, anti-parasitic, deodorant, expectorant, and tonic. It’s multitude of uses include: natural deodorants, home and office cleaning products, muscle ache balms, and cold and flu relieving blends.
Catnip is a perennial, herbaceous plant blooming late spring to autumn. Resembling typical members of the mint family, the name catnip originates from the plant’s well-known ability to stimulate felines. The essential oil is steam distilled to make a yellow to light brown liquid. With a rich, herbaceous scent, catnip oil makes a great addition to blends that soothe the nervous system, alleviate migraine headaches and ease cramps. The most common use however, is in insect repelling products. In a study done by the American Chemical Society, the active ingredient in Catnip Essential Oil, nepetalactone was found to be more effective than DEET. Dilute catnip with carrier oils such as neem (which also has insect-repelling properties), and sunflower, and apply onto the skin. Lavender, peppermint, and cedarwood combine well with it, adding in additional notes and their own insect-repelling properties.
Our number one product comes from none other than the majestic Black Spruce. Of the forty varieties of spruce, Black Spruce trees are the most resistant to very cold climates, growing as far North as the low Arctic tundra. Various parts of these coniferous evergreens have been used for centuries by Indigenous peoples. Woodland Cree made balms for treating burns and infusions to treat stomach issues. They chewed on cones to relieve toothache while the resin was used as a natural tooth whitener. The Innu, an Indigenous Canadian people inhabiting northeastern Labrador and some portions of Quebec, prepared infusions from the needles, cones, and molasses to treat sore throats, cure coughs, and protect against scurvy. It is through the scurvy epidemic that settlers learned about the plant. In 1772, Dr. Henry Taylor founded the first distillery in Quebec City, extracting essential oil from spruce to be used in respiratory disease treatment for his patients.
Black Spruce Essential Oil is currently utilized in various therapeutic applications, including formulations for respiratory conditions such as coughs and colds, as well as in natural inhalation blends for asthma and bronchitis. Its toning properties support the lymphatic and cardiovascular systems and promote relaxation of the nervous system while helping to regulate serotonin levels. The oil possesses several beneficial properties, including antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a valuable ingredient for supporting overall health and wellness. Topically, it can be incorporated into blends aimed at alleviating chronic pain conditions such as rheumatism and fibromyalgia. Additionally, it may be added to moisturizing products to address dry, sensitive skin, and to help reduce issues like acne and eczema, while also promoting relaxation and stress relief. Whether used in diffusers during cold seasons, as a natural cleansing and therapeutic scent, or as a component of skincare routines, this truly Canadian oil is a must-have for anyone looking to boost their well-being.
Now it's your turn to help us get the word out! We'd love for you to share what you've learned about Canadian oils and hydrosols and to give some of these products a try in your next creations. Just click on the link for each oil to order online, or reach out to us here if you'd like to learn more about how these natural plant products can help you and your business. Thanks for being part of this journey!
