The abundance of healing plants and other substances available to us from God’s green earth is amazing! This is definitely true when it comes to how herbs, fruits, and other natural substances can help the skin. But did you know that these substances can also help balance your mood at the biochemical level? 

When a natural substance can help make you look younger on the outside and lift your spirits, then it really is a superstar in my book. 

Healing Plant Essences Are Absorbed Through the Skin

You may be familiar with teas and supplements that contain substances like Lion’s Mane, valerian, or St. John’s Wort, which help the mind relax and focus. But can natural substances really assist “on the inside” while at the same time helping skin be more vibrant than ever before?

The short answer is yes– And here’s how. 

The first way is through absorption by way of the skin. “You are what you eat,” as the saying goes. But your body and mind can also be affected by whatever comes into contact with your skin. According to experts, the skin soaks up about 60% of all substances with which it comes in contact!

Whether it be an organic extract or a harmful toxin, once a substance is absorbed, it can then make its way to the bloodstream to either heal or cause harm. Conventional doctors know this, which is why many medications, such as prescription opioids, are administered this way. 

Many of the plant essences that are in CHARLÍS products are in essential oil form. Because essential oils are concentrated, when you put them on your skin in the form of a high-quality, ToxicFree® skincare product like CHARLÍS, they are going to have more of the “good stuff” in them that can rebuild collagen, protect the skin, and regenerate skin cells. They are also going to have more of the substances that can boost your mood and calm the nervous system.

Aromatherapy

Oils and extracts are another reason why high-quality skincare like CHARLÍS can help to boost your mood. Essential oils are effective not only because they are concentrated, but also because of their scent. Healing the body and mind through the olfactory senses is called aromatherapy, and a key component to its success for you lies in phytonutrients called terpenes. 

Terpenes give certain plants like citrus, rosemary, and even berries their signature “aroma.” Terpenes are developed naturally in these plants as a defense mechanism to ward off intruders like insects and fungi. As such, they are also naturally anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, which is a huge boon for your skin!

Another major characteristic of most terpenes lies in their molecular structure, which is small enough to move past the blood-brain barrier. According to a 2013 study at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China, the “inhalation of essential oils can communicate signals to the olfactory system and stimulate the brain to exert neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin and dopamine) thereby further regulating mood.” 

A review conducted by researchers from Russia, Malaysia, and Australia takes this concept a step further. They hypothesize that utilizing aromatherapy and topical essential oil formulas is an integral part of maintaining brain health as we age. 

“Cognitive stimulation with medical food and medical herbs could delay development of cognitive decline  and improve the quality of life of Alzheimer’s disease patients,” the researchers wrote in a 2019 report for the journal Neural Regeneration Research. “This effect can be enhanced if combined with aromatherapy, topically or by inhalation, and/or by ingestion.”

In a nutshell, high-quality, wild harvested, organic and ToxicFree® essential oils and extracts like the ones found in all CHARLÍS products have a proven track record when it comes to helping the body as well as balancing the brain, calming the nervous system, and uplifting mood. Now let’s take a look at a few examples!

The Power of Citrus

There are more than a few reasons why I have put some type of citrus essence in every single one of the products in the CHARLÍS facial care line– and it’s not just because I absolutely love the scent (which I do). 

Not only is citrus packed with skin-healing, collagen-building, and sun-protecting vitamin C; it also contains one of the most anti-inflammatory and brain balancing phytonutrients around: limonene.

Limonene is a terpene that is concentrated especially in the rind of any citrus fruit. It is unique in that it both calms the nervous system and uplifts the spirit. In fact, researchers have known about the mood-balancing power of citrus (and limonene) for decades. A clinical trial conducted at the Mie University School of Medicine in Japan was among the first to publicly proclaim that citrus essential oil can both help lift a person out of a depressive state and boost the immune system. 

“The treatment with citrus fragrance normalized neuroendocrine hormone levels and immune function and was rather more effective than antidepressants,” wrote the authors way back in 1995.

Orange

Orange oil in particular can help lower feelings of anxiety, according to research. One randomized controlled trial published in the journal Advanced Biomedical Research found that orange essential oil helped to biochemically lower stress levels in children going through a dental procedure. 

Essential oils of sweet orange (citrus aurantium dulcis) can be found in all of the CHARLÍS Collection facial products except the Breath of Life Oxygen Face Serum. Mandarin Orange (citrus reticulata) is present in the Breath of Life Face Serum, the Restorative Anti-Aging Overnight Serum, and the Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer.

Grapefruit 

Grapefruit oil contains terpenes pinene, citronellol, and myrcene, which can both uplift depressive states and help to balance hunger and satiety hormones. Grapefruit oil is naturally high in antioxidants and phytochemicals that reduce oxidative stress and disease-causing inflammation. Many of grapefruit essential oil’s benefits are due to one of its main constituents called limonene. 

Limonene is known to be a tumor-fighting, cancer-preventative phytochemical that protects DNA and cells from damage. In addition to limonene, grapefruit essential oil contains other powerful antioxidants, including vitamin C, myrcene, terpinene, pinene and citronellol.

Bergamot 

An in vivo study published by Brazilian researchers in the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found that bergamot oil lowered anxiety more effectively than pharmaceutical drugs and also helped with insomnia (with zero signs of toxicity). Other evidence suggests that bergamot oil can help reduce fatigue.

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris): A Humble Culinary Herb with a Big Effect on Mood

For evidence that the terpenes found in plant essences really can affect our chemistry, you don’t need to look any further than the humble thyme plant. This strong-smelling culinary herb has been used as far back as ancient Greece and Egypt for its anti-inflammatory properties, its benefits for respiratory health, and its antibacterial properties.

Thyme can also have a noticeable effect on mood because of one of its main phytonutrients called carvacrol (also found in oregano, bergamot, and other pungent plants). Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid that has the ability to elevate production of both dopamine and serotonin. The 2013 in vivo study found that carvacrol significantly affected neurotransmitter levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex after just seven days of administration. 

Canadian Willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium)

Canadian Willowherb is most known for its benefits for the skin. It is a powerful antioxidant and antibacterial, making it a superstar for clearing up acne. What is not well-known about this plant (which is sometimes called burnt weed or fire weed) is that it also contains a plethora of brain-nourishing vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, magnesium, and manganese.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is particularly vital for brain functioning and development and is a requirement for the creation of many hormonal substances such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Studies indicate that B6 is also necessary for the production of precursors to these substances, in particular GABA. Adequate B6 can help to balance out feelings of depression and anxiety and can also uplift energy to combat fatigue.

Rhodochrosite: The “Love” Mineral

Last but definitely not least on our list of mood-lifting natural substances is rhodochrosite. You won’t find this substance hanging from a tree or growing roots, however. This is because rhodochrosite is a very special (and beautiful) mineral that is known for its healing properties on all levels. 

While conventional studies are still in their infancy for this pink-colored gem, it currently has been getting a lot of attention for what it can do to lower inflammation and provide antioxidant protection for the skin. What the ancients have also utilized this graceful mineral for throughout the centuries, however, is emotional healing. Rhodochrosite is said to help cultivate feelings of  self-nurturing and self-love, with developing compassion and non-judgement, and for calming anxiety and stress overall. It is known as the “love stone” — and for good reason!

Heal Your Skin and Lift Your Mood with CHARLÍS!

All of the natural substances mentioned above have the ability to restore pH, hydrate, brighten, and bring light and love to the face and the skin overall. What makes them even more amazing is that they can also do this for your mood!

I encourage you to experience these wild-harvested plant extracts and essential oils that are found only in CHARLÍS one-of-a-kind products. Feel the ToxicFree® difference and the high-quality efficacy and soothing luxury that only CHARLÍS can deliver!