Three Novel Carrier Oils

Babassu Oil

• Comes from the palm tree Orbignya phalerata Mart of Brazil
• Important to the Brazilian economy – get Fair Trade, Organic, and cold pressed
• Local women, called “Babassu Breakers,” collect the nuts that have fallen from the ground and break them open with an axe (Souza et al, 2011).
• Composed of fatty acids, including lauric acid, it is very nourishing for the skin
• A favorite for lotion and soap makers
• Similar to coconut oil but leaves less greasy residue
• Soothing, cooling, moisturizing, it is especially good for dry scalp and itchy skin
• About $9 for 15 ounces

Virgin Red Palm Oil 

• Comes from Elaeis guineensis
• The Industrial Revolution created a demand for palm oil at the turn of the century and huge plantations that destroyed local habitats where developed in Asia.  It is important to get Fair Trade Red Palm Oil, which comes from its indigenous location, grown on small African farms.  Click below to read more about the importance of Fair Trade, Virgin, Organic Palm Oil:  http://coconutoil.com/palm_oil_history/
• Contains carotenes with 15 times more carotenoids than carrots (Tropical Traditions, 2015).
• The carrier oil with the most Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant (Tropical Traditions, 2015).
• Excellent choice for body care products and to use in cooking
• One quart is about $20

Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil (pictured above)

• Comes from Hippophae rhamnoides
• Very unsaturated
• Used for eczema, burns, skin scars
• High in vitamin E, A, and carotenoids
• Beta-carotene gives it the bright orange color
• Its high content of Palmitoleic acid is known for improving skin wounds (Zeb, 2004)
• Moisturizes, eases irritation, treats acne, and offers anti-aging for the skin
• Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory
• About $70 for 16 ounces

References

• Kipple (2000).  History of Palm Oil.  Retrieved on 7/26/15.  Retrieved from http://coconutoil.com/palm_oil_history/
• Souza, M. H., Monteiro, C. A., Figueredo, P. M., Nascimento, F. R. F., & Guerra, R. N. (2011). Ethnopharmacological use of babassu (Orbignya phalerata Mart) in communities of babassu nut breakers in Maranhão, Brazil. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 133(1), 1-5
• Tropical Traditions (2015).  Virgin red palm white.  Retrieved on 7.26.15.  Retrieved from http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/red_palm_oil.htm?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Palm%20Oil&utm_term=red%20palm%20oil
• Zeb, A. (2004). Important therapeutic uses of sea buckthorn (Hippophae): a review. Journal of Biological Sciences, 4(5), 687-693.