I am struck by the beauty of Israeli women, something I was reminded of during my recent trip to Israel. not to mention the vibrance of the food, from which I'll derive recipes from shortly. But Israeli beauty is particular, it's wild, raw, natural and ancient. The green hued eyes passed down by generations of israelites, wild and flowing sun scorched hair and olive pigmented skin. These are a people of tradition, survival and with a deep connection to the land. Traveling from the olive fields in the north through the Negev desert and down to the dead sea into Jerasulem, I sourced and sampled the beauty cures of the incredibly rich land pieced together with the secrets passed down between the lines of sacred texts.   

Myrrh

Myrrh is a resin–a sap–derived from the Commiphora Myrrha tree native to the Middle East. According to the New Testament, it was the gift given to baby Jesus by the three wise men and was historically used as a spice, natural remedy or to purify the dead. 

Book of Solomon

"Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices."

Anti-oxidant

Myrrh oil is said to have a detoxifying effect on the body, particularly in protecting the liver from damage according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology. (1)

Cancer Fighting

Researchers have found that the oil has anti-proliferation andreplication effects on cancer cells, inhibiting the growth of eight different types of cancers especially gynaecological types. (2)

Skin

Myrrh soothes cracked or chapped skin and is often used in other products as a moisturizing agent. It was also used by the ancient Egyptians for anti-aging and maintaining healthy skin. 

Anti-bacterial, Fungal and Anti-Parasitic

Myrrh is known to reduce swelling and inflammation and fight bacterial infections along with fighting the common algae parasite fascioliasis found in humans worldwide. (3) 

Mud

Known world wide for its healing and medicinal properties, black dead see mud. Thousands of years of sedimentary clay filled with minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and chromium has made the dead sea mud so precious. Find out more about the magical ionizing power of clay...

Dead Sea Salts

Imbued with the same healing properties of the black mud, Dead Sea or mineral salts can be used for muscle relaxing salt baths, wound healing, and as an exfoliating facial scrub when combined with regular face wash. 

Aloe Vera

 This desert plant is used to protect skin from burns brought on by the relentless sun; it's gel often mixed with dead sea minerals.