(^26) • JULY
naturalBEAUTY/PURE INGREDIENTS FOR SKIN & BODY
Native American Beauty Secrets
Harness the wisdom and power of indigenous ingredients for healthier
hair and skin /// BY SHERRIE STRAUSFOGEL
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D i d You
Know?
The natural compounds
that keep desert plants
hydrated can work the
same wonders on your
skin and hair.
Native Americans were experts at
using what nature provided for their
medicine cabinet and personal care.
No matter where they roamed, they sought
out indigenous plants with healing and
beauty benefits. The tribes that inhabited
the area that is now Sedona, Ariz., were
particularly adept at using aloe, agave,
juniper, prickly pear, and yucca to care
for their skin and hair.
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Aloe
Desert-dwelling Native Americans
used aloe vera gel to expedite wound
healing, soothe sunburn, and hydrate skin.
Cooling aloe is antimicrobial, antibacterial,
antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and it
contains antioxidants. Aloe also
has phytosterols that help
soothe itches and irritation.
The bioactive compounds
in the plant are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D,
and E as well as magnesium, potassium,
and zinc that aid healing.
Agave
Best known as the tequila plant, many
species of agave thrive throughout
the Southwestern desert. Agave
nectar is antimicrobial and
was mixed with salt by
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