Latest news with #botanical
National Post
16-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- National Post
8 skincare brands to watch right now
Article content Article content Cela Article content Why we love it: Not only founded in Canada, each of the brand's products use ingredients (mostly) sourced from and made on home soil, too. Each product is designed to protect and soothe the skin from our harsh Northern climate. The 'Céla Complex', the basis of most products is a blend of blueberry, elderberry, evening primrose, juniper berry, rosemary and lavender — six botanical extracts found in Canada. When combined correctly, these ingredients protect against environmental factors while bringing out our skin's natural glow. Check out our Q&A with Cela's founder to learn more. Article content Article content Article content Article content Why we love it: This female-founded brand is backed by celebrity endorsements from the likes of Paris Hilton, Lisa Rinna and Christine Chiu. Using non-toxic ingredients and recyclable packaging, the brand is committed to supporting sustainable practices, using 100 per cent green energy in their manufacturing plants as well as planting one tree for every product bought through a partnership with non-profit One Tree Planted. U Beauty's proprietary (patent-pending) SIREN technology is a mode of encapsulation that claims to deliver anti-aging ingredients to the skin in a unique way, offering optimal efficacy. Article content Article content Lontreau Article content Why we love it: Another skincare brand born in Canada, Lontreau's line of endurance skincare products was created for athletes by an athlete. The founder challenged herself to strive for the ultimate in clean standards, with each product formulated to the Credo Beauty Clean Standard — considered by many to be the industry benchmark. The products are tailored for people on the move, with unique serums that harness the power of antioxidants to protect against common environmental factors faced by fitness fanatics. Ultimately, whether you consider yourself an active person or not — these products will make your skin feel nourished and hydrated.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Herbalife's Aloin Identification Method for Aloe Vera Officially Recognized by AOAC INTERNATIONAL
Certified Method Enhances Global Botanical Quality and Safety HONG KONG, July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF), a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, today announced the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC INTERNATIONAL)—a global authority in analytical science—has formally certified its proprietary method for identifying and measuring anthraquinones, also known as aloins, in aloe vera. Aloe regulatory groups require producers of ingestible aloe vera products to monitor naturally occurring compounds such as aloin A, aloin B, and aloe-emodin to meet safety guidelines. This certification officially recognizes Herbalife's longstanding method as the world's first AOAC-approved approach for detecting aloins – reinforcing safety and quality benchmarks across botanical and dietary supplement industries. Developed by Herbalife scientists and validated by independent laboratories worldwide, this AOAC-certified method is used to test every batch of Herbalife's aloe-based products, ensuring safety, while preserving aloe vera's natural benefits. Aloe vera is a key ingredient in many of Herbalife's top products, which are sold in more than 90 markets. "This AOAC validation is an important milestone for Herbalife and the industry as a whole," said Gary Swanson, SVP of Global Quality at Herbalife and lead author of the study. "We are proud to lead scientific innovation that enhances botanical ingredient safety, benefitting not only Herbalife products and our customers, but also advancing standards across the industry." Herbalife's method was validated through a global multi-laboratory study involving eight independent laboratories. Each lab tested the same set of six aloe vera samples, including both raw materials and finished products, using HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) to measure aloin A, aloin B, and aloe-emodin. The study ensured the method's accuracy and reliability across various labs and product types, with results confirming that it met all performance criteria, including precision and system suitability. "This multi-laboratory validation study supported approval of an analytical method developed by Herbalife scientists as the AOAC 2016.09 Official Final Action Method," said Dr. Katerina Mastovska, deputy executive director and chief science officer, AOAC INTERNATIONAL. "AOAC official methods undergo rigorous scientific evaluation and are highly credible and globally accepted. As such, this method will help strengthen botanical quality and safety standards worldwide." Herbalife has a long-standing commitment to aloe vera research and quality assurance. This dedication has resulted in five patents and three published studies focused on developing safe extraction methods that preserve the plant's natural benefits. While many companies rely solely on supplier certifications to confirm the authenticity of their aloe vera, Herbalife goes further. The company is one of the few in the world using advanced proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry—an analytical technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to identify the molecular structure of raw materials. This allows Herbalife to independently verify the identity and purity of its aloe vera at the molecular level, ensuring the highest standards of quality, consistency and traceability across its global supply chain. For 45 years, Herbalife has upheld a global commitment to quality through its rigorous Seed to Feed process. This comprehensive system ensures that every ingredient—from responsibly sourced crops cultivated by dedicated farmers to the finished product—meets stringent standards for identity, potency, safety, and purity. Herbalife performs internal testing in ISO 17025-accredited laboratories, verifying that ingredients comply with both company standards and government regulations. The company's science-backed approach, grounded in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and NSF International standards, delivers consistent, transparent products in more than 90 markets. Supported by a global team of scientists and quality experts, this process strengthens consumer trust and continues to advance industry standards worldwide. Herbalife's aloe vera testing method has been published in Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL (Volume 108, Issue 3, Pages 449-471). About Herbalife Ltd. Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life. For more information, visit Media Contact: media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Herbalife Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
You be the judge: should my flatmate stop filling our home with plant cuttings?
Every surface has something sprouting on it. I didn't sign up to live in a botanical experiment I've lived with my flatmate Cleo for four years now. She wasn't into plants to begin with. Now she's obsessed. She's always cloning plants, trying to grow something new. That would be fine if it was contained to her room, but it's everywhere. Every surface has something sprouting on it. There are leaves in plastic containers in our living room, small stems in old Gü dessert pots in the bathroom, plants in nursery pots on every kitchen surface. Plants are not the issue. I love plants in our flat – they're gorgeous. It's more the constant propagation: the jars, the clippings, the mess … I didn't sign up to live in a botanical experiment. One time I knocked over a jar with a baby stem in our kitchen while cooking, so I refilled it with fresh water. But Cleo got so mad. She said I'd tipped out the 'hormone-rich water' and that I'd slowed down the growing process. But I didn't know any of this. If she'd placed the plant out of the way, it wouldn't have happened. I feel like a guest in a trendy houseplant shop – one that doesn't shift enough plants. Cleo has started listing some on Facebook Marketplace and giving them to friends, but we're still surrounded. There must be over 40 plants in our flat, and our flat is small. There's also the mess of repotting. We don't have a garden so Cleo does everything indoors, and drops soil everywhere. I've stepped on perlite barefoot and it hurt. The shower can also become a makeshift bath for Cleo's plants, and I don't love the leaves and soil that are often left behind. The sink was also constantly blocked from her rinsing out compost trays. To be fair to Cleo, that doesn't happen as often since I bought it up. There are good sides to Cleo's green fingers. I do love having our own herb garden – Cleo makes sure there is always basil and thyme on the windowsill for us to pick. And I love a hanging pothos or orchid as much as the next person. But I need my counter space back. It's not just a hobby, I've created an ecosystem of calm in our city home. Plus, I make good money Jade complains about having plant clippings on every surface, but I'd argue she benefits greatly from the oxygen-rich atmosphere I've curated. Plants clean the air, reduce anxiety and look lovely. My propagation habit is not just a hobby, it's an ecosystem of calm in our big-city home. Coming back from work and misting a monstera is so relaxing. Propagating plants is my favourite thing, and I don't want to stop. It's grounding. I have asked Jade to water my plants when I've been away, and she always says how much she enjoys it, how it helps calm her down. I know she'd miss them if they were gone. Yes, sometimes I repot things in the kitchen, but I always clean up after. I don't always catch every speck of soil, but we have a good hoover, so I vacuum it whenever I see it. I've become even more interested in propagating recently, as I've realised that I can make a bit of money if I do it properly. People pay a lot for new plants in pristine condition, and it could be a nice little side hustle. So yes, there is a small invasion of jars and plastic boxes on windowsills, but what else do we use the windowsills for? I think it's a creative use of space. Our landlord said the flat has never looked more lived-in. Last week, a friend said our flat felt like a 'healing centre'. That was a big compliment, but Jade calls our flat a jungle. When she poured out the water from one of the jars, I was annoyed, because I was trying to make that plant sprout roots. I'd told her you're supposed to keep the same water as it is filled with hormones. Jade wasn't that apologetic and it took longer than usual for that plant to grow. I could ease up on the clippings, but I'm still refining my technique. Also, as it's summer, it's going to get worse before it gets better, because now is peak growing time. I only got into propagating earlier this year, so it's been a bit of a shock for Jade to see how quickly things have expanded. But it won't be for ever. She just needs to be a little bit more patient. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Should Cleo ease off on the propagating? Cleo needs to respect that the flat is a shared space and if her plant craze is infringing on Jade's bandwidth, it needs to be downsized. So-called objective arguments on oxygen and mental health don't fly if the plants are more of a nuisance than a relief. Maitri, 37 Jade no longer feels comfortable in her own home, so it's clear a line has been crossed. Cleo calls Jade unapologetic, yet seems blase about how her hobby is completely taking over their shared space. They need to establish some ground rules and plant-free 32 I definitely see how Cleo's green thumb benefits Jade, but Jade didn't sign up to live in a garden nursery. Perhaps Cleo could look into an allotment and they could agree on a fixed number of plants/cuttings in the flat at any given 36 The reality is the majority of big city flats are humid and stuffy – perfect for plant propagation, but also insects, rodents and mould. A few plants would be fine, but a windowsill full of yogurt pots? If Cleo wants to continue, she needs a more efficient process (a vertical hydroponic system, perhaps), or to keep her plants to her room. Gul, 18 Plants are lovely, but when you live in a shared space you can't commandeer every surface – especially when you're not cleaning up thoroughly. Cleo needs to keep her hobby to her bedroom – she can invest in a shelf unit and grow 45 In our online poll, should Cleo stem her hobby? The poll closes on Wednesday 9 July at 10am BST We asked whether Georgia should stop kissing her boyfriend after kissing the cat 72% said yes – Georgia is guilty28% said no – Georgia is innocent
The Guardian
03-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
You be the judge: should my flatmate stop filling our home with plant cuttings?
Every surface has something sprouting on it. I didn't sign up to live in a botanical experiment I've lived with my flatmate Cleo for four years now. She wasn't into plants to begin with. Now she's obsessed. She's always cloning plants, trying to grow something new. That would be fine if it was contained to her room, but it's everywhere. Every surface has something sprouting on it. There are leaves in plastic containers in our living room, small stems in old Gü dessert pots in the bathroom, plants in nursery pots on every kitchen surface. Plants are not the issue. I love plants in our flat – they're gorgeous. It's more the constant propagation: the jars, the clippings, the mess … I didn't sign up to live in a botanical experiment. One time I knocked over a jar with a baby stem in our kitchen while cooking, so I refilled it with fresh water. But Cleo got so mad. She said I'd tipped out the 'hormone-rich water' and that I'd slowed down the growing process. But I didn't know any of this. If she'd placed the plant out of the way, it wouldn't have happened. I feel like a guest in a trendy houseplant shop – one that doesn't shift enough plants. Cleo has started listing some on Facebook Marketplace and giving them to friends, but we're still surrounded. There must be over 40 plants in our flat, and our flat is small. There's also the mess of repotting. We don't have a garden so Cleo does everything indoors, and drops soil everywhere. I've stepped on perlite barefoot and it hurt. The shower can also become a makeshift bath for Cleo's plants, and I don't love the leaves and soil that are often left behind. The sink was also constantly blocked from her rinsing out compost trays. To be fair to Cleo, that doesn't happen as often since I bought it up. There are good sides to Cleo's green fingers. I do love having our own herb garden – Cleo makes sure there is always basil and thyme on the windowsill for us to pick. And I love a hanging pothos or orchid as much as the next person. But I need my counter space back. It's not just a hobby, I've created an ecosystem of calm in our city home. Plus, I make good money Jade complains about having plant clippings on every surface, but I'd argue she benefits greatly from the oxygen-rich atmosphere I've curated. Plants clean the air, reduce anxiety and look lovely. My propagation habit is not just a hobby, it's an ecosystem of calm in our big-city home. Coming back from work and misting a monstera is so relaxing. Propagating plants is my favourite thing, and I don't want to stop. It's grounding. I have asked Jade to water my plants when I've been away, and she always says how much she enjoys it, how it helps calm her down. I know she'd miss them if they were gone. Yes, sometimes I repot things in the kitchen, but I always clean up after. I don't always catch every speck of soil, but we have a good hoover, so I vacuum it whenever I see it. I've become even more interested in propagating recently, as I've realised that I can make a bit of money if I do it properly. People pay a lot for new plants in pristine condition, and it could be a nice little side hustle. So yes, there is a small invasion of jars and plastic boxes on windowsills, but what else do we use the windowsills for? I think it's a creative use of space. Our landlord said the flat has never looked more lived-in. Last week, a friend said our flat felt like a 'healing centre'. That was a big compliment, but Jade calls our flat a jungle. When she poured out the water from one of the jars, I was annoyed, because I was trying to make that plant sprout roots. I'd told her you're supposed to keep the same water as it is filled with hormones. Jade wasn't that apologetic and it took longer than usual for that plant to grow. I could ease up on the clippings, but I'm still refining my technique. Also, as it's summer, it's going to get worse before it gets better, because now is peak growing time. I only got into propagating earlier this year, so it's been a bit of a shock for Jade to see how quickly things have expanded. But it won't be for ever. She just needs to be a little bit more patient. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Should Cleo ease off on the propagating? Cleo needs to respect that the flat is a shared space and if her plant craze is infringing on Jade's bandwidth, it needs to be downsized. So-called objective arguments on oxygen and mental health don't fly if the plants are more of a nuisance than a relief. Maitri, 37 Jade no longer feels comfortable in her own home, so it's clear a line has been crossed. Cleo calls Jade unapologetic, yet seems blase about how her hobby is completely taking over their shared space. They need to establish some ground rules and plant-free 32 I definitely see how Cleo's green thumb benefits Jade, but Jade didn't sign up to live in a garden nursery. Perhaps Cleo could look into an allotment and they could agree on a fixed number of plants/cuttings in the flat at any given 36 The reality is the majority of big city flats are humid and stuffy – perfect for plant propagation, but also insects, rodents and mould. A few plants would be fine, but a windowsill full of yogurt pots? If Cleo wants to continue, she needs a more efficient process (a vertical hydroponic system, perhaps), or to keep her plants to her room. Gul, 18 Plants are lovely, but when you live in a shared space you can't commandeer every surface – especially when you're not cleaning up thoroughly. Cleo needs to keep her hobby to her bedroom – she can invest in a shelf unit and grow 45 In our online poll, should Cleo stem her hobby? The poll closes on Wednesday 9 July at 10am BST We asked whether Georgia should stop kissing her boyfriend after kissing the cat 72% said yes – Georgia is guilty28% said no – Georgia is innocent
Times
28-06-2025
- General
- Times
The natural plant dye found in Tutankhamun's tomb
Felix Green used to be a textile designer but with a flowery twist, drawing botanical patterns for all types of clothing. Then, during Covid, he decided to do something different to pass the time and signed up for one of the RHS gardening courses. 'I never had any interest in gardening before. There was no plan,' he says. For a man without a plan, it's all worked out rather well. He is now, at the age of 42, one of the gardeners at Hever Castle in Kent where, a few years ago, he planted its first 'dye garden'. 'We are going to start with possibly the most interesting but also the ugliest plant,' he says, walking me down to the far end of the dye bed. There I meet the plant known as madder. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say that it met me, its sticky leaves and stems not really wanting to let me go. It reminded me of cleavers, aka sticky willie, and indeed it belongs to the same family.
