The German word “edelweiss” means “noble and white,” or “noble whiteness,” which describes this perennial plant perfectly. Found at altitudes of 5,000 – 8,000 feet, edelweiss is known to grow at great heights, on cliff sides, and in other dangerous areas, which made the pursuit of the elusive white flowers a challenge young men liked to take on to prove themselves.
Though a historic badge of courage and prestige, today edelweiss is a powerful force in anti-aging skin care.
You heard about them in “The Sound of Music,” but now they’re popular in anti-aging products.
A Little Bit About the Ingredient Itself
A member of the sunflower family, edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) can grow up to eight inches high with five to six small flower heads surrounded by specialized white leaves in star formation, blooming between July and September. It likes rocky limestone places at higher altitudes and grows a sort of wooly hair on the flowering leaves, apparently to protect them from the cold and ultraviolet radiation.
The scientific name comes from Greece and means “lion foot of the Alps.” The flower became so prized among hikers in some countries that governments in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland now protect it in certain parts of the Alps. Also called the “Queen’s flower” in Greek, it’s white color is considered a symbol of purity. The plant is widely cultivated today, however, in many countries around the world.
Historical Uses
Like most herbs, edelweiss was used historically for certain health benefits. After drying, the flowers can be cut and prepared in an alcohol solution, so the extract can be used as a medicinal herb. Edelweiss was known to help cure diarrhea and dysentery, and was actually called the “stomach ache flower” in Germany. It was also used to help combat tuburculosis and diphtheria, and was popular mixed in with hot milk and honey. One of its oldest uses was for the treatment of rheumatic pain. It was also used as an astringent and to help soothe coughs.
Today, however, the world is more excited about edelweiss’ action as an anti-aging herb.
Benefits to the Skin
When scientists got their hands on this plant, they found that it contained all sorts of great compounds beneficial to the skin. These include chlorogenic acid, luteolin, bisabolane derivatives, and beta sitosterol. Here’s a little more about these:
- Chlorogenic acid is a family of naturally occurring organic compounds, and is a major polyphenol in coffee. It has natural antimicrobial properties, and is a powerful antioxidant shown to help inhibit tumors. It’s also able to neutralize free radicals before they damage DNA, helping to deter the signs of aging.
- Luteolin is a flavonoid—actually, one of the citrus bioflavonoids known to have several health benefits. It’s a free-radical scavenger, an anti-inflammatory agent, and can reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
- Bisabolane derivatives in the plant possess anti-inflammatory properties.
- Beta sitosterol is a plant sterol with a chemical structure similar to cholesterol. Inside the body, it can help reduce blood levels of cholesterol, while topically, it has anti-inflammatory activity, helping to calm and soothe skin.
Because of these compounds and others, edelweiss has been found to be a powerful antioxidant, protecting skin from the effects of aging. One of the most exciting things about it is that it has UV-light absorbing compounds believed to have developed because of its native climate in high altitudes. That’s why you’re likely to see this herb in natural sunblock products.
Combine all these properties and you have an herb that fights off the elements that cause aging—UV rays, free radicals, and other oxidative stressors—while nourishing the skin from the inside out, protecting from inflammation, fighting off bacteria, and providing an overall soothing, calming effect.
Try It!
Edelweiss was a natural fit for my Anti-Aging Serum. In magic, edelweiss was said to be used for invisibility. I’m wondering if they meant invisibility of wrinkles?
Do you know of other uses for edelweiss? Please let us know!
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Photo courtesy habfam via Flickr.com.
Sources
A.C. Dweck, “A Review of Edelweiss,” SOFW-Journal, 130, 9-2004, http://www.swissnature.ch/articles/edelweiss.pdf.
Tags: annmarie gianni skin care, Anti Aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, edelweiss, flavonoids, Natural Skin Care, organic skin care, plant sterols, Queen's flower, reduce wrinkles, soothing skin care, The Sound of Music
