Products

Dr. Daniel’s Oxy- Care.

Oxycare, developed by the well-known phytochemist, Prof. M. Daniel and his team in Dr. Daniel’s Laboratories  after extensive research, contains  well-known herbs rich in antioxidants,  anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents and blood purifiers. The plants used in Oxycare, their active principles and their clinically proven activities are summarized below.

  1. Brahmi (Centella asiatica L.) Brahmi contains saponins like brahmoside, thankuniside and indocentelloside which stimulate the production of collagen and thus improves the appearance of aging skin affected by fine lines and wrinkles. Centella asiatica has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has traditionally been used as a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and minor burns. This plant is able to heal wounds and burns because of its ability to increase the blood supply to the affected area, elevate the level of antioxidants in the wound, and encourage the production of fibroblasts, the cells that synthesize collagen. Its collagen-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties indicate that Centella asiatica can diminish the appearance of stretch marks and keloid scars. It strengthens the walls of veins and capillaries, thus increase the supply of blood to the skin making it a useful treatment for varicose veins and venous insufficiency. By regulating the excessive production of collagen it  prevents excessive scar formation in surgical wounds and also effective in removing scars (Gohil et al., 2010). Centella is a very powerful antioxidant and stimulates the body to manufacture catalase, a powerful anti-aging antioxidant.  It is also a powerful skin regenerative agent and works very well in skin repair and rejuvenation.
  2. Rakthachandan (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. ) This plant contains quinones like santalin A & B and lignans savinin  and calocedrin. All these compounds are excellent antioxidants and strongly antiinflammatory. Rakthachandan is well-known for its use in removing scars, preventing pimples and other infections and for a fairer skin. It thins blood and strengthens capillary walls ensuring a good supply of blood in the skin.
  3. Garmalo (Cassia fistula Linn.- Bark) The bark is rich in antioxidant flavonols, proanthocyanidins  and anthraquinones. It is proved to be a highly potent antibacterial agent (Aneja and co-workers, 2011). It is a valuable anti-inflammatory agent too. It is used to treat eczema, leprosy, itching and other chronic skin diseases.
  1. Karanj chaal (Pongamia pinnata L. – Bk.) Stem bark contains complex flavonoids like chromenoflavone and demethoxy kanugin. All these compounds are highly antimicrobial compounds. The plant is used in leprosy and an effective remedy for all types of skin diseases like scabies, eczema, leucoderma and ulcers.
  2. Kuvadio (Cassia tora Linn.) Kuvadio is rich in glycosides of anthraquinones such as cassiamide, rhein, emodin, aloe emodin etc and brassinosteroids. The seeds are  exceeding useful in treating  eczema, ringworm, psoriasis, ulcers, and other parasitic skin diseases. The flavonoids and quinones prevent and heal infections caused by Staphylococcus, Trichophyton and many parasitic fungi.   They are also the best antioxidants in nature and are blood thinners. Brassinosteroids help the skin heal faster.

Triethanolamine stearate,  the cream base used in Oxycare, itself is antimicrobial in nature and used as a medicine in various ear diseases and infections in USA. It is one of the best emulsifiers and because it can bind both polar and non-polar regions of the skin, it will penetrate the skin deeper, carrying with it all the polar and non-polar compounds of Oxycare to the best possible effect.

Oxycare is a cream meant to protect and maintain a healthy skin. It can be successfully used for, 1. Preventing and healing pimples; 2. Healing fungal, bacterial and viral infections of skin; 3.  Removing stretch marks and keloid scars (need longer time of application to get the desired effect) and 4. Quick healing of wounds, burns and inflammations. It also prevents the signs of aging and help to get a fairer and clear skin.

Caution: Since Oxycare contains a good amount of polyphenolic anti-oxidants, on exposure to air for long time, these compounds may get oxidized to form a reddish brown surface layer. This does not affect the quality of the product. These layers can be remixed with lower layers and used.

Skin Care

The skin  is the largest organ of the body and has  a surface area of 3.2 sq.m and  make up to 16% of body weight. The skin is the main protective barrier between body and micro-organisms, ultraviolet radiation, toxic agents and mechanical insults. Skin is a dynamic organ which is always in a  constant state of change, as cells of the outer layers are continuously shed and replaced by inner cells moving up to the surface.

Skin consists of three regions, the epidermis (the outermost  layer, serving as the physical and chemical barrier between the interior body and exterior environment), dermis (which provides the structural support of the skin) and  subcutaneous tissue (a loose connective tissue layer- an important deposit of fat).

The epidermis is stratified squamous epithelium, consisting of four layers such as 1) basal layer, 2) spinous or prickle cell layer, 3) granular cell layer and the outermost 4) horny layer. These four separate layers of the epidermis are formed by keratin at differing stages of maturation in keratinocytes, the main cells of the epidermis wherein keratin is synthesized. The undifferentiated cells are at the base and fully differentiated keratinocytes are at the outermost horny layer. Epidermis contains  melanocytes (containing melanin), Langerhans cells (immunologically active cells) and Merkel cells also.

The dermis, found below the epidermis, is thick,  thickness varying from 0.6 mm to 3 mm and is composed of a tough, supportive cell matrix. It consists of an upper thin papillary layer  and a lower thick  reticular layer. Embedded within the fibrous tissue of the dermis are sweat glands, hair roots, nerve cells, fibres,  blood and lymph vessels and Sebaceous (oil) glands and apocrine (scent) glands. The dermis being a living and active tissue system is rich in circulating blood through capillaries of arteries and veins. The skin has a rich nerve supply also.

Subcutaneous Tissue is a layer of fat and connective tissue that houses larger blood vessels and nerves. This layer is important in the regulation of temperature of the skin itself and the body. The size of this layer varies throughout the body and from person to person.

A purview on the structure of the skin leads us into areas wherein special attention is to be given to produce a good skin care product especially creams. The moisture content of the skin is to be retained to prevent dry skin. Protection from pathogenic microbes as well as UV rays is to be guaranteed so that infectious diseases, acne, pimples etc.  and burning of the skin can be prevented. The fats in subcutaneous layer are to be protected from free radicals so the wrinkles can be avoided. Vascular supply to the skin is to be maintained to keep the skin healthy. The nerves and other organs such as sebaceous glands, hair follicle, nerves etc are to be nourished to keep the skin balanced and functional.

A number of herbs are attributed with properties of skin care. They are often used as external applications. The plants having “blood purifying” action also can be used in skin care because a good circulatory system will take care of a number of skin problems. Many of the plants used for skin care contain phenols. Phenols when present in an external application like creams and lotions will absorb harmful UV radiation also.  Another property of phenolics is their antifungal and antibacterial properties by which the microbial attack on the skin also can be prevented, reduced or removed. Phenolic are the best antioxidants too.

Cosmetic Creams

A herbal cosmetic cream contains certain chemical principles extracted from plant sources dissolved in an emulsifier. This is then added with a preservative and a flavor. Emulsifiers are essential base components of the cream because they can bind ionic and nonionic components (lipidic/hydrophobic and non-lipidic/hydrophilic) together. The plant extractives  also may be water-soluble or oil soluble and both these components can be easily dispersed in the cream because of emulsifiers. Between turmeric and brahmi, the curcuminoids of turmeric are lipidic (insoluble in water) while the asiaticosides of brahmi are water-soluble and only an emulsifier can bind both these types of compounds.