I am proud to introduce my Piñon Preservation Balm during the season when those of us in the Northern Hemisphere can benefit most from its reparative and protective qualities. Slowcrafted in small batches in my home kitchen, this balm is made from Piñon Pine resin to protect our skin in the same way it protects the trees. Read on for a long-winded explanation about why I'm stoked on this.
Why I made it: My hands are nowhere near as rough as when I was working in metal shops for many years, but I forever work with my hands, and winter gets painful. I needed a solution that would help protect and repair my weathered skin, and the preparations I found most effective tended to be heavy and greasy, which made them impractical for use during daytime hours when I'm busy using said appendages. Working with oily hands and greasing up everything that I touch is impractical, so I wouldn't apply the products during the day, and my hands would worsen. So I set out to formulate my own solution.
What it is: Piñon Preservation Balm is my answer. Making plant resin extracts and herbal infusions is a patient process, and one that I have grown to love deeply. Formulated with a blend of grounding Piñon Pine whole-resin extract to protect, nourishing golden Argan oil, and calming Chamomile flower, this balm is designed for use at any time of day without a messy feel. My Piñon Preservation Balm was developed as a barrier for my cuticles, but has become a go-to product for any areas that are chapped, dry, or itchy, where a less-greasy feel is desired (it's my favorite day/night lip balm:).
Learn: Resin-producing trees and shrubs excrete their resin when injured or when parasites are detected. Many folks are familiar with the essential oils extracted from tree resins, but what many don't realize is that the EOs require a ridiculous amount of material (resin and/or needles in the case of Pine) and resources to make just a tiny bottle of oil that, unfortunately, does not contain all of the beneficial properties of the resin itself.
The healing and protective qualities of Pine resin come from a complex mix of bioactive compounds, including terpenes (including essential oils and resin acids), flavonoids, and phenolic acids.
Terpenes are the volatile compounds responsible for the distinctive scent, which the tree uses to deter insects and parasites.
Resin acids are highly antimicrobial against a wide range of bacteria and fungi, and are what help the resin form the tough, protective barrier that seals wounds and prevents infection.
Flavonoids & Phenolic Acids exhibit antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities.
Lignans are thought to contribute to accelerated wound healing and cellular regeneration.
Using the whole resin - or a whole-resin extract - means that all of these qualities remain present, and we can employ them to heal and protect our own skin in much the same way.
Sourcing Practices: At Riverbend, I carefully select the suppliers with whom I collaborate. All of my plant materials (including resins, seeds, roots, barks, herbs & flowers) are sourced sustainably and ethically. Because unethical wild-harvesting practices are decimating the populations of many of Earth's treasures, many of my plant materials come from farms dedicated to preserving our wild plant populations. Because I am unable to source all my materials from farms, the materials I do get from wild harvesters are very carefully chosen, mostly coming from communities and families that steward the rich lands on which they live and work, participating in true symbiosis - a reciprocal relationship with the Earth and her plants in which they both are the giver, and the beneficiary. It is because of families and communities that care for these lands that we even have a chance at keeping precious plant populations from endangerment and extinction, and I am proud to support them, even on a small-business scale.
How to use: This is a dry balm and requires a little heat for best use. Gently swirl a finger over the balm a few times to warm it up (more in cold weather, less if it's been in your pocket), then apply as needed.
Pine's aromatic qualities are also deeply grounding and calming, making application a multisensory experience.
Ingredients:
Argan oil
Sunflower oil*
Sunflower wax
Shea butter
corn starch
Piñon Pine resin
Chamomile flower*
Vitamin E oil*
*denotes organic ingredient
**Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment inspection.
**Discontinue use if unwanted reaction occurs. Not all plants agree with all people, and plant constituents, while possessing many healing capabilities, can disagree with some folks. Plants are mighty. Respect.
**The information on this website is not medical advice and is not to take the place of medical care provided by a trained physician. I am not a doctor and have no medical training. Please consult with a trained medical professional if you have health concerns or problems.