Baobab (Adansonia Digitata)

The Baobab tree: Mother of the forest

The ancient and remarkable baobab tree is an important, highly valued, and unique genus of tree native to the regions of Central, Southern Africa and Australia. It is among one of the longest lived tree genuses in the world, having been known to live for hundreds, even thousands of years at a time. Its bark combined with the properties inherent in both baobab seed oil and baobab fruit powder have long been used throughout history to remedy sicknesses and restore skin balance and skin texture. Many scientists agree that “Baobab possesses hydrating, moisturising and occlusive properties when topically applied to the skin.” They further emphasize that various properties within the nourishing oil of Adansonia Digitata helps maintain radiant skin, making it the perfect natural face exfoliator and natural cleansing oil.

In addition to the health benefits of baobab seed oil, it’s also important to understand where the baobab tree comes from, the unique qualities inherent in its makeup and where it currently resides. The longevity of this genus of tree has given it the chance to split into no less than 8 species that disperse themselves over wide areas of Madagascar, South Africa, Central Africa and even far off Australia. Originating from the now diminishing forest hinterlands of Madagascar, the baobab tree was first brought to the wider world’s attention by French naturalist and explorer Michel Adanson, the tree’s latin inscribed namesake Adansonia digitata. He studied and took notes on the varying species of each baobab tree. Finding distinct differences and identifying unique traits and appearances.

He and other researchers found several unifying characteristics between each species. See the baobab isn’t structured the same way most deciduous trees are. Where most trees we know have trunks that are relatively thin and elongated, with branches and leaves that shoot out at various intervals along its length. The baobab does the exact opposite. Unlike its taller and more varied cousins to the distant north, it was built to survive the harsh, arid conditions of Sub equatorial Africa and Australia and therefore had to be shaped differently. For example its short unusually stocky and wide trunk is able to hold an astonishing 100,000 litres of water! It’s peculiar frame also allows it to resist some of the harsh windy weather that visits these parts of the world, toppling lesser more fragile species. On top of that, most species have a flattened crown for a treetop with a thin layer of leaves supported by a dense layer of grouped branches. This unusual structure helps the tree ration its supply of water without sacrificing its need for sunlight.

It comes as no surprise then that locals have taken to calling the baobab the upside down tree or the bottleneck tree.

This “upside down tree” however, is also known by another name, one that has lasted through the generations in old tales and folklore myth, “reniala”, roughly translated as “mother of the forest” and the “baobab tree of life”. Once, it was told by the Zambiezi tribe of Madagascar, that evil spirits stalked the surroundings of this “mother of the forest” and preyed on unsuspecting passers by. But the gifts within adansonia digitata’s seed, bark and leaf were so valuable that locals often gladly braved the dangers surrounding it to sample some of its many magical gifts. Indeed, local legends tell of how Adansonia Digitata medicinal uses inherent within its bark, seed and leaf were able to improve fertility in women, help children grow strong and healthy and provided additional nutrients in native diets.

Presently, Adansonia Digitata seed oil skin benefits have been well researched, and a myriad of these benefits have been found in consuming or applying products with Adansonia Digitata baobab seed oil and Adansonia Digitata baobab fruit powder.

Health benefits of Baobab seed oil and fruit powder

One thing that makes Adansonia Digitata baobab oil (extracted from crushed baobab seeds) and fruit powder so unique are their high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins in their makeup. This gives baobab seed oil several unique properties:

Excellent skin moisturizer
Baobab oil is an excellent and simple hydrating cleansing oil, great at maintaining radiant skin from drying. Reinvigorating it by retaining the moisture in your skin, making it the best setting powder for dry skin and a body oil for sensitive skin.
Improving skin texture and elasticity
The omega-3 fatty acid is perfect for maintaining skin balance and cleaning dead/dry skin and rejuvenating skin cycle. It gently embeds itself in the pores of your skin when lightly lathered onto the surface of your skin and helps treat stress related skin conditions.

Repair and heal faster
Baobab oil has also been shown to protect your skin from exterior damage and even heal old scars and wounds. Baobab oil has been proven to provide some protection from the elements, imbuing your skin with regenerative healing. It has also been proven to be the best oil for scars, being a notably effective oil for acne scars in particular.
Reduce inflammation
Baobab oil has been used for many years to help treat inflammation of the skin, facial congestion, and even positively affect conditions such as eczema and treating other stress related skin conditions.

Whilst those are the health benefits of baobab seed oil, baobab fruit powder provides all together different but no less potent benefits. It Improves vitamin and nutrient intake, baobab fruit contains 7 to 10 times more vitamin C than an average orange and contains a number of other vitamins and fibres such as:

Calcium (50% more than your average serving of spinach)
Iron
Vitamin B
Potassium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Manganese

Some might say that a healthy serving of baobab seeds and fruit might be all you need over any supplemental tablets.

Recommended products to use with Baobab oil and fruit powder

With the many moisturising and skin tightening protection properties inherent in Baobab seed and fruit, it is important to choose a product that is both ecologically friendly and effective for your skin.

Nebula powder
The ingredient baobab fruit powder in Nebula powder helps to make this product the best face oil for sensitive skin and a cleansing oil for sensitive skin. Using a combination of Kaolin, Tapioca Starch, Rice (Oryza Sativa) Powder, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Bicarbonate, Mica, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Zeolite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Silk Aminos and Peptides, Pearl Extract, Organic Baobab (Adansonia Digitata) Fruit Powder, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum) Powder, Organic Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Root, White Sandalwood (Santalum Album) Powder, Organic Essential Oils of Palmarosa (Cymbopogon Martini Motia), Ho Wood (Cinnamomum Camphora Bark), and Sandalwood (Fusanus Spicatus Wood).

How to apply oils

However as with all things it is best to find out if applying Baobab Seed Oil and Baobab Fruit powder doesn’t have any unintended consequences for you. To begin with, think about applying a very small amount of Baobab Seed Oil and Baobab Fruit powder onto a non-sensitive area of your skin, like a forearm or hand and see if there are any reactions to it being there.

If no reaction is felt then you may begin consistently applying a base oil and one of the oils listed above to the affected area of skin. Adjust the amount needed to be applied on the size of the affected area of skin.

For further instructions on how to apply and use World of Myoth oils and powders refer to this instructional guide.