I know how incredible Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet is when it comes to plants and herbs with anti-aging properties.
But every once in a while, I discover something so powerful that even I’m blown away by it.
Today, I want to share my latest amazing find with you…
It’s a tiny white snow flower that clings to cliffs at 5,000 feet or higher. Legend has it these little blossoms grow in such dangerous conditions that young men risked their lives to pick them… just to prove their love for their intended.
I’m talking about edelweiss.
Edelweiss has the power to protect, heal and lift sagging skin. It even helps lift the delicate skin on your neck. And as a woman, you know how hard it is to improve the appearance of neck skin that’s started to sag.
You see, the skin on your neck is thin and delicate. It gets brutal exposure to harsh weather, pollution and chemicals in the air and water.
Over time that fragile skin below your chin goes all loose and slack. It can make you look years older than you are.
For about $10,000 plastic surgeons will cut, suction, pull and sew your skin tight. But it will leave you with scars from your ears to your hairline.
None of this is necessary, thanks to edelweiss.
This little flower has adapted to survive cold, dry air and harsh climates in the Alps and other mountains.
And the extract from edelweiss protects your skin from these same severe conditions.
Studies show that edelweiss is full of anti-aging compounds that heal, soothe and calm stressed-out skin.1
They include chlorogenic acid and luteolin, two powerful antioxidants that can protect your skin against all kinds of toxins and free radicals. In fact, edelweiss extract is twice as strong as vitamin C when it comes to fighting free radicals.
Edelweiss also protects your skin from sun damage. You see, its leaves and petals adapted themselves to survive intense ultraviolet rays at high altitudes. Over generations, the flower developed certain compounds to protect itself from damaging UV sun rays.
Those same compounds protect your skin from wrinkles and age spots. In fact, one recent study proved that an extract from edelweiss protects human skin cells from UV sun damage.2
In folk medicine, edelweiss was also used as a powerful anti-inflammatory. But not just for skin conditions…
Try edelweiss at home
In Germany it was called the “stomachache flower.” It was known to help diarrhea and dysentery. And it was also used to help combat tuberculosis and diphtheria. Studies confirm its ability to neutralize the microbes that cause respiratory and abdominal disorders.3
To reduce inflammation, ease diarrhea, or help with respiratory ailments, try some edelweiss tea. You can find it in your local health food store or on the Internet. I like it brewed with some hot coconut milk and honey.
To get the skin benefits, look for an organic extract of edelweiss. Just make sure it’s in a dark glass bottle to protect it from light exposure. And keep it in the fridge after opening it to ensure a longer shelf life.
Add a few drops to your face cream or moisturizer. And don’t forget your neck! Edelweiss can help reduce wrinkles, and increase skin elasticity and moisture, to restore that look of youthful freshness.
I’m so excited about the power of edelweiss that I’ve added it to my new neck rejuvenating formula.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS
1. Schwaiger S, Seger C, Wiesbauer B, et al. “Development of an HPLC-PAD-MS assay for the identification and quantification of major phenolic edelweiss (Leontopodium alpium Cass.) constituents.” Phytochem Anal. 2006 Sep-Oct;17(5):291-8.
2. Daniela L, Alla P, Maurelli R, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Concentrated Ethanol Extracts of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) Callus Cultures towards Human Keratinocytes and Endothelial Cells.” Mediators of Inflammation. 2012:498373.
3. Dobner MJ, Schwaiger S, Jenewein IH, Stuppner H. “Antibacterial activity of Leontopodium alpinum (Edelweiss).” J Ethnopharmacol. 2003;89(2-3):301-3.