Featured ingredient: Buddleja

Buddleja leaves are one of nature's gentlest and most powerful ingredients, so it's no surprise that I've made them one of the twelve ingredients I use across the entire range.

The origin:

Buddleja Davidii is a small shrub or tree that originated in China and was introduced as an ornamental plant in other parts of the world in the late 19th century. The genus Buddleja was named by Linnaeus (1737) in honor of the English amateur botanist Reverend Adam Buddle. The species is named after the French Jesuit missionary Pére Armand David, who collected specimens from China and brought them to Paris.

The growth:

One of Buddleja's most astonishing abilities is its adaptation to almost all types of environments, and it grows and spreads very quickly. When it comes to sustainability, Buddleja tops most lists, but it needs to be grown in controlled fields, as wind-dispersed seeds and a high germination rate can colonize native vegetation and reduce biodiversity. Recent studies have revealed that seeds are transported by trains or are blown and carried by the train's slipstream. Buddleja can grow in nutrient-poor and high-sand soils. They can also be seen on contaminated roadsides and even on the walls of some houses.

The green chemistry:

Buddleja was first used in traditional Chinese medicine for wound healing (by applying dressings or compresses soaked with the leaves). Since then, a deeper analysis of its composition has revealed a variety of properties.

Efficacy:

Important in vitro studies revealed that Buddleja protects skin cells from UV damage.