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Dye is obtained from the processing of the plant’s green leaves. They are soaked in water and fermented in order to convert the glycoside indican naturally present in the plant to the blue dye indigotin. The precipitate from the fermented leaf solution is mixed with a strong base such as lye, pressed into cakes, dried, and powdered. The powder is then mixed with various other substances to produce different shades of blue and purple. The preparation of natural indigo is carried out as follows: the plant is cut down, steeped in vats for about 12 hours, and the extract, which is of a greenish colour, is separated and run into fresh vats. Then it is stirred vigorously so as to bring it into contact with atmospheric oxygen. Insoluble indigo is precipitated as a blue mud, which is collected, pressed, dried, and cut into cubes. The blue dyestuff is produced during fermentation of the leaves, commonly with caustic soda or sodium hydrosulfite. A paste that exudes from fermenting plant material is processed into cakes and finely ground. The blue color develops as the material is exposed to air. The indigo dye is a derivative of indican, a natural constituent of several of the Indigofera species. Indican is enzymatically converted to blue indigotin. The colorfast dye is mixed with different mordants and other plant materials to produce a wide range of colorants. Indigo dyeing and the cultivation on the plant originated in India. Because of the good quality of the dye, indigo became an important item of trade between India and other parts of the world by 300 B.C. Dyers in Europe tried to resist the importation of indigo into Europe and were able to do so for a long time. Finally, however, quality won out. Indigo was an early crop in colonial South Carolina. South Carolina indigo was considered excellent, but as the economics were not too good, it was replaced by rice. The leaves contain about 3% indigo. Synthetic indigo was produced in 1897. Although indigo of commerce came from an Old World plant, another species of Indigofera was domesticated and used as a source of a blue dye by the Precolumbian inhabitants of Yucatan. As a medicinal plant, indigo has been used as an emetic. The Chinese use Indigofera tinctoria L. to clean the liver, detoxify the blood, reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and reduce fever. Based on its traditional use for liver problems, researchers have investigated whether indigo might protect the liver against chemically induced injury.

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The brightness of the herbs may be appealing, but it indicates the presence of harmful additives. Despite their appearance, unsulfured herbs are more fresh and safer than regular commercially available products. The use of sulfur, chlorine and aluminum phosphate was made unnecessary through the establishment of Plum Flower processing stations in China. Herb harvesters slice and process the herbs fresh, avoiding the need to rehydrate dried herbs later to process. This first step is crucial, as rehydration leads to decomposition and thus the need for preservatives. The herbs are then packed and the packages vacuum-packed, injected with nitrogen, and sealed. The nitrogen process combined with the lack of sulfur treatment inhibits the growth of anaerobic organisms, resulting in safer, higher quality herbs. After opening, store in a cool dry place. The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval. Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes. The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.

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Herbs that are preservative free are more natural looking and are generally darker. The brightness of the herbs may be appealing, but it indicates the presence of harmful additives. Despite their appearance, unsulfured herbs are more fresh and safer than regular commercially available products. The use of sulfur, chlorine and aluminum phosphate was made unnecessary through the establishment of Plum Flower processing stations in China. Herb harvesters slice and process the herbs fresh, avoiding the need to rehydrate dried herbs later to process. This first step is crucial, as rehydration leads to decomposition and thus the need for preservatives. The herbs are then packed and the packages vacuum-packed, injected with nitrogen, and sealed. The nitrogen process combined with the lack of sulfur treatment inhibits the growth of anaerobic organisms, resulting in safer, higher quality herbs. After opening, store in a cool dry place. The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval. Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes. The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.

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Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world. This is a pure herbal product with no additives. Extracted from sulfur-free and chlorine-free herbs for superior quality. Manufactured in a low-temperature water extraction process to preserve herb integrity. Extracted essential oils are replenished for proper potency. Strict quality control testing to ensure microbiological and heavy metal safety. Only powdered herb added to maintain purity (no artificial fillers such as lactose, cellulose or starch used). TLC (Thin-layer Chromatography) tested to guarantee product quality.

Plum Flower takes great care to preserve delicate herbal oils, which are first evaporated using either a water or water-alcohol base in a process that never exceeds 100° centigrade. Sealed vacuum chargers precisely control the temperature, ensuring that none of the oils are lost. Cheaper, high-temperature methods are common industry practice, but these tend to burn off the vital oils. The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval.

Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes. The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.

Seaweed Cleansing Soap (16 oz.)
From: Mario Badescu Skin Care

Ingredients: Deionized Water (Aqua), Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice) Gel, Bladderwrack (Fucus Vesiculosus) Extract, Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana Distillate), Seamollient (Algae Extract). Good for these Skin Types:
Combination, Dry, Sensitive

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Inspiring Wild-Indigo Bath & Shower GelProduct Line: Molton Brown – Body CareProduct Size: 100ml/3.3ozPlease allow 7-10 days for delivery