Glossary of Terms
Alpha-linolenic acid
Alpha-linolenic acid is a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in plants. It is similar to the omega-3 fatty acids that are in fish oil [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)].
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Antimicrobial
An antimicrobial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antimicrobial drugs either kill microbes (microbicidal) or prevent the growth of microbes (microbistatic).
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Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Antioxidants are found in many foods. These include fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, and some meats, poultry and fish.
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Hydroxytyrosol
Hydroxytyrosol is a phytochemical with antioxidant properties. Hydroxytyrosol is thought to be the main antioxidant compound in olives, and believed to play a signficant role in the many health benefits attributed to olive oil.
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Linolenic acid
A colorless unsaturated fatty acid, considered essential to the human diet, that is an important component of natural drying oils. Linolenic acid belongs to the class of omega-3 fatty acids.
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Lye
a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and for washing.
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Monosatutated fatty acid
Monounsaturated fatty acids contain one double bond. Examples of foods high in monounsaturated fat include avocados, nuts, and olive, peanut and canola oils. Scientists believe that increased consumption of monounsaturated fats (for example eating more nuts) is beneficial in lowering LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and lowering the risk of coronary heart disease, especially if monounsaturated fats are used to substitute for saturated fats and refined sugars.
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Oleic acid
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found naturally in many plant sources and in animal products. It is an omega-nine fatty acid.
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Phytochemical
The term "phytochemicals" refers to a wide variety of compounds produced by plants. They are found in fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and other plants. Scientists have identified thousands of phytochemicals, although only a small fraction have been studied closely.
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Sebum glands
Small oil-producing gland in the skin, usually connected to a hair follicle by a duct into which it releases sebum, a component of the slightly greasy film on the skin that helps keep it flexible and prevents too much water loss or absorption. The glands are distributed over the entire body except the palms and soles, most abundantly on the scalp and face.
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Soda ash
Soda ash is the active ingredient in washing soda. The chemical name for it is sodium carbonate, chemical formula Na2CO3. It is more basic, that is, less acidic, than sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), whose chemical formula is NaHCO3.
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Squalane
Squalane is a natural hydrocarbon and triterpene derived from a variety of plant and animal sources. It is a component of human sebum. The chemically inert nature of squalane makes it useful in cosmetic applications, where it is used as an emollient and moisturizer. Squalane has low acute toxicity and is not an irritant at concentrations used in cosmetics.
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Squalene
Squalene is a natural organic compound originally obtained for commercial purposes primarily from shark liver oil, though plant sources (primarily vegetable oils) are used as well, including amaranth seed, rice bran, wheat germ, and olives. All plants and animals produce squalene, including humans. Squalene has been proposed to be an important part of the Mediterranean diet as it may be a chemopreventative substance that protects people from cancer.
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