Why do we love this plant? It’s not just the funny (yet appropriate) name. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have used this extract for centuries. It is known as a natural aphrodisiac, and Western medicine has observed that it may restore circulation, improve hormone balance, and fight the effects of aging by countering oxidative stress and free radical damage.

You may have heard of Maca — it is currently having a “moment” in the spotlight as a hormone-balancing superfood. A root vegetable native to Peru, maca has been used for thousands of years to enhance fertility and sex drive, improve energy, mood, and stamina. This radish-shaped veggie is also considered an “adaptogen,” a natural substance that helps the adrenal system stay in balance and manage stress.

This popular succulent plant contains more than 75 potentially active components, including antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, plus many enzymes, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and antibacterial compounds.

This humble citrus fruit packs a “punch”! Discovered by an American immunologist in the 1970s, grapefruit seed extract is derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. It is abundant in polyphenols (micro-nutrients that are full of antioxidants) and is well-known as a natural preservative and anti-microbial ingredient.

It may sound like a Thanksgiving side dish, but the wild yam root (or rhizome) was used by Native Americans and early Americans as a remedy for a variety of health issues, including menstrual cramps and menopause relief, and to treat hot flashes and night sweats, among other things. Wild yam extract is also rich in (non-steroidal) phtyoestrogens that provide benefits for the skin’s surface, including ant-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the effects of photo-aging.

You know you need a break, but there isn't always time for a long hot bath. This key ingredient comes from magnesium sulfate, (also known as Epsom salts), a natural anti-inflammatory known to ease tiredness and soreness, and reduce stress.

Love tea? This amino acid is found in the plant Camellia sinensis, used to make green, oolong, and black tea. It provides a soothing effect and antioxidant properties that destroy free radicals.