Down Under Enterprises grows, produces, exports, and markets traceable
and sustainable native Australian essential oils and botanicals grown on our farm, Buhlambar, and from across Australia producing essential oils and botanicals with unique functional and aromatic properties.

THE UPDATE

from

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Keep up-to-date with our latest news, tips, product updates, special offers, and more.

 

December 2021

G’day mate,

This is our last newsletter of 2021. The end of another year dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating the challenges that it brings to business in general -- and especially supply chains.

In this month’s newsletter, we report on the rapidly growing trend in skin immunity that’s making waves in new product launches in the personal care space. Consumers are increasingly looking at not just skincare, but skin "health care". One of our Essential Oils, Buddha Wood, offers unique properties which support skin health care for exercise enthusiasts globally!

We hope you enjoy the holiday season, and we wish you and your families the very best for the coming year! Look out for our special Season’s Greetings card hitting your inbox soon!

Also in this month’s edition:

Thanks for reading.

signature Phil MAR2020

Phil Prather

FEATURED PRODUCT

Buddha Wood Oil for Skin Health Care

A rising trend according to MINTEL data is consumer interest in skin health care in the areas of skin barrier, skin immunity, and skin microbiome.

An Essential Oil that is uniquely positioned to meet this trend is Buddha Wood. An exotic woody-rose aromatic botanical that balances the skin’s microbiome against the adverse effects of sweat!Buddha_Wood_Sweat_Guy_Banner_wide-1

Miliaria and Intertrigo (in-tur-TRY-go) are the medical terms for what we commonly refer to as sweat rash and skin fold rash, respectively. They may be triggered by skin rubbing together, humid conditions and excess sweating from exercise. Buddha Wood has demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, a microbe that lives on the skin, but can become pathogenic when conditions that cause these rashes to arise. Buddha Wood’s efficacy against C. albicans was found to be 35% greater than Tea Tree Oil in vitro.

Buddha Wood Oil contains unique therapeutic constituents known as Eremophilones that offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-infective properties. These constituents enable Buddha Wood to support the skin’s immune system against increased levels of C. albicans that can otherwise infect inflamed skin and cause an uncomfortable rash.

The botanical name for Buddha Wood is Eremophila mitchellii. The name Eremophila is derived from the Greek words Eremos meaning ‘desert’ and phile ‘love’, suggesting that this species thrives in the harsh conditions of deserts and semi-arid environments. The earthy aromatic tones of its fragrance evoke images of a vast and rugged landscape, providing an antidote to the confines of modern living. This oil demonstrates perfect harmony between dry, smoky, and earthy notes. The multifunctional properties of Buddha Wood make it a great option for unisex formulations in skin health care.

To learn more about this exotic wood oil, download our White Paper Buddha Wood Oil for Skin Health Care and Men’s Grooming.

Download White Paper

BENEFIT 1 – Exceptional against Candida albicans
BENEFIT 2 –
Skin-soothing properties
BENEFIT 3 –
Helps restore microbiome balance
BENEFIT 4 –
Multifunctional for mood, skin, and aroma
BENEFIT 5 –
Woody-rose unisex aroma

THE EVIDENCE

Skin Immunity and Physical Activity - What's the Link?

A common exercise-related skin affliction is Miliaria, or heat rash (prickly heat), which is a friction induced blockage of sweat (eccrine) ducts. This condition may present with a similar appearance to acne, but with sweat-filled papules. 

The commensal yeast Candida albicans is a commonly encountered microbe found on human skin and mucosal surfaces of the body. At times, the balance of this microbe on our bodies may tip towards pathogenic levels, resulting in conditions ranging from skin rashes requiring topical antifungal treatments to serious systemic infections.

Skin Immune Health and Intense Physical ActivityIntertrigo is an inflammatory condition of the skin, commonly known as sweat rash, which can become infected with C. albicans, leading to the condition known as Candidal intertrigo.

Physical activity is well known for having a beneficial effect on the immune system. Moderate exercise has shown to be an effective therapy for most chronic diseases with direct effects on both mental and physical health.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all aspects our lives, including fitness regimes and global interest in wellbeing. Physical exercise has become an important component of health management for many during COVID for its positive impact on mental and physical wellbeing during lockdowns. The fitness app Mindbody reports a massive increase in consumer exercise since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, with 56% of respondents now undertaking at least 5 workouts per week - the majority being High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) classes.

However, intense physical exercise may result in suppression of the immune system. The typical phagocytosis processes may be put in check, diverting more energy to the physical activity underway. Immunity is diminished following intense exertion. Multiple studies have reported on elite athletes and their increased rate of infection during periods of intense training.

The skin’s immune defense against C. albicans (and other microorganisms) is dependent upon a fine balance of the innate and adaptive immune responses, enabling the host to neutralize the invading pathogen. A study observed the influence of moderate exercise versus intense exercise on the ability of the skin’s immune system to maintain a balance of Candida albicans in its microbiome (via phagocytosis). The impact of moderate exercise (45 min at 55% maximal oxygen uptake) on the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils was evaluated in sedentary men. The researchers found that intensive exercise mediated (reduced) the phagocytosis of C. albicans, while moderate exercise stimulated phagocytosis, with this stimulation maintained for at least 24 hours.

The Essential Oil Buddha Wood (INCI: Eremophila Mitchellii Wood Oil) demonstrates natural anti-inflammatory properties as well as superior anti-microbial activity against Candida albicans as compared to other Australian Essential Oils. To learn more, download the White Paper: Buddha Wood Oil for Skin Health Care and Men's Grooming. 

Download White Paper

IN THE NEWS

NEW Trend: Pivot skincare to skin health care

Consumers globally are expressing a growing interest in wellbeing. This is being observed in new product launches across multiple categories in the personal care space. Skincare for health is emerging in tandem with the global consumer interest in overall health, suggests MINTEL data.

MINTEL data insights have revealed an emerging trend they refer to as a pivot from skincare to skin ‘health care’. This is supported by the observed increase in new product launches with skin health claims in the areas of skin barrier, skin immunity, and skin microbiome.NEW Trend: Pivot skincare to skin health care

In the global skincare market, prebiotic, probiotic, and post-biotic ingredients are frequently linked to skin barrier reinforcement claims. In addition, the recently emerging interest in the microbiome is a concept that can be adapted to skin health care products. MITNEL analysts suggest that overall skin health improvement and immunity claims will see increased exposure in the future. Major markets around the globe are experiencing strong growth in skin health claims for skincare products.

New product launches carrying "skin health" claims from March 2017 to February 2021.

• UK - increase of 54%
• US - increase of 54%
• South Korea - increase 300%
• China - increase 109%

The skin health claims in China indicate growing consumer sentiment and interest in skin health. Furthermore, 64% of females surveyed in China, aged 18-49 (2,960 in 2020) perceive naturally derived ingredients are more effective in maintaining skin health. 

Skin health is becoming one of the most important considerations in consumers' skincare routines globally.

FARM UPDATES

FARM UPDATES

Beautiful flowers blooming Down Under

Our botanicals are in bloom! There is an immense fascination with the flowers of our Australian botanicals. We do agree that they are beautiful!

So please enjoy this visual montage of some of our favorites including the exquisite Lemon Myrtle, Lavender Tea Tree, and beautiful Buddha Wood flowers.

Fun fact: The flowers of the Buddha Wood tree produce an astonishing number of seeds - making it a prolific outback grower!

_Farm Update - December (1)

 

TRACEABILITY

TRACEABILITY

Down Under Certification for Lacey Act Compliant Sandalwood

Manuka August (1)

The Lacey Act is the United States' oldest wildlife protection statute for combating illegal trafficking of wildlife, fish, and plants.

Since October 1, 2021, a new phase (Phase VI) of the Lacey Act has been enforced requiring an import declaration on 27 new tariff lines including Sandalwood Essential Oil, both Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) and Sandalwood Album (Santalum album) using new HS Code 3301.29.5139.

  • Any company now importing Sandalwood Oil -including a product containing Sandalwood Oil - into the United States is held liable for observing all laws across the full supply chain of that Sandalwood Oil

  • Down Under Enterprises offers Certification for Lacey Act Compliant Sandalwood

Down Under Enterprises (Australia) is the Exporter of Lacey Act Compliant Sandalwood from Australia and we, Down Under Enterprises (USA), are the Importer in the United States. We can confidently supply your Sandalwood Oil requirements – eliminating your risk.

Speak to us about procuring Lacey Act-compliant Sandalwood Oil. This is our area of expertise; our global sales team is ready to help.

Note: These regulations also apply to formulated products containing Sandalwood Oil imported to the US.

LEARN MORE

  

SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable Buddha Wood Oil from Outback Australia

IMG_4702-1

The Buddha Wood Tree (Eremophila mitchellii) is a desert-loving species, prolific in arid regions of tropical and sub-tropical Australia. It is primarily found in native scrub ranging from Northern Queensland to Western NSW. This tree is classified as a woody weed species by our state government. This classification allows for wild harvesting of Buddha Wood in the state. The plant is not even a viable grazing option for goats, which are commonly used in that region for natural weed control.

The ethical supply chain of Buddha Wood, certified by government harvesting regulations, means it is not at risk of overharvesting. Buddha Wood provides a sustainable and affordable base note, a viable alternative to Sandalwood Oil, and an excellent ‘extender’ for fragrance profiles with Oud (Agarwood).

The harvest of Buddha Wood for essential oil production targets mature trees. This creates a regenerative process by improving the growing conditions of the younger trees coming through. Buddha Wood is a prolific grower, thus there is a bountiful amount for harvest.

As Buddha Wood is a relatively new oil introduced to the marketplace, the rate of harvest is quite minimal. Much greater harvesting capacity is possible without any issues for a sustainable and continued supply.

This new Buddha Wood market supports farming families in the drought-prone regions of the Australian Outback, providing an additional or alternative income to weather-sensitive farming activities such as cropping and grazing.

My Favorite Oil

EMPLOYEE PROFILE

Phil talks Buddha Wood

Phil Prather, Head of Marketing and Operations at Down Under Enterprises talks about his favorite Essential Oil, Buddha Wood, and its unique woody-rose aroma and skin-soothing properties.

Watch the video to hear more about the applications of Buddha Wood Oil and the journey it takes from harvest to bottle.