The Herbalist's Workshop

The herbalist's workshop is where you can find out more about the all-natural ingredients that we have carefully chosen and harmoniously combined to create our elixirs and potions.

Although we all like exotic ingredients, at Hodaia we believe that nature has endowed us with sufficient valuable resources right here in Romania. Why would we travel around the world in search of quality ingredients with extraordinary therapeutic effects when we can find them in our own backyard?

The medicinal plants we use are harvested from areas where they are found in abundance. We venture in search of them away from cities and heavily travelled roads, where they have had less contact with pollutants. Meanwhile, another portion of the plants we use are grown right in our garden. These are often endangered plants, which we cultivate and replant around the village, where they have long since disappeared.

We source cold-pressed vegetable oils from small local producers in Harghita, Mureș, Maramureș and Cluj counties (Romania), who share our ethical values​. We also use essential oils from Romania, having a superior quality to imported oils with unknown origins.

Below are some* of the plants and ingredients we use in creating Hodaia products. Each of these plants has multiple benefits for human health, and was chosen based on its special therapeutic effects for skin and hair of any type.

* Note: This page is continually being updated. We use over 30 regional plants with therapeutic effects to create Hodaia products and all of them will eventually be exhibited here.

Common Grape Vine (vitis vinifera)

Benefits:

Cold pressed grape seed oil is one of the most powerful antioxidant oils, protecting the skin from free radicals, pollutants and sunburns / UVA and UVB rays. It is also a good emollient, with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, giving the skin smoothness, elasticity and protection.

Properties:

Grape seeds are a rich source of vitamin E and F (alpha-Linolenic and linoleic acids), as well as minerals (zinc, copper, selenium) and Omega-6 fatty acids. Moreover, they contain procyanitides, substances that have 50 times the anti-aging properties of vitamin E and are 20 times stronger than vitamin C.

English Walnut (juglans regia)

Benefits:

Rich in antioxidants, cold-pressed walnut oil protects the skin against free radicals and prevents cell damage, having a strong anti-aging effect. The zinc present in its composition stimulates the production of collagen, giving the skin elasticity and firmness. It is a good remedy against dandruff and hair loss, but also a good adjunct in the treatment of psoriasis and fungal infections.

Properties:

Walnuts are rich in phytonutrients, being a rich source of magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus and selenium. Moreover, they contain Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2 and B3, as well as vitamin E.

Hemp (cannabis sativa)

Benefits:

Cold-pressed hemp seed oil is known especially for its high content of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which relieve inflammation and soothe skin irritations. Its other active substances, such as ceramide, maintain hydration and stimulate hair growth, help regenerate cells and fight against premature aging, giving the skin softness and elasticity.

Properties:

Hemp is a rich source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron or zinc, as well as vitamins E, C, B1, B2 and B3.

Safflower (carthamus tinctorius)

Benefits:

Cold pressed safflower seed oil is one of the most effective oils in treating hair loss, dry and sensitive skin, irritations, eczema and other skin and hair conditions. It has an emollient and nourishing effect, but also anti-aging and regenerating properties. It does not leave the skin feeling greasy, making it an excellent ingredient for any skin or hair product.

Properties:

Safflower is a rich source of linoleic acid (Omega-6), vitamin K, E and antioxidants..

Sea Buckthorn (hippophae rhamnoides)

Benefits:

Cold-pressed sea buckthorn oil is a powerful antioxidant, which helps against premature aging of the skin - it nourishes, repairs, protects against solar radiation and stimulates the regenerative process. Thus, even cuts are healed without scarring, and the skin becomes firmer, elastic and smooth. Linolenic acid (vitamin F) helps prevent and treat acne.

Properties:

Sea buckthorn contains over 200 nutrients, including Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-7 and Omega-9 fatty acids, which the body cannot produce. It also has an impressive amount of antioxidants, minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, copper, zinc) and vitamins - C, B1, B2, B6, B9, A, E, D, K and P (flavonoids).

Rosehips (rosa canina)

Benefits:

Cold-pressed rosehip oil has strong antioxidant properties and fights the effects of free radicals and UV radiation on the skin. It acts as an anti-irritant and nourishing ingredient, fights acne and dermatitis, and prevents skin dehydration while accelerating the healing of wounds, burns and bruises. It has been shown to be beneficial in reducing wrinkles, scars and signs of premature aging.

Properties:

Rosehip fruits have a high concentration of vitamin A and C, but also of essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9, with strong anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.

Sunflower (helianthus annuus)

Benefits:

Cold pressed sunflower seed oil is rich in antioxidants and other essential nutrients for regenerating dry skin and preventing or treating dermatological conditions (rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, cuperosis, etc.). It is also an excellent remedy for acne, inflammation and skin irritation. Its emollient properties help make skin smooth, and vitamin E neutralizes the harmful effects of UV radiation and air pollutants.

Properties:

Sunflower seeds contain a high percentage of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, minerals and trace elements necessary for healthy skin.