The magic of mushrooms

The healing properties of mushrooms date back centuries in Asian culture as a means of curing respiratory diseases, poor blood circulation, liver trouble, exhaustion and weakness. Plus, it helps the chi (life energy) flow better.

In recent years, mushrooms have experienced a resurgence of sorts in modern medicine – they are believed to prevent premature aging. So now they can absolutely help with those crow’s feet that have been creeping up around your eyes. Amen to that.

No wonder Origins, the brand that led the delicious barrage of chocolate beauty-care products, is launching a mushroom line (an exciting new wellness skincare concept) with Dr. Andrew Weil, the father of integrative medicine and Time magazine’s "100 Most Influential People" in the world.

"Dr. Andrew Weil completely embodies and practices the core principles of the Origins brand Ñü celebrating the power of plants as they relate to wellness, inside and out," says Daria Myers, president of Origins. "His uncompromised dedication to the concept of fusing Eastern and Western ideals and integrative wellness approaches is true inspiration for the Origins brand."

Dig this: if you have sensitive skin, extreme dryness, lines, wrinkles, puffiness and a flusher-blusher (sensitive skin), then you have "the fire within." And the skin’s aging process speeds up faster than a speeding bullet. Of course, we need something to achieve optimal skin wellness from the inside out.

Well, thanks to the genius research of Dr. Weil, who discovered the magic of mushrooms – they are believed to boost resistance to stress, promote long life, and improve overall health.

Thus, the birth of the collaboration between the brand and the doctor. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins boasts two specially formulated products that optimize the skin’s defenses against aging. Here are two remarkable products for skin renewal and radiance:

Plantidote Mega Mushroom Face Serum

This product is the first step to renewed radiance and skin clarity. Plantidote Mega Mushroom Face Serum has a patent-pending formula that blends mushrooms like hypsizygus ulmarius, cordycepts and reishi. Plus, other natural substances like ginger, turmeric, holy basil, resyeratrol and argan nut oil.

The great thing about this product is that you can use it with your regular skincare regimen. Just apply to a clean face and neck twice a day. When I tried this lightweight serum, I noticed that my skin felt calmer, healthier and less stressed. Very soothing, indeed.

Plantidote Mega Mushroom Face Cream

This product works best after the Plantidote Mega Mushroom Face Serum. The ingredients of this moisture cream are very interesting. It includes hysizygus ulmarius, chaga mushrooms and narcissus lily bulb to optimize the skin’s energy and slow the aging process.

My skin never felt so firm. Well, the Plantidote Mega Mushroom Face Cream is jampacked with ingredients like the menyanthus and heather extract, which restore the skin’s firmness. Plus, Okinawan seaweed, wheat and corn lipids act as a safety net to prevent moisture loss. And yeast optimizes the skin’s natural repair process, while vitamin C and E form a barrier against oxidation.

The great thing about Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins is that he donates all of his profits after taxes to the Weil Foundation, an organization dedicated to sustaining the vision of integrative medicine. What a great way to give back to society.

"Origins believes in the genius of nature," says Angeline Foo, retail operations manager of Origins. "The real source of beauty is health. In order to have optimum health, there should be harmony between the mind, body and spirit."

With the magic of mushrooms, this is an extraordinary journey to your skin at its best.

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The Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Program is available at Rustan’s Department Store, Makati. E-mail love-hate whatever things to becca_rodriguez@yahoo.com