Ingredients

Herstat products contain carefully sourced ingredients which are key to their character and performance. Our unique formulations all contain Dr Sosnowski’s Purified Bee Propolis Extract – a key constituent which helps to make Herstat products effective and pleasant to use.

All of our formulations are completely free of sulphates, phthalates, and parabens.

Many of the ingredients listed below are rich in polyphenols containing a range of phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans, all of which are essential to good health. Some are also known for their powerful antioxidant properties, and are often used in dietary supplements, natural health products and health foods and are proven to help fight free radicals and for their anti-inflammatory attributes.

Find out what's in our products.

Purified Bee Propolis Extract

Propolis is very much our signature ingredient and is included in our formulations for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, propolis is a highly effective antimicrobial substance, which makes it an ideal substitute to replace synthetic (and potentially harmful) preservatives in cosmetics, nutraceuticals and medical devices. Secondly, the characteristic, pleasant smell and taste of Herstat formulations is largely due to the presence of Dr Sosnowski’s purified propolis extracts.

Propolis is a substance produced by bees to help keep their hives sterile and free from disease. Bees collect exudates from a wide variety of plants and trees, mix this with bee saliva and wax and spread the resulting antibacterial, antimicrobial compound within the entranceway to their hives, around the broad chambers and utilize it to fill any cracks or holes in the hive. Bees also consume small amounts of propolis to keep themselves healthy. Propolis acts as a highly effective sterile envelope around the bee colony. Unlike humans, bees do not have a central immune system and so heavily depend on propolis for their wellbeing and ultimately the survival of the species.

Beekeepers are able to harvest excess lumps of propolis from the hive frames during the honey extraction process, without causing any harm to the bees.

Our propolis is all traced to source and by working in close partnership with a select group of trusted Manitoban beekeepers we are able to identify the exact beekeeper from which the crude propolis was harvested. All our beekeepers operate in the central region of Canada within a well-defined zone. This particular region is marked by a consistency in flora. Because our propolis is only sourced from this region, it means the chemical composition of our propolis is totally unique and highly consistent.

Propolis is generally recognized as being a rich source of bioflavonoids.

We produce several grades of propolis which are used for various applications. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing including TLC fingerprint analyses to ensure the range of bioflavonoids is standardised, and to ensure that it is free from pesticides, and heavy metals. It is also screened for a wide range of microbiological organisms.

All Dr Sosnowski’s propolis is purified in our own specialist Propolis Refinery located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Camphor

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Camphor is a natural compound which comes from the bark of the camphor laurel tree (Cinnamomum camphora). We use it to help speed the healing process and to provide temporary but rapid relief of the pain and discomfort associated with cold sores, fever blisters and genital skin sores.

Thyme Leaf Oil

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Thyme leaf oil is extracted from the leaves of the thyme plant (genus Thymus) and is known to be a rich source of antioxidants. It contains a number of compounds used widely in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, including thymol, and is known for its antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. We use thyme leaf oil in Herstat Plus+ for its soothing qualities and to assist in keeping the formulation sterile due to its inherent antimicrobial qualities.

Eucalyptus Leaf Oil

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Eucalyptus oil is distilled from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree (family Myrtaceae). It is used in many pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications for a variety of purposes including its highly potent antioxidant and antiseptic properties. We use eucalyptus leaf oil in Herstat products to help preserve the formulations and to soothe and ameliorate the symptoms of skin sores.

Glyceryl rosinate

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Glyceryl rosinate is an organic compound of rosin (a resin obtained from some pines and conifers) and glycerin which is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and for nutraceuticals. It helps to emulsify the ingredients in our ointment and improve stability of the product.

Olive Oil

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Olive fruit extracts from the Oleaceae tree contain high concentrations of polyphenols – powerful antioxidants considered important for health. Olive oil contains high levels of vitamins E and K and other nutrients which are known for their health benefits. We use olive fruit extracts for their moisturizing properties and to help keep the skin around a sore soft and supple.

Natural Yellow Beeswax

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Natural beeswax (Latin name cera alba) is a by-product of apiculture and the honey-making process. It is widely used in many skincare products for its humectant properties (it retains moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin), and its ability to rejuvenate and soothe. We use natural yellow beeswax in our all-natural formulations to provide a firmer texture, making the ointments easier to apply and more pleasant feeling on the skin.

Menthol

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Menthol is a naturally occurring substance found in peppermint and other plants of the mint family (genus Mentha). The topical effects of menthol can be used to relieve minor aches and pains and to accelerate wound healing, which makes it an ideal ingredient in our all-natural Herstat formulations and for the treatment of cold sores and fever blisters.

Mineral Oil: White Petrolatum

Petrolatum (also known as petroleum jelly) is a highly refined mineral oil which acts as an emollient and barrier to help protect, soften and moisturize the skin. Our high-grade petrolatum (Snow White T5) provides a soothing, protective (occlusive) layer over open sores, providing a moist environment that is highly conducive to wound healing. This action also helps prevent the scabbing typically associated with a cold sore outbreak following the blister stage.

Mineral Oil: Cosmetic Liquid Paraffin

This highly refined ingredient is an effective emollient used widely in skincare products. It is a stable, colorless, odorless, non-toxic and chemically inert mineral oil which has been used in skin treatments since 400BC. A small quantity (5%) of cosmetic liquid paraffin in some formulations helps to keep the ointment semi-solid and spreadable on the skin, even in low temperatures.

Castor Seed Oil

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. This vegetable oil is extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant and is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. Castor seed oil is a humectant that helps to moisturize the skin and therefore promote wound hydration.

Wool Lanolin

Lanolin is a natural waxy substance that sheep produce to protect their wool. When refined and used in topical cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, it acts as an occlusive barrier that prevents moisture loss from the skin. We add lanolin in small quantities to certain ointment formulations mainly for its excellent emollient properties but also to assist in the homogenous dispersion of our purified propolis extracts.

Glyceryl Oleate

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Glyceryl oleate is a substance made by combining glycerin (a simple triol compound) and oleic acid (a naturally occurring fatty acid found in various animal and vegetable fats and oils). In our Herstat formulations, it helps to keep the ointment stable and makes it soft, emollient, gentle and moisturizing.

Almond Oil

Used in Herstat Plus+ and Herstat GST. Almond oil is a natural substance extracted from the seed of almond tree fruits (species Prunus amygdalus). When almonds are pressed or ground, a vitamin E-rich oil can be extracted and refined for a number of different purposes. In Herstat formulations, we use almond oil as an important vehicle for other natural ingredients and for its natural emollient and moisturizing effects. The non-comedogenic properties of almond oil mean that it doesn't clog pores and as such helps to deliver other ingredients into the epidermis by effectively penetrating the uppermost dermal layer (the papillary).

Grain Alcohol

Grain alcohol (ethanol) is often used as a penetration enhancer for topical products as well as for binding polar ingredients in make-up, cosmetics and other skin preparations. Our propolis extracts are produced using an ethanolic process of extraction, where the majority of alcohol is evaporated off at the end of the extraction and filtration stages of purification. We do however leave a tiny amount of grain alcohol, less than 1%, in combination with the other ingredients in certain formulations to assist in the homogeneous dispersion of our propolis, thyme and eucalyptus oils throughout the product.