Ingredients of Polybalm

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The ingredients of polybalm were selected by the clinic trials design committee which consisted of phytochemists, herbalists, patients, oncologists and oncology nurses from Bedford and Addenbrooke’s Cambridge University Hospitals. It worked in liaison with the National Cancer Research Institute’s lifestyle and behavioral change work stream.

Polybalm contains blend of:

  • Unrefined shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii),
  • Organic beeswax (Cera alba),
  • Extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil (Olea europaea),
  • Organic cocoa seed butter (Theobroma cacao)
  • African sage (Tarchonanthus camphoratus),
  • Wintergreen leaf (Gaultheria Procumbens),
  • Lavender flower (Lavandula Spica)
  • Eucalyptus leaf (Eucalyptus Globulus).

Delicately blended: The oils were steam extracted from the plant and then gently blended, avoiding overheating to prevent damage to the phytochemicals.

No artificial preservatives, parabens, sulphates or perfumes. The potential benefits of topical phytochemical rich plant extracts have been explored in laboratory studies, but only in a limited number of clinical trials despite their popular inclusion in skin care cosmetics [Ichihashi 2000, Stalling 2009].

How does polybalm work so well:

The polybalm study did not elucidate which of the reported bioactive pathway of these phytochemicals provided the most benefit but there are several potential possibilities:

Antioxidant: These plants have anti-oxidative properties could have potentially protected the rapidly proliferating onychocytes from oxidative damage [Ichihashi, Smith-Palmer, Baliga, Tiziana Baratta, Korać].

Anti-inflammatory: Gaultheria procumbens, particularly high in methyl-salicylate may have reduced an inflammation reaction against the nail bed tissues initiated by the local chemotherapy damage, preventing further structural damage.Tarchonanthus camphoratus, containing phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins, has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties with potency twice as high as that of indomethacin.

Analgesia: These properties may have reduced disfort via their local analgesic properties [Dawid-Pać, Man, Blumenthal].

Anti-bacterial; The essential oils have  bactericidal and fungicidal properties could have protected the nail bed from secondary infection especially if splits or cracks had occurred [Blumenthal 2000, FDA 2003]. Both lavandula officinalis and eucalyptus globulus contain lactones, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and terpene esters which likewise have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and bacteriocidal properties [Blumentha, FDA, Federal].

Properties of the base waxes

The base waxes create a protective barrier for skin which helps it to retain moisture, preventing splitting and cracking of the nail bed which could allow entry of pathogens [Stallings, FDA]. Unlike the standard petroleum-based waxes, they also have bioactive properties of their own:

Olea europaea, predominantly oleic acid, has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [Stalling 2009] and has demonstrated, in a randomised laboratory study, to reduce epidermal levels of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, a marker for DNA damage after animals were exposed to excess sunlight [Ichihashi]. Theobroma Cacao and Butyrospermun parkii, approved by the FDA for use as natural bases in cosmetics, have anti-oxidant properties via their vitamins E and A content and even after processing, cera alba has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties [FDA, Stalling, Federal]. Although there are some overlaps in these properties, by including different plant extracts, each with a range of phytochemicals, it was hypothesised that their different reported modes of action would have a synergistic protective affect [Stallings, FDA, Blunenthal].

For more information:

 

References:

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Macmillan.org.uk Caring for skin and nails

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Federal Register (2003). Skin protectant drug products for over-the-counter human use: final monograph.68:33362-33381.

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