ECOBEST: All products are natural, organic herbs and essences

We are pleased to introduce another social enterprise which develops and distributes products made of herbs which grown in Mt. Hamiguitan area.

The story of the Mt.Hamiguitan Botanicals started when the home of the pygmy forest and other rich endemism of flora and fauna in Davao Oriental that is Mt.Hamiguitan was inscripted in the tentative list of the UNESCO WORK HERITAGE SITE.  While in the process of working out conservation measures for the mountain, the need to offer alternative livelihood to the communities was recognized as the priority objective to attain the goal of perserving the mountain.The laws against the cutting of the trees and small mining were already in place but these did not offer concrete solutions to the essential problem of poverty in the surrounding areas of the range.

Luckily, the residents of the place are knowledgeable of the folk ways of curing illnesses using concocted organic and natural herbs growing abundantly in Mt.Hamiguitan. This was the opening of window for a livelihood project for the place. 

Just like in any other rural areas, the residents of the mountain have their own versions of herbal medicines and liniments. To improve the folk 'medicines'of the place,  ECOBEST, a social enterprise, offered to do intervention in a way of improving the product line, packaging, conducting further product research and marketing of the items.

An effort to make the residents plant more herbs followed  suit to ensure sustainable supply of the raw materials.

The vision is to make Mt Hamiguitan  botanicals the main industry of the place, thereby responding to the economic subsistence of the residents. Part of the proceeds of the oils and the creasm support the communities of Mt.Hamiguitan, promote conservation and protection of the foret land in Davao oriental and provide livelihood to other communtiies of the province.

For orders,  please contact:

ecobest82012@yahoo.com
Facebook: 

The benefits of goat's milk soap

Excerpts from http://www.everything-goat-milk.com/goat-milk-skincare.html

"Goat Milk Soap has a longstanding reputation for gentleness and suitability for sensitive skin. These qualities can be largely explained by three factors:

• a lower alkalinity
• a higher degree of superfatting, and
• type of oils used

Compared to other kinds of commercial soaps, goat milk soap exhibits a lower pH that is closer to the natural pH of human skin. This is particularly important to those with sensitive or delicate skin, including babies.

The acidity of skin is maintained by what is commonly known as the acid mantle, a very thin film on the skin's surface. The acid mantle helps keep the skin healthy and acts as a barrier to potential pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.

"Harsh" soaps are usually alkaline (have a high pH) in nature, and strip away the acid mantle, resulting in dry, itchy skin. 

If you think your soap may be causing your dry skin, you can easily test it yourself. First, purchase pH testing strips (like the ones you used in high school chemistry class). Then, take your soap, add a small amount of water to the side, and rub gently to create a small amount of lather. Press the test strip into the side, and match the resulting color to the pH scale that came with the strips.

Healthy skin maintains a pH in the range of about 4.5 to 6.0 on the pH scale, so the closer your soap is to this level, the more gentle it will be. 

Because soaps are alkaline by nature of the soap making process, you won't find one that completely matches the acidity of skin; but, the closer you can match your soap to this level, the better for your skin.

A second factor in soap's gentleness is its amount of superfatting. Superfatting is the amount of "extra" oil left in soap after it reacts with lye in the chemical process of making soap.

Superfatting ensures that the "soap" molecules have enough oil to bind with without stripping away all of the skin's natural protection. Thus, a higher degree of superfatting produces a gentler soap.

A soap produced with the same recipe, but using goat milk instead of water, will have a higher percentage of superfatting because of the naturally occurring fat in the goat milk.

Finally, a soap's gentleness depends upon the type of oils or fats used in its production.
Some fats, like olive oil, avocado oil and shea butter, produce soap that has natural skin conditioning properties. Other fats, such as tallow (lard), do not produce a soap that has these properties.

Goat milk soapmakers are most often interested in producing soap that is as beneficial to the skin as possible, and so select oils that complement the properties of the goat milk.

Another factor that separates handmade soaps from commercial soaps is the glycerin content. The chemical reaction produced by combining lye with fats results in two products: soap and glycerin.

Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, thus helping to keep skin moist. In commercial soapmaking, the glycerin is extracted to sell separately, leaving only the soap without the benefits of the glycerin.

Handmade soap retains all the benefits of the naturally-occurring glycerin."

 http://www.everything-goat-milk.com/goat-milk-skincare.html

Products produced by Jellie's Natural Products

Product Line – soothing and rejuvenating

Jellie’s Natural Products main lines are:

Goat milk soap with honey (120 grams)

Goat milk soap with moringa extra (120 grams) 

Goat milk with carrots (120 grams)










Goat milk with Calamansi (120 grams)

Goat milk with Cucumber (120 grams)

Coconut milk with Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi)  (120 grams)

Goat milk soap with honey (33 grams)

Goat milk soap with oatmeal (33 grams)

3n1  33 grams (goat milk, honey and oatmeal)

10 grams with honey







Jellie Natural Products is committed to meet the needs of the consumers. It will also launch 3in1 soap bars (e.g. goat milk, honey and carrot). Our pure and natural goat milk soap benefits include the lack of alcohol, petroleum or preservatives. Aside from its excellent nourishing quality, goat milk soap is wonderful for people with dry or sensitive skin, or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Our Four Main Ingredients

1. Fresh goat’s milk

We source our fresh goat’s milk from Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC). MBRLC Foundation, has a reputation for its sustainable upland farming systems, and it is also known for its goat framing and is known as the Goat capital of Davao del Sur. The MBRLC is located at the foothills of Mount Apo, in Barangay Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The center was started by an American agriculturist, Harold Ray Watson. In fact the MBRLC is credited internationally as the originator of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT). Hedgerows of various nitrogen fixing trees are planted all over the farm. At the lower portion, more forage crops are planted. The forages and hedgerows are cut every now and then and the cuttings are used as feeds for goats.

There are many benefits in using goat milk soap:

a) Goat's milk soap delays signs of skin aging due to its high content of alpha-hydroxy acids such as lactic acid. Alpha-hydroxy acids break down dead skin cell bonds, removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface and leaving behind new cells on the surface that appear smoother and more youthful.

b) Goat's milk reduces skin inflammation due to its fat molecule content. The cream present in goat's milk is a moisturizer, soothing dry and damaged skin, possessing an anti-inflammatory effect.

c) Goat's milk is packed full of essential nutrients and vitamins like vitamin D, C, B1, B6, B12, and E, that feed the skin and are absorbed into the body. Goat’s milk is rich in essential fatty acids and triglycerides. The essential fatty acids have a unique PH similar to humans, so it is less irritating and more easily absorbed by our skin. These fatty acids and triglycerides are super moisturizing.

d) Studies now show that goat's milk is effective for treating acne and skin conditions (e.g. dry or sensitive skin, or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.) This is primarily because goat's milk has anti-bacterial properties that delay the growth of microbial organisms that spur the spread of acne. Goat milk, one of nature’s finest moisturizers.

2. Coconut oil
Nature’s “fountain of youth.” Coconut oil is full of vitamin E and antioxidants; it moisturizes, soothes, and fights the effects of aging – i.e. wrinkles and saggy skin. The coconut oil ensures the incredible rich lather of our soap.

3. Essential oil and other ingredients such as wild honey, oatmeal, moringa extract, carrot, etc.

4.  Lye  or Sodium Hydroxide is also added as a catalyst to saponify the oils and the goat milk. Lye is unavoidable in making soap. It eventually evaporates and nothing remains anymore in the finished product.

Our soap variants

1. Pure Goat's milk

Goat milk, one of nature’s finest moisturizers, lends a rich, creamy, silky quality to the lather and helps create a gentle natural facial and body soap. It is less allergenic than synthetically loaded commercial soaps and detergents. It is known that goat milk can reduce skin inflammation, and soothes dry and damaged skin.
Available in 120 grams and 35 grams.
Price: Ph 60 (120 grams) and Ph 30  (35 grams)
For bulk order, please contact: lalaynoel@gmail.com

2. Fresh goat milk with raw honey

Honey is an excellent moisturizing agent and it also soothes skin irritations with its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities which helps create smooth, clean and clear skin. Honey contains a variety of vitamins, mineral and enzymes that are beneficial to health and often we find honey for skin care. Modern science has given credence to it as a natural bacteria-fighting agent. Our honey is pure, organic, and straight from the hive and free of impurities and one of the most natural substances available for a beauty or health regimen.

Available in 120 grams and 35 grams

For prices and bulk order, please contact: lalaynoel@gmail.com

3. Pure goat’s milk with moringa extract

Moringa Oleifera is known for its many nutritional and medicinal uses and is a good source of protein, vitamins, beta-carotene, amino acids and various phenolics.  It softens dry skin and maintains moisture in the skin. It’s beneficial to treat rough, dry skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. There are over 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds all naturally occurring in the Moringa Plant. Moringa (locally known as malunggay) grows abundantly in the Philippines.
Available in 120 grams and 35 grams

For price and bulk order, please contact: lalaynoel@gmail.com

4. Carrot soap with goat milk

The soap contains carrot extract, goat milk, coconut oil, lye, fragrance

Natural carrot juice contains beta-carotene, a powerful anti-oxidant which improves the regrowth, renewal of skin cells and eliminates dead cells much faster. A soothing cleansing agent that aids heal wounds, burns, cuts, ringworm, skin allergic reactions such as scabies, prickly heat energy, and eczema. Mixed with goat milk and coconut oil, this soap is good for sensitive skin.

Available in 120 grams 

                                                                                                                                                  For price and bulk order, please contact: lalaynoel@gmail.com

5. Pure goat’s milk with oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent moisturizer and acts as exfoliating agent. It helps soothe the skin and help relieve itch. Oatmeal contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and as such is ideal for sensitive skin and to treat a variety of skin disorders (i.e sunburns, eczema and poison ivy).

Available in 120 grams and 35 grams.
                                                                                                                                              For price and bulk order, please contact: lalaynoel@gmail.com

6. 3n1 (goat milk, honey and oatmeal)

A powerful combination. Soothing oatmeal gently exfoliates as the honey traps and seals in moisture leaving skin soft and supple.

Available in 120 grams and 35 grams
                                                                                                                                                 For price and bulk order, please contact: lalaynoel@gmail.com

PICTURES

We like to inform you that our since our products are handmade and produced by batches, the soap you get might be different from the pictures you see. This is different from the commercial soaps you buy.

Price is exclusive shipping costs (within Philippines only). We use JRS Express as courier.

For international order, it is possible to use Philpost if the customers wish so.

Customized labeling

Our soap is a perfect giveaway during birthdays, weddings, Christmas, company events, and other occasions. 

Please contact us if you prefer a customized labelling.

Resellers

We welcome resellers. To qualify you need to order the starter’s kit:

Minimum order (starter’s kits): 

25  pieces 120 grams @Ph50 each from any variant
100 pieces 35 grams @ Ph 20 each any variant
250 pieces 10 grams @P5.50 each (with raw honey only)

Resellers can fix their own reasonable retail price. Prices exclusive shipping cost.

Jellie's Natural Products

Jellie Dasmariňas started making soap at her home last September 2013 after she learned soap making from a friend. She was making an average of 60-100 bars of soap every month and sold them at her store located along the highway of Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Her market is just her neighborhood and some motorists who occasionally stop at her store to buy fresh goat’s milk .

A very enterprising woman, Jellie has penchant for home-based livelihood activities. Before she started with her soap making, she was making akapulco anti-fungal ointment. She also developed vinegar extracted from honey and recently, she started making and selling hot chili powder.

Sometime in early 2014, Leila Rispens-Noel, founder of WIMLER Foundation Philippines dropped by her store to buy wild honey. Leila saw her soap and bought several bars which she gave as presents to her friends. WIMLER Foundation is a non-governmental organization based in Bansalan, Davao del Sur which provides assistance to poor but deserving pupils in the Philippines. It also helps enterprising women to in making their small enterprise economically viable. 

Last June 2015, Leila heard from a friend that she received a soap from her other friend and she liked it very much. She wanted to order 100 pieces. Thinking that it was just a one-off order, Leila went back to Jellie’s store only to find out that she did not have enough stocks.  In order that Jellie could meet the orders, Leila advanced her some money so she can supply 100 bars. The first order was met. Then Leila, posted on her Facebook that she was able to send 100 pieces of soap to her friend. 

Unexpectedly, Leila received more orders maybe because the soap is made of fresh goat’s milk mixed either with wild honey or moringa extract. The soap is more superior to the soap being sold in the supermarket which contains many chemicals and preservatives. Leila received inquiries from all over the country and also from other countries. Jellie continues making soap but the fulfillment of the orders is slow due to the 30-days required curing process called saponification. 

Leila realized that it can make a difference if WIMLER can support Jellie by helping her promote and sell her products. There is a need to maintain adequate stock so Leila added more capital. Now Jellie Natural Products is busy meeting the orders. It also needs to expand its market so that it will become more viable. Jellie’s Natural Products is poised for scaling up.

The whole family is involved
Like other microentrepreneurs, Jellie's whole family is involved in soap making: from preparation, labeling and packaging. 






Other Products
Jellie is a very creative. She does not only make soap but also sells raw honey, chili, and she is thinking to develop more products in the future.











                                                                                             

                                                    Future Plans

By January 2016, Jellie hopes to start the production at Wimler's Multipurpose building. In this way, she will have more space. We will also work hard so she can secure licence to operate from Food and Drug Authority (FDA). It is a daunting task though.

Hopefully as the soap business flourishes, we can involve more women in the production and marketing. In doing so, we can help in the livelihood of unemployed women in Bansalan.

Social Enterprise

Linking local producers with the market is crucial in making home-based small enterprises sustainable. WIMLER Philippines finally decided to help Jellie’s Natural Products in marketing its homemade soap. As the orders increase, Jellie can ask more women in the village to help in the soap making so the product will remain handmade, artisanal, and maintain its natural freshness. If the business flourishes, more jobs will be created in the village.