Ingredients & Formulations

An informative guide to the ingredients and formulation processes used to create Brew City Botanicals products.

I grow some of the herbs used in my products, while other ingredients are sourced from carefully selected suppliers. When purchasing ingredients, I look for companies that prioritize quality control, responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, and ethical practices.

Arnica Infused Olive Oil: Made from organic arnica flowers (Arnica montana). We utilize the flowers that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use.

Beeswax: Used as a thickener. We utilize natural beeswax from southeastern Wisconsin apiary. Free of petroleum or other additives.

Cocoa Butter: Organic, unrefined, expeller pressed and partially deodorized using natural clay leaching method. Solid vegetable fat from roasted seeds of the African Theobroma cacao tree. A thick and cream consistency that is a heavier moisturizer in comparison to Shea Butter. An excellent emollient that is used to sooth and add flexibility to the skin. Fair Trade item.

Comfrey Infused Olive Oil: We grow our own comfrey (Symphytum officinale). We utilize the leaves that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use. We do not spray anything of any kind on our herbs.

Essential Oil: Obtained by steam distillation or cold expression of the plant’s volatile oils. The oils we use are 100% natural with no added water or other diluents.

Ethically Wildcrafted: Herbs that are collected in an ethical and respectable manner, only taking what one needs. Plants are not over-harvested, threatened and endangered species are left alone.

Expeller Pressed: Mechanical extraction. A method where oils are obtained by mechanically pressing and crushing the desired fruit, nut, or vegetable. Cold pressing and vacuum extraction are also considered to be expeller pressed methods.

Fair Trade Item: Items that are produced by farmers, artisans, etc. that receive a fair price for their goods and services. Fair trade provides fair labor conditions, direct trade, community development and environmental stability for people who are often from poverty-stricken nations.

Jewelweed Infused Olive Oil: We grown our own jewelweed (Impatiens capensis). We utilize the stems that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use. We do not spray anything of any kind on our herbs.

Refined Butter & Oils: A processed butter and/or oil. This normally includes deodorization and removal of natural odor and color by filtration through bleaching clays. More aggressive methods use chemicals and solvents to remove odor and color. All butter and oils used in BCB products are unrefined.

Floral Waters or hydrosols: Flower waters are produced from the steam distillation of plant material. Usually floral waters are the byproduct of essential oil distillation.

St. John’s Wort Infused Olive Oil: We grow our own St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). We utilize the flowering tops that are infused in organic olive oil for about a period of 2-3 weeks. This process allows the healing properties of the plant to be extracted into the olive oil for topical use. We do not spray anything of any kind on our herbs.

Shea Butter: Expeller pressed or hand processed vegetable fat from the Karite tree (Butyrospermum parkii). At BCB, we use raw and unprocessed shea butter that has been produced by the Alheri Women Shea Butter Cooperative Processors using traditional African methods. We have been using this shea butter produced by women cooperatives in northern Nigeria for about 6 years now and we absolutely love it. Used as a light moisturizer, it forms a breathable and protective barrier that helps defend the skin against harsh elements. Very healing and improves skin superior to other oils and butters. It’s vitamin A and cinnamic acid content makes shea butter an effective treatment for wrinkles, eczema, rashes, burns, stretch marks, dandruff, cracked and dry skin. Graininess may sometimes occur. This is due to the melting and resettling of the butter. This is completely normal. Fair trade item.

Sunflower Oil: An oil wealthy in oleic acids with high amounts of Vitamins A, D, and E. It also has beneficial amounts of lecithin and unsaturated fatty acids. Deeply nourishing and conditioning for the skin and it is highly recommended for treating dry, weathered, aged and damaged skin.