The Plants in Our Care – from Porcini Mushroom to Damask Rose

Behind the Latin names on our labels lie plants from European gardens, Swiss mountains, the great spice routes and the millennia-old tradition of Ayurveda. This is their story – one plant at a time.

Imagine a walk in late summer. At the edge of the forest, a porcini mushroom glows beneath a spruce tree; along the path grow nettles and dandelions; in the meadow, chamomile is in bloom. Later, at home, you open the spice cupboard: cloves, cinnamon, anise. And somewhere far away, in India, someone is gathering ripe amla berries.

All these plants have something in common: they are part of YELASAI care. On the label, however, you won't read 'nettle' but 'Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract', not 'liquorice' but 'Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract'. It sounds like a laboratory – yet behind it lie simply plants.

'Our lists are long – not because there's a lot of chemistry in them, but a lot of plant.'Gianni Coria, Founder of YELASAI

What an ingredient list never reveals, however, is the most important thing: how much of a plant is contained, what quality the raw material is and how carefully it has been processed. That is precisely what this article tells.

From plant to care

A plant doesn't simply land in a bottle. For its constituents to be transferred into a care product, it is processed into an infusion – known as an extract. Depending on the plant, this is done with water, plant-derived glycerine or plant-derived alcohol. In the case of powders, such as those in our herbal mask, the dried plant is finely milled.

At YELASAI, a special step is added: fermentation. This is how the journey from raw material to care unfolds:

1. Selection of raw materials. Quality is decisive – for instance, a PA-purified comfrey or a turmeric extract from plant cell culture.
2. Extraction. The plants are gently extracted so that their character is preserved.
3. Fermentation. Porcini mushroom, maidenhair moss and comfrey mature with allantoin for 36 months to become our herbal ferment.
4. Formulation. Ferment, herbal complex and further plants are finely balanced and optimally dosed.
5. Manufacture in Switzerland. Every batch is documented before it reaches you.

The heart of our care: the herbal ferment

Almost every liquid YELASAI product begins with the same foundation: a fermented extract of three plants and allantoin. It matures for 36 months – longer than most wines in the barrel. During this time, the extract slowly transforms into a gentle, rich base upon which all other ingredients build.

Porcini mushroom

Boletus edulis · European forests

Anyone wandering through spruce and beech forests in late summer knows it: the porcini with its brown cap and sturdy, pale stem. For gourmets it is the 'king of mushrooms'; for us it is the starting point of every formulation. In the ferment, it gives our care its nutrient-rich foundation.

Good to know Porcini cannot be cultivated. They live in close partnership with tree roots – and therefore grow only where the forest is healthy.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Oil, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Scalp Active Peeling, Ayurveda Skin & Scalp Active Enzym Peeling, Ayurveda Hair Active Styling Gel, Ayurveda Hair Active Styling Spray, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic, Ayurveda Body Active Neem Oil

Hair moss

Polytrichum formosum · Damp forests of Europe

A moss in a hair-care product? Hair moss, also known as bank haircap moss, is among the largest mosses of Central Europe. It grows in light, damp forests and forms soft, green cushions. In the ferment, it accompanies porcini and comfrey.

Good to know It owes its name to the fine, hairy caps over its spore capsules – reminiscent of delicate human hair.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Oil, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Scalp Active Peeling, Ayurveda Skin & Scalp Active Enzym Peeling, Ayurveda Hair Active Styling Gel, Ayurveda Hair Active Styling Spray, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic, Ayurveda Body Active Neem Oil

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale · Damp meadows and stream banks of Europe

Comfrey is among the best-known plants in European herbalism. Its old name reveals its history: 'comfrey' derives from the Latin for 'grow together'. In cosmetics, the root is valued above all for its naturally occurring allantoin, which stands for gentle, pleasant care.

Good to know We use PA-purified comfrey. Certain natural plant compounds that are undesirable in care products are removed from the raw material – a quality hallmark that is not visible on any ingredients list.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Oil, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Scalp Active Peeling, Ayurveda Skin & Scalp Active Enzym Peeling, Ayurveda Hair Active Styling Gel, Ayurveda Hair Active Styling Spray, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic, Ayurveda Body Active Neem Oil, CORIADERM Natural Ferment Body Lotion, CORIADERM Natural Ferment Body Wash, CORIADERM Natural Ferment Face Lotion

Herbs from the European Garden

Many of our plants you'll recognise from the wayside, from the garden or from grandmother's tea cupboard. Together they form our herbal complex – a blend of up to fifteen plants that work in harmony in many of our products.

Birch

Betula alba · Northern and Central Europe

The birch with its white bark is a symbol of new beginnings – it is one of the first trees to come into leaf after a long winter. In Scandinavia and the Baltic states, birch sap has been tapped each spring for generations. And 'birch water' is one of the oldest classics in hair care.

Good to know We use extracts from both bark and leaves – so the birch brings all its freshness to the care.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Nettle

Urtica dioica · Throughout Europe

Every child knows it – usually from a painful encounter. Yet the nettle is one of Europe's most versatile plants: it has been eaten, drunk as tea and even woven into fabric. In herbalism it has long been valued for hair and scalp.

Good to know Until the 20th century, nettle fibres were woven into 'nettle cloth' – hence the name of the fabric.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale · Meadows throughout Europe

In spring it turns the meadows yellow, in early summer it transforms into the dandelion clock. The dandelion is undemanding and indestructible – qualities one would wish for in care as well. We use the extract of the whole plant.

Good to know It owes its name to the jagged leaves, which resemble lion's teeth.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Scalp Active Peeling, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis · Mediterranean coasts

The name means 'dew of the sea' – rosemary grows wild on the coasts of the Mediterranean, where it is moistened by the morning dew. Its fresh, spicy scent has been considered invigorating for scalp and senses since antiquity. Scarcely any herb is so closely associated with hair care.

Good to know The famous 'Hungary Water', one of the oldest recorded cosmetic recipes in Europe, was based on rosemary.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Oil, Ayurveda Scalp Active Massage Oil, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic, Ayurveda Body Active Neem Oil

Horsetail

Equisetum arvense · Fields and waysides of Europe

Horsetail is a living fossil: its ancestors grew as tree-high plants in the age of the dinosaurs. Today it is small and inconspicuous – but naturally rich in silica, a mineral that has long been valued in hair care.

Good to know It used to be called 'pewter wort': because of its silica content it was used for polishing pewter.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia · Southern France and the Mediterranean

Flowering fields in Provence, a scent of summer and tranquillity: lavender is one of the most beloved plants in cosmetics. The Romans already added it to their bathwater. In our care it lends a fine, balancing note.

Good to know The name is often derived from the Latin 'lavare' – to wash.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Scalp Active Massage Oil, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Chamomile

Chamomilla recutita · Europe and Western Asia

For many, chamomile is the first plant they consciously encounter – as tea in childhood. The small white-and-yellow flowers stand for gentleness. In care it is particularly valued for sensitive skin.

Good to know True chamomile can be recognised by its hollow flower base – a simple trick when gathering.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Corn Mint

Mentha arvensis · Europe and Asia

The wild sister of peppermint grows along damp field edges. Its scent is fresh and clear and brings a touch of coolness to our herbal extracts.

Good to know Corn mint is naturally particularly rich in menthol – hence its cooling character.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Caraway and Anise

Carum carvi, Pimpinella anisum · Europe and the Mediterranean

Two aromatic seeds from the classic herbal kitchen, working together in our herbal complex. Caraway is one of Europe's oldest spices, anise comes from the eastern Mediterranean and is known for its sweetly spicy scent.

Good to know Caraway seeds have been found in Neolithic lake-dwelling settlements – including in Switzerland.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Fumitory

Fumaria officinalis · Fields and gardens of Europe

A delicate field herb with grey-green, finely divided foliage that from a distance appears like smoke above the ground. In herbalism, fumitory is valued particularly for the skin.

Good to know The Latin name 'fumus terrae' literally means 'smoke of the earth'.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Spices and Blossoms

What brings warmth and depth to the kitchen also lends character to skincare. These four ingredients connect Europe with the great spice routes of the world.

Clove

Eugenia caryophyllus · Moluccas, Indonesia

The dried flower buds of the clove tree were once as precious as gold – voyages were undertaken and trade wars fought over them. Today, they lend our herbal complex a spicy, warming note.

Good to know The name 'clove' derives from the Latin 'clavus', meaning 'nail' – the buds resemble tiny nails.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Ceylon Cinnamon

Cinnamomum zeylanicum · Sri Lanka

True cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon. It is harvested from the thin inner bark, which curls into delicate quills as it dries. It is milder and more refined than common cassia cinnamon.

Good to know Genuine Ceylon cinnamon can be recognised by the many fine layers visible in a single quill.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Liquorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra · Mediterranean and Western Asia

This root is the source of liquorice. It is equally at home in European and Ayurvedic herbalism, and in our herbal complex it bridges the two worlds.

Good to know The Greek name 'glykys rhiza' simply means 'sweet root' – and it is many times sweeter than sugar.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Damask Rose

Rosa damascena · Bulgaria, Turkey, Persia

The queen of fragrant roses. In Bulgaria's Valley of Roses and in Turkey, the blossoms are hand-picked at dawn, before the sun disperses their scent. The floral water brings refinement and care to our formulations.

Good to know A single litre of rose oil requires several tonnes of rose petals – one of the most precious ingredients in cosmetics.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Shampoo, Ayurveda Hair Active Conditioner, Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Hair Active Leave In & Repair, Ayurveda Hair & Scalp Active Masque, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic, CORIADERM Natural Ferment Body Lotion, CORIADERM Natural Ferment Body Wash, CORIADERM Natural Ferment Face Lotion

From the Ayurvedic tradition

Ayurveda, the 'knowledge of life', is India's traditional system of health. For thousands of years, it has recognised plants for skin and hair. Some of these are an integral part of our care – and the reason why our products carry 'Ayurveda' in their name.

Amla

Phyllanthus emblica · India

The Indian gooseberry is one of Ayurveda's most important fruits. The small, greenish-yellow berries taste sour and astringent – and are naturally rich in vitamin C. In India, amla has been part of hair care for generations.

Good to know Amla is one of the three fruits in the famous blend Triphala.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Scalp Active Massage Oil, Ayurveda Hair Active Herbal Masque, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic, Ayurveda Scalp Active Herbs

Neem

Azadirachta indica · India

The neem tree is ubiquitous in India: it provides shade in villages and cities, and its leaves and oil have been part of daily skin and scalp care for centuries.

Good to know In India, neem twigs are traditionally used as a natural toothbrush.

Found in Ayurveda Scalp Active Massage Oil, Ayurveda Hair Active Herbal Masque, Ayurveda Body Active Neem Oil

Bhringraj

Eclipta prostrata · India and Southeast Asia

Few plants are as closely associated with Indian hair care as bhringraj. This unassuming herb with its small white flowers is found in countless traditional hair oils.

Good to know In Ayurveda, bhringraj bears the epithet 'Kesharaja' – king of hair.

Found in Ayurveda Scalp Active Massage Oil, Ayurveda Scalp Active Herbs

Haritaki and Bibhitaki

Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica · India

Two fruits that rarely appear alone: together with amla, haritaki and bibhitaki form the Ayurvedic blend Triphala – three fruits that complement one another. In our care, they are found in the massage oil and in the herbal blend.

Good to know 'Tri phala' simply means 'three fruits' in Sanskrit.

Found in Ayurveda Scalp Active Massage Oil, Ayurveda Scalp Active Herbs

Moringa

Moringa oleifera · Himalayan foothills

The moringa tree grows faster than almost any other and yields leaves full of minerals and vitamins. In our herbal masque, it is used as a fine powder.

Good to know Because of its versatility, moringa is often called the 'miracle tree'.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Herbal Masque

Turmeric

Curcuma longa · India and Southeast Asia

The golden-yellow root from the ginger family is one of Asia's most important spices and gives curry its characteristic colour. In our care, we use a particularly pure extract.

Good to know Our turmeric extract comes from a plant cell culture – this produces a consistently pure ingredient without the need to harvest fields.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica · Asian wetlands

Also known as Indian pennywort. The small plant with round leaves grows on moist banks and is firmly rooted in Asian care traditions – it stands for balanced, well-cared-for skin.

Good to know According to legend, tigers roll in gotu kola – hence the nickname 'tiger grass'.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Intensive Scalp Active Gel, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

From Forest and Mountains

Two plants bring the spirit of Nordic forests and the Alps into our care – perfectly suited to a brand at home in the hills of Appenzell.

Scots Pine

Pinus silvestris · Europe and Northern Asia

The Scots pine is the most widespread pine in Europe. Its scent recalls a walk on a warm day, when the resin releases its fragrance in the sun. Its extract gives the tonic, spray and peeling their clear freshness.

Good to know Pines can live for over 500 years.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Hair Active Spray, Ayurveda Scalp Active Peeling, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

Edelweiss

Leontopodium alpinum · Alps

The Alpine flower par excellence grows where sun, wind and cold are at their most intense – at altitudes of over 3,000 metres. Its white down protects it from the fierce mountain sun. For Switzerland it is a symbol; for our care, an ingredient with character.

Good to know Because edelweiss is protected in the wild, extracts for cosmetics are generally sourced from controlled cultivation. Incidentally, 'Leontopodium' means 'lion's paw'.

Found in Ayurveda Hair Active Tonic, Ayurveda Lash Active Tonic

All Plants at a Glance

The table shows where the plants originate from, what character they bring to the care and in how many YELASAI products they are contained.

Quality you won't see on the label

Two shampoos may list the same botanical names on their ingredient lists – yet be entirely different. Because the label only shows which plants are included and in what order. It doesn't show how much is present, which raw material they're derived from, or how carefully they've been processed.

That's precisely where the difference lies. A PA-purified comfrey, a turmeric extract from plant cell culture, a ferment allowed to mature for three years, essential oils that are refined and optimally dosed: none of this appears on any label. Ingredient apps that merely compare names cannot recognise it either.

«An app knows neither the quantity nor the quality of the raw materials. Yet these are exactly what determine how good a product is.»Gianni Coria

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do YELASAI products have such long ingredient lists?

Because each plant must be listed individually by its botanical name. Our herbal complex contains up to fifteen plants – that's why the lists are long. Not because there's a lot of chemistry in them, but a lot of plants.

What does "fermented herbal extract" mean?

An extract of porcini mushroom, maidenhair moss and comfrey with allantoin, which matures for 36 months. It forms the basis of almost all liquid YELASAI products.

What does "PA-purified" comfrey mean?

Certain natural plant compounds that are undesirable in care products are removed from the comfrey raw material. On the ingredient list, however, it still only says "Symphytum Officinale" – the quality of the raw material is not visible there.

Where do the Ayurvedic plants come from?

Amla, neem, bhringraj, haritaki, bibhitaki, moringa, turmeric and gotu kola originate from the Ayurvedic tradition of India and South Asia. YELASAI combines them with European herbs and Alpine plants.

Which plants suit my scalp?

That depends on your scalp. A YELASAI hair specialist will examine it and select the right care for you.

Conclusion

Behind every Latin name on a YELASAI label stands a plant with origin, history and character – from the porcini mushroom of the European forest to the Damask rose and the edelweiss of the Alps. The ingredients list names them. What makes them good care – quantity, quality and synergy – is written between the lines.