
About
The Full Story
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is not a rose at all. It is a species of the hibiscus family and goes by various names, one of which is "Althea shrub/plant". I became interested in this beautiful flowering plant a few years ago, when I learned of its many health benefits. The remaining pod that is left after the flower fall off is used to make a drink that we call sorrel back in Jamaica where I was born and raised. Sorrel is made by steeping the pods in hot water and sweetened with sugar and spices, such as bay leaf, clove and cinnamon as well as Jamaican White Rum or your favorite wine if you prefer; to make a delicious drink during the Xmas Season. As I got older, I was learned that the name Althea means flower, healer and wholesome. This is the back story of why our business is called "Rose of Sharon Health & Beauty Products".
I was born over 50 years ago in Montego Bay, Jamaica West Indies. Although my fore-parents were taken to the Island by less than favorable means, Jamaica has been my only homeland. I did not cook much when I lived back home; today however, I have been touted as an excellent cook by those in my inner circle. Food is not the only thing that I like to cook, hence the formulation of health and beauty products. Health and wellness has always been in my DNA. What the world refers to today as organic is traditionally the way we grew and prepared our meals in Jamaica.
The year 1997 has been an integral year in my life; it is the year that I was gifted a book called "The Maker's Diet". The book's focus is a 19 year old young man, Jordan Rubin, who was suffering from Chrohn's disease. This book was so inspirational, that it changed the trajectory of the way I look at food now that I had migrated to the United States. My quest for better health led me to study Health Education in 2012 as my program of choice for my Master's Degree. Three years later in 2015. I acquired my Health Coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
I have continued to pursue good health in all areas of my life, and today at over 50 years of age, I run a mile 2 - 3 miles per week, along with cardiovascular exercise 2 - 3 times per week. In 2017, 2 years after seriously following various health and wellness experts, I started a quest to formulate my own health, beauty and household cleaning products. I became aware of all the carcinogens (cancer causing agents), that are hidden in many of the products that we as consumers use on our bodies and in our homes on a daily basis, and decided to do something about it. Being a proponent of voting with my dollars and my fork, so to speak; led me to start my brainchild company Rose of Sharon Health & Beauty Products.
Shea butter comes from the nuts of karité trees that grow in the Sahel region extending from West to East Africa, from Guinea and Senegal to Uganda and South Sudan. I was introduced to shea butter when I lived in New York, over 20 years ago. I was amazed then and still is about the many benefits of this little nut. Our body butter is formulated with various butters and oils, with shea butter being the primary ingredient. After making and using the product for 3 years, and sharing it with family and friends, I decided to begin sharing with the rest of the world. If you struggled with any dry skin conditions or have just plain "ashy" skin, "yu come to de right place". Not only does our shea butter keep your skin moist all day, it has the propensity to block harmful UV rays, lock in moisture and keep you skin looking and feeling younger every day.
ROS Beauty has been three years in the making and during this time we found companies that could supply all natural ingredients that we needed to formulate our products. Our product label/website design also reflects our background and what is important to us. The four core values that our business is built on are: Honesty, Integrity, Reliability, & Shea Butter. Yes, we believe in Shea Butter as a Core Value. If we all were more moisturized, the world would be a better place! Our goal is to meet the needs of our customers by providing products that they will love and feel comfortable to share them with their friends and loved ones.
Our Shea Butter Body Cream is best used on warm skin, preferably when you first come out of the shower!