Aloe vera has numerous benefits on the face and skin . These benefits were elaborated on in our previous post. Now, let’s learn about the benefits of Aloe vera gel on hair. Aloe vera is a small plant with thick leaves containing a gel-like substance inside of them. Aloe vera is found everywhere around the world. Aloe vera has been used over the years for its medicinal healing properties. It is believed that the aloe vera plant has various applications aside from its skin benefits : It strengthens your hair and makes your scalp healthier. The best mode of application of aloe vera on your hair is to use the gel extracted directly. The OTI Aloe Vera gel is clear in color, slightly thick and 100% organic. Without wasting time, let’s delve into the benefits of aloe vera gel on hair. Aloe vera gel calms an itchy scalp Seborrheic dermatitis ; the clinical term for the condition is commonly known as dandruff. The symptoms of an itchy scalp and flaking skin under your hair can be treated with aloe vera gel. A study found that aloe vera gel resolves the scalp inflammation that dandruff causes. The fatty acids, cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol, and lupeol, found in the aloe plant have anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera gel deep cleans oily hair Aloe vera gel cleanses the hair shaft efficiently, stripping off extra oil and residue from other hair products. Aloe vera gel doesn’t irritate your hair strands while it cleans. Unlike other chemicals in hair products, aloe vera gel i s gentle and preserves the integrity of your hair. Using aloe vera gel makes the hair look healthier, shinier, and softer. Strengthens and repairs hair strands Aloe vera gel contains excellent vitamins (E, C, and A) for healthy hair. All three of those vitamins contribute to cell turnover, promoting healthy cell growth and glossy hair. The Vitamin B12 and folic acid in aloe vera gel keep your hair from falling out. Aloe vera gel is a product that people use on their skin after sun exposure. The vitamin content in aloe vera suggests that it helps repair sun damage to your hair, too. Aloe Vera Gel promotes hair growth With the above-stated points, when your scalp has been cleansed and your hair has been conditioned with aloe vera gel, you will experience a reduction in hair breakage and loss slows down. That means your hair will be healthy and will grow faster. Bonus Tip: To apply the Aloe vera gel in your hair, rub the aloe vera gel into your scalp and hair, and letting it penetrate your hair follicles could condition and improve dama ged, dry hair. After letting it sit for an hour, rinse the gel off with a light shampoo. Did this help? Let us know in the comments section.

As part of Organic Trade and Investments’ dedication and commitment to scaling up and responding to the needs of the agribusiness community in Ghana, strategic steps have been taken to get OTI on board the Ghana Fruit Cart platform. Ghana Fruit Cart specializes in swift deliveries of groceries, fruits, and vegetable supplies. The CEO of the Company; Esthy Asante, explains what motivated the Company to join forces with Ghana Fruit Cart: “Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) believes in and practices coopetition and mutual partnerships. This is why we have partnered with Ghana Fruit Cart, one of Ghana's best and fast-growing online grocery stores to facilitate the distribution of our products nationwide,” she said. As a form of introduction, Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) is a woman-owned export trading e-commerce company established in 2015 to focus on promoting small-scale farmers and producers from Africa and facilitate the accessibility of organic and natural ingredients from the Continent to the rest of the world. OTI has extended its operations from export trading to sales in Ghana to accommodate the needs of individual consumers indirectly. Already, through its two authorized local distributors; KAB Designs & Trading (+233 24 661 7495) and BackToEden ; the Company has managed to channel some of its most popular raw materials onto the local market. Fostering ties with Ghana Fruit Cart comes as a plus to provide easy access and fast delivery of OTI branded products to the Ghanaian community. Individual consumers can now add to their online cart when doing their groceries on the Ghana Fruit Cart platform all their favorite OTI 100% organic and natural products including; Gluten-Free Fonio grain and flour , Organic Shea Butter , Organic Coconut Oil , and Organic Aloe Vera . Organic Trade and Investments’ Communications Assistant; Odamea Amoako, urges the public to embrace the news with joy and invites everyone to visit the Ghana Fruit Cart OTI Store and make their orders through their partner’s online groceries store: “Spread the good news to your friends, family, and loved ones,” she said.

Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) has confirmed its participation at the upcoming 2nd Organic and Natural Virtual B2B Trade Talk Shop after successfully exhibiting at the 3rd LIPF Agrihouse Exhibition barely a month ago. The B2B virtual fair, hosted by Organic and Natural Product Expo is happening from the 22nd to the 23rd day of June, starting at 7:00 AM and ending at 2:00 PM GMT. With less than a week to go, Warren Hickinbotham of Organic and Natural Product Expo unveils the current status of the upcoming virtual fair: “We are in the final push to our much anticipated Organic & Natural Virtual Trade Talk Shop. The speakers have been finalized and there have been over 200 registrations so far,” he says. Joburg , Trade Intelligence , USAID , and Wesgro , just to mention a few, are some of the speakers and companies that will share their thoughts and experiences. This is a free-to-attend trade virtual event, which will deliver two days of interactions, aimed at equipping agribusinesses and individuals with practical knowledge, skills, and ideas that will drive businesses forward. Delegates at this event include retail buyers, importers and exporters (Africa, the US, and Europe), distributors, sector associations, and government bodies, both locally and internationally. Organic Trade and Investments will be represented by OTI’s Business Support Manager; Joyce Asante, and Amma Odamea Amoako, the Communications Assistant. OTI will showcase its organic shea butter , organic coconut oil , organic cocoa butter , organic aloe vera gel , 100% Gluten-free White Fonio grain and flour , and African organic black soap at their virtual booth. Amma Odamea Amoako, the Communications’ Assistant of Organic Trade and Investments added that: “We, at OTI, look forward to getting on board with you to listen in to the fantastic lineup of speakers who will deliver practical information you can apply to your businesses.” Another exciting news is that you can engage via chat with other delegates and visit the featured supplier and partner pages for more info on the products and services they offer. Register now via this link: https://organicandnatural.howler.co.za/virtualtalkshop21 Make a date to visit our virtual booth during the two-day event.

Aloe Vera ( Aloe barbadensis) , the simple and pulpy plant, has a long record of being used for medicinal purposes, dating back to ancient Egypt. Aloe vera is grown in the tropics. Aloe vera nourishes the body from the inside – it is rich in nutrients, aids in improving digestion, and even boosts immunity. OTI Aloe vera gel is 100% natural, extracted from the premium aloe vera plant cultivated in Ghana. Let us learn about the 6 benefits of Aloe Vera gel on your face and skin. 1. Helps to appease sunburn on the face and skin OTI Aloe Vera gel’s cooling and anti-inflammatory properties are among the most natural remedies for sunburn or burnt skin. Applying the aloe vera gel helps with a protective layer for the skin and retains moisture. OTI Aloe vera gel derives its boost in the healing process due to its richness in antioxidants and minerals. Using this 100% organic aloe vera gel helps maintain your summer skin and face health. 2. Helps to moisturize / hydrate the skin Aloe vera gel does not leave a greasy or oily film on your face and skin as compared to other moisturizers on the market. Aloe Vera Gel does just the contrary – it loosens up the pores and softens the skin or face. Aloe Vera gel helps to keep the skin moisturized and heals burns by razors and smaller nicks & cuts. It also helps treat dry/irritated skin. Aloe vera gel serves as an aftershave treatment gel. 3. Catalyzes wound healing processes Aloe Vera gel is helpful for burns, cuts, and other injuries. Aloe Vera Gel speeds up the healing of wounds. Aloe Vera Gel is effective especially in the case of superficial and partial thickness degree burns. Aloe Vera Gel elicits a great skin burn treatment. Aloe Vera Gel speeds up skin cell reproduction as much as eight times. Aloe Vera gel penetrates the epidermis faster, i.e., the outer layer of the skin faster than water. 4. Fights skin-aging Aloe vera has high amounts of Vitamin C and E and beta-carotene. Due to this Aloe Vera gel exhibits anti-aging properties. Aloe vera gel exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions, which help to remove skin blemishes and diminish age lines/wrinkles. In addition, Aloe vera gel helps increase the production of collagen in the body and skin. 5. Reduces infection and acne Aloe Vera Gel is highly loved by those who suffer from acne. It helps in gentle cleansing, and its antimicrobial properties alleviate pimples without causing any damages to the face. Aloe Vera Gel has antiseptic properties that allow for the protection of the skin and face against bacteria. Aloe Vera gel contains polysaccharides and gibberellins which helps in the production of new cells as well as reducing inflammation and redness. Aloe vera gel works as an astringent that reduces the size of pores, microbes, and dirt on the face and skin. 6. Lightens blemishes on the face It has been well-explained from the previous points that Aloe Vera gel contains properties to boost skin cell reproduction, reduce redness, and fight skin inflammation. Aloe vera gel is a natural treatment for stretch marks and acne marks. Bonus Tip: To treat freckles and lighten age spots, add some lemon juice to the gel mixture. This tip serves as one of the perfect remedies for glowing and moisturized skin. We hope you found these helpful. Let us know in the comments. Organic Trade and Investments has pure organic aloe vera gel for sale on the e-store.

Cocoa ( theobroma cacao ) is a fruit mostly found in the tropics, grown by large agro-industrial farmers and small producers, with bulk production of it coming from millions of farmers, mostly from West Africa, with small plots. Like wine, cocoa varies in taste, depending on where it is grown and how it is processed. That is why you may notice different flavors in certain favorite chocolates. Fun Fact : To make 2 pounds of chocolate, you need about 300 to 600 cocoa beans. You should appreciate that delicious cup of cocoa or chocolate bar. Cocoa is mostly known for chocolate production and as the main ingredient in skincare products. So what about cocoa and hair? Cocoa butter is the by-product obtained from cocoa beans, - and your hair knows that cocoa butter is a prerequisite for the cold weather. In this post, we are going to learn easy DIYs for hair cream, using OTI 100% organic natural cocoa butter . DEEP TREATMENT Depending on your hair type and texture, Use OTI natural cocoa butter as a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week. Sooner or later, you’ll notice how soft and easy it is to manage your hair. Cocoa butter doesn’t stress the hair but rather helps moisturize your hair and scalp. 2. COCOA PRE-POO Natural cocoa butter can also be used as a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. Put a reasonable amount of OTI cocoa butter in a small bowl and melt it in a microwave until it’s a liquid. Apply the oil/liquid to your hair for about 15-20 minutes then use a shampoo of your choice. 3. HAIR KNOT FIGHTER You can use natural cocoa butter as a pomade to help style your hair and keep the hair knots away as well. Just rub a reasonable amount of OTI 100% Organic cocoa butter in your palms, and smear it over your hair. You can mix a bit of cold-pressed virgin coconut oil or pure argan oil with it to give it a scent as well. NOTE: Natural cocoa butter is very hard in texture. You should therefore melt the butter (using the Bain Marie method) before adding the oils. 4. COLOR GLOSS For a dark-skinned person who wants to add some sheen and a tint of color depth to their hair, a cocoa butter hair mask may be something to try out. It is a simple process. Mix a cup of OTI 100% organic pure aloe vera gel , 1/2 cup of natural cocoa butter,1/4 cup of honey , and 1 tablespoon of favorite conditioner. Mix the ingredients in a bowl and you’re left with a great smelling chocolate treatment for silky glossy hair. I bet you might have considered Cocoa butter as a body or skincare product. Let us know in the comments if these tips helped.

For some time now, our blog has featured vegan fonio recipes like basic fonio , turmeric coconut fonio , Ethiopian sweet potato flatbread , and fonio balls in peanut sauce . Which of our Fonio recipes have you tried? Let us know in the comments. Today, we are preparing a salad with authentic OTI Gluten-Free organic Fonio grain. For a lighter option, why not opt for this West African Fonio salad, featuring mangos and roasted cashews. The oil-free, vegan recipe features cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Are you ready? Let's get to work. Ingredients 1 cup OTI Gluten-Free Fonio grain 2 cups water ¼ red onion diced 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved ½ seedless cucumber diced 1 mango pitted and diced ¼ cup chopped parsley ½ lemon juiced ½ cup roasted cashews ½ teaspoon salt Dash of black pepper Instructions To cook the Fonio : In a small pot, combine the OTI Gluten-Free Fonio grain with 2 cups of water. OTI Fonio, unlike other fonio brands, doesn’t require washing before cooking with it. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low for 1 minute. Turn off the heat. Keep covered for 4 more minutes. Then, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Set aside to let cool. While the Fonio cooks, prepare the other salad ingredients. To make the West African Vegan Fonio Salad with Mango and Cashews: In a medium bowl, combine all of the other ingredients: diced onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mango, parsley, lemon juice, cashews, salt, and pepper. When the Fonio has cooled, add it to the bowl. Toss to combine. Taste to adjust seasoning. Enjoy! Medium Ready in 15 minutes Yield: 8 cups 6 servings. You can get a pouch of OTI Premium Gluten Free Fonio from our distributors, KAB on the following contact number +233 (0)24 661 7495 and Back To Eden.

A step after one, miles after a yard, our organization, Organic Trade and Investments which is barely 6 years in operation, is already taking the world by storm. We have celebrated countless noble milestones, and now, unlike any other, we've experienced, we are on the verge of another exciting moment of sheer excellence in our endeavors. Esthy Asante, CEO, and Founder of Organic Trade and Investments has been nominated and shortlisted for the GIZ Women In Agribusiness awards for the AgTech Innovation Category. The AgTech Innovation Award recognizes females providing solutions in the Agribusiness value chain through technology. This technology can be a mobile application, web, software, electronic device, or any machinery that improves the welfare of agribusiness in their community and the world at large. If a word is true, that indeed appraisals whirl around one who charges a good course, then the focus of Esthy Asante, is worth it all. The words of Madam CJ Walker, with a matching ideology of CEO Esthy Asante, "I am not satisfied in making money for myself, I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race" is not born of chance but a purposeful intent to empower women. The potential of women to make a positive and lasting impact on rural development is immeasurable. Nonetheless, women’s influence in our society remains underrated. The Women in Agribusiness Awards seeks to highlight the accomplishments of extraordinary women in the agribusiness fraternity who have risen above the normal to lead the way for others to emulate and follow. Women in Agribusiness Forum is created for every woman who is zealous about agriculture, food, and business. About 300 Women in Agribusiness are expected to attend this year’s forum. Out of this number, five will be given the Women in Agribusiness Excellence Award. The event is slated for this Wednesday, June 30, 2021. You can register for the event with this link .

OTI 100% Organic Coconut Oil has an SPF range of 2 - 8 which isn’t enough for a long duration in the hot sun, lets learn a simple DIY sunscreen that would last long. This DIY recipe contains ingredients that are not artificial with the exception of zinc oxide, which is non-synthetic. Mercantile sunscreens employ chemical filters that move into the bloodstream and can cause toxicity or endocrine system interruption. This is an easy-to-do recipe you should attempt to prepare just so you protect your skin this summer. INGREDIENTS/MATERIALS NEEDED OTI Organic Coconut Oil Non-synthetic Zinc Oxide OTI Organic Avocado Oil Medium Mixer Airtight container Organic Coconut Oil is an efficacious natural sunscreen, but it exceeds expectations when fused with other natural ingredients. The red raspberry seed oil has a high estimated SPF value of 25. Raspberry seed oil heals inflamed and damaged skin by catalyzing healthy skin cell formation. The Non-synthetic Zinc oxide is known for its efficacy to protect the skin from UV rays. Non-synthetic Zinc Oxide is one of the rare minerals approved by the EWG as a secure and efficacious ingredient in DIY sunscreens. Organic Avocado oil has an SPF range of 4 – 10 as well. Organic Avocado oil alone does not elicit good sun protection but in conjunction with other ingredients. Organic Avocado oil can heal damaged skin due to its level of PFA (polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols). INSTRUCTION Carefully whip OTI Coconut Oil in a medium mixer for about 2 minutes. Add the non-synthetic Zinc oxide, raspberry seed oil, and Organic Avocado oil slowly. Whip till completely mixed Pour mixture into a clean airtight container. This recipe is easy and quick to prepare. Let us know in the comments if this recipe helped you. It is a good thing to live a healthy organic life. Do subscribe to our mailing list for more juicy stuff.

We have published quite a number of Fonio recipes on this blog and I bet you would want to try them. As part of our enthusiastic spirit to educate our readers, we are bringing your way today a Fonio Pancake recipe. These ingredients can fit for breakfast, brunch, dinner, or dessert. One good thing to note about OTI Fonio is that you don’t need to wash it before use. Our producers have taken their time to take out all impurities from the Fonio grain and flour. Now get a glass of chilled sobolo and let’s delve into today’s recipe. INGREDIENTS AND MATERIALS NEEDED OTI Gluten-Free Fonio Flour 1 tablespoon Yogurt/milk 1 tablespoon Egg 2/3 Date powder/syrup 2 tablespoons OTI Organic Honey Nutmeg 1/8 tsp or a pinch A pinch of salt – optional A small sized frying pan A whisk or hand mixer Measuring spoon Medium size bowl OTI Coconut Oil Mixed chopped fruits METHOD Wash all utensils and dry them Break eggs into the medium-sized bowl and whisk until completely mixed Add the yogurt or milk, nutmeg, date powder, and the pinch of salt to the whisked egg Whisk until it mixes completely Now to the magic Premium Quality Ingredient, OTI Gluten-Free Fonio Flou r . According to this recipe, the quantity of Fonio needed is 1 tablespoon. You can add more depending on how thick you want your pancakes. Whisk until it's smooth and well mixed. Use OTI Coconut oi l to fry your pancakes for an amazing aroma. Heat your frying pan, pour a reasonable amount of OTI Coconut Oil. Fry them in batches and serve with some chopped fruits/ OTI Organic Honey This recipe was inspired by Back To Eden Healthy Foods , one of our distributors in Ghana. All ingredients in this recipe can be purchased at their store at Tema . Contact Back To Eden on +233(0)206441829

It is intriguing to note that exposure to UV rays can lead to premature over-development of the skin and signs of sun damage includes wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis not to talk of cancer. However, it is worth noting that UV, Ultra Violet, has high energy that is capable of cellular destruction of the skin and any other tissue of the body. With the huge surge noticed all around the world regarding people making their DIY organic natural skincare products, it’s not surprising that individuals are willing to make or have their own sunscreen products . How do we protect ourselves then? OTI Organic Coconut Oil is the perfect sunscreen for your skin. You should use Organic Coconut Oil because of its; 1. Antibacterial properties 2. Anti-inflammatory properties 3. Significant blockage percentage of UV. Organic Coconut oil is composed of these wholesome fatty acids, caprylic acid C, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. The significance of organic coconut oil and other plant-based oils is apparently unfathomable when you’re trying to live a natural and organic life. We are at that time of the year when we have great weather, lots of hot suns, and a longer duration of time spent outside the home. That means everyone in this season will be worried about the damaging effect the sun is going to have on their precious skin. If you ever think of sunscreen, Think OTI 100% Organic Coconut oil.

Notable for its properties to moisten the skin, Organic Ivory Shea butter is a vital ingredient in body creams, lip balms, and sometimes cosmetics due to its quality to eliminate elastosis. OTI 100% Organic Ivory Shea butter is fortified with skin-nourishing minerals like vitamin A, E, oleic, stearic, and linoleic acid that serves as a skin repairer, moisturizer, and rejuvenator. Here’s how OTI 100% Organic Shea Butter can be used in diverse ways to attain healthy and glowing skin. 1. OTI Shea Butter can erase or fade stretch marks Due to the high moisturizing and elastic nature of The OTI Organic Ivory Shea Butter, can fade away conspicuous stretch marks during and post-pregnancy. Using the OTI 100% Organic Ivory Shea Butter directly on the skin will not eliminate the already existent stretch marks outrightly, but there will be good progress with time and consistency. 2. OTI Shea Butter can soothe rough skin The application of OTI 100% Organic Shea butter to the elbows, knees, hands, and even the soles of the feet can elicit a skin-softening reaction. The OTI Ivory Shea Butter is subtle and gentle on the skin hence does not give any harsh effects. Apply OTI 100% Organic Ivory Shea Butter on affected areas, cover with cotton socks for a few hours and you will start to see the magic. 3. OTI Shea Butter can serve as an aftershave balm An Aftershave is any substance applied to the body after shaving. Shaving often makes the skin dry, hence the need for a moisturizer to soothe the skin. To achieve its maximum effect, rub a generous amount of OTI 100% Organic Ivory Shea Butter on your arms, beard, legs, or any shaved part of your body to make the skin smooth and fresh. The Pure and Authentic 100% Organic Ivory Shea butter is safe and ideal to apply on freshly shaved skin. I bet you would love it. 4. OTI Shea Butter can soothe rashes away OTI 100% Organic Ivory Shea butter can be effectively used to alleviate diaper rash or even heat rash after consistent application. Apply a reasonable amount of OTI Organic Ivory Shea Butter on the chafed or irritated skin area for instant and gentle relief from any burning sensation. OTI Ivory Shea Butter leaves the skin smooth and moisturized. There are several women’s cooperatives all over West Africa working to produce organic shea butter – the U.N.notes that organic shea butter provides a source of employment and income to many women. Ensure to purchase your Organic Shea Butter from Organic Trade and Investments , an export trading e-commerce company helping women in Ghana to speed up the agribusiness value chain.

The OTI African Black Soap , a medley of authentic organic ingredients, natural herbs, and oils including; Neem oil , Shea butter , aloe vera gel , and potash all produced from Ghana. The OTI African Black soap is 100% organic, free from palm, and has recognizable antibacterial properties. OTI African black soap is advantageous for all skin textures and does admirable wonders for your hair. The OTI African Black Soap lathers very fast hence it is one of the best options to prepare your DIY Shampoo. Let us learn the DIY Black Soap Shampoo. EQUIPMENT/INGREDIENTS NEEDED Medium-sized heating vat Mixing bowl Measuring spoon Wooden stirrer Grater (plastic or metallic) Storage bottle with a nozzle application tip 140grams of OTI African Black Soap 500ml or 0.5L of Filtered water 30ml of OTI Coconut oil 10ml of OTI Pure Honey 10 drops of Vitamin E 10ml of OTI Argan Oil METHOD With the use of the grater or a knife, break the OTI African Black Soap into smaller pieces and put them into a mixing bowl. Heat the filtered water under high heat until it boils Take your boiled water off the heat and pour the water over the grated OTI Black Soap in the mixing bowl. With your wooden stirrer, stir it slowly and allow the mixture to sit until it is molten. Turn on your stove’s heat moderately and heat the mixture for a while. After about 5 minutes, turn off the stove and allow the mixture to cool down. Put 10 drops of Vitamin E, 30ml of OTI Coconut Oil , 10ml of OTI argan oil , and 10ml of OTI honey into your cool mixture. Once the mixture has reached room temperature, the ingredients added will segregate, so with your wooden stirrer, stir until it mixes well. With a funnel, pour the mixture into your storage bottle for your personal use. This will take you not more than an hour to prepare. You can purchase the OTI African Black Soap in bulk from our e-store or our distributor KAB by calling +233 (0)246617495.