Balm Mint - Melissa officinalis . Very mild extract, ideal for sensitive skin and skin prone to rashes and other allergic reactions. An anti-irritant and sedative, it soothes and calms the skin and scalp and promotes healing.

Balsam Tolu - Myroxylon toluiferum . Antiseptic and antibacterial widely used in topical preparations for its healing properties, and in hair tonics and antidandruff products. Sometimes also used as a fragrance.

Balsam Peru Essential Oil - An amber coloured semi-solid mass exuded from the trunk after it has been stripped of bark. Rich, sweet vanilla-like aroma. Helps give a gloss and sheen to the hair.

Basil ( Ocymum basilum ) - Beneficial for its cleanser and relaxing properties. Containing high concentrations of Vitamin A and C.

Bay Leaf Oil - Laurus nobilis . Essential oil obtained from the leaves of the bay laurel tree indigenous to the Mediterranean. Often used as a spice or fragrance, it also acts as a scalp clarifier and tonic.

Bay Rum - Pimenta racemosa . Essential oil native to the West Indies. A tonic for skin and scalp, widely used in men's colognes and aftershaves for its fresh, spicy scent. (See also Pimenta Leaf Oil .)

Beeswax - Apis mellifera . Obtained from the honeycomb of the honeybee. A natural thickener and emulsifier.

Beet Root Extract - Beta vulgaris . The extract or juice of beets, used as a natural red color.

Benzoin Gum, Benzoin Bark - Styrax benzoin . Natural antiseptic and astringent with antioxidant and preservative properties. Promotes healthy skin and scalp. A tincture is used in dentistry to treat inflammation of gums.

Bergamot Essential Oil - Pure essential oil of bergamot is expressed from the peel of the citrus fruit. It is refreshing, uplifting and can also be relaxing. It has antiseptic properties.

Beta-carotene - Orange or red compounds, precursors to vitamin A, which occur naturally in plants. Essential for skin health.

Bicarb Soda - Sodium bicarbonate is a mild abrasive, cleansing and whitening.

Biodynamic Avocado Oil - Unrefined Avocado oil, which is dark green in colour, contains vitamins A, B1, B2, Pantothenic acid and E as well as lecithin. It is excellent for dry and wrinkled skin.

Bilberry Fruit - Vaccinium myrtillus . Astringent and tonic, the extract of the berries has been shown to increase capillary strength. A source of natural fruit acids, used in facial masks and lotions to promote exfoliation and encourage a more rapid turnover of skin cells. (See Fruit Acids .) Taken internally, bilberry is said to improve night vision and help prevent macular degeneration.

Biodynamic Macadamia Oil - Highly nourishing oil that is suitable for all skin types, especially dry and mature skins. This oil helps reduce moisture loss from the skin and is naturally resistant to oxidation.

Biodynamic Tea Tree Oil - The pure essential oil from the leaves of the Tea Tree is a potent antiseptic and anti-bacterial and is excellent for the treatment of acne.

Biotin - Also known as vitamin H, biotin is part of the B vitamin group. It is an important factor in the growth of tissue and the proper functioning of the oil glands. A biotin deficiency can lead to dry skin, seborrheic dermatitis and the formation of dandruff and crusts in the scalp. Biotin is vital for the maintenance of a normal fat metabolism, and is essential for hair growth and scalp health.

Birch - Leaves the skin soft and silky. It has antiseptic and aromatic properties and is helpful in activating and enlivening damaged hair. Very beneficial to the skin. It is also useful in hair loss preparations.

Bitter Almond Oil - Amigdalus communis . Essential oil used as a skin softener. Sometimes added to cosmetics for its mild, pleasant scent.

Bitter Orange Extract - A natural antimicrobial with broad-spectrum activity, developed for the food industry. Biodegradable. Non-toxic.

Black Currant Extract - Ribes nigrum . A source of natural fruit acids used in face masks and lotions to encourage a faster turnover of skin cells.

Black Pepper - Piper nigrum . Essential oil steam distilled from black peppercorns. Tonic and antimicrobial. Blended with other essential oils, it creates a distinctive spicy fragrance.

Bladderwrack Extract - Fucus vesiculosus . Seaweed rich in alginic acid, amino acids, polysaccharides, minerals and vitamins. Its essential oil is a stimulant and tonic. It is often used in massage lotions and some hair and scalp care products.

Blueberry Leaves - Vaccinium . The leaves of the blueberry make a mild, soothing tea that is an excellent, non-drying skin tonic.

Bluebottle - (Cornflower) Centaurea cyanus . A moisturizing agent for the skin.

Blue Camomile - Matricaria chamomila . Also known as German Camomile, its essential oil is deep blue in color and has a lovely fragrance. An antimicrobial and tonic, very soothing to scalp and skin.

Blue Cypress Oil - Callitris intratropica . Essential oil widely used in Australia for its woody fragrance and germ-zapping properties. A natural disinfectant and freshener, blue cypress oil makes an excellent addition to bath products and room deodorizers.

Blue Green Algae - Aphanizomenon flos aquae . Made up of 50% to 70% utilizable protein, blue green algae is an excellent food, used for thousands of years for its mild taste and easily assimilated nutrients. A good source of enzymes, minerals, trace minerals and antioxidants, its amino acid profile is virtually identical to that of humans, which makes it more readily absorbed by the skin. Used in hair care products for its protein content, it helps revitalize and condition dull, damaged hair.

Borage Oil - Borago officinalis . Nutrient-dense oil high in rare gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), also found in human breast milk. An anti-inflammatory and soothing agent, very beneficial for some dry skin conditions. Combined with Rosa Mosqueta® oil and alfalfa extract, borage oil is an excellent ingredient for dry or mature skin preparations.

Burdock - Arctium lappa . Antiseptic and antibacterial used topically to calm certain skin conditions. Its oil extract smoothes and revitalizes the hair and tones and soothes the scalp. An excellent ingredient in conditioners, anti-frizz hair care products and styling aids for coarse, curly, hard-to-handle hair. Has a cleansing calming and healing action, and may also promote hair growth. Known to eliminate impurities from the body Burdock root has been used as a remedy against skin cancer in China, India, Canada and Russia. Herbalists praise it as an excellent remedy for acne and eczema. Burdock is said to restore the smoothness of the skin and promote hair growth.