Fucus vesiculosus, a brown algal seaweed classified under the algae phylum, is found on submerged rocks on both coasts of North America. It is gathered from the rocks and dried rapidly in the sun, where it becomes brittle and is easily reduced to a coarse powder.
Plant extracts & derivatives
Plant extract aka botanical extract-based skin care products are one of the biggest trends in the beauty industry in recent years. Being naturally balanced and dense in active ingredients, botanical extracts are excellent fighters against skin aging and inflammation.
Galega officinalis L. (Fabaceae) is a herbaceous plant distributed through Asia to temperate areas of Southern Europe.
Mannentake mushroom (Ganoderma Lucidum) is one of the most valued plants in the Chinese pharmacopeia. It has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for a variety of diseases from traumatic wounds to inflammation.
Although the first recorded uses of Gentian (Gentiana Lutea) in medicine are on Egyptian papyrus, the ancient King Gentius of Illyria is actually credited with discovering its medicinal value.
Spotted Geranium, known as Geranium maculatum, is a native North American wild perennial that can grow up to two feet tall. The plant has long hairy stems, broad leaves that are segmented into toothed fifths, and five-petaled pink to lavender flowers from April to June.
The Chinese ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) tree bears a small, brownish-white nut that is used to treat asthma, coughs, wheezing, leukorrhea, and bladder irritability. The ginkgo nut is also considered to have detergent properties and an antibiotic effect against many pathogenic bacteria.
Ground ivy (Glechoma Hederacea) was one of the plants used by the early Saxons to clarify their beers before hops was introduced. Glechoma Hederacea was also considered an excellent cooling beverage, known in England as Gill Tea, and was used to purify the blood.
Glycine Max Callus Culture is an ingredient based on soy stem cells obtained by forcing differentiated soy tissues to return to the undifferentiated form. It is in liquid form derived from solid raw material by a special fermentation process.
Glycine max symbiosome extract is isolated from symbiosome lysates harvested in the early spring planting of soybeans when the root nodules are at their most active and potent state.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a member of the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. The generic name, Hydrastis, is derived from two Greek words, meaning ‘water’ and ‘to accomplish’.
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract is derived from seeds of Levant cotton, a botanical that conjures visions of natural materials and benefits from folklore and actual performance data. It combines the feeling of softness, freshness, and comfort.
Griffonia simplicifolia is a shrub native to Africa. Its seeds are rich in 5-HTP (0.75 – 1.20%), an amino acid involved in serotonin production that helps protect the seeds from UV-induced damage.
Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract is a natural gene-technology-based active ingredient developed to preserve optimal quality collagen networks. It is a comprehensive approach to the stimulation of essential collagen types.
Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. (Gesneriaceae) is a rare perennial herbaceous plant native to the Balkans. In Bulgaria, it can still be found in natural habitats.
American Indians used Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana) in skin solutions and applied compresses externally to soothe inflammations, burns, infections, inflamed eyes, and body aches.
This well-known evergreen climber is said to have been abundant at Nyssa, Bacchus's fabled home, in his youth. Ivy (Hedera Helix) has been considered helpful in relieving inflammation of the mucous membranes, and it has been used for its diuretic properties to relieve kidney disorders.
Hawaiian white ginger (Hedychium Coronarium) has been used internally and externally as a cleansing agent. Hedychium Coronarium has been considered useful in stimulating circulation and relieving muscle soreness and stiffness.
The scientific name of the genus, Helianthos, comes from two Greek nouns--helios for “sun” and anthus for “flower”. Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) seeds number about 650 to an ounce and are used for their oil in cooking.
In the Far East, the Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis) was the source of a black dye used for various purposes, from blackening shoes to tinting women's hair and eyebrows.