Acacia ( Acacia senegal)
While
Ancient Hebrews considered Acacia wood to be sacred, the Aztecs used
the gum as both a dye and food, eating the seedpods as an aphrodisiac.
See how we use acacia gum to add volume to fine hair in these favorites:
Algae ( Astaxanthin)
Certain
algae contains an anti-oxidant—25 times stronger than vitamin E—that
helps to protect from exposure to the elements. It's found in our
U.S.-patented Berry/Lipid moisture Complex, infusing five of our rich
lip formulas.
Favorites that contain algae:
Aloe ( Aloe barbadensis)
Possessed of strong soothing properties, this desert succulent is a source of moisture.
Favorites that contain aloe:
Annatto ( Bixa orellana)
Organically
grown to provide color to our Uruku makeup, this red seed pigment (also
known as uruku) has long been used in ceremonies to connect with the
spirit, and in daily life to offer protection from the elements.
Annatto oil, also drawn from the Brazilian urukum tree, has been used
for centuries to condition hair and skin—and now adds moisture and
smoothness to our Uruku formulas.
Favorites that contain annatto:
Avocado ( Persea gratissima)
As
early as the 8th century B.C., avocados were believed to be powerful
aphrodesiacs. Today, they are more prized for their nutritional
qualities and are used for the rich emolliency of their oil.
Favorites that contain avocado:
Babassu ( Orbignya oleifera)
Used
in rural Brazil for virtually everything from cooking oil to cleansers,
babassu is both the palm tree and the nut it produces. Babassu
oil—distilled from the nut—couples with coconut in a gentle cleansing
formula for hair care.
Favorites that contain babassu:
Beeswax ( Cera alba)
Sourcing
beeswax sustains a centuries-old ecosystem: bees are essential to
pollination of food crops and other plants; beekeepers sell the honey
and wax created by the bees in order to support the bees' habitat, as
well as their own small businesses and communities. Find beeswax in our
series of Earth Month candles.
Favorites that contain beeswax:
Beetroot ( Beta vulgaris)
First
cultivated during the Middle Ages in Europe for food—and increasingly
prized for medicinal purposes—beetroot is rich in carotenoids, plant
pigments that lend anti-oxidant properties.
Favorites that contain beetroot:
Bergamot ( Citrus aurantium bergamia)
Uplifting, citrus-y aroma renowned for its balancing Yang properties.
Favorites that contain bergamot:
Bilberry ( Ericaceae)
Thriving
on moors and in moist undergrowth, this fruit contains a high
concentration of anti-oxidants. Combined with blueberry and cranberry,
it helps protect lips from the environment.
Favorites that contain bilberry:
Black Tea ( Camellia oleifera)
Natural shine enhancer.
Favorites that contain black tea:
Blue Camomile ( Matricaria recutita)
High
azulene content is responsible for the skin-soothing power and
brilliant blue of this fragrant essential oil. Also used to help calm
and soothe the scalp.
Favorites that contain blue camomile:
Burdock ( Arctium lappa)
Traditionally
used in both Western and Chinese herbal medicine as an antiseptic and
detoxifier, this root helps remove excess sebum and buildup from hair.
Favorites that contain burdock:
Buriti ( Mauritia flexuosa)
Oil
derived from the buriti palm in Brazil—called the "tree of life" by
Amazon cultures, because everything necessary for survival can be
sourced from the tree. The oil enriches our cupuaçu conditioning
complex.
Favorites that contain buriti:
Butcher's Broom ( Ruscus aculeatus)
Traditionally believed to be an anti-irritant, this foaming herbal is also a natural cleansing agent.
Favorites that contain butcher's broom:
Camomile ( Chamaemelum nobilis)
Long valued as a calming remedy, this soothing anti-irritant—also known as matricaria.
Favorites that contain camomile:
Carnauba ( Copernicia cerifera)
This plant-derived emollient is the hardest known natural wax.
Favorites that contain carnauba:
Castor Oil ( Ricinus communis)
This rich emollient is a moisturizer cultivated by the Egyptians over 6,000 years ago for its tonic properties.
Favorites that contain castor oil:
Cedar (Juniperus scopulorum)
Traditionally
used by Native North Americans, cedar oil helps condition hair and
skin. Our cedar is sustainably harvested—collected by careful pruning,
rather than felling, of the tree.
Cinnamon ( Cinnamomum zeylicum)
Long valued in Asia as a spicy and energizing oil, cinnamon's bark can also be used as naturally derived sun filter.
Favorites that contain cinnamon:
Clary Sage ( Salvia sclarea)
Early
uses of clary sage were to improve vision and relieve eye
irritation—and in the 16th century, it was an ingredient in wine and
beer. Today it's used to help strengthen skin's barrier over time,
encouraging a more natural cellular turnover.
Favorites that contain clary sage:
Cocoa Bean ( Theobroma cacao)
The
Aztecs and Mayans believed cocoa—the chief ingredient in chocolate—was
a gift from their god Quetzalcoatl that held magical powers; aptly,
modern science calls it the "Food of the Gods." Just as chocolate is
yielded by the bean, cocoa butter is pressed from the seed. The result
seals in moisture and softens skin.
Favorites that contain cocoa bean:
Coconut ( Cocos nucifera)
Coconut
has been valued for thousands of years across cultures—it appears in
Sanskrit writings from the 4th century B.C., where it was known as "the
tree which provides all the necessities of life." Today it has as many
uses—from food, to fuel, to ritual totem. And it is used for its oil—to
soften and condition skin.
Favorites that contain coconut:
Coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea)
Popularly
known as echinacea, coneflower is believed to relieve cold symptoms
when taken internally. It is also applied externally, however, to
soothe and comfort irritated skin.
Favorites that contain coneflower:
Corn ( Zea mays)
A
staple food for Native Peoples—so valuable it was traded for furs—corn
has also shown its versatility: its husks have been used to make
moccasins and baskets, corncobs used in ceremonies, and today, its
starch helps products absorb into hair.
Favorites that contain corn:
Cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Native
to American soil, the cranberry has a long history of use by Native
Americans—as food, a fabric dye, in a poultice for arrow wounds, even
as a bartering tool. Because of its high concentration of
anti-oxidants, we combine it with blueberry and cranberry to help
protect lips in our ripe lip color formulas.
Favorites that contain cranberry:
Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus)
Refreshing ingredient naturally soothes the eye area.
Favorites that contain cucumber:
Cupuaçu ( Theobroma grandiflorum)
Derived
from the fruit pulp of a small rainforest tree in the chocolate
family—a food source for indigenous tribes and wildlife in
Brazil—cupuaçu butter is a primary ingredient in our cupuaçu
conditioning complex infusing formulas with moisture.
Favorites that contain cupuaçu:
Eyebright ( Euphrasia officinalis)
Commonly grown in Europe, this herb has traditionally been used for the topical treatment of eye inflammations and eye fatigue.
Favorites that contain eyebright:
Flax ( Linum usitatissimum)
One of the oldest plants in cultivation, flax seed yields an extract that is a natural holding agent.
Favorites that contain flax:
Green Tea ( Camellia sinensis)
Celebrated
as a tonic since its leaves "fell" into a Chinese emperor's cup nearly
5,000 years ago, green tea is rich in anti-oxidants. U.S.-patented for
our Full Spectrum™ Protective Permanent Creme Hair Color.
Favorites that contain green tea:
Honey
A natural humectant that helps hold your hair in place while adding shine.
Favorites that contain honey:
Iceland Moss ( Cetraria islandica)
Just as it helps heal and protect trees, this moss extract conditions and strengthens hair.
Favorites that contain iceland moss:
Japanese Knot Weed ( Polygonum cuspidatum)
Also known as Japanese bamboo or Japanese fleece-flower, knot weed is known natively as itadori, which means "heals the sick." Introduced to the West in the 19 th century as an ornamental plant, it now grows rampantly, making it an
innately renewable source for the potent anti-oxidant—resveratrol.
Favorites that contain japanese knot weed:
Jasmine ( Jasminum grandiflorum, Jasminum officinale)
Esteemed
in Asia, where its blossoms symbolize love or respect, this uplifting
floral is the source of an aromatic, smoothing wax. Its petals are
gathered by local women in Cairo under the moonlight—when the jasmine
oil is most abundant.
Favorites that contain jasmine:
Jojoba ( Simmondsia chinensis)
Because it so closely resembles the skin's own sebum, this oil is an extraordinarily compatible and effective moisturizer.
Favorites that contain jojoba:
Kaolin Clay
One of the most abundant minerals in the earth's crust, Kaolin clay derives its name from the Chinese kaoling,
meaning "high ridge," after the hill where it was first discovered. A
soft white clay often used to create fine porcelain, its natural
absorption and thickening qualities create a rich base.
Favorites that contain kaolin clay:
Lavender ( Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia)
This essential oil is soothing to stressed skin, refreshing and relaxing to both body and mind.
Favorites that contain lavender:
Lavender Water ( Lavandula angustifolia)
Used in aromatherapy for its calming and tonic effects, lavender water helps refresh hair and scalp.
Favorites that contain lavender water:
Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra)
This anti-irritant is also known as "sweet wood."
Favorites that contain licorice:
Lime ( Citrus aurantifolia)
Lime's
island aroma rejuvenates the senses. A versatile fruit with fragrant
aroma, lime is used in everything from cooking to cleansers; in the
Caribbean, lime trees are often planted for fences.
Favorites that contain lime:
Lippia
In
traditional Brazilian folk medicine, lippia has been used for centuries
for its soothing properties to remedy irritation and discomfort.
Favorites that contain lippia:
Lycopene ( Solanum lycopersicum)
This tomato extract is high in beta carotene, a natural source of vitamin A, which protects and strengthens skin.
Favorites that contain lycopene:
Mango ( Mangifera indica)
Prized
for its juicy, sweet inner flesh, mango is considered the apple of the
tropical world. But it is the mango's seed that—when pressed into a
"butter" that melts into skin—uses unique fatty acids to help condition
and hydrate.
Favorites that contain mango:
Marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis)
Extracts
of this reedy marsh plant—whose gum-like qualities led ancient
physicians to treat inflammation with its leaves—provide natural hold.
Favorites that contain marshmallow:
Meadowfoam ( Limnanthes alba)
A
seed oil that is highly moisturizing without feeling greasy. Extracted
from a ground cover that helps prevent erosion and provides an
alternative to forestry.
Favorites that contain meadowfoam:
Mineral-derived Pigments
From
simple salts to complex compounds—these naturally occurring substances
have been used for centuries for their heatlh-improving benefits.
Favorites that contain mineral-derived pigments:
Neroli ( Citrus aurantium)
Produced
from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, the ancient Egyptians
embedded Neroli—an "aphrodisiac"—in wax cones worn on the heads of
temple dancers. As the cones melted in the heat of the dance, the air
filled with revitalizing aroma. The precious essential oil infuses our
bath ritual with its uplifting properties.
Favorites that contain neroli:
Orange ( Citrus aurantium amara)
The
sweet, uplifting aroma of orange eases tension and promotes relaxation,
while its astringent properties make it excellent for skin and scalp.
Favorites that contain orange:
Orchid ( Cymbidium grandiflorum)
The oil of the orchid helps smooth and moisturize, mimicking the petal-light texture of the orchid itself.
Favorites that contain orchid:
Pennywort ( Centella asiatica)
In
Ayurveda, the ancient healing art of India, pennywort was believed to
be a brain strengthener and nerve tonic. The anti-oxidant-rich leaves
reduce skin irritation.
Favorites that contain pennywort:
Peppermint ( Mentha piperita)
Used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to flavor sauces and wines, today peppermint adds a refreshing flavor and aroma.
Favorites that contain peppermint:
Petitgrain ( Citrus aurantium amara)
This aromatic oil is traditionally inhaled to counteract nervous exhaustion, fatigue or stress.
Favorites that contain petitgrain:
Phellodendron ( Phellodendron amurense)
An aromatic tree native to East Asia, phellodendron is called huang bai in traditional Chinese medicine, and is commonly known as "corktree"
for the look and feel of its bark. We blend extracts of this bark with
sandalwood and barley to help smooth the hair cuticle.
Favorites that contain phellodendron:
Pine ( Pinus)
Pine,
in its many species, proved an all-purpose resource for early American
Indians, who used its aromatic resin widely—from a sealant in building
to a salve for burns. Today, its resin adds flexible, lasting hold.
Favorites that contain pine:
Pomegranate ( Punica granatum)
The
pomegranate, a Persian native, is one of the world's oldest known
fruits. Full of anti-oxidants, it's also a source of Vitamin B and
potassium.
Favorites that contain mineral-derived pigments:
Quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa)
Considered
sacred by the Inca Indians for its valuable life-supporting nutrients,
quinoa has flourished in the Peruvian Andes for over 5,000 years. Known
in Quechua, the language of the Incas, as chisiya mama or "mother grain," quinoa is very rich in protein—more than all other grains.
Favorites that contain quinoa:
Raspberry ( Rubus idaeus)
Members of the rose family that are rich in Vitamin C—raspberries rank near the top of all fruits for anti-oxidant strength.
Favorites that contain raspberry:
Red Clover ( Trifolium pratense)
Believed
by early Europeans to have power against witchcraft and evil spirits,
Red Clover has been used both as magical talisman and to soothe,
refresh and purify the skin.
Favorites that contain red clover:
Rice Bran ( Oryza sativa)
Smooth base oil that has its own sun protection qualities.
Favorites that contain rice bran:
Rose ( Rosa centifolia)
Long a symbol of love and beauty, this rich floral balances emotions.
Favorites that contain rose:
Rose Geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens)
Aveda's
rose geranium sourcing is a collaboration with 30 organic farms in
South Africa. Allowing local families to return to their farms and
villages from large cities—where living and working conditions can be
dire—farming the rose geranium is a first step for these families to
reclaiming their land and livelihood after apartheid.
Favorites that contain rose geranium:
Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis)
A natural antiseptic with an invigorating effect on both body and mind, used for centuries to cleanse and condition hair.
Favorites that contain rosemary:
Sandalwood ( Santalum spicatum)
An
ancient source of incense, this sensuously aromatic oil is reputed to
have a quieting effect on the skin as well as the temperament. Sourced
from sustainably managed forests in Australia.
Favorites that contain sandalwood:
Sap ( galactoarabinan, olibanum)
The potent sugar in this sap has proven unusually effective in conveying nutrients to hair.
Favorites that contain sap:
Soapwort ( Saponaria officinalis)
Rich
in natural cleansing ingredients, this luxuriously lathering herbal was
historically used for treating a variety of skin conditions.
Favorites that contain soapwort:
Soy Protein ( Glycine soja)
An
excellent conditioning ingredient that helps to deliver a buffered
lifting action to help protect the hair during processing.
Favorites that contain soy protein:
Spearmint ( Mentha viridis)
A light, minty oil with an uplifting aroma.
Favorites that contain spearment:
Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus)
Native
to Mexico and Peru, the sunflower was once revered by the Aztecs, in
Temples of the Sun. Today, the flower's seeds have a following of their
own. The light, clear oil extracted from the seeds is a superb
moisturizer. For color-treated hair, it seals in the cuticle to lock in
shine.
Favorites that contain sunflower:
Sweet-Grass ( Hierochloe odorata)
Long
believed by Native North Americans to dispel negative energy and elicit
emotional strength, we sustainably source sweet-grass.
Favorites that contain sunflower:
Tourmaline
One
of nature's most naturally energizing minerals, finely-powdered
tourmaline boosts skin's energy and radiance, creating a more potent
bioenergy field for our Tourmaline Charged cleanser, cremes, masques
and serums.
Favorites that contain tourmaline:
Vetiver ( Vetiveria zizanoides)
Warm and grounding base note known in the East as the "oil of tranquility."
Favorites that contain vetiver:
Wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens)
Best known for its strong, cooling flavor, wintergreen is part of a complex formula that helps shield against sun damage.
Favorites that contain wintergreen:
Lip Tint SPF 15
Ylang Ylang ( Cananga odorata)
This
sweetly seductive aroma is renowned as an aphrodisiac—in parts of Asia,
for instance, there is a centuries-old tradition of spreading the
flowers of the ylang ylang tree on the marriage bed of newlyweds.
Favorites that contain ylang ylang:
Yucca
Native
to the Southwestern United States, and a botanical relative of the
joshua tree, the yucca has soapy leaves which Native Americans use to
relieve numerous conditions including inflammation and arthritis.
Favorites that contain yucca:
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