- Birch, white: woodsy; Betula alba(family, Betu-
laceae); for soothing and clearing the skin of
psoriasis and eczema, relaxing muscles, and
stimulating circulation; from wood and bark,
France; production method: steam distillation;
blends well with patchouli, vetiver, copaila;
pregnant women should avoid birch
- Black currant seed and bud: oil; Rives nigrum
(family, Grossulariaceae); from Asia and Europe;
a carrier oil addition and bud oil; for use in per-
fume and foods; for premenstrual syndrome and
rich source of vitamin C
- Black pepper: spicy; Piper nigrum(family, Piper-
aceae); stimulates, warms, and tones; for
abdominal and muscle massage, especially
before sports or dance activity; for perfume and
as aphrodisiac; blends well with rose, rosemary,
marjoram, and lavender; may irritate skin; use
in small amounts; from India and Indonesia;
production method: steam distillation; blends
well with olibanum, sandalwood, lavender,
rosemary, marjoram
- Borage: seed oil; Borago officinalis (family, Borag-
inaceae); high content of gamma-linoleic acid
(GMA), may slow skin aging process; also used
as a carrier oil
- Brazil nut: nut carrier oil; Bertholletia excelsa
(family, Lecythidaceae); from the Amazon;
becomes rancid quickly; store in dark, cool place
- Cabreuva: oil; Myrocarpus fastigiatus (family,
Fabaceae [Legumunosae]); from a South Amer-
ican tree; warming, calming, and aphrodisiac
properties; for increasing alertness
- Cade: smoky; Juniperus oxycedrus (family,
Cupressaceae); from wood, France; production
method: steam distillation; for veterinary para-
sitic skin problems (lice, etc.), for men’s per-
fume, and as smoky flavoring in food
- Cajaput: camphoraceous; Melaleuca cajaputi
(family, Myrtaceae); for improving mood and
building resistance to infections, as steam
inhalation, and as treatment for oily skin and
spots; stimulant and irritant; use carefully; from
leaves and stems, Indonesia; production
method: steam distillation; also for use as anti-
septic, deodorant, insect repellent; blends well
with bergamot, birch, cardamom, clove, gera-
nium, lavender, myrtle, nutmeg, rose, thyme
- Calendula: Calendula officinalis (family, Aster-
aceae); for skin infections, wounds, rashes, bites,
and inflammations including hemorrhoids and
rheumatism (See also MARIGOLD)
- Calamint (catnip): mood elevator; Calamintha
clinopodium, C. grandiflora, C. officialis, Nepeta
cataria, Saurreja calamintha(family, Lamiaceae);
also for pain reduction
- Calamus (sweet flag): Acorus calamus, Calamus
aromaticus(family, Araceae); ancient herb that
has been used for more than 4000 years; from
India; high component of asarone, which may
be toxic and carcinogenic; plants that do not
contain asarone grown in North America and
Russia.
- Calophyllum: thick nut oil; Calophyllum inophul-
lum (family, Guttiferae); from Asia; for use as
carrier oil
- Camphor white: camphoraceous; Cinnamomum
camphora(family, Lauraceae); for oily or spotty
skin, as aphrodisiac, and as insect repellent, in
detergents, soaps, disinfectants, deodorants, and
room sprays; from wood, Japan, China; produc-
tion method: steam distillation; toning, cooling
properties; blends well with olibanum, ylang
ylang, orange, mandarin; use sparingly; not for
individuals who are pregnant or have epilepsy
- Canola (rapeseed): seed oil; Brassica napus (fam-
ily, Brassicaceae); used in cooking and as a car-
rier; original species contained up to 40 percent
erucic acid, harmful to the thyroid, kidneys, and
other internal organs; the genetically altered
species contains only about 1 percent of the
toxic acid
- Cananga: floral, calming, euphoric; Cananga
odorata(family, Annonaceae); muscle relaxant;
antidepressant properties; from flowers, Java;
production method: steam distillation; also used
as deodorant, skin conditioner; blends well with
bergamot, lavender, lemon, neroli, palmarosa,
sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang
- Caraway: minty; Carum carvi, Apium carvi (fam-
ily, Apiaceae [Umbelliferae]); aids circulation
and intestinal problems, muscle tension, skin
oils, essential 109
