Abstract: The invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for providing or restoring beneficial bacteria to a subject. The compositions and kits optionally include food or nutrients to promote growth and proliferation of the bacteria in the subject or an antimicrobial agent to reduce the presence of undesirable or pathogenic microbes in the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for providing or restoring beneficial bacteria to a subject. The compositions and kits optionally include food or nutrients to promote growth and proliferation of the bacteria in the subject or an antimicrobial agent to reduce the presence of undesirable or pathogenic microbes in the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for reducing odor, bitterness, astringency and pungency of a Simmondsins extract by dissolving the Simmondsins extract in a solvent if the Simmondsins extract is in a dry form, reacting the liquid Simmondsins extract with a carbonaceous adsorbent, such as activated carbon, to obtain a mixture, separating the adsorbent from the mixture to obtain a purified liquid extract, and drying the purified liquid extract.

Abstract: An emollient composition is derived from jojoba oil comprises:at least 10% by weight fatty alcohols comprising:R.sup.1 CH.sub.2 --OHat least 10% by weight of alkyl esters comprising:R.sup.1 --COO--R.sub.4andwax esters selected from the group consisting of:R.sup.1 --COO--CH.sub.2 --R.sup.2andR.sub.2 --COO--CH.sub.2 --R.sub.1,wherein R.sup.4 comprises an alkyl or other aliphatic group,R.sup.1 comprises CH.sub.3 --(CH.sub.2).sub.7 --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.x --, andR.sup.2 comprises CH.sub.3 --(CH.sub.2)y whereinx is 6, 8, 10 and 12, and y is 16, 18, 20 and 22.These emollient compositions may be used as emollient carriers for various materials to be externally applied to the skin.