Author Archives: Keith Cleversley

About Keith Cleversley

A record producer turned herbalist and author, I'm passionate about plants that have rich spiritual traditions or psychoactive effects on our bodies and minds.

How to Make Essential Oils From Scratch at Home

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Essential oils are one of the most concentrated therapeutic agents available in complementary and alternative medicine, and for aromatherapy it is usually best to buy therapeutic-grade, professionally produced essential oils. However, if you want to obtain essential oils for non-therapeutic uses without breaking the bank, you can easily learn how to make essential oils from scratch at home. While some plant materials require special equipment and processing, others can be steam distilled in your own kitchen. The great benefit of learning how to make essential oils from scratch at home is that it allows you to affordably produce larger batches of oils for use in crafts like soap and candle making, as well as blending your own perfumes. Read on to learn the basics of making essential oils at home.

What is an Essential Oil? An essential oil is a concentrate of the volatile compounds found in aromatic plants. These compounds can easily transition from one phase state to another; in this case, from a liquid to a gas when heat is applied to the raw plant material. Steam distillation uses steam to vaporize these volatile compounds and liberate them from the plant material as a gas. This vapor is then cooled, separated from the water vapor that is also distilled from the plant material, and piped into a condenser where it reforms into a pure essential oil.

Distilling Essential Oils at Home

Purchase or build a steam distiller: You handy types out there can find many instructional sites on how to build a steam distiller. Alternatively, you can purchase a distiller: models start at about $200, affordable if you plan on making a lot of essential oils. The crucial elements of any distiller are a large pot with a grated compartment or perforated shelf, like a vegetable steamer; a condenser to collect and cool the steam produced by distillation; and a separator or essencier, which passively separates the oil and water distillate (called a hydrosol) into different containers.

Harvest or buy raw material: If you can, it’s best to harvest your own plant material, as it will be fresher and you’ll have a better idea of its quality. Research the harvesting instructions for the type of plant oil you want to distill, so that you know what part of the plant to harvest for its oil; many species have an optimal season for harvesting, and the time of day may also make a difference. If you’re buying plant material for distillation, look for undamaged whole plant parts (never powdered) and, if possible, ask the seller when they were harvested.

Dry your plant material: It’s usually advisable to dry plants out of direct sunlight, although some species such as lavender and peppermint are dried in the field after being cut. In any case, don’t over dry your plants—make sure they’re still supple rather than brittle—and don’t get them wet once they’ve dried. Steam distill your material as soon as possible after drying.

Add water to the reservoir of your steam distiller: Use soft, clean water and make sure there’s enough for the length of the distillation you want to do. This will depend on the amount and type of plant material you’re distilling; some types of raw material can take up to 6 hours to distill. Place your dried raw material onto the grate or false bottom of the reservoir above the water, making sure the material doesn’t touch the sides of the still. There should also be at least 1 inch between the plant material and the water level.

Set the water boiling and close the lid of the still: Keep an eye on your still to make sure the distillate keeps condensing and flowing through the tubes; at some point you may need to add more water to the condenser to continue the cooling process. Once the distillation is finished, you can filter your essential oil through cheesecloth to remove any plant residues if you wish.

Place your finished oil into a container: Use a dark glass or stainless steel container with an airtight lid to store your finished essential oil. Steam distillation also produces a hydrosol, or aromatic water; you can use this on its own as a fragrance, discard it, or return it to the reservoir if you plan to make another batch of oil immediately.

Things to remember: Essential oil yields vary widely from plant to plant, and in all cases you will need a lot of raw material to produce just a few ounces of essential oil. If you’re planning on frequently distilling essential oils, it may make sense to invest in a large distiller (40 liters or so) and make larger batches at a time. Also, the materials in your distiller count: it’s best to use stainless steel elements and glass—never plastic—tubing, since these materials are nonreactive. Copper pots can also work with many plant materials but may react with some to produce impurities; this can be fixed by buying a bronze pot (copper alloyed with tin) instead. Aluminum pots are fine for distilling many essential oils but may react with plants that contain phenols, such as clove and wintergreen, so it’s important to know the composition of your plants before you start.

Finally, remember that essential oils are often found in fragile parts of the plant such as the hairs, veins, and glands. Be careful not to break these if you’re harvesting your own plants, and handle the harvested material as little as possible before distilling it. You’ll end up with a higher yield of essential oils for all your hard effort.

Sweet Orange Oil as an Immune Stimulant and Nerve Tonic

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One of the most celebrated fruits in the world, sweet oranges account for up to 70% of all citrus species cultivated today. Sweet orange essential oil is also one of the most versatile essential oils, with an extensive list of household and medicinal uses. Produced as a byproduct of pressing orange juice, sweet orange essential oil can be used as a household detergent (especially on treated wood), hand cleanser, fragrance, and in aromatherapy. Sweet orange oil is a yellow-orange to dark orange mobile liquid with an unmistakable sweet citrusy fragrance. It blends well with lavender, myrrh, other citrus oils such as lemon and neroli, and spice oils such as clove, cinnamon and nutmeg.

The sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is likely a hyrbid of the tangerine and pomelo, two other citrus species. Native probably to Southeast or East Asia, the sweet orange tree is a small evergreen with white flowers; the round fruit has a bright to dark orange peel. Orange cultivation may date as far back as 2500 BC in China, and there are now many varieties of orange and orange hybrid, including the blood orange, tangelo, bitter orange, navel, and Valencia orange. While historians believe the bitter orange was known in Southern Europe since the Crusades of the 1100s—where it was used for medicinal purposes—the sweet orange did not arrive in Europe until the late 15^th or 16^th century, through trade with the Middle East. Sweet oranges were considered a luxury item in the 1500s, and rich nobles would grow them in greenhouses called orangeries. Spanish colonists later brought the first oranges to the New World via Hispañiola and other Caribbean islands. Today, Brazil, California and Florida produce the most oranges for the worldwide produce market [1].

The simplest way to use oranges is simply to eat them fresh! People also love squeezing orange pulp to make juice, as well as grating the rind—called the zest—to flavor baked goods, liqueurs and savory dishes. In the centuries before refrigeration, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch sailors planted orange groves along their trade routes so they could harvest the vitamin C-rich fruits as a defense against scurvy. Even today, in situations where the nutritional value of food must be maximized while generating a minimum of food waste, oranges play a crucial role: though not as tasty as the pulp, submarine crews will often eat orange peels on long voyages [1].

The uses of sweet orange essential oil are almost as various as the uses of the fresh fruit. As a cleanser, sweet orange oil can be added to water and used to wash down surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom counters, sinks, and toilets, where it acts as a strong natural antiseptic [2]. Adding a small bit of orange oil or lemon oil to a wooden counter or cutting board can also revitalize wood that has been stained with food, ink or coffee residues.

Medicinally, sweet orange essential oil has both mild stimulant and sedative qualities on different organ systems: inhaled or applied via massage, it can boost sluggish digestion and be helpful in combating indigestion, flatulence, or lack of appetite, and may also stimulate the lymphatic system [3]. Conversely, sweet orange oil may also act as a mild nerve sedative, promoting calmness while also lifting the mood [4]. It has noted benefits for the skin because it supports the formation of collagen, the connective tissue within cells, and can also help the body get rid of excess fluid by acting as a mild diuretic [4]. Besides its direct antiseptic action on infections such as the common cold, sweet orange oil helps stimulate the immune system to stave off opportunistic illnesses [5].

If you choose to work with sweet orange essential oil in a massage blend, be sure to wait at least 24 hours before exposing treated skin to sunlight to prevent a possible photosensitizing reaction. Or simply diffuse the fruity, refreshing scent of orange oil into your living room or bathroom to perk up the senses and energize the mind with every breath.

REFERENCES

1. “Orange (fruit)”. Wikipedia. Accessed May 13th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_(fruit).

2. Dabbah, Roger, VM Edwards and WA Moats. 1970. “Anti-microbial action of citrus fruit oils on selected food-borne bacteria.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology 19 (1): 27-31.

3. Morton, Julia F. 1987. “Orange: Medicinal Uses” In: Fruits of Warm Climates pp 134-142. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/orange.html#Food%20Uses.

4. “Health Benefits of Orange Essential Oil.” Organic Facts. Accessed May 13th, 2014. http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/orange-essential-oil.html.

5. “Sweet Orange Essential Oil Uses”. Naturally Healthy Families. Last modified October 11th, 2011. https://naturallyhealthyfamilies.wordpress.com/tag/sweet-orange-essential-oil-uses/.

Myrtle Oil and Its Uses in Mediterranean Herbalism and Folklore

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If you’ve ever been to a formal English garden, you’ve probably seen myrtle (Myrtus communis) without even knowing it. Because of its dense foliage and springy branches, myrtle is favorite plant of topiary artists, along with holly, privet and bay laurel. A large fragrant bush native to North Africa and Southern Europe, myrtle has been a staple of herbalism and folklore in this region for millennia. In aromatherapy, myrtle essential oil is usually diffused as a general antiseptic and expectorant to clear sinus congestion [1], and used topically as a skin tonic [2]. The oil is a pale yellow to orange mobile liquid with a fresh, herbal-camphoraceous odor reminiscent of eucalyptus.

The myrtle bush grows up to 5 meters (16 feet) tall and has lance-shaped leaves, small white flowers, and dark purple berries; rarer varieties also produce pale yellow or amber berries. In Greek, Roman and Jewish traditions, myrtle symbolized renewal and love: the herb was sacred to Aphrodite, goddess of love (called Venus in Roman times) and to Demeter, the goddess of the harvest. Relatedly, myrtle has remained one of the plants traditionally associated with matrimony in Europe and the Mediterranean Middle East. Since the plant was associated with virility and the masculine forces of the universe, girdles of myrtle leaves were often given to Jewish bridegrooms on their wedding nights, and the leaves and flowers still appear in wedding bouquets today [3].

An equally lively use for myrtle involves harvesting its leaves and berries and steeping them in alcohol to create a fragrant liqueur called mirto, a popular libation on the Southern Italian island of Sardinia, and also in Corsica. Mirto comes in two varieties: mirto rosso, or “red” mirto, made from the mytle plant’s dark purple berries; and mirto bianco, or “white” mirto, derived from myrtle leaves and sometimes the rarer yellow berries. The practice of making mirto may be connected to myrtle’s medicinal uses in the Mediterranean: Dioscorides, a Greek physician credited with creating the first Western compendium of herbal medicine, recommended a potion of myrtle leaves in wine for treating bladder and lung infections [2].

According to the 16th-century physician Culpeper, myrtle leaves have drying and binding properties and are suitable for treating diarrhea and dysentery [4]. They were also a primary ingredient in Angel’s Water, a 16th-century skin care tonic [1]; it was at about this time, with the invention of the greenhouse, that myrtle bushes were first sucessfully grown year-round in England for use as topiary plants.

Topiary Elephants in Tropical Park, Bangkok, Thailand

Topiary often assumes fanciful shapes, such as these topiary elephants in a tropical park near Bangkok, Thailand.

Today, myrtle is cultivated throughout the Mediterranean for its essential oil. Besides its tonic benefits for the skin, myrtle essential oil can be diffused to treat colds, congestion, and persistent coughs [1]. Myrtle essential oil is currently being researched as a potential herb to support the thyroid gland [5], and it may also be useful in tamping down an overactive thyroid. There has also been extensive research on two compounds in the stem and leaf, Myrtucommulone A and semimyrtucommulone B, demonstrating significant antioxidant properties in lab tests [5]. As a perfume, the refreshing, slightly sweet scent of myrtle blends well with herbaceous and slightly spicy oils such as bay, clary sage, clove, hyssop, lavender, rosemary and thyme.

REFERENCES

1. “What is Myrtle Oil?” WiseGeek: Clear Answers for Common Questions. Accessed May 12th, 2014. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-myrtle-oil.htm.

2. Ryman, Danièle. “Myrtle (Myrtus communis)”. Aromatherapy Bible. Accessed May 14th, 2014. http://www.aromatherapybible.com/myrtle.html.

3. “Myrtus“. Wikipedia. Accessed May 14th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtus#Common_myrtle.

4. Culpeper, Nicholas. 1816. Culpeper’s Complete Herbal. Published by Richard Evans; pg. 242.

5. Charles, Denys J. November 27th, 2012. Antioxidant Properties of Herbs, Spices and Other Sources. Springer.

Hyssop Oil and Its Ancient Use in Ritual Purification

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The warming, slightly camphoraceous scent of hyssop oil has been associated with rites of purification, cleansing and sanctification since Biblical times. In aromatherapy, hyssop essential oil has antiseptic, expectorant, and cough suppressant properties [1], and is often included in diffusion blends to chase away winter colds, sinus congestion, and feelings of melancholy. Hyssop essential oil is a colorless to pale yellow-green liquid that blend well with other herbaceous and floral oils such as angelica, clary sage, geranium, melissa, and rosemary.

Hyssopus officinalis is a shrub native to the Middle East, Southern Europe, and Eastern Europe in the region around the Caspian Sea. It has lance-shaped leaves and produces bundles of blue, pink or white flowers during the summer. Hyssop was known to the Greeks in Classical Antiquity, and some scholars have suggested the word hyssop derives from the related Hebrew word esov or esob, which refers to a plant used in the Old Testament to purify temples and other sacred places. Hyssop also appears in the Bible as a treatment for leprosy. However, some scholars have argued that the hyssop of the Bible is actually a kind of thyme or marjoram, two other aromatic plants with similar antiseptic and cleansing properties.

Whatever the ancient truth, hyssop remained popular as a strewing herb in medieval European churches because it drove away fleas, which carried plague, as well as lice and other pests. Inspired by this use, some Roman Catholic sects still interpret Hyssopus officinalis as the hyssop of the Bible and use the flowers and leaves to scent the water used in purifying rituals called aspersions[1].

Fresh hyssop herb is also used in cooking, although sparingly because it has a strong minty taste with a slightly bitter edge due to the presence of tannins. Along with coriander seed, hyssop leaves are also a part of the complex and closely guarded recipe for Chartreuse liqueur, which makes use of over one hundred different aromatic plants! Bee keepers also sometimes raise bees on hyssop nectar to produce a richly aromatic honey [1].

As a medicine, hyssop essential oil may be diffused to ease respiratory complaints such as congestion, cough, and asthma [2]; it is currently listed in the British Pharmacopoeia for addressing colds and bronchitis [2]. In a massage, hyssop oil acts as a circulatory stimulant, making it helpful for reducing menstrual discomfort, healing bruises and sores, and managing the pain of rheumatism [3]. The oil may also ease digestive complaints when applied to the abdomen [2].

Hyssop essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy, and should not be given to children or people with epilepsy, kidney or liver disease [4], or high blood pressure [2], as hyssop oil can induce a mild increase in blood pressure. Use hyssop essential oil in dilution on the skin, or simply inhale the oil from a diffuser to quickly access its gentle, clarifying benefits.

REFERENCES

1. “Hyssopus officinalis“. Wikipedia. Accessed May 10th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyssopus_officinalis.

2. Lawless, Julia. 2013. “Hyssopus officinalis” In: The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well-Being. Conari Press.

3 Grieve, M. “A Modern Herbal: Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)” Accessed May 14th, 2014. http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/hyssop48.html.

4. Millet Y, P Tognetti, M Lavaire-Perlovisi et al. 1979. “Experimental study of the toxic convulsant properties of commercial preparations of essences of sage and hyssop.” Rev. Electroencephalogr. Neurophysiol. Clin. 9: 8-12.

Indian Natural Essential Oils

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India is one of the epicenters of herbal medicine, with an Ayurvedic tradition that is thousands of years old, so it’s no surprise that Indian natural essential oils are some of the most highly valued in aromatherapy. At the Essential Oil Exchange, we strive to honor the historical and cultural context of the essential oils we offer. Below, we take a closer look at the four Indian natural essential oils that have stood the test of time as healing agents in Ayurveda and beyond.

Sandalwood: (Santalum album) Sandalwood is a parasitic evergreen tree with smooth, brownish gray bark and small purple or white flowers. Extremely long lived, sandalwood trees must be allowed to reach at least 30 years of age (and preferably 60 years) before their wood can be harvested. Also called aloeswood in the Hindu scriptures, the woody-balsamic aroma of sandalwood essential oil has been associated with feelings of the sacred and is commonly used in meditation to ground the psyche and create a sense of being connected to the universe. Sandalwood oil is also burned in Hindu temples and used as an anointing oil to open the third eye chakra—the center of intuition, clairvoyance, and imagination.

Therapeutically, sandalwood essential oil can work wonders in balancing skin that is either too dry or too oily [1]. The oil may also soothe sensitive or irritated skin, reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars [1], elevate mood, and increase mental focus [2]. It is also notably used as an aphrodisiac [2], along with jasmine and patchouli oil.

Sandalwood incense is world famous for its pure, grounding scent.

Vetiver: (Vetiveria zizanoides) A hardy grass whose roots anchor the soil around rivers and watercourses, vetiver is also the source of a thick, viscous essential oil. Vetiver essential oil, distilled from the plant’s fibrous roots, is used in up to 25% of all Western perfumes both as a fixative and for its slightly sweet, earthy, almost animalic scent. In India, screens and mats woven from vetiver grass are used to repel insects; water can also be sprinkled on vetiver grass screens to create fragrant, cooling breezes.

Vetiver oil is used in aromatherapy to ease states of nervousness, promote calm, and address occasional sleeplessness [3]. Aromatherapists have even explored the calming effects of vetiver oil for panic attacks and and flashbacks [4]. In massages, the oil may be used as a tonic for mature skin, to speed wound healing and reduce scarring, and to treat eczema and irritated skin [3]. The smell of vetiver oil acts to open the root chakra, increasing feelings of groundedness and security.

A single blade of fresh vetiver grass.

Patchouli: (Pogostemon cablin) Anyone familiar with the hippy era of the ‘60s is probably also familiar with patchouli essential oil. Though it became popular in that back-to-nature era as an earthy fragrance with aphrodisiac qualities, patchouli has an even longer history in India. Patchouli is a large herbaceous shrub in the mint family, with serrated green leaves and small white or pink flowers. Its name probably comes from the Sanskrit words patch and ilai, together meaning “green leaf”. Patchouli leaves were used as a wound poultice in India because of their antiseptic and anti-infectious properties [5], and were also placed in clothing chests to drive off textile moths. During British rule in India, clothing imports often came packed with patchouli leaves to protect them enroute; as the fragrance became associated with expensive Asian goods, merchants started scenting their wares with patchouli oil to give them a more “exotic” feel—even if they weren’t imported!

Like most other Indian natural essential oils, patchouli oil has a roster of benefits for the skin, including toning mature skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and moisturizing dry skin [6]. The scent of patchouli oil is rich and earthy: just inhaling it can have positive calming and stress-reducing effects [6]. For this reason, patchouli oil can also be used to center the mind before meditation. Patchouli opens the heart and sacral chakras, enabling the practitioner to let go of obsessions, jealousies and insecurities.

Patchouli delivers diverse benefits to the skin when used in spa treatments.

Spikenard: (Nardostachys jatamansi) Sometimes called Indian valerian because of its similar calming properties, the aromatic roots of spikenard have been used as an incense by Buddhist monks and Nepalese shamans literally for thousands of years. A montane plant native to the Himalayas between altitudes of 11,000 and 17,000 feet, spikenard has been used in India as a perfume, skin tonic, and medicinal plant for supporting the immune system [7]. Spikenard has an especially long spiritual history in both South Asia and the West: spikenard oil appears in the Bible multiple times, most notably as an ingredient in the ointment used to anoint Jesus’ feet at the Last Supper.

A botanical color plate of a spikenard plant in bloom.

Spikenard essential oil is frequently added to valerian root essential oil as an adulterant, since the oils have very similar therapeutic actions. In aromatherapy, spikenard oil soothes the mind and helps one to let go of the need for control, a common side effect of a strong will. Spikenard’s grounding effect on the psyche can combat occasional sleeplessness, while its anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects are valued in treating migraines and headaches, irritated skin, allergic skin reactions and rashes, wounds, and even dandruff [8]. Used in a meditative practice, spikenard essential oil opens the heart and solar plexus chakras, helping one to be comfortable in their own skin and relax into the present moment.

REFERENCES

1.Keville, Kathy. “Aromatherapy: Sandalwood” HowStuffWorks. Accessed May 16th, 2014. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-sandalwood.htm.

2. Wong, Cathy ND. “Sandalwood Essential Oil: What You Need to Know.” Alternative Medicine: About. com. http://altmedicine.about.com/od/aromatherapy/a/Sandalwood-Essential-Oil.htm.

3. “Vetiver Essential Oil: Benefits and Uses”. AromaWeb. Accessed May 15th, 2014. http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/vetiver-oil.asp.

4. “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder”. West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy. Accessed May 16th, 2014. http://www.westcoastaromatherapy.com/free-information/articles-archive/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/.

5. Das, Kuntal, Nilesh K. Gupta, S. Vijayabhaskar, and U.M. Manjunath. April-June 2011. “Antimicrobial potential of patchouli oil cultivated under acidic soil zone of South India.” Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery 3 (2):104-111.

6. “Patchouli Oil Benefits”. Patchouli Plant .com. Accessed May 14th, 2014. http://www.patchouliplant.com/patchouli-benifits.html.

7. Rowan, Tiffany. “How to Build Your Immune System With Essential Oils.” Accessed May 16th, 2014. http://tiffanyrowan.com/essentialoils/how-to-build-your-immune-system-with-essential-oils-before-the-cold-and-flu-season-hits/.

8. “Health Benefits of Spikenard Essential Oil”. Organic Facts. Accessed May 15th, 2014. http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-spikenard-essential-oil.html.

Elemi Oil and Its Anti-Inflammatory Properties for the Skin

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The little-known elemi essential oil is sometimes called “poor man’s frankincense” because of its similar aroma and list of uses in aromatherapy. But don’t let the name fool you: elemi oil may be more economical to produce because it comes from a fast-growing tropical tree, but it is in no way an inferior product. Elemi essential oil can be used in many of the same applications as frankincense oil. In fact, researchers now know that elemi (Canarium luzonicum) is related to both frankincense and myrrh, and the oil has similar antiseptic, skin tonic and anti-inflammatory actions [1].

Elemi trees can grow up to 98 feet (30 meters) tall in their native Philippines, where the tree’s pale yellow resin is harvested to make a gum which is then distilled to produce elemi essential oil. Called pili in Tagalog, the elemi tree gets its English name from the Arabic word elemi, which means, roughly, “above and below”: a reference to the belief that elemi oil supports both physical and spiritual health [2]. Elemi trees begin to produce resin after losing their leaves during the dry season, and the gum is then harvested in two commercial grades: primera, which has been cleaned of foliage and other residue before export from Manila; and secunda, a crude form of the gum which may contain leaf or twig residue.

Archaeological records show that elemi was traded widely in the Mediterranean Middle East and made it as far west as Egypt, where the ancient Egyptians used the oil in embalming mixtures as a fixative. Elemi oil was also used in Europe as a skin tonic for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, there was a lot of confusion in Europe about where exactly elemi oil came from: in the 17th and 18th centuries, the term elemi was freely applied to a number of resinous tree species, including the Icica genus native to Brazil and other members of the Boswellia genus, which includes the frankincense tree [2]. These different species were grouped together because they all produce resinous gums that can be used in skin treatments and to treat infections, so people confused them with elemi oil. The root word of elemi is now thought to be enhaemon, the name of an unidentified medicine written about by Pliny that was supposedly derived from the resin of a kind of Arabian olive tree.

Now of course, we know that true elemi essential oil comes from the Philippines. Besides its uses in aromatherapy, elemi oil is an ingredient in varnish, hand soaps, and incense blends. Therapeutically, elemi essential oil may be inhaled from a diffuser as an expectorant to treat congestion and sinusitis [3]. Like its cousin frankincense, elemi oil can be a remarkable skin tonic when used in massages, reducing the appearance of scars, bringing relief to irritated, infected, or inflamed skin, and revitalizing mature skin [3]. Its anti-inflammatory actions can be beneficial for treating nerve pain, sore joints, and muscle soreness [4]. Elemi essential oil’s warm aroma is emotionally uplifting and stimulating, good for relieving feelings of stress, mental exhaustion and tiredness [4].

REFERENCES

1. “Elemi Essential Oil”. Quinessence Aromatherapy. Accessed May 20th, 2014. http://www.quinessence.com/blog/elemi-essential-oil.

2. “Canarium luzonicum” Wikipedia. Accessed May 15th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canarium_luzonicum.

3. “What Is Elemi?” WiseGEEK: Clear Answers for Common Questions. Accessed May 20th, 2014. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-elemi.htm.

4. Wilson, Roberta. 2002. Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty. Penguin Books: 67-68.

Cinnamon Leaf Oil is an Anti-spasmodic with Warming Properties

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Who doesn’t love the spicy, warm fragrance of cinnamon? Whether used in cuisine or aromatherapy, cinnamon’s sweet, pungent, slightly spicy aroma is recognized worldwide. A little-known fact about cinnamon is that two varieties of the oil are used in aromatherapy: we’ve already covered the medicinal uses of cinnamon bark oil, and it is to the gentler but equally effective cinnamon leaf essential oil that we now turn.

Distilled from the leaf of the cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum verum syn. zeylanicum) [1] rather than the bark, cinnamon leaf oil is lighter in color, has a softer scent more reminiscent of cloves, and is less sweet-smelling than the bark oil. Cinnamon leaf essential oil is also more versatile in aromatherapy since it contains smaller amounts of potentially sensitizing compounds such as cinnamaldehyde.

Though the cinnamon tree is native to Indonesia, it is also cultivated in India, Sri Lanka and elsewhere for its bark and leaf. One of the oldest spice commodities, cinnamon was an important trade good between China, India, and the Mediterranean world; it was used as a temple incense in Greece, and the Egyptians used cinnamon oil in foot massages, to ease childbirth, and to stem excess bile that led to indigestion [1]. In the Middle Ages, ground cinnamon was added to mulled wines and was an important aphrodisiac in love potions, probably because of its warming effect. The word cinnamon likely comes from the Greek kinnamon, meaning tube or pipe, a reference to the tube-like appearance of cinnamon sticks [1].

In aromatherapy, cinnamon leaf is considered a tonic for the respiratory, endocrine, and nervous systems, and recent research has found that cinnamon leaf and bark oils have antimicrobial [2] and anti-inflammatory [3] actions. Research is also being done on the potential for supplements of ground cinnamon to regulate blood sugar in diabetics [4].

Though mainly used in diffusion, cinnamon leaf oil is sometimes added to hot baths or compresses in minute quantities. Cinnamon leaf oil may be diffused and inhaled to treat respiratory infections, colds, sneezing, and to alleviate feelings of weakness or low energy [5]. In a warm bath or oil blend, cinnamon leaf essential oil is often used to calm digestive spasms and imbalances in secretions that can cause nausea, diarrhea or indigestion [6]. Cinnamon leaf oil is also used to reduce pain in sore muscles and arthritic joints, to relieve chills, and to treat delayed or painful menstrual flow [5]. Though generally gentler than the bark oil, cinnamon leaf oil may still irritate sensitive skin and should be used very sparingly in any oil blend.

REFERENCES

1. “Cinnamon”. Wikipedia. Accessed May 14th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon

2. Chaudhari, LK, BA Jawale, S Sharma, H Sharma, CD Kumar, and PA Kulkarni. Januaru 2012. “Antimicrobial activity of commercially available essential oils against Streptococcus mutans”. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice 1(13): 71-4.

3. Tung, YT, PL Yen, CY Yin, ST Chang. October 2010. “Anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils and their constituents from different provenances of indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum) leaves”. Pharmaceutical Biology 48(10): 1130-36.

4. Subash, Babu P, S Prabuseenivasan, and S Ignacimuthu. January 2007. “Cinnamaldehyde–a potential antidiabetic agent”. Phytomedicine 14 (1):15-22.

5. Lawless, Julia. June 2013. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: the Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well-Being. Conari Press.

6. “Glossary – Cinnamon Leaf Oil”. TrueNatural. Accessed May 16th, 2014. http://www.truenatural.com/glossary/entry/cinnamon+leaf+oil/.

Essential Oils for Massages

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Massage is probably one of the most effective methods of aromatherapy, combining the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy with those offered by essential oils. If you’re interested in exploring essential oils for massages in aromatherapy, there are a few things you need to know to make sure your essential oil experience is safe, pleasant, and most of all, effective.

The term “massage” refers to a number of different therapies involving the manual manipulation of soft tissues such as the skin and muscles to produce a therapeutic effect, such as pain reduction. In aromatherapy massage, the massage strokes themselves may be very light; the goal is to facilitate the penetration of essential oils into the skin and deeper tissues. People can and often do self-massage with essential oils that target specific problems: rubbing a bit of lavender oil onto the temples to treat a headache is a simple example of massage aromatherapy.

The first rule when using essential oils for massages is to know which essential oils are appropriate for massage and which aren’t. A few essential oils are never used in massage because they contain ingredients that can be toxic in large doses, or that are strongly irritating to the skin. Essential oils that should not be used in massages include cassia, cinnamon bark, mugwort, pennyroyal, wintergreen, and wormwood oils.

Some essential oils that carry some risk of sensitization may still be used sparingly and with care in massages. Examples of potentially sensitizing oils are clove bud, fennel, fir needle, oakmoss, oregano, palmarosa, pine needle, thyme, and verbena essential oils. A small number of oils—primarily citrus oils—also have the potential to be phototoxic or photosensitizing, meaning that they create dermal irritation when skin is exposed to sunlight after application. Photosensitizing oils include angelica, bergamot, blood orange, bitter orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and tangerine oils.

Though opinions differ among aromatherapy practitioners, the general rule for using essential oils in massages is to dilute the full-strength oils in a carrier oil. When diluting an essential oil in a carrier oil, the ratio is approximately 12 drops of essential oil to 30 mL or 1 fluid ounce of a carrier oil base. If you’re using multiple essential oils in a massage blend, remember that the ratio is 12 drops total of essential oil to carrier oil, so you’ll only need to add a few drops of each essential oil in the blend. Please note that this is an adult dose; for guidelines on using essential oils with children, you should consult a knowledgeable health care practitioner.

Carrier oils are usually nut, seed, or vegetable-based oils such as sweet almond, apricot kernel, avocado, grapeseed, jojoba, wheat germ, or olive oil. Many of these carrier oils are high in nutrients such as vitamin E (sweet almond and wheat germ oils) and vitamins A, C and B-complex (avocado oil), giving them moisturizing and nourishing benefits for the skin all on their own.

Most nonsensitizing essential oils can be used in massages. However, there are definitely some oils that stand apart for their therapeutic benefits when added to a massage blend. Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular essential oils for massages to give you something to get started with:

Rosemary Essential Oil: Rosemary oil is used in massages to treat sore muscles and joints as well as headaches and migraines [1]. Some aromatherapists employ it as a skin tonic to fight cellulite, especially in the thigh region [2].

Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender oil has a calming effect on the nerves and is often applied in minute quantities to the temples to reduce headaches [3]. As a skin salve, lavender oil is helpful in the treatment of minor cuts, insect bites and burns [3].

Peppermint Essential Oil: Due to its high concentration of menthol, peppermint oil has a cooling and numbing effect on the body and is commonly used to treat irritated or inflamed skin [4]. A massage with peppermint oil may also improve circulation, suppress nausea, and stimulate digestion [5].

Clary Sage Essential Oil: Clary sage oil is a well-known antispasmodic that is often used to soothe cramps and painful menstruation [6]. The oil may also help regulate skin secretions [6], and its sweet, herbaceous scent brings joy to anyone who smells it.

Along with classic massage, another technique to maximize the therapeutic effect of essential oils is to use a hot compress: this method uses heat and moisture to drive essential oils deeper into the target area of the body for greater effect. To make a hot compress, you should first apply a carrier oil to the area of the body you want to treat, and then add a few drops of your essential oil or oil blend. A helpful blend for cramps can be made by combining clary sage, marjoram, geranium, lavender, and cypress oils. Wet a towel with hot tap water, place it overtop the treated area, then place a dry towel overtop. Lie down with the hot compress in place for 15 to 20 minutes and you should experience noticeable relief.

REFERENCES

1. “Rosemary Herb Oil Medicinal Uses and Benefits”. Annie’s Remedy. Accessed May 21st, 2014. http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail51.php.

2. “Natural Ways to Remove Cellulite”. Livestrong. Last modified March 12th, 2014. http://www.livestrong.com/article/179423-natural-ways-to-remove-cellulite/.

3. “What are the health benefits of lavender?” Medical News Today. Last modified September 10th, 2013. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922.php.

4. “Peppermint.” University of Maryland Medical Center. Last modified May 7th, 2013. https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/peppermint.

5. “The Essential: 6 Uses for Peppermint Oil”. June 4th, 2013. Mighty Nest Blog: Living a Healthy, Engaged and Mindful Life. http://mightynest.com/blog/the-essential-6-uses-for-peppermint-essential-oil.

6. Keville, Kathy. April 30th, 2007. “Aromatherapy: Clary Sage”. HowStuffWorks. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-clarysage.htm.

Camphor Oil as a Topical Analgesic for Sore Muscles and Sprains

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Say camphor oil and many people have visions of mothballs stuffed in a musty old closet somewhere. It’s true that camphor was a prime ingredient in repellents used to protect textiles from being eaten by moths, but the smell of our distilled white camphor essential oil is much subtler, with a strong mentholic top note and just a hint of the medicinal about it. In aromatherapy, pure camphor essential oil is used as a topical analgesic for sore muscles and joints [1], a general antiseptic [2], and an expectorant that can open respiratory passages and clear congestion [1].

Native to the East Asian countries of China, Japan and Taiwan [3], the camphor tree (Cinnamonum camphora) can grow up to 100 feet (35 meters) tall and has been used for medicinal and construction purposes for hundreds of years. The pungent camphor essential oil is extracted from the chipped wood, branches and stumps of the tree and then further fractionated to yield white, yellow, and brown camphor. The yellow and brown oil fractions can contain between 10% and 80% safrole, a toxic and carcinogenic compound, so they are never used in aromatherapy.

Historically, camphor oil was employed as a treatment for plague and an embalming ingredient in ancient Persia [4]; camphor wood’s durability and insect repellent properties also made it a natural building material for Chinese temples and sailing ships. White camphor essential oil contains no safrole and is used in a variety of aromatherapy applications today. It is most well known as the primary ingredient of Chinese Tiger Balm, a salve used to treat sore muscles and sprains. The essential oil is used in dilution as a topical anaesthetic for muscle soreness and joint pain [4]. Camphor essential oil may produce skin sensitization, so it should always be diluted in a carrier oil, lotion, or salve.

Depending on the chemotype, camphor essential oil can contain high levels of the compound camphor, a cooling compound similar to the menthol in peppermint oil. Camphor has expectorant and numbing analgesic properties [5]. Linalool, another component of camphor oil [5], has been studied for its potential stress-relieving properties in rats and is a major component of lavender oil [6]. The sharp, medicinal-minty smell of camphor oil can increase feelings of alertness and sensitivity to one’s surroundings—give yourself a whiff whenever you’re feeling tired or groggy and feel your senses stand to attention.

REFERENCES

1. “Camphor: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings”. WebMD. Accessed May 22nd, 2014. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-709-CAMPHOR.aspx?activeIngredientId=709&activeIngredientName=CAMPHOR&source=0.

2. “Camphor-Medicinal Uses”. Wikipedia. Accessed May 22nd, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor#Medicinal.

3. “Cinnamomum camphora“. Wikipedia. Accessed May 22nd, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamomum_camphora.

4. Gentry, Pamela. “Camphor Essential Oil Uses and Benefits”. Accessed May 22nd, 2014. http://www.ehow.com/way_5459333_camphor-essential-oil-uses-benefits.html.

5. Frizzo, Caren D, Ana C Santos, Natalia Paroul, Luciana A Serafini, Eduardo Dellacassa, Daniel Lorenzo, and Patrick Moyna. October 1st, 1999. “Essential Oils of Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora Nees & Eberm) Cultivated in Southern Brazil”. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 43: 313-16.

6. Nakamura, Akio, Satoshi Fujiwara, Ichiro Matsumoto and Keiko Abe. 2009. “Stress Repression in Restrained Rats by (R)-(-)-Linalool Inhalation and Gene Expression Profiling of Their Whole Blood Cells”. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 57 (12): 5480-85.

List of Essential Oils by Plant Part

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There really is an amazing variety of essential oils out there. Essential oils are extracted from the roots, bark, heartwood, seeds or fruits, leaves and even resins of various plants. In the interest of continuing to be a comprehensive resource on essential oils, we’ve included a brief list of the essential oils we sell organized by plant part used.

Bark: Essential oils extracted from tree bark often have an earthy or spicy aroma and usually come from trees whose bark contains high levels of volatile oils, such as the cinnamon tree.

Essential oils: Cassia, Cedarwood, Cinnamon Bark.

Berry or Fruit: Some plant products that we think of as seeds, such as caraway and coriander, are technically berries or small fruits. In essential oil manufacture, these fruits are frequently dried and then steam distilled to produce an oil.

Essential oils: Allspice Berry, Black Pepper, Caraway Seed, Coriander, Juniper Berry.

Flowers: Undoubtedly the most famous types of essential oils are those derived from flowers. Widely used in perfumery and spa treatments, flower-based essential oils include such aromatic powerhouses as rose, jasmine, and lavender oil. This category also includes some entries we normally don’t think of as flowers at all, such as clove, which is actually a type of flower bud.

Essential oils: Clove Bud, Chamomile (German), Chamomile (Roman), Geranium, Helichrysum, Hops, Lavender, Jasmine, Magnolia, Myrtle, Neroli, Rose, Ylang Ylang.

Heartwood: The richest of woody scents is derived from distilling the heartwood of trees with aromatic properties. Heartwood-derived oils typically are very grounding and calming, suitable for use in meditation or for easing states of nervousness.

Essential oils: Camphor, Cedarwood, Palo Santo, Rosewood, Sandalwood.

Leaves and flowering tops: This is the largest category of essential oils, as most aromatic plants contain essential oil glands in their leaves. Many Mediterranean edible herbs, such as oregano, basil, and bay laurel, release essential oils from their leaves when heated, which suggests that cooking may once have been the earliest method of essential oil extraction.

Essential oils: Basil, Bay, Bay Laurel, Catnip, Cinnamon Leaf, Citronella, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fir Needle, Geranium, Hyssop, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Melissa, Mugwort, Myrtle, Niaouli, Oregano, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Pine Needle, Radiata, Ravensara, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Spruce, Sweet Annie, Tea Tree, Thyme, Verbena, White Sage, Wintergreen, Wormwood, Yarrow.

Peel: Essential oils extracted from citrus fruits are in a class of their own: too delicate for steam distillation, citrus oils are extracted from the rind of the fruit by compressing it in a method called cold extraction or cold pressing.

Essential oils: Bergamot, Blood Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Sweet Orange, Tangerine.

Resins: Some plants produce gummy exudates known as resins to protect themselves from extreme temperature changes and predatory insects. Often, these natural resins yield essential oils with health benefits for humans as well. Resin-based essential oils include famous Biblical commodities such as labdanum, frankincense, and myrrh.

Essential oils: Elemi, Frankincense, Labdanum, Myrrh .

Roots: Roots anchor the plant in the ground and help support its structure; it makes sense that oils distilled from roots have similar supportive and grounding properties for the human psyche. Root-based essential oils can add substance and balance to an oil blend, and are commonly used in contemplative practices.

Essential oils: Ginger, Spikenard, Vetiver.

Seeds: After leaves, seeds were probably one of the earliest flavoring ingredients used in cooking, as well as being a vital part of herbal medicine. Seeds are frequently crushed to begin the release of their aromatic compounds, and then steam distilled.

Essential oils: Angelica, Anise, Cardamom, Carrot Seed, Fennel, Nutmeg, Star Anise.

Of course, this list is not meant to be comprehensive—it would take a whole book, or possibly several, to give you a complete guide of all the essential oils on the market. By providing a guide to our essential oils according to plant part used, we hope to cover the most popular and therapeutically useful essential oils, while also giving our customers a deeper appreciation of the plants that form an integral part of aromatherapy.