The Romans called fennel the “herb of sight,” and recent studies show that fennel does have potential in treating glaucoma. In India and Pakistan, fennel flavors spicy dishes, and is chewed as an after-meal breath freshener. China combines it with other spices, and the Lebanese use it along with onions and flour in a special omelet recipe called ijjeh. The Germans and Italians mix fennel with avocado and chicory in salads, and it’s even an ingredient in toothpaste. The oil has a sweet-spicy scent similar to anise oil.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) belongs to the celery family Apiaceae, also known as Umbelliferae [1]. Considered by taxonomists to be the only species in its genus, fennel has feathery green leaves, small yellow flowers, and a swollen basal stem used in cooking for its anise-like flavor. The fennel plant is native to Mediterranean Europe and Southwest Asia, and has been naturalized in North America [1].

Fennel oil contains anethole, which explains why the oil is an essential part of aromatherapy. The polymers in fennel act as phytoestrogens, so the medicinal uses for fennel oil were established centuries ago. The present Chinese pharmacopoeia promotes fennel for vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain [2]. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia recommends fennel for flatulent dyspepsia, anorexia, and colic in children [2].

Fennel was also known in medieval Europe as a medicinal herb and a good luck charm. The English word fennel comes from the Middle English fenel or fenyl. This was a distortion of the Latin name foeniculum, which was a diminutive of the word for hay, faenum. So fennel literally means “little hay” because of its hay-like appearance! However, the English believed fennel to be of use to humans as well as livestock: fennel was one of the nine herbs in the Anglo Saxon Nine Herbs Charm used to ward away evil, along with wormwood and thyme.

Modern therapeutic applications for fennel oil are based on the past history of the essential oil as well as established medical reports, phytochemical investigations, and various other studies [2]. The results of those studies have made fennel oil a mainstream component in cough syrups, and carminative component in bowel and stomach remedies. Some people use fennel oil as a diuretic and a treatment for hypertension [2].

The first society to recognize the slimming attributes of fennel oil was ancient Greece. The Greeks drank a cup of fennel tea fifteen minutes before eating a meal and noticed a definite difference in their appetite. They decided that fennel oil fine tuned the digestive system so that food was turned into energy instead of fat.

That thought process is not a myth or old wives’ tale: fennel essential oil does remove blockage that impacts the liver, spleen, gall bladder, kidneys, and stomach [2]. The antimicrobial properties of fennel oil promote weight loss in aromatherapy treatments, and it treats gas, bloating, and indigestion at the same time [2]. Fennel oil may also be beneficial in treating the pain and discomfort associated with dysmenorrhea [3].

The expectorant qualities of the oil thin out excess mucus, which helps treat respiratory issues that reduce energy levels and slow down normal cell regeneration [2]. When energy is not converted to action of some kind, it is stored in adipose cells as fat. Fennel oil stimulates those cells and converts the fat back to energy.

In order to be effective in the fat-burning process, fennel oil impacts the metaphysical portion of the self as well. Fennel essential oil has the ability to enhance personal courage and strength. Those thoughts help the body burn fat [4].

The metaphysical explanation for this fat-burning process is that fennel oil keeps negative energy at bay so that positive energy manifests. The body reacts to positive energy by burning fat stored in cells in the stomach, thighs, and legs. Modern medicine is slowly recognizing metaphysical beliefs, and is using modern tools to measure fennel oil’s effectiveness in promoting weight loss.

REFERENCES

1. “Fennel”. Wikipedia. Last modified August 2nd, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennel.

2. “Health Benefits of Fennel”. Organic Facts. Accessed August 5th, 2014. http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-fennel.html.

3. Namavar Jahromi B, A Tartifizadeh, S. Khabnadideh. February 2003. “Comparison of fennel and mefenamic acid for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea”. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 80 (2): 153-7.

4. Zappia, Anthony. “Reducing Weight with the Help of Essential Oils”. WellBeing. Last modified July 17th, 2013. http://www.wellbeing.com.au/blog/reducing-weight-with-essential-oils/.

The allspice tree is one of those finicky members of the plant family that only grows in certain areas of the world. Jamaica is well known for allspice tree growth, so much that at one time it was believed that allspice trees grew only on Jamaica! But some South American countries including southern Mexico, the greater Antilles, and areas of central America have also been successful in growing and harvesting allspice berries. Different types of allspice berry oil are made using not only the berries, but the stems and leaves as well.

Allspice is Pimenta dioica, a tropical mid-canopy tree with broad shiny green leaves, white flowers, and tiny round green allspice berries that look like large brown peppercorns when dried [1]. Allspice was the name English settlers gave to the tree based on their belief that the dried fruits tasted like a mix of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, three very popular spices from the Moluccas in Indonesia [1]. Allspice is also called Jamaican pepper, English pepper, pimento, myrtle pepper, and newspice [1].

While ground allspice can be bought in most grocery stores, gourmands often prefer grinding their own whole allspice berries just before using them in recipes, in order to preserve the flavorful essential oils in the dried fruit. With its complex, clove-like flavor, allspice is a staple when it comes to flavoring classic desserts such as pumpkin pie, gingerbread, and pastries [1]. In Middle Eastern countries, allspice is used to flavor curries, and it imparts its sweet-spicy essence to classic Mexican and Caribbean dishes such as molé sauce and Jamaican jerk seasoning [1].

Allspice essential oil is made from the green allspice berries, which are gathered just before they are ripe and then sun dried. When allspice berries are steam distilled, very light and very heavy chemicals emerge, including eugenol, methyl eugenol, cineol, phellandrene, and caryophyllene [2].  Those chemicals are combined in allspice berry oil. Leaves and stems are also used to produce allspice oil, but the berry distillation process produces better oil. The end product doesn’t contain as much eugenol, so it’s kinder to sensitive skin.

The initial harvest of green allspice fruit takes place when the trees are eight years old. Ripe fruit loses its scent, so there is a time element involved in producing quality allspice essential oil from the soon-to-be-ripe fruit. Essential allspice berry oil can be combined with leaf and stem oil as well as clove oil. This mixture produces a fiery oil, and it should be used with care.

For centuries allspice berry oil has been used to treat insect bites, headaches, colds, muscle distress, aching joints, indigestion, and sinus issues [2]. It’s well known for its antioxidant value [3], so long-term users stand behind the claims that the oil reduces the signs of aging. Allspice berry oil is used to improve vision, to stop hair loss, improve hearing, and to relieve nervousness and mild anxiety [2]. The analgesic and anesthetic properties provided by the tannins in allspice berry oil [4], as well as the warming, cheering, and comforting effects of the oil, make it a rock star in the aromatherapy world.

The warm, spicy-sweet aroma, and balsamic body note of allspice cultivate a scent of pepper, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. Allspice berry oil is frequently combined with lavender, ginger, geranium, ylang-ylang, neroli, sweet orange, bergamot, and patchouli to enhance its healing properties, improve sleep patterns and to bring a sense of euphoria to each moment in the now.

The possible cancer-preventing as well as the carcinogen-inhibiting qualities of the oil [3], plus the antibacterial, digestive, and circulation benefits of allspice essential oil [2] puts it in a unique class of aromatherapy oils that have an impact on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the human psyche.

Allspice berry oil is used in a mist spray form as well as a massage oil and an inhaler. Steam inhalation and adding the oil to a bath are also popular ways to use this versatile oil that can reduce cellulite, relax the body, relieve cold symptoms, and reduce annoying flatulence. Care should be used when working with allspice oil topically, as the eugenol content means it can be irritating to sensitive skin as well as mucous membranes [5]. Allspice oil should always be diluted in a carrier oil before use. People with hemophilia or liver disease should consult a doctor before using allspice berry oil [5].

In this modern age, allspice berry oil tops the list of natural aromatherapy essential oils that can help the cells regenerate without frustrating side effects.

REFERENCES

1. “Allspice”. Wikipedia. Last modified June 11th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allspice.

2. “Allspice Essential Oil (Pimento Berry/Leaf)”. AromaWeb. Accessed August 13th, 2014. http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/allspice-oil.asp.

3. Zhang, Lei, and Bal L. Lokeshwar. December 2012. “Medicinal Properties of the Jamaican Pepper Plant Pimenta dioica and Allspice”. Current Drug Targets 13(14): 1900-1906.

4. Millehan, Jan. “What Are the Health Benefits of Allspice?” Livestrong.com. Accessed August 13th, 2014. http://www.livestrong.com/article/408917-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-allspice/.

5. Tisserand, Robert, and Rodney Young. 2013. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Professionals. 2nd Edition. Churchill Livingstone.  

Basil oil and basil leaves share a rich history with modern humans. Indigenous societies were the first people to discover the amazing properties of basil and the oil derived from the plant. It has been cultivated around the world for thousands of years. During the early years it was also used to treat headaches as well as to enhance the sex drive.

Pliny, the Roman author and naturalist, claimed it was an aphrodisiac, and the Greek physician Dioscorides prescribed it for headaches, but his contemporaries used it as horse feed during breeding season. In modern aromatherapy, basil oil is used to lift the spirits and cheer the mind, especially when melancholy and sorrow overwhelm active thoughts.

Being a polymorph, basil oil comes in different strengths and is offered in a variety of scents and compositions. Scented basil oils range from lemon, clove, and cinnamon in aroma, and when green and purple curly lettuce leaf basil plants are steam distilled, they yield another type of oil.

There are two varieties that are used to extract large quantities of  basil essential oil in this modern aromatherapy era. The first variety is Exotic basil, which is grown and distilled on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. The European type of basil is also used to produce commercial essential oil. It was originally harvested and distilled in Southern France, but is now cultivated in America as well. The constituents that give basil oil its flavor and aroma are methyl chavicol, linalool, and eugenol.

Reunion basil contains camphor but very little linalool. It has a harsh, woody aroma and is not used on its own in aromatherapy, since those qualities don’t conform to the energizing and refreshing elements found in a sense of well-being. Basil oil is often mixed with lavender, geranium, clary sage, and bergamot to give it balance and a more pleasing aroma. Sensitive skin may react to the methyl chavicol, so basil oil is often diluted with another carrier like vegetable oil to prevent skin redness.

The basic uses for essential basil oil are to stimulate the adrenal cortex, decrease anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and to treat symptoms of bronchitis, indigestion, gout, fever, and colds. It has hot and cold qualities that can pep up circulation or invigorate sluggish skin. When basil is combined with thyme, it’s a powerful antiseptic.

In aromatherapy, basil oil is used in baths, inhalers, massages, and facial masks. Basil is still popular as a culinary seasoning, but the essential oil of basil is a valuable friend that can help relieve common cold symptoms as well as rejuvenate and promote emotional stability. Basil has been a soul protector as well as a body protector for centuries. It’s no wonder the early Egyptians offered it to the gods.

Clary sage is one of those ancient herbs that worked magic when it was put into the eye to relieve mucus, or when it was combined with Muscatel wine to produce a heightened level of intoxication. That ability earned it the title of “muscatel sage” in Germany. During the Middle Ages it was called “Oculus Christi” because it had the ability to clear foreign objects out of the eye and increase vision. In 16th-century England it replaced hops in the beer-brewing process.

The clary sage plant is native to Southern Europe, but it grows in the US, Russia, Morocco, England, and Central Europe. The plant has large heavy green leaves with a hint of purple, and the plant produces small flowers that are either blue or purple. The essential oil is obtained by processing the leaves and flowers using the steam-distillation method. Clary sage essential oil may have a yellow-green appearance, but it can also be clear, with a sweet, nutty-herbaceous scent.

The composition of clary sage oil is unique since it has a high content of esters, like lavender and petitgrain. Seventy-five percent of the ester is linalyl acetate. Esters are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and they complement rather than impede the nervous system. One of the most unique qualities of clary sage is that it blends well with other oils like cedarwood, bergamot, lavender, geranium, sandalwood, roman chamomile, jasmine, orange, rosewood, neroli, and ylang-ylang.

The essential oils that result from various clary sage combinations produce some powerful aromatherapy treatments that help alleviate an assortment of physical and mental ailments. The rich portions of linalyl acetate as well as other phytochemicals like diterpene, sclareol, myrcene, flavonoids, and rosmarinic acid, make the oil an excellent fragrant compound.

The calming parasympathetic nervous system reaction to clary sage, especially when it is diluted in a warm bath, has been well documented in cultures around the world. This versatile aromatherapy oil has a compound similar to estrogen in its chemical components, so it balances hormone secretion, and that has a positive effect on the hair growth cycle. Clary sage oil helps reduce excess hair oil, and it stimulates dormant hair follicles so they return to the anagen (growing) stage in the hair growth cycle.

Clary sage oil is also used as an antiseptic for surgical incisions, wounds, and post-natal injuries. It is also a depurative agent that helps remove toxins from the blood through sweating. The oil is classified as an oral toxin, so it should be used with care, and should not be used during pregnancy since it contains camphene and camphor. Still, this powerful oil has the ability to help heal a variety of skin, hair, respiratory, and mental issues when it is used responsibly.

Elegant and colorful geraniums graciously compliment gardens across America, but they are native to South Africa, Madagascar, Morocco, and Egypt. Geraniums were introduced to Spain, Italy, France, and England in the 17th century, and they made their way to America around the same time.

These beauties were considered sacred messengers in old Anglo-Saxon beliefs about the god Wotan. The fertility power of the geranium petals was one underlying belief, but they were also prominently displayed in ceremonies to attract prosperity and abundance. Modern research has identified a hormone-balancing ability in geranium oil, so those old fertility claims may not be as crazy as the medical profession said they were back in the 20th century.

Geranium oil has natural antiviral, antibiotic, anti-fungal, antidepressant, analgesic, antiseptic, and astringent properties and it also has deodorizing capabilities. The oil has cicatrisant properties as well, so it is used to reduce the appearance of surgery scars, acne, and minor burns. The regenerative properties of this essential oil make it an excellent choice when wrinkles and flabby skin develop as the body ages. There are 700 different varieties of geraniums, but only ten of them produce an essential oil.

The astringent quality of geranium essential oil helps alleviate eczema and psoriasis and the antimicrobial properties help heal cuts, scratches, and other minor abrasions. The oil is also an effective treatment for ringworm. Bruises and even hemorrhoids can be treated with geranium oil since it interacts with cells not only in the skin, but with cells in other organs in the body.

This cellular interaction impacts the hormones, so geranium oil is very effective when it comes to treating excessive hemorrhaging and menstrual problems. Hot flashes disappear since the oil is balancing hormone secretion. The oil also helps support normal liver and kidney functions because of its interaction with the adrenal glands.

The uplifting emotional qualities of geranium oil are also obvious. While the oil is creating a balance between dry and oily skin, it is also relieving excess stress and anxiety at the same time. Hormonal messages are sent to the brain as well as to the cells in the skin and other organs. A sense of well-being permeates the body and mind so tension, depression, fluid retention, eczema, edema, bruises, cellulite, and menstrual irregularities are addressed, especially when the oil is used in an overall wellness program.

Geranium oil can be massaged into the skin, diluted in a bath, or blended with bergamot, lavender, citronella, jasmine, clary sage, neroli, and cedarwood to alleviate a plethora of skin issues and balance cellular regeneration.

Myrrh has rock-star status around the world thanks to gold and frankincense. Egyptian, Hebrew, Aramaic, Indian, and Chinese texts have written about the magical qualities as well as the value of myrrh for centuries. The Egyptians used it for embalming; the Hebrews used it for incense; it was traded by camel caravans in Arabia, and the Chinese and Indians used it as medicine.

The New Testament as well as neo-pagan significance has kept myrrh in the minds of billions of people; it has never lost its ability to mystify cultures around the world.

Popular pharmaceutical uses for myrrh include toothpaste, mouthwash, and gargles because of its antiseptic qualities, but myrrh oil does much more than that when its energy-moving abilities are recognized.

Myrrh essential oil has a special efficacy when it comes to heart, liver, and spleen functions, and it has the power to purge stagnant blood from the uterus. Over the years, myrrh oil has been used in aromatherapy to alleviate arthritic, rheumatic, and circulatory issues and uterine tumors.

One of myrrh’s latest accomplishments is its ability to lower LDL cholesterol and increase beneficial HDL cholesterol, which opens a plethora of doors in terms of treating internal well-being. Myrrh oil is used in a variety of medical as well as cosmetic products, so the list of internal and external uses for myrrh is a long one, especially when new products are considered.

The Egyptians recently developed an oral drug which contains myrrh that treats parasitic ailments, and in Italy researchers have discovered that myrrh can produce analgesic effects by interacting with opioid receptors.

One of the most important uses for myrrh oil is on older, mature skin. Dehydrated, traumatized, dry, and very distressed skin will react to an aromatherapy oil treatment using myrrh oil. Even chapped heels react to myrrh oil. The oil prevents skin degeneration, and after a few treatments the skin is rejuvenated. Myrrh oil interacts with skin cells to eliminate the free radicals that destroy the cells. Toxins damage skin cells, and the result of that damage manifests as dry, chapped skin in some areas and saggy, wrinkled skin in other areas.

Myrrh oil contains limonene, eugenol, a-pinene, cuminaldehyde, m-cresol, cadinene, heerabolene, formic acid, acetic acid, and other sesquiterpenes and acids. The combination of these chemical compounds gives myrrh oil antiseptic, astringent, anti-microbial, diuretic, antiphlogistic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, balsamic, diuretic, cicatrisant, fungicidal, tonic, and vulnerary therapeutic properties.

Myrrh oil research continues where the ancients left off, so it is safe to say that myrrh is still worth as much as gold in terms of health and skin care.