Archive for November, 2010

« Older Entries

Elemi Essential Oil | Aromatherapy Oil Benefits

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Botanically referred to as Canarium luzonicum, elemi is a tropical plant native to the Philippines. Elemi essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant. Elemi oil is yellow in color and has a very pleasant and soothing aroma. Elemi oil has a citrus-like smell, and it is extremely refreshing and invigorating. Some of the benefits of elemi oil are listed below.

  • Elemi oil is an excellent expectorant, helping in removing mucous and phlegm from the respiratory tract. As such, elemi essential oil helps prevent and cure coughs and colds. It also helps cure chest congestion and chronic bronchitis. Elemi essential oil can also be used for steam inhalation to treat sinusitis and catarrh.
  • Elemi essential oil is a potent analgesic, and hence, it is used to treat muscular pain. It can be topically applied and massaged to the affected area to reduce pain.
  • Elemi essential oil is a powerful anti-microbial agent, inhibiting the growth of microorganisms including both bacteria and virus. As such, it helps prevent microbial infections and boosts immunity. Elemi oil also helps in the quick healing of wounds, thereby preventing abscesses.
  • Elemi oil is known for its balsamic properties and is a potent sedative. It helps soothe your nerves and muscles, thereby relieving depression, stress, and tension. It also helps relieve insomnia.
  • Elemi essential oil is a potent fungicide, providing relief from fungal infections of the skin.
  • Elemi essential oil is also a tonic for the body as it rejuvenates the body’s organs and physiological processes, thereby strengthening the body.
  • Elemi essential oil is also known for its anti-aging properties and is very helpful for rejuvenating mature skin. It helps in the cell regeneration, thereby rejuvenating the skin, reducing the pace of natural degeneration or even ageing.
  • Elemi oil also helps cleanse your body, especially the urinary system. It is thus a powerful laxative.
  • Elemi essential oil has a very pleasant aroma, and on account of former, it is used as an ingredient in preparations of soaps, detergents, incense sticks, and perfumes.
  • Elemi essential oil can also be used as a flavoring agent in various culinary preparations.

Elemi essential oil should always be diluted with carrier oils like coconut or olive oils, especially for topical application. It generally does not have side-effects as it is non-irritant and non-toxic; however, pregnant and lactating mothers must refrain from using elemi essential oil. Also, you must consult your aromatherapy specialist before using the oil.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Aromatherapy Oils | No Comments »

Davana Essential Oil | Aromatherapy Oils

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Davana plant is native to southern parts of India. It is a small evergreen herbaceous plant with a sweet smelling fragrance. Its scientific name is Artemisia Pallens. Davana plant belongs to the daisy family. It has bluish green leaves with small yellow flowers. Also, it grows up to a height of nearly 30 to 40cm. Usually; davana plants grow around sandalwood trees. Davana essential oil is obtained through the process of steam distillation of freshly picked davana plant flowers. Davana oil is slightly viscous and brownish in color, with a sweet and refreshing fruity aroma. It is known and has been used for its excellent medicinal properties for centuries.The most popular uses and health benefits of davana oil are as follows.

  • Davana oil possesses wonderful antidepressant properties. It has the ability to relax your nerves and nervous system. It is therefore widely used for curing anxiety, emotional stress, and high blood pressure. If you are a patient of hypertension, you can consume davana oil regularly in order to maintain your blood pressure. However, you should do this only under the supervision of your health care provider.
  • Davana oil is also known for its antiseptic and anti-tetanus properties. If you happen to suffer from an injury, apply diluted davana essential oil on the wounds before dressing. It will prevent you from contracting tetanus and other bacterial infections.
  • Davana essential oil is a wonderful decongestant as well. If you suffer from nasal and lungs congestion, inhale the vapors of davana oil with steam. It will immediately clear your nasal passage and help in removing the stubborn phlegm deposits from your lungs.
  • For its great disinfectant property, davana oil is greatly used in manufacturing vaporizers and disinfecting sprays. Its spray not only makes your environment free from all sorts of harmful bacteria but also makes you feel fresh and relaxed.
  • Davana oil is a powerful emenagogue too. It has the excellent ability to open up the blocked menstrual flow. Therefore, it is widely used for curing the problems related with menstruation such as irregular periods, menstrual pain, spasm and fatigue. Note that this oil should never be used during pregnancy.
  • For its antispasmodic properties, davana oil is greatly used by most aroma therapists for the treatment of spasms and pains.

Despite having such wonderful properties, you must always consult your doctor before using davana essential oil as most essential oils are strong and may have adverse effects.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Aromatherapy Oils | No Comments »

Dill Seed Essential Oil | Aromatherapy Oils

Friday, November 26th, 2010

The dill plant originates in southern Russia and the Mediterranean. It is widely cultivated in most parts of Europe and southern regions of Russia. It is a unique plant in every way, owing to the nature of it leaves and seeds and its medicinal properties. The leaves of the dill plant are like delicate and soft feathers with an enchanting sweet aroma. Dill seed essential oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation of crushed dill seeds. Dill seed oil is clear with a warm, somewhat spicy and grassy fragrance. For its unique medicinal properties, dill essential oil has very rapidly gained popularity among aroma therapists who use it for the treatment of several ailments and diseases. Some of the most common and proven uses of dill seeds and dill essential oil are as follows.

Since ancient times, dill seeds are being used for curing stomach pain in babies. For this, dill seeds are boiled in water and the concoction is administered to the child suffering from gas pain. It is proven to provide immediate relief to the baby.

  • Dill seeds are widely used in Asian countries as a spice in the kitchen.
  • Dill seed oil is very helpful in lowering the blood sugar in diabetic patients. It also has the ability to reduce glucose in the blood stream. If you are diabetic, regular consumption of dill seeds will keep your blood sugar levels under control. It will also prevent you from the risk of coronary thrombosis.
  • Dill seed essential oil is very beneficial for keeping your digestive system healthy. It improves the metabolism and removes the gas from stomach and intestines in a natural way. It also prevents stomach-related ailments such as indigestion, acidity and flatulence.
  • Dill seed oil is also used for the curing various ailments of the liver. Thus, regular consumption helps in maintaining the health of your liver. If you regularly consume dill seeds or dill seed oil, it will give strength to your liver in addition to keeping your digestive system perfectly in order.

In general, dill seed essential oil is a very good and unique health tonic. Although there are no known side effects of dill seed oil, it must never be used during pregnancy because it contains powerful apiole that may have an adverse effect on the pregnancy. Further, like any other essential oil, dill oil is also very strong in nature and must be used only after consulting your health care provider.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Aromatherapy Oils | No Comments »

Cypress Essential Oil | Cupressus Sempervirens

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Cypress tree is an evergreen tree that is native to the Mediterranean region; however, it is now grown all over the world. Its scientific name is cupressus sempervirens. Cypress essential oil is extracted by the process of steam distillation, using young twigs and needles. Cypress oil is greenish pale yellow in color with a sweet and soothing fragrance. The oil obtained from the Australian cypress tree is known as blue cypress oil. Cypress oil has been used for since ancient times to treat various ailments and conditions; it is believed to possess considerable medicinal value. In today’s world, most aroma therapists use this oil to treat various ailments such as those related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems, the skin, and even the mind. Some of the benefits of cypress oil are as follows.

  • One of the most popular uses of cypress oil in aroma therapy is to make up the loss of fluid from the body. The fluid loss can be due to several reasons such as diarrhea, excessive sweating, and heavy menstrual flow. Using cypress oil helps in retention of fluid in your body.The oil is also known to improve poor blood circulation.Cypress oil is a wonderful diuretic as well. It helps in increasing the frequency of urination and thus helps in controlling blood pressure.
  • Owing to its wonderful decongestant properties, cypress oil is widely used for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, coughing, and asthma. Vapor therapy is usually done for curing such ailments. If you suffer from lung congestion or bronchitis, inhale the vapors of cypress oil by adding a few drops of this oil in steaming hot water. This will provide instant relief from an asthma attack as well.
  • Cypress oil is also widely used for treating emotional stress, mental strain, anxiety, and insomnia. Given its refreshing and calming properties, a regular massage with this oil before bed will ensure that you remain stress free and sleep well. You could also add a few drops of cypress oil in warm bath water. After the bath, you will feel yourself fresh, agile, and alert.
  • Cypress oil is also known for its excellent astringent properties. It has the great ability to hold and contract your gums. Gargling with a few drops of this oil in warm water gives immediate relief from bleeding gums and makes your teeth and gums stronger.
  • Cypress oil is also an antispasmodic agent; it is very popularly used by aroma therapists for curing all types of muscles spasms and rheumatic pains.
  • The oil is also often used in making several deodorant formulations because of its sweet and fresh fragrance.
  • Despite the wonderful benefits of using this oil, you must consult your doctor or an aroma therapist before trying to use it at home.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Aromatherapy Oils | No Comments »

« Older Entries