Archive for January, 2011

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Perilla Essential Oil | Perilla Oil Benefits

Friday, January 28th, 2011

The perilla plant is regarded to be part of the mint family. The perilla plant is also known as perilla red, perilla white, and beefsteak plant. It is botanically referred to as perilla labiatae or perilla frutescens. The plant itself is widely used for its therapeutic properties, especially in China and Korea. Perilla oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation from the perilla plant.  Like the plant, the oil is also is widely used for its medicinal and other uses. Apart from the medical benefits of perilla essential oil, as listed below, perilla seed oil is used as a food additive and preservative in Asian cultures; it is also used to add flavor to certain dishes in Asian cuisine.

  • Perilla oil benefits are widely known in most Asian countries, and the oil is most commonly used as a cough suppressant. Hence, it is often prescribed to those suffering from cough, congestion, colds, and flu like conditions. In particular, the oil is said to be good for pregnant women, as ailments such as the flu and cold can be harmful to the baby.
  • Perilla oil is also known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Hence, it has been widely used for treating diseases and allergy attacks that result in swelling and inflammation. It is also known to be effective for treating conjunctivitis and other eye infections.
  • Perilla oil is very good for the heart. In fact, it is often used as a tonic in Asian cultures to keep the heart and liver healthy. The oil is said to help in the reduction of cholesterol, thereby preventing cardiac diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
  • Perilla oil also had great antioxidant properties; hence, it is widely used to improve the condition and texture of the skin. Regular massage with this oil is said to help alleviate symptoms of dryness and roughness. It also helps with skin rejuvenation, and therefore, it is also used on damaged or mature skin. Owing to its benefits related to the skin, it find used in the manufacture of various body scrubs, body lotions and creams, and bath salts. Perilla oil is also known to have antibacterial properties. It is therefore used in helping with skin conditions such as acne and other bacterial infections.
  • Perilla essential oil is regarded among aroma therapists to be a versatile and extremely useful oil. It is often used alone, but also makes for an excellent carrier oil or an ideal blend for other herbal essential oils.

Like all essential oils, it always best to consult a professional before using perilla oil. In particular, perilla oil is mostly used for topical applications with a carrier oil, and hence, you should not use this oil internally.

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Tansy Essential Oil | Tanacetum Annuum

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Botanically referred to as tanacetum annuum, tansy is a native of Bulgaria and is extensively cultivated all around Europe. Tansy essential oil is extracted from all parts of tansy plant through the process of steam distillation. Tansy oil is known for its pungent odor and is a free-flowing, reddish-brown colored liquid. Tansy oil is known for its medicinal benefits. Some of the benefits of tansy essential oil are listed as follows.

  • First and foremost, tansy essential oil is a potent anti-bacterial agent. It helps prevent bacterial infections by curbing the possibilities of their growth and multiplication.
  • Tansy oil is anti-inflammatory in action and helps prevent and cure inflammation of the skin. It also reduces inflammation of the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems.
  • Tansy essential oil is anti-histaminic in nature. It checks the production of histamine in the body, which is the compound responsible for allergies and various symptoms associated with it including rashes, breathing problems, sneezing, itching, inflammation, asthma, and other such conditions. As such, tansy oil is a potent anti-allergic agent.
  • It is also a potent febrifuge that helps combat fever. It reduces your body temperature and thereby prevents the fever from worsening into something more fatal.
  • Tansy oil is also an effective sedative and laxative. It helps sooth your muscles and nerves and induces the feeling of well-being. It is therefore used to suppress depression, tension, anxiety, and anger. It is known to help elevate the mood.
  • Tansy oil also helps stimulate hormones in the body, thereby maintaining the overall physiology of the human body. It stimulates the endocrine glands to secrete hormones in the required proportions to regulate various physiological systems of the body.
  • Tansy oil also boosts immune system by preventing the exhaustion of it.
  • Tansy oil is also a potent anti-viral agent. As such, tansy oil can be used to cure viral diseases including measles, common cold, pox and mumps.
  • Tansy oil is also effective against fungal infections. It helps destroys fungal spores, thereby curing a variety of conditions including skin diseases and dysentery.
  • Tansy oil is a potent insecticide. Its pungent aroma kills the harmful and poisonous insects.

Tansy oil itself cannot be used in aromatherapy as it is high on thujone concentration, a poisonous compound. In fact, tansy oil can be lethal if inhaled even in small doses. It can lead to convulsions and even miscarriages in pregnant women, and can cause hallucinations and neurotic disorders.  However, there is a different variety of tansy oil, the blue tansy essential oil, which is non-toxic and has a pleasant aroma. Regardless, it is best to consult a professional before using any essential oil.

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Tarragon Essential Oil | Tarragon Health Benefits

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Tarragon oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation of the leaves of the tarragon plant, which is scientifically referred to as Artimisia dracunculus. It is characterized by its black licorice-like, somewhat acrid or spicy aroma. The tarragon plant is a perennial herb that grows near water bodies like rivers or lakes, and the plant reaches a height of one meter or so. Tarragon essential oil is known for its therapeutic uses. Some of the tarragon health benefits are listed as follows.

  • First and foremost, tarragon oil is antispasmodic in action. As such, it helps cure internal spasms like spasms of the muscles and stomach.
  • Tarragon essential oil helps cure dyspepsia. It helps in proper digestion, absorption and assimilation of food, and prevents indigestion or dyspepsia. It helps in synthesis of digestive juices, thereby aiding in proper and effective digestion. Tarragon oil also helps prevent constipation and the formation and accumulation of gas in stomach.
  • Tarragon essential oil helps cure eating disorders like anorexia. It helps maintain proper body weight by regulating the concentration of fat cells in the body.
  • Tarragon essential oil is beneficial for the muscular system of the body on account of its anti-rheumatic properties. It helps prevent pain in the joints and connective tissues.
  • Tarragon essential oil can also be served as an aperitif, which enhances appetite. It also gives a soothing taste in mouth and fights bad breath. In fact, it imparts a sweet smell to your breath.
  • Tarragon essential oil is a potent emmenagogue. It regulates the menstrual cycle in women and aids in timely menstruation. It also helps alleviate pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), including symptoms such as stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
  • Tarragon essential oil is also an excellent stimulant. It helps stimulate the various organs of the body, which, in turn, help retain the functionality of all the physiological systems. Tarragon essential oil helps regulate the endocrine system, thereby stimulating the hormone levels in the body. This, in turn, helps maintain the overall physiology of the human body.
  • Tarragon essential oil is a potent vermifuge, which helps expel worms from the stomach and intestines. Worms or helminths in the stomach extract all the food nutrition, leaving the body deprived of the required nourishment.
  • Tarragon essential oil is also beneficial for the urino-genital tract. It helps cure various diseases as well removes toxins.
  • Tarragon essential oil is non-toxic and non-irritant. However, the dosage should be limited and used under the supervision of an aromatherapy specialist. Pregnant women must avoid the usage of tarragon oil.

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Rue Oil | Scientifically known as Ruta Graveolens

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

The rue plant is native to Europe, and it belongs to the family of citrus plants. Scientifically, it is referred to as Ruta Graveolens. Rue essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of freshly-picked rue plants. Rue oil is yellowish orange in color with a medium consistency. The aroma of rue oil is very strong, with a somewhat bitter note. The major constituents of rue essential oil are butanone, nonanone, psoralen, and bergaptene. These components make this oil highly toxic and strong in nature. Therefore, you should always take care that you do not make direct contact with this oil, particularly on your skin and eyes. Also, smelling this oil can be harmful owing to its toxic nature.

Rue oil is usually used in homoeopathic medicine formulations. The main use of this oil is in antidotes for poison and snake bites. It is particularly useful in neutralizing the effect of narcotics and highly poisonous snake bites such as that of a King Cobra. Other therapeutic uses of rue essential oil are as mentioned below.

  • Since rue oil is highly toxic, it has the ability to kill a wide range of bacteria. It is therefore used in making several antibacterial formulations.
  • For the same toxic property, rue essential oil also kills various types of fungi. Therefore, it finds wide use in making antifungal lotions and ointments. Of course, it should be noted that the quantity used for making such formulations is very small.
  • Owing to its sedative properties, rue essential oil has a calming effect on the nerves. Therefore it is also used for controlling hysteria and epilepsy attacks. For the same reason, it is also very beneficial in the treatment of nervous breakdowns, anxiety, anger management and insomnia.
  • Again, owing to its highly toxic nature, rue essential oil has the ability to kill any kind of insects. Therefore, it is widely used for manufacturing various insecticide formulations such as sprays and incense sticks.
  • Rue oil is also used as a local anesthesia. It is particularly used in making pain relieving sprays as the contact with this oil result in the numbness on the applied area, thereby making providing instant relief from unbearable in case of an accidental internal injury.
  • Rue oil for hemorrhoids is also used for owing to excellent sedative properties.

Since this oil is highly toxic, you should never use it on your own without any expert medical supervision.

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