Archive for the ‘Aromatherapy Oils’ Category

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Lilac Essential Oil | Syringa Vulgaris, Botanically.

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Lilac is a small tree or a shrub, native to Eastern Europe. Today, it is grown in several parts of North America as well. Botanically, this shrub is also called as Syringa Vulgaris. Lilac flowers are light purple in color and have an enchanting aroma. The small beautiful flowers bloom in bunches at the time of spring.

The fresh flowers of this small tree are put through the process of steam distillation to obtain the oil from them. The yield of lilac oil happens to be very small, which makes it very scarce and expensive. Although lilac oil is highly considered for its unique medicinal properties, it is still one of the most unknown of the aromatherapy essential oils. However, nowadays, some aroma therapists use this wonderful oil in treating several common and chronic sicknesses and disorders. Lilac aromatherapy is the name given to the treatment sessions conducted using this oil.

This oil has certain health benefits which are pointed out as under.

  • Lilac oil soothes the mind and nerves. Hence it is largely used in the healing of mental strain, anxiety, emotional stress, and depression. Its enchanting fragrance makes you feel full of life and energy and drives away worries and mental tension. In cases of those suffering from anxiety and depression, add some drops of this oil in your bathing water and soak in the tub for about half an hour. You could also inhale the vapors of lilac oil by adding a few drops in a mug of boiling water.
  • Lilac essential oil helps in reducing high fever. The oil is also helpful treating fever caused by malaria.
  • In addition to having mild analgesic and antiseptic properties, lilac essential oil possesses healing properties as well. This is therefore very useful for treating minor cuts and bruises. Its use does not leave behind scars that might have occurred due to any injury.
  • Lilac essential oil has its benefits in eradicating intestinal worms and is therefore greatly used for this purpose.
  • Lilac oil also has healing effects on the kidneys. Therefore, most aroma therapists would recommend this oil in the treatment of kidney-related ailments.
  • Lilac essential oil possesses exquisite aphrodisiac properties. It has the great ability to make you recover from libido loss.

While the side effects of the oil are not really known, the best this would be to always make sure with a professional aroma therapist or a doctor before you could use it, particularly given the limited information on the oil.

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Violet Essential Oil | Violet Oil - Viola Odorata

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Violet belongs to Violaceae family of plants. Botanically, this plant is referred to as Viola Odorata. The name violet comes from its beautiful violet-colored small flowers.  Violets are native to European countries such as England, Italy, France and Greece. Since ancient times, violet has been known for its great therapeutic properties, and violet essence has been used for treating several ailments by the local countryside natives. Violet essential oil is extracted by means of the solvent process, from its leaves. Violet oil has a sweet and refreshing, mild floral fragrance.The medicinal properties of violet oil are attributed to its organic constituents such as hexyl alcohol, ionone, nonadienal, benzyl alcohol, and parmone. Therapeutic and other uses of violet oil are as mentioned below.

  • Violet oil has a great calming effect on the nervous system. Therefore, it is largely used for treating anxiety, depression, mental strain, and sleep related problems such as sleeplessness and insomnia.
  • Regular massages with diluted violet oil greatly help in improving poor blood circulation and removing harmful toxins from the body.
  • Owing to its mild analgesic and antispasmodic properties, violet oil acts as a very good pain reliever. If you happen to suffer from muscular sprain or joints pain, a massage with diluted violet essential oil on and around the affected areas can provide relief from the pain. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of this oil in your bath tub with warm water filled in it. Soak in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes. This will not only give you relief from pain but also make you feel fresh and agile.
  • Since it is an effective decongestant, violet essential oil is very beneficial for treating disorders and ailments of the respiratory system such as sore throats, cough, and chest congestion. For the treatment of such problems, vapor therapy is used. If you are facing any such problem of respiratory system, add 2 to 3 drops of violet essential oil in a mug of boiling hot water and inhale the vapors with your head covered with a towel. Do this just before going to bed in the night. It will clear out the mucus deposits in your throat and chest.

Although violet fragrance oil is non-irritant and nontoxic in nature, it may cause skin irritation in some cases. Therefore, it is advisable to first consult your health care provider or an aroma therapist before using this oil.

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May Chang Essential Oil | Litsea Essential Oil

Monday, June 13th, 2011

May chang, botanically known as Litsea cubeba, is an evergreen shrub and is native to China and various Southeast Asian countries. May chang oil is extracted from the fruit of the plant through the process of steam distillation. May chang essential oil has a sweet and fruity fragrance, resembling that of citrus oils. It blends well with a variety of essential oils, including that of lavender, neroli, ylang ylang, rosemary, cypress, geranium, and rosewood, among others. May chang is a therapeutic essential oil and benefits the body in the following ways:

  • May chang or litsea essential oil is antiseptic in action and keeps septic infections at bay. It helps prevent microbial infections and also boosts the immunity. May chang essential oil also prevents fungal infections such as ringworms, etc.
  • On account of its pleasant aroma, May chang oil is also widely used as an anti-depressant. It elevates the mood and helps relieve stress and tension.
  • May chang oil is also anti-inflammatory in action. It prevents and cures inflammatory diseases like arthritis and respiratory diseases like bronchitis, asthma and others.
  • May chang essential oil has astringent-like properties, and as such, it helps close the skin pores, preventing skin conditions. It also helps cure skin blemishes and tightens the skin, retaining a youthful appearance. It also relieves excessive oil in the skin by maintaining the oil balance, and prevents pimples, acne and black or whiteheads. May chang oil also helps cure dermatitis and psoriasis.
  • May chang oil helps prevent coronary diseases, including high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and heart attacks.
  • In lactating mothers, May chang essential oil helps in milk secretion.
  • May chang oil is also a potent carminative and helps prevent the formation of gas in the stomach, thereby preventing flatulence, constipation and other digestive complaints.
  • It is a powerful stimulant and thereby assists in normal functioning of all the physiological systems of the body.

Other than the above mentioned therapeutic benefits, you may use May chang oil as a flavoring agent in culinary preparations and salad dressings. It may also be used as an insect repellant. As such, May chang oil has numerous health benefits. However, you must not use it without dilution for topical application. Essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oils like coconut, olive or jojoba oils. You should also consult an aromatherapy specialist for expert advice on the usage and functionality of May chang essential oil.

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Benefits of Lemon Verbena Essential Oil

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Lemon verbena is an extremely fragrant shrub, and its aroma closely resembles that of a lemon. Native to Chile, lemon verbena is now cultivated throughout the world where the climatic conditions are favorable. The flowers are very small and purple in color. Lemon verbena belongs to verbenaceae family. Botanically, it is referred to as Aloysia Triphylla. Lemon verbena’s benefits have been well known for hundreds of years.

Lemon verbena essential oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation, by using freshly picked leaves and flowers. Lemon verbena oil has a very pleasant, sweet, and fresh lemony aroma, and its color is yellowish or pale olive. The main constituents of lemon verbena oil are linalool, citral, limonene, borneol, and geranoil. Lemon verbena oil is known for its excellent calming and therapeutic properties. Some of the medicinal and other uses of lemon verbena oil are mentioned hereunder:

  • Lemon verbena oil has a calming and soothing effect on the nerves. Therefore, owing to this sedative effect, it is widely used by most aroma therapists for curing depression, emotional stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. For this purpose, lemon verbena oil can be used in several ways such as massages, vapor inhalation, and in baths. You can also use a lemon verbena candle for the same purpose.
  • For its antispasmodic and analgesic properties, lemon verbena essential oil is used for providing relief from muscular as well as rheumatic pains.
  • Lemon verbena essential oil positively affectsthe digestive system, and it is, therefore, used in the treatment of stomach disorders such as indigestion, flatulence, acidity, and other such ailments.
  • Lemon verbena oil also has a positive and healing effect on a damaged liver.
  • For its wonderful antipyretic properties, lemon verbena oil finds great use in the treatment of fevers due to cold, chest congestion, sinusitis, and other ailments related to the respiratory system. It has the ability to provide relief from asthma attacks as well.
  • Lemon verbena essential oil also has helps drive away the insects. It is widely used in making several insect repellant formulations. To keep your environment insect-free, place the verbena oil bottle open on the shelf in your room. This will not only keep your home free from insects but also keep you feeling refreshed and alert.

Although there are no known side effects of this oil, it is best to consult a professional aroma therapist or your doctor before using the oil.

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