DamaskRose Essential Oil
Damask Rose Essential Oil is extracted from Rosa Damascena , a plant from the family of Rosaceae. The name of “ Rosa “ comes from Greek “ Roden “ with the meaning “ Red “. Damask Rose is also known as Bulgarian and Turkish rose, Otto of rose and attar of rose.
Extraction: Rose otto oil is extracted from the fresh flowers, picked before 8 am in the morning, by steam distillation and the yield is 0.02-0.05%. The aroma can be damaged if the heat is too high at distillation. It takes about 60,000 roses (about 180 lb) to make one ounce of rose oil.
Oil properties: Damask Rose has a deep, rosy, fresh aroma, the color ranges from clear to a pale yellow or greenish tint and the viscosity is watery to crystalline, when warm or cold respectively.
Therapeutic properties: The therapeutic properties of Damask rose oil are: anti-infectious, anti-depressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, laxative, sedative, splenetic and general tonic.
Uses: Damask rose oil soothes the mind and helps with depression, grief, nervous tension and stress and is helpful for poor circulation and heart palpitations.
For the respiratory system Damask rose oil can assist in cases of asthma, coughs and hay fever, and on the digestive system for liver congestion and nausea.
Rose otto oil can be used for irregular menstruation, leucorrhea, menorrhagia and uterine disorders. On the skin it can be used for broken capillaries, dry skin, eczema, herpes, mature and sensitive skin, wrinkles, and rose water can be used for conjunctivitis.
Precautions: Damask rose oil is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing but should not be used during pregnancy.
Chemical composition: The main chemical components of Rose otto oil are: Citronellol, Geraniol, Nerol, Farnesol, Geranic and Eugenol.
Burners and vaporizers: In vapor therapy Rose otto oil can be helpful with: allergies, asthma, baby blues, headaches, migraine, nervous tension and as a relaxant.
Blended oil or in the bath: As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath Rose damask oil can assist with: allergies, baby blues, asthma, hay fever, headaches, depression, migraine, scar tissue, nervous tension, stress, poor circulation and as a relaxant.
Summary: Damask rose oil gives a feeling of wellbeing and happiness, it helps a nervous mind, can be helpful on the respiratory tract, for digestive problems, for menstrual problems and as skin care.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus name comes from Greek “ eu “ and “ kalypto “ means “ well “ and “ covered “ , referring to the cup-like membrane that covers the flower bud and is thrown off as the flower expands. Its botanical name is Eucalyptus globulus.
Extraction: Steam distillation of the fresh or partially dried leaves and mature branches.
Oil properties: Eucalyptus has a clear, sharp, fresh and very distinctive smell. It is pale yellow in color and watery in viscosity.
Therapeutic properties: The therapeutic properties of Eucalyptus oil include: analgesic, anti-rheumatic, anti-neuralgic, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, balsamic, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticide, rubefacient and stimulant.
Uses: Eucalyptus has a cooling and deodorizing effect on the body, helping with fevers, migraine and malaria. For the respiratory tract, it helps with coughs, asthma, throat infections, sinusitis and catarrhal conditions. It soothes inflammation and eases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever.
Eucalyptus oil is useful as warming oil when used for muscular aches and pains, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and poor circulation. In skin care it can be used for burns, blisters, herpes, cuts, wounds, skin infections and insect bites.
Eucalyptus oil can boost the immune system, and is helpful especially in cases of chicken pox, colds, flu and measles.
Precautions: Eucalyptus oil should be used with care and people with high blood pressure and epilepsy should avoid it. Excessive use of the oil may cause headaches.
Chemical composition: The main chemical components of Eucalyptus are: Camphene, Citronellal, Fenchene, Phellandrene and Cineole.
Burners and vaporizers: In vapor therapy Eucalyptus oil be used for: frequent sneezing, hay fever, flu, respiratory problems and as insect repellant.
Blended massage or in the bath: Eucalyptus oil can be used in blended massage oil, or diluted in the bath to assist with: arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, mucous congestion, colds, headaches, rheumatism, sinusitis, catarrh, fatigue and muscular aches and pains.
Used neat or dab on with a bud: Eucalyptus oil can be used neat on the skin for insect bites or wounds, but care should be taken when doing so.
Gargle: Diluted Eucalyptus can be used as a gargle for a sore throat
Summary: Eucalyptus oil is very helpful when used for headaches, fevers, on the respiratory tract, muscular aches and pains and in skin care. It has a soothing and calming effect on the whole body and helps with the immune system. The oil is also effective against bacteria – especially staphylococci.
Angelica Essential Oil
Angelica essential oil is extracted from the plant of Archangelica ( A. Officinalis ) from the family of Umbelliferae. The plant is said from Africa and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. It is found in Scotland, Holland, Germany, and Lapland.
It is called Angelica, since it normally flowers on the 8th May, which is St Michael the Archangel’s Day, and for this reason Angelica often planted in monasteries and is referred to as “Angel Grass”.
It is a rather large, water-loving herb with broad pointed leaves dividing into smaller leaflets and has small white-green flowers. It has a strong aromatic scent and a large rhizome.
Extraction: The oil is extracted from the roots, rhizome and seeds and steam distillation is employed to achieve this.
Oil properties: The oil is of medium viscosity, and is extracted from the rhizome, the seeds and the herb itself
Therapeutic properties: The therapeutic properties of Angelica oil include the following: an antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, hepatic, stimulant, stomachic, and a general tonic.
Uses: Angelica oil can be used to help in the treatment of the following problems: dull congested skin, irritation, psoriasis, accumulation of toxins, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, water retention, bronchitis, coughs, anemia, anorexia, flatulence, indigestion, fatigue, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders.
Chemical composition: The essential oil is composed of various chemical constituents and includes the following: Borneol, Linalool, Bergaptene, Limonene, Phellandrene, Pinene, Sesquiterpenes, Angelic acid, Sitosterol, Phenolic acids, Coumarins and Angelicin.
Precautions: Angelica oil may over stimulate the nervous system and the essential oil extracted from the root can cause photo-toxicity which in turn could cause irritation should the skin be exposed to the sun.
Burners and vaporizers: In vapor therapy Angelica oil can be used to help clear lungs, bronchitis, and pleurisy and ease shortness of breath.
Blended oil and in the bath: Angelica oil can be used in blended massage oil, or in the bath to assist in aiding the lymphatic system, detoxification, digestive problems, helps with colds and flu as well as fighting fungal growths.
Blended in base cream: As a constituent of a blended base cream, Angelica oil can be used to assist with circulation, arthritis, gout, sciatica, migraines, colds and flu as well as helping to encourage the natural production of estrogen and this aids in regulating and easing painful monthly periods.
Summary: This oil is great for giving your constitution a boost by invigorating the lymphatic system and general detoxification of the body. It can also be used to great effect on respiratory ailments and is a great help in stomach related problems including flatulence, dyspepsia, nausea, discomfort and indigestion.
Aromatherapy Essential Oils
Aromatherapy Essential Oils
One of the nature’s greatest gifts to mankind is the magical properties of Aromatherapy essential oils. Its existence is considered to be very ancient, with a history of 3500 years. Latest research has only recently shown what aroma therapists have known for many ages: “what we smell has a direct impact on how we feel.”
Like the other common senses, the things we smell are transmitted directly to the brain. Research has proved that lavender aroma steps up alpha waves in the back of the head, which is associated with relaxation. That means using lavender helps you to relax. On the other hand, jasmine scent increases beta waves in the front of the head, which has been found to make you feel more alert. You will be on your toes, if you smell jasmine.
The use of essential oils includes inhaling their scent. Aromatherapy is an established system of caring for the body with herbal and botanical oils. Many times, it is the scent that gives the therapeutic value, and other times it works better by making the skin absorbing the oil. Irrespective of how the oil is absorbed into the body, whether through the skin, the mouth, or the nose, essential oils have long been used to help in healing.
Enjoy the benefits of scent by dropping a few drops of essential oil in your bath, or placing some drops or so in a diffuser, which sits on a socket. When using oil on the surface, it is always a good idea to mix the essential oil with carrier oil such as almond, sesame, or olive.
This reduces the impact of the oil a bit, but can also prevent harmful adverse reaction. Before you use these oils, just make sure that you take a patch test. Just apply a tiny amount to the inside of your arm and examine it after 24 hours. In case there is no reaction, you are safe in using the oil elsewhere on the body. Use essential oils sparingly and carefully to achieve the maximum benefit.
Here are some common ailments and suggestions for the use of essential oils in treating them. It would be a good idea to find an aroma therapist to help you; so that you can blend you own mixture and achieve the greatest benefit from them.
Allergies: Mix one drop of cypress and one drop of hyssop in the palm of your hand and then apply the mixture to the back of your tongue every few hours to relieve hay fever symptoms.
Backache: Mix equal parts of blue chamomile; birch; rosemary or eucalyptus; ginger or black pepper; lavender; carrier oil. Rub into the affected area after a hot bath, when muscles are relaxed and pores are open.
Nausea or stomachache: Put two drops peppermint oil on a sugar cube and suck the cube slowly. Or, add a few drops of peppermint oil to hot water and drink as a tea.
Headaches: Peppermint, inhaled directly from the bottle, or rubbed with a little carrier oil under the nose and at the temples can be very soothing for headaches.
Cuts, scrapes & scratches: Lavender oil can be applied undiluted to soothe and help heal minor cuts and abrasions.
Anxiety: Lavender, bergamot, Melissa, geranium, and ylang-ylang are great for calming weary nerves. You can mix three or four together. Add to a bath, use in a scent lamp, or massage into the skin with a carrier oil.
Sleep aids: Marjoram, lavender and ylang-ylang in a warm bath can be soothing before bedtime and aids in sleep.
Colds or flu: Blend three parts ravensare, one part naiouli or eucalyptus, one part lemon, one part rosewood, and one part lavender. Add about 50 drops of this mixture to a diffuser, or add 6-8 drops to a bowl of just boiled water, place a towel over your head, bend over the bowl and inhale.
Stress: Lavender and sage are very relaxing. Place a few drops of each on a tissue and leave on the dashboard so the sun can warm it and diffuse it into the air of the car
Arthritis: Add 10 drops each of rosemary and chamomile to a warm bath and soak for 10 minutes.
There are many other essential oils, for treating everything from acne to diabetes to depression. Most oils are not harmful if inhaled, but care should be taken to apply topically on the skin, and never take any essential oil internally without the advice of a skilled professional.
