Monthly Archives: September 2013

Magnolia Oil as a Calming Tonic and Exotic Perfume

Magnolia BlossomThe magnolia is one of the most well-traveled flowers in the world, with species in South Asia, the Pacific, and North America. The magnolia essential oil we offer at the Essential Oil Exchange is steam distilled from the flowers of Michelia alba, a hybrid species created by crossing the South Asian Magnolia champaca with Magnolia montana. Our magnolia essential oil is pale to orangish yellow with a crisp, green, not too floral scent with a tropical-fruity hint!

The magnolia plant has broad green leaves and large white flowers with spear-shaped petals that exude an alluring scent. Also called white champaca, white sandalwood, and white jade orchid tree, magnolia flowers have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to move qi, the vital force that regulates the body’s organ systems [1]. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that when qi becomes blocked or stagnant, illness is the result. A fragrant tea known as yulan is also steeped from magnolia flowers in China, and the blossoms are used in temple ceremonies in India to mark life milestones such as births, deaths, and religious holidays. In South Asia, the scent of magnolia flowers is associated with renewal, growth, and new beginnings.

The uses of magnolia essential oil in aromatherapy are many, and more aromatherapists continue to discover its roster of therapeutic uses every day. As an antimicrobial and antiseptic agent, magnolia oil is often diffused to treat respiratory infections [2], and may also offer relief for allergenic reactions and congestion [3]. The oil is also sometimes applied topically to reduce fevers, regulate female hormones, and as an emollient that nourishes the skin and balances oil secretions [4]. On the emotional plane, magnolia essential oil is thought to calm the nerves while stimulating awareness, increasing overall confidence, and acting as an aphrodisiac. That’s quite a profile!

Of course, magnolia oil can also simply be worn as an exotic perfume: it blends well with citrus or sweet-herbaceous oils such as basil, bergamot, cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemon, lime, mandarin, neroli and petitgrain. Only small amounts of magnolia essential oil are required in any fragrance blend, as it is quite an “assertive” oil; or you can wear it alone as a signature scent that will light up a room the instant you walk in.

REFERENCES

1. Dharmananda, Subhuti, PhD. March 2001. “Magnolia Bark”. Institute for Traditional Medicine Online, Portland Oregon. http://www.itmonline.org/arts/magnolia.htm.

2. Fortunato, Michelle. “Medicinal Properties of the Magnolia Flower”. eHow. Accessed June 4th, 2014. http://www.ehow.com/list_6157057_medicinal-properties-magnolia-flower.html.

3. Pulugurtha, Shamala. “Magnolia Flower Health Uses”. Livestrong. Last modified April 28th, 2011. http://www.livestrong.com/article/430820-magnolia-flower-health-uses/.

4. “Essential Oils Guide – CHAMPACA (Magnolia michelia alba, M. champaca)”. Diamond Heart. Accessed June 2nd, 2014. http://diamondheart.net/essential-oils-guide/126–champaca-magnolia-michelia-alba-m-champaca.

Citronella is An Insect Repellent Oil That Smells Wonderful!

Citronella grassA perennial grass native to tropical Asia, citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) produces a rich essential oil with a lemony top note and woody undertones that is widely used in fragrancing and perfumery. Citronella is also the commercial source of two disinfectant compounds commonly used in detergents, citronellol and geraniol [1]. We source our citronella essential oil from Vietnam and offer it here as an outstanding insect repellent, antiseptic, and energizing oil.

Citronella is a member of the lemongrass genus Cymbopogon. Like its better known relative, it is often used in cooking to flavor food and as a preservative due to its strong antibacterial [2] and antifungal properties [3]. Its strong aromatic compounds, especially citronellol, also made citronella essential oil a popular natural insect repellent before the invention of DDT and other chemical insecticides. Today, as the impact of synthetic insecticides on the environment has become apparent, people are once again turning to natural alternatives such as citronella and catnip oil to gain relief from biting insects, cockroaches, and other household pests.

There are two varieties of citronella you can buy in essential oil form: Java citronella, which has a sharper scent and slightly higher citronellol content, and the softer Sri Lanka citronella [1]. Either can be used as an outdoor or topical insect repellent, although diffusion is the preferred method. When using citronella oil as an insect repellent on the skin, it must be reapplied every 30 to 60 minutes to retain its effectiveness [4]. As an outdoor insect repellent on your porch or patio, simply place a few drops of citronella oil in a diffuser or oil burner, either by itself or blended with another insect repellent oil such as catnip or cedarwood oil. There are also specialty products available such as citronella mosquito coils, and aromatic candles infused with citronella, cedarwood, and other essential oils. These products produce vapors that are repellent to mosquitoes and flies but pleasantly aromatic to humans.

The benefits of citronella essential oil don’t stop there, of course: this gentle, generally nonsensitizing oil has been used in massages to halt excessive perspiration, as a conditioner for oily hair or skin, and a natural deodorant [5]. When inhaled, citronella oil’s lemony scent uplifts mood, banishes fatigue, and may be helpful in combating colds and sinus congestion [5]. Plus, it’s just refreshing!

REFERENCES

1. “Citronella Oil”. Wikipedia. Last modified June 9th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citronella_oil.

2. Pattnaik S, VR Subramanyam, and C Kole. 1996. “Anibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro”. Microbioscience 86 (349): 237-46.

3. Nakahara, Kazuhiko, Najeeb S Alzoreky, Tadashi Yoshihashi, Huong T Nguyen, Gassinee Trakoontivakorn. October 2003. “Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella Grass)”. Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences 37 (4): 249-52.

4. “Mosquito Repellents Review”. Choice, The Australian Consumers Association. Last modified November 6th, 2013. http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/household/laundry-and-cleaning/pest-control/mosquito-repellents-review.aspx.

5. “Health Benefits of Citronella Oil”. The Research Pedia. Accessed June 9th, 2014. http://www.theresearchpedia.com/health/aromatherapy/health-benefits-of-citronella-oil.

Caraway Seed Oil as a Digestive Tonic and Appetite Stimulant

Caraway seeds in a bowlCaraway seeds are best known as the distinctive flavoring agent in rye bread, but their usefulness actually goes much further. Caraway seeds have been with us literally since the Stone Age: archaeologists working in Europe have postively identified caraway seeds in the middens (wastage pits) of pre-agricultural hunter-gatherers [1]. When you consider caraway seed oil’s benefits in stimulating digestion and appetite as well as treating indigestion and gas [2], it’s no wonder our pre-modern ancestors made room for it in their diets.

The caraway plant (Carum carvi) belongs to the same family as the carrot and fennel, with similar thread-like, feathery leaves and white or pink flowers that grow in an umbrella-shaped cluster [3]. It is native to Europe, North Africa and West Asia as far east as India; some scholars have suggested the name caraway dervies from the Sanskrit term for the seeds, caravi.

Caraway seeds—which aren’t actually seeds but achenes, dry crescent-shaped fruits [3]—have been used to flavor various cuisines in ancient Rome, and in Europe and the Middle East since medieval times. Though we usually associate caraway’s sharp licorice flavor with savory dishes, one popular dessert during Muslim Ramadan is sweet caraway seed pudding. Caraway seeds have remained especially popular in Germany, where they’re used to add a sweet-spicy hint to everything from rye bread to meats, aged cheeses, and pickles. There’s even a type of German brandy called Kümmel that is flavored with caraway seeds!

Over time, magical properties and folk beliefs also became attached to caraway seeds: in medieval Germany and other parts of Europe, caraway seeds were used in spells to protect children from harm. Other beliefs held that caraway seeds could be placed with valuables to prevent theft, and that the seeds worked as a charm to prevent lovers from losing interest in one another.

Therapeutically speaking, caraway seed essential oil is primarily used to stimulate appetite and ease digestion, especially when someone is suffering from gas, bloating, or constipation [2]. Caraway seed oil’s antispasmodic action on intestinal cramps and stomach upset make this oil a natural choice at times when overeating or indigestion causes discomfort. Applied topically, caraway seed oil may also be helpful in regulating oily skin [4]. Its sharp, licorice-like scent is thought to relieve mental and emotional fatigue and have expectorant properties [5], making caraway seed oil a great complementary therapy for people suffering the winter doldrums or the aftereffects of a cold. Fans of fennel and anise essential oil’s fruity camphoraceous scent and energizing aura will find a lot to like in caraway seed oil!

REFERENCES

1. Bull, HF and E Bull. Some Account of the Blackmore Museum. 1868. Devizes: Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society.

2. Wong, Cathy, ND. “Caraway – What Should I Know About It?” Altmedicine. Last modified August 2nd, 2013. http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Caraway.htm.

3. “Caraway”. Wikipedia. Last Modified June 3rd, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caraway.

4. Stratford, Sarah Jane. “Caraway Seeds in Skin Care”. Love to Know: Skincare. Accessed June 9th, 2014. http://skincare.lovetoknow.com/Caraway_Seeds_in_Skin_Care.

5. “Aromatherapy: Caraway (Carum carvi)”. Herbs2000. Accessed June 9th, 2014. http://www.herbs2000.com/aromatherapy/a_caraway.htm.