Monthly Archives: January 2014

Use Jasmine Oil to Center the Mind and Relieve Stress

Often called the “king of oils”, jasmine has been revered in South Asia and the Middle East for its divine scent, calming effect on the emotions, and wide range of medicinal applications. In these regions of the world, jasmine is a well-known women’s herb that is used to address menstrual pain or discomfort, encourage uterine contractions, and ease the pain of childbirth. When you consider the number of healing properties jasmine oil provides to humans, the origin of the flower’s name—yasmeen, Persian for “gift of the gods”—makes a whole lot of sense.

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) is a flowering tropical vine native to South Asia, part of the wide-ranging Jasminum genus that has members in tropical regions throughout the Old World. The jasmine plant has green vines and leaves and small white flowers. Jasmine absolute oil is the only kind of oil that can be obtained from jasmine flowers: too delicate for traditional steam distillation, the compounds in jasmine must be extracted using a cold solvent such as liquid carbon dioxide. One pound of jasmine oil requires 1,000 pounds of flowers to make—equivalent to 3.6 million fresh blossoms!

Despite its delicate, floral, tea-like scent and traditional associations with women, jasmine oil is called the “king of oils”. (Rose oil, from Rosa damascena, is considered the “queen of oils”.) In South and Southeast Asia, women use fresh jasmine blossoms as hair ornaments, and garlands of jasmine and orchids are sold in Thailand to mark religious occasions and festivals.

Use Jasmine Oil to Center the Mind and Relieve Stress

Garlands of fresh jasmine adorn a market stall in Thailand before a festival.

In China, jasmine tea has been popular for centuries: a combination of fresh jasmine flowers and dried green or oolong tea is mixed together and allowed to steep for a few hours, until the tea leaves have absorbed the volatile compounds from the flowers. After it is refired to prevent spoilage, the jasmine flowers—now dried and odorless—are either removed or left in for decoration. Jasmine was likely brought to the Middle East by Persian traders, and from there disseminated to Europe via trade with Morocco by the 17th century, where it exploded in popularity as a perfume ingredient and even became part of a signature scent favored by King Louis the XVI of France.

Jasmine oil has been used since antiquity as a sedative, nervine, analgesic and anti-inflammatory[1]. The oil is believed to ease mental and emotional stress and tension while promoting feelings of calm and groundedness. Jasmine is still used by aromatherapists today to address stress-related conditions, nervousness, and anxiety, either by massage or vapor therapy. Inhaling jasmine oil can also help discharge excess mucus or nasal catarrh, while a gentle massage with jasmine oil does wonders to address dry, irritated or inflamed skin and to diminish the appearance of scars [2] and stretch marks. With its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, jasmine oil is also useful for pain, stomachaches, muscle aches, menstrual discomfort, and as a general uterine tonic [2]. One modern-day use for jasmine oil is to assist people going through addiction treatment, since it is thought to calm the mind and center the emotions during this turbulent experience.

Jasmine is also known as the “Queen of the Night”, since the flowers open only after dusk and must be picked at night to ensure maximum fragrance. Next time you take a whiff of pure jasmine oil, imagine the moon shining on fields of this night-blooming beauty as farmers pluck the flowers one by one to begin their journey from the Far East to your aromatherapy cabinet.

REFERENCES

1. Paarakh, Sandeep and Padmaa M. Paarakh. 2009. “Jasminum grandiflorum. Linn. (Chameli): Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology – A Review”. Pharmacology Online 2: 586-595.

2. Vidyalakshmi, A. and S, Esaki Selvi. 2013. “Protease activity of floral extracts of Jasminum grandiflorum L., a wound-healing herb.” Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 4(1): 11-15.

Yarrow Oil- A Thousand-Leafed Healer with Ancient Use as a Wound Salve

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It may look like an inconspicuous green shrub in your garden, but yarrow (Achillea millifolium) has actually been used in medicine, cooking, and even divination for millennia in temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. Yarrow essential oil can range from pale green to a striking dark blue, and is most commonly used in aromatherapy today for the treatment of minor wounds, pain and inflammation [1], and as a mild stimulant [2].

Yarrow is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, which is also home to well-known medicinal herbs such as chamomile and echinacea. The yarrow plant has many-branched, almost feathery green leaves and sprouts umbrella-like flowers that vary in color from white to pale pink. Yarrow grows wild in grasslands and open forests, and is also sold as an ornamental cultivar by many plant nurseries.

Yarrow’s long history of use is reflected in its wide array of common names, which include millefoil, thousand-leaf, thousand-seal, and soldier’s woundwort—a reference to yarrow’s use in wound poultices on the battlefields of medieval Europe [2]. Knowledge of yarrow’s wound-healing properties was passed down from Classical Rome and Greece. In the Iliad, yarrow is given to Achilles by Chiron, the centaur who trains him in the arts of war [4]. He teaches Achilles how to use yarrow as a wound salve for the soldiers under Achilles’ command.

Like many European herbs that are little known today, yarrow was once a popular cooking and flavoring herb that was added to everything from salads to savory dishes to beer: before hops rose to prominence, a yarrow-containing herbal mixture called gruit was a very popular agent for flavoring beer [2]. Today, you can still buy liqueurs and bitters that have been flavored with yarrow.

Thousands of miles away in China, dried yarrow stalks were used to interpret readings from the I Ching, or “Book of Changes” as part of Chinese divination practice. Along with tortoiseshell, yarrow is considered a lucky herb that “makes the eyes bright” and promotes intelligence according to traditional Chinese medicine [2].

In North America, indigenous peoples have also long used yarrow as a medicinal herb for relieving the pain of headaches and earaches, as well as treating head colds and fevers [5]. The Zuni people of the American Southwest even make a juice from yarrow leaves and flowers and apply it to the skin as an anti-inflammatory [5] before participating in fire-walking or fire-eating ceremonies!

The mildly aromatic yarrow essential oil is still used in aromatherapy to treat minor cuts and abrasions, since compounds in the leaves are known to promote blood clotting [4]. With its general anti-inflammatory properties, yarrow oil is excellent for relieving the pain of injuries, headaches or muscle aches [3], and for reducing the congestion associated with cold and flu [1]. Yarrow essential oil is also astringent, hypotensive, mild stimulant, and diaphoretic, used to reduce fevers by inducing sweating [5]. The whole herb is sometimes taken as a bitter tonic to aid digestion and stimulate the production of gastric juices [1]. A massage with diluted yarrow oil may also ease painful menstruation through its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects [4].

A few precautions with yarrow oil are to avoid the oil in pregnancy and always do a patch test with yarrow oil diluted in a carrier oil before using it on the skin. Since yarrow essential oil can cause skin irritation or headache in sensitive individuals [1], especially if used in large amounts, always dilute yarrow oil before use and use it in moderation. With its dry, herbal-woody fragrance, yarrow essential oil blends well with other herbaceous or sweet-woody oils such as chamomile, cedarwood, oakmoss and verbena. What the Greeks knew about this thousand-leafed healer can be yours again when you use yarrow essential oil in aromatherapy!

REFERENCES

1. “Yarrow Essential Oil” Aromatherapy School. Accessed April 16th, 2014. http://www.aromatherapy-school.com/essential-oils/yarrow-milfoil.html.

2. “Achillea millefolium.” Wikipedia. Accessed April 16th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achillea_millefolium.

3. Benedek, Birgit, and Brigitte Kopp. July 2007. “Achillea millefolium L. s.l. Revisited: Recent Findings Confirm the Traditional Use.” Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 157 (13-14): 312-14.

4. Applequist, Wendy L., and Daniel E. Moerman. June 2011. “(Achillea millefolium L.): A Neglected Panacea? A Review of Ethnobotany, Bioactivity, and Biomedical Research. Economic Botany 65 (2): 209-225.

5. Hutchens, Alma R. 1973. Indian Herbology of North America. Shambhala Publications.

Essential Oils for Hot Flashes

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For many women, menopause can be a frustrating phase of life that’s often accompanied by uncomfortable physical symptoms caused by the changes in hormone production. Luckily, the plant kingdom has provided several solutions for women who want to lessen their discomfort during this life transition: using essential oils for hot flashes, to restore emotional balance, and to increase energy are just a few ways aromatherapy can help address the symptoms of menopause.

Triggered by the body’s decrease in the production of estrogen and related feminine hormones as a woman enters middle age, menopause can cause symptoms such as headaches, confusion, mood imbalances or depression, decreases in bone density, vaginal tenderness or dryness, and of course the infamous hot flash—a sudden feeling of being uncomfortably hot that is not caused by any external increase in temperature [1]. These and related symptoms are thought to be caused by the erratic or insufficient hormone production that occurs during menopause [1].

So, how can pure plant essential oils help decrease hot flashes and ease the transition through menopause? Treatments with essential oils for hot flashes work in three main ways: by delivering plant compounds called phytoestrogens into the body that mimic estrogen [2], the main female hormone; by directly inducing feelings of coolness; or by inducing mild perspiration to help bring the body’s temperature down.

Essential Oils with Phytoestrogens: Essential oils that contain phytoestrogens include angelica, anise, basil, clary sage, coriander, cypress, fennel, hop, and sage [2]. Other essential oils with balancing effects on feminine hormones are lavender, geranium, and rose: alone or in combination with the essential oils above, these oils can do much to reduce the occurrence and severity of hot flashes, as well as to reduce other dysphoric symptoms of menopause, such as generalized pain and headaches [3].

Essential Oils as a Direct Cooling Agent: the most popular cooling essential oil used to treat hot flashes is peppermint oil, which contains menthol, a compound that induces feelings of coolness when it contacts the skin or mucous membranes [4]. Peppermint oil is generally non-irritating and safe for use on skin once it has been diluted in a carrier oil. Other essential oils containing a significant amount of menthol are spearmint, eucalyptus, and radiata. Used sparingly in a blend or as a hydrosol, these oils can go a long way to helping you feel cool and comfortable again!

Essential Oils to Induce Sweating: A few essential oils can also reduce hot flashes by inducing perspiration. Essential oils with this effect are called diaphoretics, and the most popular diaphoretic essential oil for hot flashes is lemon oil [5]. With a gentle therapeutic effect and a bonus lift to the mood from its lemony fresh scent, lemon oil is definitely the diaphoretic to start with when working to relieve hot flashes resulting from menopause.

Essential oils can combat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms in a massage, warm bath, or when added to a moisturizing lotion. To amplify and speed up their beneficial effects, essential oils should be massaged into areas of the body with fat stores, as hormones are manufactured primarily in these areas [2]. The heat of a warm bath can also speed absorption and be quite soothing in itself, especially in cases of pain or inflammation. Finally, essential oils can also be added to a moisturizing cream with vitamin E—almond oil also works well—for topical application. Lavender and geranium, with their cell-regenerating effects, work especially well in this preparation!

REFERENCES

1. “Menopause (Perimenopause)”. MedicineNet. Last Modified March 5th, 2013. http://www.medicinenet.com/menopause/article.htm.

2. Keville, Kathy. May 1st, 2007. “How to Treat Menopause with Aromatherapy”. HowStuffWorks. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/how-to-treat-menopause-with-aromatherapy.htm.

3. Hur, MH, YS Yang, and MS Lee. September 2008. “Aromatherapy massage affects menopausal symptoms in Korean climacteric women: a pilot-controlled clinical trial.” Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine 5 (3):325-8.

4. “Peppermint Essential Oil: Profile, Benefits and Uses.” AromaWeb. Accessed April 18th, 2014. http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/peppermint-oil.asp.

5. “Can Aromatherapy Stop Hot Flashes and Hormonal Night Sweats?”. Vibrant Nation. Last modified June 30th, 2011. http://www.vibrantnation.com/health-fitness/menopause/can-aromatherapy-stop-hot-flashes-and-hormonal-night-sweats/.

Petitgrain Oil – Substitute for Neroli Oil

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Is there anything more refreshing than the smell of fresh oranges in the morning? There’s a reason why so many people can’t do without their breakfast glass of orange juice, and essential oils distilled from citrus fruits such as bergamot, sweet orange, and petitgrain have the same awakening qualities. Perfect for direct inhalation as a sort of “scent therapy” to alleviate feelings of gloom or the winter blues, petitgrain essential oil also has antibacterial, antispasmodic, and astringent properties [1] that make it a superstar in treating ailments from your head to your toes! Read on to discover the time-tested ways petitgrain oil has been used in aromatherapy and spa treatments.

Modern petitgrain oil is distilled from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium), which is also the source of the delicately floral neroli essential oil. Though it is sometimes used as a substitute for neroli oil in fragrances—in fact, petitgrain oil is even sometimes nicknamed “poor man’s neroli”—petitgrain oil has a woodier, more herbaceous scent that distinguishes it from its more floral relative [1]. However, both types of oil have been used in perfumes, bathwaters and colognes since the 1700s for their pleasant, floral-citrusy scent, ability to tighten and moisturize the skin, and reputed aphrodisiac effects. Today, petitgrain oil is mainly produced in Paraguay and France, with the French variety said to have a longer-lasting, more intense aroma. The name “petitgrain” also comes from the French, meaning “little grain”, a reference to the old practice of distilling petitgrain oil from the green, unripe bitter oranges when they were still the size of cherries! Nowadays, because it is more economical, most producers harvest the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree to distill petitgrain oil.

All citrus oils seem to have uplifting and cheering effects on the mood, and petitgrain essential oil is no exception. The easiest way to use petitgrain oil is simply to inhale its sharp fragrance right from the bottle for an instant dose of cheer! Just the smell of petitgrain oil is thought to refresh the mind and fight “brain fog”, confusion, mental fatigue or stress, and mild cases of the blues. In a massage or blended into a moisturizing lotion, petitgrain essential oil can decongest oily skin and scalp and help clear up skin conditions such as acne and other blemishes [2]. The oil’s antispasmodic properties can ease nervous tension, tight muscles, and even indigestion and stomach cramps by relaxing spasms in smooth muscle [3]. Finally, due to its antiseptic and antibacterial effects [4], petitgrain oil can be inhaled from a diffuser or added to bath water to fight infections, especially colds and other upper respiratory ailments.

Like its cousin neroli, petitgrain oil is generally considered non-sensitizing and non-irritating. Because it is distilled from the leaves and twigs rather than the fruit peel of the bitter orange, petitgrain oil does not contain the coumarins found in citrus peel that can cause photo-sensitization when exposed to sunlight [3].

In our opinion, it’s hard to create a bad blend with petitgrain oil—it works with many different essential oils!—but the absolute yummiest combinations we’ve discovered pair petitgrain oil with other citrus oils such as bergamot, neroli, lime and sweet orange; woody oils such as cypress and sandalwood; and floral scents such as clary sage, geranium, lavender, jasmine, and ylang ylang.

REFERENCES

1. “Health Benefits of Petitgrain Essential Oil. Organic Facts. Accessed April 23rd, 2014. http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-petit-grain-essential-oil.html.

2. Ryman, Danièle. “Petitgrain Essential Oil”. Aromatherapy Bible. Accessed April 22nd, 2014. http://www.aromatherapybible.com/petitgrain.html.

3. Martin, Ingrid. 2006. Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

4. “Petitgrain (Bigarde) Essential Oil Aromatherapy.” Annie’s Aromatherapy. Accessed April 22nd, 2014. http://www.anniesaromatherapy.com/Petitgrain.php.

Pine Needle Oil Strengthens the Immune System and Improves Focus

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Brrr! It’s that time of year again! In January, winter can often seem endless, and the temptation to curl up under a blanket and forget the world can be nearly overwhelming. Unfortunately, not only do the demands of life and work conspire to get us out of bed when we’d rather hide away, midwinter is often ground-zero for all kinds of nasty bugs such as cold and flu, which can make the simplest daily activities a misery.

Pine needle essential oil to the rescue! This invigorating, uplifting oil distilled from the needle-shaped leaves of the pine tree is perfect for easing the winter doldrums, inspiring focused energy, and fighting infection. With a smell like fresh pine needles, pine needle oil is also perfect for diffusion, adding a woodsy, refreshing fragrance to any living area!

The pine tree (Abies sibirica) is a coniferous evergreen native to Russia, Siberia, Mongolia and Turkestan, although other members of the Abies genus are scattered all over Europe and North America. Pines prefer forest environments with cold, moist soil and are usually found on mountainsides and in river basins, where they grow in thick groves. With its dense green foliage and conical shape, the pine tree is the model for the classic Christmas tree and can grow up to 30-35 meters (98-115 feet) in height. Pine trees are extremely frost tolerant, able to remain hardy and viable at temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit) [1]!

Despite their ubiquity, pine trees are not a common source of lumber because their wood tends to be of the softer whitish variety that is unsuitable for building. While pine trees have some use as a source of soft wood for making paper and packing crates, their main commercial use is in aromatherapy and perfumery [1]: the balsamic, dry-woody scent of pine needle essential oil can provide a sharp middle note to balance more floral fragrances in soaps, cleansers and personal fragrances. Because it is high in phenols, a class of disinfectant chemicals, pine needle oil is also a main ingredient in the well-known household cleanser Pine-Sol [2]. Yet many centuries before Pine-Sol came onto the market, Native Americans were placing pine boughs in their homes to repel lice, bedbugs and other pests. For generations, pine boughs have also been burned as a purifying incense in Native American sweat lodge ceremonies. Clearly, the pine tree has had a long history as a cleanser and freshener!

Like fir needle oil, the essential oil of the pine tree has detoxifying benefits for the whole body when it is absorbed through inhalation, massage, steaming, or in a warm bath. In aromatherapy, pine needle essential oil is primarily used as an analgesic in cases of rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, and sore muscles [3]; as a respiratory decongestant for colds and flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, and chest cough [3]; and to rejuvenate the body and restore mental and emotional balance, especially during the winter months. With its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, pine needle essential oil is an excellent complementary treatment for upper respiratory infections [3], clearing congestion while rooting out infections at their source.

Although pine needle essential oil is generally non-sensitizing and non-irritating, it may be irritating to sensitive skin and should always be used in dilution for topical applications. Try adding pine needle essential oil to a facial toner or lotion and let its astringent effects tighten and tone your skin, or add it to a carrier oil as part of an essential oil blend. Though pine needle oil blends well with many essential oils, our favorite way to use it is in an immune-stimulating, invigorating blend of other piney oils such as cypress, cedarwood, fir, and rosemary. To really give your constitution a lift during these short days, try adding a few camphoraceous oils to this mix, such as eucalyptus, niaouli, and tea tree oils, all of which have their own expectorant and anti-microbial properties [4]. Synergized with pine needle oil, this blend will give you all the energy you need to make the most of the daylight hours!

REFERENCES

1. “Abies sibirica“. Wikipedia. Accessed May 2nd, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_sibirica.

2. Stewart, Susan and Vicki Ambrosio. A Beginner’s Reference Guide to Aromatherapy and Herbs. Lulu.com: 2011.

3. Keville, Kathy. “Aromatherapy: Fir”. HowStuffWorks. Accessed May 2nd, 2014. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-fir.htm.

4. Inouye, Shigeharu, Toshio Takezawa, and Hideyo Yamaguchi. January 22nd, 2001. “Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact.” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 47 (5): 565-73.

Oils for Aromatherapy & Aromatherapy Oils

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One of the most frequent questions we receive at Essential Oil Exchange is what makes an essential oil suitable for use in aromatherapy. An aromatherapy oil should always be therapeutic-grade, a term that we discuss in detail in “Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: What is Therapeutic Grade?” Basically, a therapeutic-grade aromatherapy oil has been distilled under lower temperatures and pressures than mass-produced commercial-grade oils, in order to create an essential oil with a range and ratio of constituents that are as close to the living plant as possible. Because essential oils represent highly concentrated versions of these constituents, this makes aromatherapeutic-grade oils a power tool in the holistic healthcare practitioner’s toolkit.

Although therapeutic-grade oils are often organic, this isn’t a necessary component of the rating: whether they’ve been organically or conventionally grown, essential oils are rated therapeutic-grade if they’ve been grown, harvested, distilled and stored using optimal techniques designed to preserve the greatest range of active constituents. In addition, aromatherapy oils must be free of synthetic additives and cannot be adulterated with other oils not listed on the label—although blends that contain a stated mixture of essential oils may be used by some aromatherapists. For instance, to be therapeutic grade, a lavender essential oil cannot be adulterated with either synthetic lavender oil constituents or lavandin (spike lavender) oil, which produces different therapeutic effects. While this means that therapeutic-grade aromatherapy oils are more expensive, the extra price is worth it since they are being used to produce a desired therapeutic effect.

While not suitable for aromtherapy, non-therapeutic grade essential oils can still be used in detergents, soaps, candles, and personal fragrances. When buying an essential oil, let your intention for its use guide your purchase: do you want to use your essential oil in aromatherapy? As a cleanser or perfume? In soap or candle making? For purposes other than aromatherapy, you can save by buying inexpensive commercial-grade essential oils, including essential oils that have been pre-blended into a carrier oil such as almond or olive oil for ease of use. Although pre-blended oils have a shorter shelf life, they are ideal if you want to get creative in making your own fragrances and bath products.

Make Your Own Herbal Oil Infusions at Home!

With a little time and experimentation, you can also make your own herbal oil infusions by steeping raw plant material into a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba, or almond oil. Although the finished product will not be as concentrated as a steam-distilled essential oil, you will end up with a versatile finished oil that can be used in soap and candle making, fragrances, bath oils, and other homemade products.

Preparation: Pour your chosen carrier oil—olive, jojoba, or almond oils work well—into a large screw-cap glass bottle until it is half full, then pack the bottle with the plant material you want to infuse. Lavender works well in this preparation, but not all aromatic plants do, so make sure to research the plant you want to infuse before trying this recipe. Screw the cap on tight and let the bottle sit in a cool, dark place for at least 3 days, shaking the bottle once every 24 hours. Strain the finished oil through cheesecloth into a dark glass or stainless steel bottle. If the aroma is too weak, try adding a bit more raw plant material and letting it steep an extra day or so before straining the oil. Stored in a cool, dry place, this mixture will last about 6 months—long enough to fulfill all your perfumery and crafting needs!

Palmarosa Oil Nourishes and Repairs Damaged Skin

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Although once mentioned in the same breath as rose oil, today palmarosa essential oil has fallen out of common knowledge, so we at Essential Oil Exchange decided to provide a little refresher on its source and applications. Native to India and Southeast Asia, palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) is a fragrant perennial grass; as you may have guessed from its genus name, palmarosa is related to lemongrass and citronella, and like them, its oil can be used to repel biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes [1]. Palmarosa grass has been traditionally cultivated in India for its essential oil, which has recognized medicinal and household properties.

Because its odor is repellent to insects, in India palmarosa oil was often added to stores of grains and beans to prevent insect damage. The oil was also added to cooked food to kill bacteria and parasites and aid digestion as a gastric stimulant. Palmarosa oil also saw trade in ancient times that took it as far as ancient Egypt, where the dried grass was burned as temple incense. In Turkey, palmarosa oil was commonly used to adulterate the more expensive rose otto, and sometimes even passed off as rose oil due to its similar scent, which gave palmarosa its name.

Today, palmarosa essential oil is still sometimes used as a rose oil substitute in more inexpensive soaps, perfumes, and other fragrance products. The oil is also the main commercial source of geraniol, a component of many essential oils that is widely used in cleansers, detergents and perfumes for its aromatic properties. Palmarosa oil ranks up with citronella and lemongrass as an effective natural insect repellent [2] that also has antibacterial, anti-fungal [3], and antiviral actions [2]. In aromtherapy, palmarosa essential oil is mainly used to heal and tone the skin; its broad-spectrum anti-microbial actions [3] make it an effective balm for treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis that may be the result of fungal or bacterial infection. Palmarosa oil also hydrates the skin and encourages the cellular regeneration of damaged tissues [4], making it a perfect tonic for dry, weathered or mature skin; and because it’s generally non-sensitizing and non-irritating, palmarosa oil is safe for use on most skin types.

On the emotional plane, palmarosa is a gently uplifting and energizing fragrance, with many of the same antidepressant properties as a citrus oil such as bergamot or neroli oil. Its invigorating effect on the mind can help mitigate states of stress and nervous exhaustion, mental and physical fatigue, and the winter “blues” [4]. Ready to try palmarosa essential oil for yourself? Diffuse the oil from a burner or diffuser to create an uplifting fragrance for any season, or try mixing a small quantity of palmarosa with other floral-citrusy oils such as bergamot, geranium, lime, and rosemary for a sensual blend that will tone the skin and make you glow all over!

REFERENCES

1. “Cymbopogon martinii.” Wikipedia. Accessed May 2nd, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbopogon_martinii.

2. Duke, J. A, and J. du Cellier. 1993. CRC Handbook of Alternative Cash Crops Boca Raton: CRC Press.

3. Pattnaik S, VR Subramanyam, M Bapaji and CR Kole. 1997. “Antibacterial and anti-fungal activity of aromatic constituents of essential oils.” Microbios. 89: 39-46.

4. “Palmarosa Oil Profile”. Oils and Plants. Accessed May 2nd, 2014. http://www.oilsandplants.com/palmarosa.htm.