Perhaps you have already experienced the healing benefits of essential oils, or maybe you have a few friends who swear by them. Physical healing is just one powerful reason to use essential oils. Here’s more on that, plus other compelling reasons to add these all-natural extracts to your wellness regimen. Whether you want safe alternatives to OTC pain medications and sleep aids or are looking for easy ways to deal with common illnesses while saving some of your hard-earned dollars,…
Coriandrum sativum (Plant Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae) Type of plant: Annual or biennial plant, with small, delicate shapely leaves. The whitish-pink flowers give way to green…
Copaifera officinalis (Plant Family: Fabaceae) Type of plant: Copaiba is a rain forest tree growing to between 50 and 90 feet in height with long, flowering panicles and small white flowers Part used: Oleoresin Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: This species of copaiba tree is found throughout South America and the Amazon region. The resin is extracted by tapping or drilling holes into the…
Syzygium aromaticum (Plant Family: Myrtaceae) Type of plant: All parts of this 40-foot evergreen tree are fragrant: the wood, flowers, and leaves. Part used: Buds Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: Clove buds are harvested then sun-dried until they turn to the characteristic deep red-brown color before being distilled. Clove was in use in the Levant from 1700 BCE, mentioned in Indian Ayurvedic medicine from 1500 BCE, and known from at least the…
Type of plant: Biennial herb growing to 3 feet high with hairy stems, large, fragrant, velvety leaves, and lilac-pink flower spikes Part used: Flowering tops Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: The plant material is distilled either dried, when it is known as traditional clary sage, or fresh, when it is known as green crushed clary sage. The whole plant has glandular hairs containing essential oil.…
Shock is the state of insufficient blood flow to the tissues of the body as a result of problems with the circulatory system. Initial symptoms of shock may include weakness, fast heart rate, fast breathing, sweating, anxiety, and increased thirst. This may be followed by confusion, unconsciousness, or cardiac arrest,…
Type of plant: Small plant with feathery leaves and small white daisy-like flowers Part used: Flowers and stems Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: For at least 2,000 years chamomile has been used extensively as a medicine. The botanical name derives from the Greek anthemis, meaning “little flower.” One variety of anthemis has been found at ancient Egyptian sites dating from the predynastic period. In early Scandinavian culture, chamomile was…
Ormenis multicaulis, O. mixta (Plant Family: Asteraceae/Compositae) Type of plant: Perennial herb with daisy-like yellow flowers and hairy leaves Part used: Flowering tops Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: Although the flower of Ormenis looks like a typical chamomile, it’s a different species and has quite different therapeutic qualities. When buying any chamomile, it’s important to look at the botanical name and ensure it is the chamomile you…
Matricaria recutita (Plant Family: Asteraceae/Compositae) Type of plant: Plant with feathery leaves and white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers Part used: Flowering tops Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: Sometimes known as Chamomilla recutita or Matricaria chamomilla, the herb is dried before distillation, and the blue color is due to chamazulene being produced during the distillation process. The name matricaria comes from the Latin matrix, meaning “womb,” because of the plant’s widespread use by…
Apium graveolens (Plant Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae) Type of plant: A wild celery with upright rosettes of green leaves on a tall flowering stem, producing small greenish-white flowers and tiny seeds Part used: Seeds Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: Thought to originate in Europe, the plant naturally prefers growing in salt marshes or near coastlines. Widely cultivated as a vegetable, it’s now found growing throughout the world. It…
Cedrus atlantica (Plant Family: Pinaceae) Type of plant: An evergreen tree growing to over 100 feet, with wide-spreading branches, needles, and cones Part used: Wood chips and shavings Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: The cedar species Cedrus atlantica is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. Cedars have been recorded to live for up to 2,000 years. The…
CEDARWOOD, VIRGINIA, Juniperus virginiana (Plant Family: Cupressaceae) Type of plant: Evergreen tree growing up to over 100 feet high, with needles and berries Part used: Wood shavings and sawdust Method of extraction: Steam distillation Data: Native to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. The redness of the wood earned the tree the name red cedar,…
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