CARNATION essential oil

Dianthus caryophyllus (Plant Family: Caryophyllaceae)

Carnation essential oil

Carnation, also called grenadine or clove pink, herbaceous plant of the pink, or carnation, family (Caryophyllaceae), native to the Mediterranean area. It is widely cultivated for its fringe-petaled flowers, which often have a spicy fragrance, and is used extensively in the floral industry. 

There are two general groups, the border, or garden, carnations and the perpetual flowering carnations. Border carnations include a range of varieties and hybrids, 30 to 75 cm (1 to 2.5 feet) tall; the flowers, in a wide range of colours, are usually less than 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter and are borne on wiry, stiffly erect stems. The bluish green leaves are narrow, sheathing the stems; there are swellings at the junction of leaf and stem.

Type of plant: Perennial plant with long, thin, silver-gray leaves and pink flowers of various shades with ragged-edged petals

Part used: Flower heads

Method of extraction: Solvent extraction, then alcohol extraction, which produces an absolute

About: This flower is commonly grown as an ornamental garden plant, known as clove pink, as the aroma is reminiscent of clove. Carnations were often sent to signify love. The name is derived from the word coronation, as the flowers were once formed into garlands and crowns.

Principal places of production: France, Egypt

When buying look for: A greenish-brown tinged to dark-amber-brown slightly viscous liquid with a rich, floral, spicy aroma

Therapeutic properties: Calmative, relaxant, tonic

Therapeutic uses: Stress, insomnia, overactive mind, workaholism, insecurity, inability to communicate feelings, feeling detached from reality, sense of aloneness; relaxant

Blends well with: Bay (West Indian), benzoin, bergamot, black pepper, cananga, cardamom, chamomile maroc, clove bud, coriander seed, hyacinth, immortelle, jasmine, lemon, linden blossom, magnolia leaf, narcissus, orange (sweet), rose absolute, sandalwood, tuberose, ylang ylang, yuzu

Precautionary advice: No contraindications known