Things to know about Essential Oils

A guide to Aromatherapy: the properties of healing plants

Natural essential oils; when Nature gives her heart and soul.
What exactly are essential oils?
The essential oil extracted from plants is the “pure essence of a plant”, “a radiant energy”, to a lot of scientists even the connection between spirit and matter.
Plants produce a very small amount and the essence obtained sometimes sums up to only 0,01%.
Essential oils are extracted by means of sophisticated tools from: BRANCHES, FRUITS, FLOWERS, BERRIES, BUSHES, TREES, LEAVES, PEELS.
The use of essential oils goes back to the ancient Egyptian civilization and research and continuous discoveries within the centuries keep on surprising modern science: nowadays we try to rediscover the ancient wisdom that relates the use of plants to our personal wellbeing.

Nose and Brain.

Nose and Brain

The sense of smell seems to have a bigger relation to the right cerebral hemisphere than other senses which concernes intuition, creativity, sensitivity, the capacity of perception as well as the emotional sphere. Let’s see the course of the aroma…

How to use essential oils.

Oil burner lamps: put some water in the burner lamp, add a few drops of essential oil.
Result: through our sense of smell the essential oil reaches our brain producing a variety of effects ( relaxing, stimulating, balancing). Every single essential oil has particular properties and influences our emotional sphere in a specific way which we want to explain shortly in this guide.
Bathtub/Hydro-massage: put a few drops of essential oil into the warm water for a moment of pure natural wellbeing.

Strengh and concentration.

EUCALIPTO GLOBULUS
Eucalyptus Globulus
Origin: AUSTRALIA.
A big evergreen tree which reaches a height up to 100 meters. Every part of the plant is used for the production of the essential oil (leaves and branches).
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine articles: analgesic, anti-rheumatic, healing, balsamic, decongestant, depurative, diuretic, anti-parassitic, antipyretic.

Emotional effects: balsamic, tonic, stimulates lucidity. It is known to be an ideal stimulant for lazy and listless people. It instills courage and strengh donating the joy of learning and the desire to improve.
Other effects/uses.
Cleans and refreshens the air, discourages irritating insects.
In a warm bath: 10/15 drops for a balsamic benefit in the winter. Massages: gives an immediate relieve after insect stings if massaged with 1-2 drops onto the affected spot.

Euphoria and sensuality.

PATCHOULY
Pogostenom cablin
Origin: MALAYSIA
Everlasting bush with small white flowers and aromatic large leaves which are dried and used for the extraction of the essential oil.
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine articles: aphrodisiac, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, bactericidal, digestive, diuretic, antimicrobial.

Emotional effects: Patchouli is a great stimulant for our senses and pervades us with its persuasive aroma and exotic magic, creating a joyful and sensual atmosphere. It helps to overcome rational limits supporting dialogue and romentic rendezvous. It encloses all the energy of the hot tropical sun.
Other effects/uses.
In a warm bath: 10 drops to obtain a tonic and stimulating effect.
Massages: 5 drops together with a simple body lotion are an ideal mix against cracked skin, acne and blackheads. Rubbing a few drops onto your scalp has a reinforcing effect to your skin and eliminates dandruff.

Action.

SYLVAN PINE
Pinus Sylvestris
Origin: Norvegia
A majestic tree (it can reach up to 40 meters), its needles are used for the production of natural essential oil.
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine: antimicrobial, antineuralgic, bactericidal, expectorant, re-vitalising, stimulating, anti-rheumatic, balsamic, diuretic.

Emotional effects: energetic, stimulating, donates vitality and energy. It instills activity, positivity, combativeness and courage.
It is particularly indicated for active people thanks to its balsamic and restorative benefit.
Other effects/uses.
Since ancient times sylvan pine was used as an insect repellant, for purifying and deodorizing the air.
In a warm bath: 10 drops for a boost of vitality and energy.
Massages: 15 drops together with a simple lotion are precious for stimulating circulation and reducing the sensation of heavy legs. Ideal for foothbath.

Love and protection.

CINNAMON
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Origin: INDIA.
A tropical tree up to 15 meters of height, only its cortex is used in the production of essential oil.
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine: antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, digestive, cooling, anti-diarrhea, circulatory, cardiac and respiratory stimulant.

Emotional effects: stimulating, euphoric, refreshing. Its warm and compelling aroma creates enchanting Oriental atmosphere for who loves to be cuddled and protected.
It is often suggested as a “welcoming perfume” when receiving friends and guests in an atmosphere of full cheerfulness.
Other effects/uses.
In a warm bath: 5 drops help to fight stress and tiredness.
Massages: 10 drops together with a simple lotion is ideal against cellulite and reduces the sensation of heavy legs.

Tenaciousness.

TEA TREE
Malaleuca alternifolia
Origin: AUSTRALIA
A small bush also called “Tea Tree”. Since ancient times used by Australian Aborigines, tea tree nowadays surprises modern science for its extraordinary effectiveness and versatile use.
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine: immuno stimulant, expectorant, antiviral, bactericidal, balsamic, healing, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory.

Emotional effects Haromizing, stimulating, increases self esteem helping to fight negativity in daily life. Suggested to help finding internal energy, a precious substance in moments of fatigue or tension.
Other effects/uses
A few drops on the laundry for a better and more profound cleaning effect: the herbal industry uses tea tree for deodorizing, cleaning and disinfectant products.
In a warm bath: 10 drops for reducing cracks and skin irritations, it smoothens the skin.
Massages: plainy rubbed on your scalp it helps to prevent dandruff and itching; 1 or 2 drops to help eliminate itching after insect bites, together with a simple lotion it is also ideal as an aftershave with soothing and softening benefit.

Relax.

CITRONELLA
Cymbopogon nardus
Origin: JAVA
Herbaceous aromatic plant, only the upper part of the plant is used.
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine:  antispasmodic, deodorizing, fungicidal,stomachic, vermifuge, anti-rheumatic, bactericidal, diuretic, febrifuge, insecticidal.

Emotional effects: Relaxing benefits in a warm bath, donating a sensation of peace and general wellbeing. A precious aid in times of fatigue and stress that helps sleep better. Ideal for children’s rooms as it creates a fresh and pleasing atmosphere…
Other effects/uses
A powerful alternative to chemical products when it come to discouraging irritating insects, also in summer evenings outdoor.
Massages: 5 drops together with a simple lotion are an ideal remedy for greasy skin.

Positivity.

MENTA PIPERITA
Menta piperita
Origin: ENGLAND
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti itch, antiviral, hepatic, nervine tonic, sudoriferous, vasoconstrictor, vermifuge, carinative, cephalic, expectorant.

Emotional effects: stimulating, aromatizing, balancing, anti-stress. Menta piperita activates and motivates, makes us get rid of negative thoughts, donating a boost of optimism and positivity to ourselves, the neighbour and the future. It also stimulates the mind fostering study and work.
Other effects/uses
In a warm bath: 10 drops in cold seasons after physical excercise.
Massages: a few drops mixed with simple lotion help to purify and eliminate pimples and blackheads.

Harmony.

LAVANDA VERA
Lavandola angustifolia
Origin: FRANCE
An aromatic bush growing at 1.000 meters above the sea level, its blossoms and stems are used for the extraction of essential oils.
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine: analgesic, antidepressant, anti-rheumatic, anti-toxic, carinative, healing, insecticidal, antimicrobial, calming.

Emotional effects: stimulating, anti-stress, balsamic, balancing. Ancient recepies of aromatherapy reccomend lavander for all types of energetic imbalance in times of both mental or physical fatigue (study, work, sport). Ideal in children’s rooms for making them sleep better, as well as a precious help against nausea in the car or during pregnancy.
Other effects/uses: due to its original fragrance, lavander has always been used as a laundry freshener as well as an efficient remedy against irritating insects and parasites.
In a warm bath: 10 drops to better fall asleep and fight stress. Ideal for footbaths with refreshing and deodorizing benefits.

Serenity.

PALMAROSA
Cymbopogon macinii
Origin: INDIA
Wild herbaceous plant with small blossoms and aromatic leaves which are dried and then used for the extraction of essential oil.
Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine: antiseptic, bactericidal, healing, digestive, febrifuge, hydrating, circulatory stimulant and digestive, tonic.

Emotional effects: The Palmarosa with its sweet and floral fragrance encourages calm, giving a sense of peace and serenity. A precious help in times of mental fatigue and stress it assists in regaining interior balance and optimism.
Other effects/uses:
In a warm bath: ideal for a relaxing evening bath with soothing and hydrating benefits for your skin.
Massages: 5 drops mixed with a simple lotion as an ideal anti-age treatment, it stimulates skin cell renewal and regulates greasy skin.

Joy.

ARANCIO DOLCE
Citrus sinensis
Origin: CHINA
An evergreen tree with sweet fruits. Its peels are used in the extraction of essential oils.

Recognized properties in literature and herbal medicine: antidepressive, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, digestive, fungicidal, lowers blood pressure, calming, antiseptic, febrifuge, carinative.

Emotional effects: Enclosing all the energy of the sun, the sweet orange helps to dissolve sadness and fears. It stimulates determination and moral strengh increasing the capacity of problem solving. It’s the artists’ favourite oil as it instills creativity, joy and optimism, stimulating cheerfulness and play. Ideal for children’s rooms.
Other effects/uses
In a warm bath: 10 drops to recover from a stressful day and recharge the energy.
Massages: 5 drops mixed with a simple lotion are ideal for tired and opaque skin.