Sabinene

Sabinene is a bicyclic unsaturated terpenoid with the molecular formula C10H16. It is also known by other names like 4(10)-Thujene; Sabenene; Sabinen; etc.

It is usually present in the essential oils of plants such as Black pepper, Holm oak, Norway spruce, Nutmeg, Clausena anisata and Laurus nobilis. It is also obtained from Tea tree oil in little concentration. It is also a key ingredient of Carrot seed oil.

Attributes of Sabinene:

It has a woody and spicy smell.

Being a constituent of the black pepper, Sabinene is the reason behind the hotness and spicy element of black pepper.

Sabinene is one of the constituents of carrot that adds the key flavor to carrots. Sabinene also seems to be one of the significant components present in carrots that contribute to green, earthy, carrot top flavour with relatively high odor activity values.

Sabinene also showed strong radical-scavenging activity, which enables the essential oil containing sabinene to be antioxidant in nature.

It also serves as an additive in perfumes.

Therapeutic uses of Sabinene:

The most predominant remedial values of Sabinene are:

As an anti-inflammatory agent:

Sabinene also exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antifungal properties.

According to a study titled “Anti-fungal, anti-oxidant ad anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L.essential oil”, it has been found that sabinene exhibited a strong anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides and interferon gamma triggered macrophages.

It is also used to treat inflammation on the skin. It is also used for the treatment of dermatophytosis and other inflammatory conditions.

According to a study, ‘Antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L. essential oil’, it was stated that sabinene present in the essential oil Oenanthe crocata is responsible for its anti-inflammatory attribute.

Sabinene in this essential oil extremely exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely tumour necrosis factor alpha and interlukin.

As anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent:

Sabinene also possess anti-bacterial properties and has been witnessed by various studies. According to the study titled, “The Essential Oil Constituents of Zorniadiphylla (L.) Pers, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of the Oil”, it had been stated that sabinene showed a strong anti-microbial activity against Salmonella typhi, which causes food poisoning. Sabinene also proved to contain anti-fungal potency.

Sabinene exhibits strong to moderate anti-bacterial activity against gram positive bacteria and anti-fungal activity against pathogenic fungi.

Sabinene present in tea tree oil is an anti-bacterial and an antiseptic, anti-helicobacter, anti-ulcer. Sabinene is also used in perfumery and as a flavoring agent.

Reference Links:   

Sabinene by Wikipedia

Antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Oenanthe crocata L. essential oil, published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology Journal

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and different fractions of Juniperus communis L. and a comparison with some commercial antibiotics.

The Essential Oil Constituents of Zorniadiphylla (L.) Pers, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of the Oil, by the Phytochemistry and Phytopharmacology Division, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, India

Ayurvedic Remedies For Weight Loss: Where Obesity Turns Obsolete Naturally

Obesity has become a common phenomenon and is spreading like forest fire among the younger generation. Numerous studies have revealed that unhealthy and irregular eating habits and lack of physical exercises are the two major reasons sowing the seed for the tree of obesity to attain its fuller growth. If unchecked and treated at the initial stage, obesity can spread its harmful roots and give its love to other health complexities like diabetes or high blood sugar, liver disorders, heart attack resulting from stroke, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis and other joint disorders, sleep apnea, increased blood cholesterol, gallstones and difficulty in accomplishing tasks than the person with normal body weight.

Many of us confuse obesity and overweight. Overweight may be due to the increased weight of bone, muscle, excess fat or water whereas obesity indicates the surplus amount of body fat. Both the terms share the common meaning of excess weight in a person’s body than the actual weight he/she is supposed to be according to their BMI (Body Mass Index).

Ayurvedic remedies for weight loss: Obesity is treated using various therapies in Ayurvedic treatment. Initially you will be facilitated to take up your first Ayurvedic consultation with the Ayurvedic practitioner, where your pulse, eye sight, breathing mechanism, palm and tongue are tested to trace out your doshas also known as psychosomatic structure. After which the complete medical history of you and your family as well your customary habits and emotional stability are drawn.

It is at this stage, the Ayurvedic expert explores the actual root cause for your obesity or overweight based upon on the findings of your first consultation. Ayurveda trusts in uniqueness of an individual and suggests a healthy diet, meditation, regular physical exercises and yoga for your complete robustness along with the relevant Ayurvedic medication.

A hearty eating habit: Even before prescribing the medicines for your condition, Ayurveda highly insists on practicing a healthy eating habit with fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, Ayurvedic drinks like ginger tea with lemon and more. This divine science directs you to take small portions of meal instead of single hefty meal and always remember to take rich food items during the lunch as the fire for digestion is at its fullest potential during noon. Chew your food thoroughly instead of blind swallowing as it encourages easy digestion restricting the unused particles to get stored in your body.

Water is your best mate and obesity’s worst fate: Drink as much as water you can as this elixir of life has the power to remove the unwanted materials and toxins from your body, allowing it to glow naturally.

Ayurvedic medication: Ayurveda suggests the use of herbal medications made with garcinia, licorice, ginger, rhubarb, coriander, triphala, cumin, shilajit, fennel, guggulu, turmeric, bhibitaki, tulasi or gokshura seed based upon your predominant dosha types. Most of the above herbs work in a way to augment the digestive fire (Agni) and support quicker and complete digestion essential for weight loss. Apart from these herbs the Ayurvedic professional may also prescribe the use of Ayurvedic essential oils like Bergamot oil, Grapefruit oil, Peppermint oil, Cypress oil, Rosemary oil, Thyme oil, Lemongrass oil, Orange oil, Fennel oil and Juniper oil for fighting the general fat deposits in your body and prevent the future fat deposits also.

There’s nothing to weep or worry. First understand that obesity is a universal condition and you are not its unique victim. It’s time to pack up the problems that obesity has presented you and give it ten times back to the environmental forces that made you feel shy and uncomfortable in your day to day living. Yes! The ready redeemer for all these burning problems is Ayurveda, the incredible science of human life.

Reference links:

  1. Obesity by PubMed Health
  2. Dosha by Wikipedia
  3. Natural Weight Loss – The Ayurvedic Way by Native Remedies

Ayurvedic Essential Oils For Your Face

Your face says who you are and shows better about what you really think and the popular saying ‘Face is the index of the mind’ proves it right. All kinds of human expressions like happiness, sadness, pain, angriness, depression, fear, anxiety, stress, shock, surprise and everything else is first conveyed through your face. It can also be called as your body’s brand ambassador and at times even your hidden feelings are revealed through your face.  People first look at your face and determine you even before speaking with you and it has an upper hand in creating the ‘first best impression’. It is your right and responsibility to take care of your face, the most expressive and the impressive part of your system. I can never think of anything else other than the natural skin care shield offered by the protective and healing Ayurvedic essential oils that has been a part of beauty secrets of many for centuries together.

  1. Lavender essential oil: No one can hate lavender if not for its color but for the mesmerizing aroma that it holds by nature. Even your hectic days that make your face dull and gloomy might revive gradually with the soothing fragrance of lavender essential oil. This calming oil has bactericide, anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-viral properties that help fight facial problems like acne, pimples, wrinkles on the face and tanning of the facial skin. Lavender oil is also said to improve the complexion and give radiant glow to the skin, for which it has been a vital part of Ayurvedic massage therapy, facial creams, lotions and other popular skin care products in the market.
  2. Frankincense essential oil: A firm, fresh and fabulous face is always the symbol of energy and youthfulness. Frankincense essential oil can be your best friend in bringing all the above said qualities with a bracing energy to your face. This oil has anti-bacterial, tonic and antiseptic properties that help in toning, contracting and lifting the facial muscles helping in visible reduction of wrinkles and fights against acne. Few drops of Frankincense essential oil with Jojoba oil can work like a wonder on your face.
  3. Tea Tree essential oil: Tea tree oil is the beauty secret of Australians and more than 300 species of Tea tree has found its native in the land of Kangaroos. This enriching essential oil is known for its immune stimulating properties and protects your skin from the harmful bacteria, viral and fungal infections. Dull, lifeless and oily skin is often treated with the therapeutic benefits of Tea tree oil. This oil is also used as an effective remedy in curing acne, burns, rashes, skin irritations, wounds and tropical infections.
  4. Rosemary essential oil: Dry, tired, mature, sensitive and dead beat skin can be given a new life with a simple soothing massage of few drops of Rosemary essential oil with any of your favorite carrier oils. Rosemary oil works well in treating oily skin as it has been proved to reduce the sebum or excessive oil production when used topically.
  5. YlangYlang essential oil: Extreme secretion of oil or imbalanced release of sebum is the major causes of problems like pimples, acne, dark spots and other bacterial infections. The use of YlangYlang essential oil with its mystical aroma balances the improper sebum secretion and restores the essential oil required for a healthy, glowing and younger looking skin. This anti-depressive essential oil helps calm down the facial muscles and induce a good night’s sleep that would help in vitalizing and reducing dark circles visibly.

Using these Ayurvedic essential oils for your face is not a rocket science and anyone can do it easily with the tip of your fingers as nothing else can caress your face and cradle your tension other than your hands with the magical touch of such enlivening essential oils.

Reference Links:

  1. Health Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil by Organic Facts
  2. The Tea Tree Skin “Miracle” – The 7 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil by Body Ecology
  3. Carrier Oils by Wikipedia