Category Archives: Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurvedic Essential Oils

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Benzyl acetate

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Benzyl acetate is an ester made from the condensation of acetic acid and benzyl alcohol. It has a pleasant odor and is the chemical that imparts the sweet fruity smell to strawberries, apples, and bananas. It is also responsible for the pleasant smell in flowers like roses, and jasmine.

Owing to its fragrance, benzyl acetate finds a place in the industry of cosmetics and food, to impart fragrances of Jasmine and Rose to perfumes and cosmetics, and the flavor of apples and pears to confectionary and more in the food industry.

The fragrance is seen to be attractive to bees, and helps in the synthesis of pheromones. It is also used in the bee industry to attract them for the purpose of study. It also acts as a chemical intermediate and used to produce other organic compound. It is also used in plastics, resins, ink and polishes as a solvent.

It is found in limited amounts in ester and flowers. In ester benzyl acetate is seen to be antispasmodic, and sedative and less irritant when compared to the others like Methyl salicylate. Benzyl acetate is commonly seen in perfume oils and is most commonly seen in Jasmine, ylang-ylang, and Gardenia fragrances.

Therapeutic uses of Benzyl acetate:

Benzyl acetate as an antidepressant in Jasmine oil:

Benzyl acetate in Jasmine oil is said to be effective in boosting the mood. It elevates the sense of happiness and stimulates a poetic and romantic mood as experienced in poetic history and music. This is an effect of release of hormones like serotonin in the body as a result of inhalation of the aroma, causing an upliftment in the mood.

Benzyl acetate as an antiseptic in Jasmine oil:

The constituents like Benzyl acetate, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid and Benzyl benzoate seen in jasmine oil exhibit fungicidal, bactericidal, germicidal, and antiviral properties. It is used topically to eliminate infections, and prevent open wounds from tetanus. It does also serve to resolve internal problem as well.

In the case of respiratory illnesses, Jasmine oil is inhaled to relieve coughs and colds. A study was conducted to understand the antibacterial activity of jasmine oil against E.coli. The results stated that the effect was bactericidal, and this was reflected due to the inhibited synthesis of the cell membrane.

Benzyl acetate as a sedative in Jasmine oil:

The constituents of Jasmine oil have a very calm soothing effect in addition to its antispasmodic, sedative and expectorant qualities. When used it facilitates a deep sleep, and helps you stay asleep.

It’s a beautiful, naturally available remedy that can be used in the treatment of insomnia. A study was conducted to understand the sedative effects brought about by jasmine tea odor in 24 volunteers. The results proved positive with the decrease in heart rate resulting in a calm and restless sleep.

Benzyl acetate as an aphrodisiac in Jasmine oil:

The chemical constituents of Jasmine oil have the capacity to spark off a romantic life. Inhalation of the fragrance can alter the senses by bringing about a change in the release hormones.

It is said to be effective in treating premature ejaculation, impotency, frigidity and other sexual related disorders. It’s also used to boost or enhance the sexual desire making it one of the most used flowers in a newly- wed couple’s room; and is been followed as a culture in the subcontinent of India.

References:

The Family of Esters (Benzyl acetate) by iTech Dickinson

Antibacterial Potential Assessment of Jasmine Essential Oil Against E. Coli published in Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Neral

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Neral is always spoken of in reference with citral which is an oil synthesized from lemon myrtle, Ocimum gratissimum, Lindera citriodora, Calypranthes parriculata, Litsea cubeba, lemongrass, Litsea citrata, petitgrain, lemon tea-tree, lime, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemon ironbark, lemon and orange.

Neral also known as citral B is an isomer of citral or lemonal, which is a mixture of terpenoids.

The compounds from citral generally have a pleasant smell and Neral has an odor that is sweet and less concentrated. Due to this effect, Neral like other citral compounds is used in perfumery, and food industry.

They also have antimicrobial and pheromonal properties and find their use in production of therapeutic drugs, and pesticides. Citral compound have also been identified for their allergen effects, to reduce the same and exploit their positive properties, citral compounds are mixed with de-sensitizing agents.

Therapeutic uses of Neral:

Neral, a constituent of lemongrass has been studied to treat conditions related to nervous disorders, menstrual problems, stomach problems, arthritis, fever and cancer as well. These effects were noticed right from the ancient times and have been in use in the Chinese cultures for ages.

When used externally the plant extract can be used to increase blood flow, treat join pains, tendinitis, athlete’s foot, sprain and cuts. In most parts of the world, Lemon grass is used to make citrus drinks that act as refreshing health boosters.

Neral exhibit powerful antibacterial effect on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, concludes a 2011 study on the Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (Lemon grass).

Carcinogenic properties of Neral in Citral:

A study was conducted to understand the effects of citral in the treatment of cancer seen in rats. The study was carried out over a period of two years and the results proved positive with the occurrence of malignant lymphoma seen in the rat.

Neral in Lemon Grass as a Caspase-3 Introducer: 

The study was conducted to understand the effects of citral as a carcinogen and it’s mode of action. It identified the effects of Neral in lemon grass as a caspase-3 Introducer in cancer cells, and the tests proved positive.

Antimicrobial properties of Neral in Lemon Grass:

The study was conducted on an extract from lemongrass. Generally, the tea made from lemon grass is used worldwide for its analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties.  It is also used as a sedative and diuretic as well.

The essential oil was tried on R. stolonifer and P. italicum to study its antimicrobial activities, and on Rhizopus stolonifer, and Penicillium italicum, to understand its antibacterial action.

It also shows effectiveness towards methicillin resistant fungi and bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and shows antibacterial activity greater than that of antibiotics like nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin and ampicillin.

Numerous scientific uses of Neral in Lemon Grass:

The oil of lemon grass contains Citral b, Terpinolene, Nerol, Geranyl acetate, Geraniol, Citronellal, Citral a, Myrcene and Terpineol Methylheptenone.

A study conducted to understand the scientific uses of lemon grass proved that the plant contained therapeutic activities such as anti-diarrheal, antibacterial, antifilarial, anti-amoebic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory.

In addition to this behavior, the study proved its anti-mutagenicity, anti-malarial, antioxidant, anti-mycobacterial, hypoglycemic and neurobehavioral attributes.

Since the results proved very positive, it was suggested that extensive studies on the same be carried out.

Reference Links:

  1. Citral by Wikipedia
  2. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (Lemon grass), published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research
  3. Citral is a new inducer of caspase-3 in tumor cell lines by Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel published in Planta Medica Journal and PubMed

Think Ayurveda To Think Better

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Your thoughts decide your actions and your actions define ‘YOU’. There are myriad emotions that are exclusively indulged with humanity. Only you can smile, you can talk, you can discover and you can create. Thinking positive indicates that you are a proud owner of a healthy physique that keeps your thinking sound as well. Ayurveda talks about the constructive effects of positive thinking that helps you keep going on and on. Pessimism or negative thinking can even stop the functioning of your heart and collapse the brain’s functionality. Every human being has his own problems but just the severity of the problem differs. You can laugh at a person if he says he is free of troubles because in this materialistic world only a five-headed snake can be free of worries. It does not count whether you have problems or not but it matters how you deal with it and Ayurveda paves way for such an optimistic living.

Optimistic thinking: There’s a popular book named ‘You Can Win’ by Shiv Khera where the author beautifully lists the mentality of Pessimists’. 3 of my favorite lines in that excellent piece of writing are:

‘Pessimists don’t see the doughnut, only the hole,

Pessimists forget their blessings and count their troubles

Pessimists stop sleeping in bed when they hear that more people die in bed than anywhere else’

Yes my dear friends! This is the way that negative thinking affects your life and the best way to come out of this dark world is to think better with the natural and holistic healing of the ancient science named Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic treatment for optimism: According to Ayurveda, a healthy mind is the key to a healthy body and your attitude decides it. In this mechanical epoch that drains you, demands more than your potential with taut deadlines and cumbersome workload ends up in mental stress, difficulty in striking balance between your work and your family, anxiety, fear, fatigue and deep depression. When every single problem is placing you in the darker side of the world, let it know that you are strong with the real power granted by the natural Ayurvedic essential oils, meditation and yoga along with the robustness to turn the tide.

Ayurvedic essential oils for positive thinking: Essential oils of lavender, marjoram, grapefruit, thyme, sandalwood, jasmine, lemon, peppermint and ylang ylang possess an adorable fragrance in nature. These oils have soothing, calmative, stimulating, energizing and revitalizing properties that can enrich your spirits along with your mind and body. Using these essential oils either as a massage oil or to your bath tub or in your diffuser will calm your nerves, relax your muscles, alleviate stress, lighten your pressure, uplift your mood, kindle your thoughts, augment your mind power, improve your memory power, balance your emotions, fortify your immune system, strengthen your will power, encourage a peaceful sleep while invigorating your system for a replenished crack of dawn.

Meditation: Ayurvedic way of treating humanity can never be fulfilled without meditation. Spend some quality time for yourself and let that time of eminence be your meditating time especially in the early hours of the day when your environment is calm and composed. Meditation with deep breathing exercises can empower your mind while promoting positive feelings and preparing your body to adapt to new challenges and your mind to learn luminously, think undeniably, regulate stressful situations, recall your past and retain your balanced system for the days of harmony ahead you.

Being an optimist is the best way to setting your life as a role model for your younger ones to lead their life with great trust as real optimists always see an opportunity in every threat:)

Reference Links:

  1. You Can Win by Shiv Khera
  2. The healing force is within ourselves by Ayurveda France
  3. Attract more positive energy by Rejuvenation Lounge