Alpha-copaene

Alpha copaene is a hydrocarbon that is first extracted from the copaiba tree, copaiferalangsdorfii. It is the major constituent of the essential oils of rhizome, Piper boahmeriaefolium, leaves and resin of Canariumparvumleen, Croton Julocroton, etc.

It is also present in Angelica root and seed oil, Carrot seed and leaf oil, Basil oil, Bay leaf oil, Cananga leaf oil, Cajeput oil, Clary sage oil, Sweet orange oil, Grape fruit oil, etc.

It is a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C15H24. It is also referred by various other names such as copaene, aglaiene, a-copaene, (-)-a-copaene and so on.

Attributes of alpha-copaene:

It is a liquid which is colorless, clear and viscous in nature. It is characterized by a woody spicy honey aroma.

Antimicrobial activity:

In the study titled “Chemical Constituents and Evaluationof Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Kielmeyeracoriacea Mart. & Zucc. Essential Oil” it is stated that Alpha copaene found in the inner bark essential oil of Kielmeyeracoriacea Mart. &Zucc. showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

Further it was also found that the presence of high amount of sesquiterpenes namely alpha copaene, alpha-(E)-bergamotene and beta-bisabolene in the inner bark essential oil enable the oil to exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against the anaerobic bacteria Prevotellanigercens.

Anti-proliferative, antioxidant, anti-genotoxic and cytotoxic activities:

Alpha copaene possess antioxidant, cytotoxic and antigenotoxic properties. This is witnessed in the studyCytotoxic and cytogenetic effects of α-copaene on rat neuron and N2a neuroblastoma cell lines”. In this study, the healthy neuron and N2a neuroblastoma cell cultures of a rat has been tested with alpha copaene concentrations. It was found that:

  • Alpha copaene significantly reduced the cell proliferation in the rat neurons and in N2a neuroblastoma cell cultures thus exhibiting antiproliferative activity.
  • It increased the Total antioxidant capacity and at higher levels of concentrations, it also increased the total oxidation status in neuron N2a neuroblastoma cells, thus exhibiting antioxidant capacity.
  • It doesn’t show any genotoxic effect on both neurons and N2a neuroblastoma cell lines. Thus it owns antigenotoxic properties.
  • Mild cytotoxic effects were exhibited on N2a neuroblastoma cells.

Reference Links:

  1. Copaene by Wikipedia
  2. Chemical Constituents and Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Kielmeyeracoriacea Mart. & Zucc. Essential Oil
  3. Cytotoxic and cytogenetic effects of α-copaene on rat neuron and N2a neuroblastoma cell lines

Best Christmas Gift Idea 2012: Adoring Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Are you thinking ‘What is wrong with me?’ wondering what’s the need for Christmas gift idea now, while there are still 4 full months for December 25th to knock your door? Come on! This is scorching summer season and to think about something that will enchant your mind, chill your senses and hearten your spirits will certainly be a brilliant idea and nothing else other than Christmas Eve has the glory to splash such joy on you. Sounds great now….. Right!! This is the right time to start your Christmas count down. Every year Christmas is exceptional in its special way. This year, you make it out of the ordinary by gifting your loved ones with warm and healing Ayurvedic essential oils rather than your usual gifts.

Your 2011 Christmas might not have been the same as your 2008 Christmas. You might have missed your loved ones or there might have been a new member to your family last year (baby!), much more adventure and a variety of gifts and that is what Christmas is all about. Make your 2012 Christmas outshine all the other festive seasons that you’ve passed in your lifetime with a wonderful pack of sensational essential oils that can take your entire family out of this world. Yes! There are certain mind-blowing Ayurvedic essential oils that suit everyone and can be used all through the year till the next Christmas comes by your way. Such enlivening essential oils are:

  1. Lavender essential oil: According to me ‘Lavender is the queen of all essential oils’ and is my all-time favorite. How can anyone keep themselves away from this magnificent oil with a mystique fragrance in it? Fill your love in a bottle full of Lavender essential oil that can uplift the spirits and refresh the mind. Wow! The wonderful color, the exuberant aroma, immense health benefits and numerous therapeutic properties like nervine, sedative, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-rheumatic, anti-convulsant and many more make Lavender very special at all the good times and sick times too!
  2. Ylang Ylang essential oil: Nothing can be so very romantic, tender, quixotic, passionate and magical like the transfixing fragrance of Ylang Ylang essential oil. This oil has emmenagogue, sedative, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, hypotensive and antidepressant properties that alleviates pain, supports mood fluctuations, controls high blood pressure, aids in frigidity problems, brings down rapid heartbeat and treats your senses.
  3. Rose essential oil: Shakespeare rightly said that ‘Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose’. Very popularly known as the symbol of love all around the universe, Rose essential oil can give you the joy of being together in a garden full of fresh, fragrant roses. Rose oil has been proven effective in treating various health conditions with its aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antiviral, antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, uterine, bactericidal and nervine properties.
  4. Grapefruit essential oil: Grapefruit oil with its light and fresh aroma is trusted to have great effects in shedding the extra pounds of the body. Any weight loss program with essential oils cannot get fulfilled without Grapefruit essential oil. It is also an excellent skin toning agent and natural skin purifier.

Apart from these essential oils, you can also include Peppermint essential oil, Sandalwood essential oil, Sweet orange essential oil or Jasmine essential oil as per the preference of your near ones.

Love is known only when it is shown. Express your unconditional love this Christmas season with the never-ending bliss of these Ayurvedic essential oils gift pack. There’s nothing to get surprised if the love of your life asks for one the next Christmas also. Wait and watch!!!

Merry Christmas and let it be a Mesmerizing Christmas as well.

Reference links:

  1. Christmas by History.com
  2. Health benefits of Rose essential oil by Organic facts
  3. Ylang Ylang – The Great Benefits by Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ayurvedic Essential Oils To Lead Your Weight Loss Mission

Ayurveda is a spiritual admiration that has been healing human infirmities and addressing the pattern of genial living. It believes that human beings are a part of nature and any kind of descend in their health can be taken care brilliantly only with the help of nature. Ayurveda suggests that mind and body contributes an equal proportion both for well-being and ill-health.

Ayurvedic essential oils are trusted to treat excess weight without any kind of side effects that may affect you just like your over-the-counter medicines. You’d love yourselves and admire your young and beautiful structure as you start using them in your daily routine. There are many misleading brands of essential oils in the market that add synthetic agents for artificial aroma, which may harm the ultimate user. Be wise in choosing the real and natural Ayurvedic essential oils that are extracted in a safe and eco-friendly environment.

Why choose Ayurvedic essential oils for weight loss: Ayurvedic essential oils have therapeutic properties and are of great assistance to weight loss as they have detoxifying and uplifting properties that can aid in augmenting circulation, boosting metabolism, controlling the appetite, lessen the craving for ingesting extra calories and shatter the excess fat deposits in your body.

Governing biological effects: Hypothalamus plays a vital role in gaining excess weight due to increased consumption of food. It is an incredible chamber of the human brain that functions dynamically in connecting the nervous system and the endocrine system through the pituitary gland. It can also be called as a satiety center as it controls the feelings of fullness and satisfaction after the meals. The mystical aroma of certain potent essential oils has been proved to decrease the appetite and the desire for more food due to their capability to fuel the function of hypothalamus. Few such curative oils are:

Lemon essential oil: Lemon oil is always refreshing, rejuvenating and revives your senses with its detoxifying, anti-depressant and astringent properties. It increases the function of your stomach in secreting the essential acids for digestion that help in fostering the speedy digestive process. Limonene present in Lemon essential oil assists in free movement of fatty acids into the blood stream and it is at this juncture the fat deposits are wrecked. It boosts metabolism and stimulates the function of pancreas, stomach and liver while promoting your energy to tackle the loss of weight.

Bergamot essential oil: Bergamot oil has calmative and mood enhancing properties, which supports in alleviating stress, anxiety and nervousness. It presents you the sense of hale and heartiness. It soothes the mind and curbs your cravings for food naturally.

Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint always abets digestive disorders in an effective manner.  It has the potential to hold back your appetite when smelled before each meal as the powerful aroma of this oil has a direct impact on the hypothalamus’s ventromedial nucleus that gives you a feeling of fullness and puts an end to your desire to eat more. You can also make use of a unique blend of Peppermint and Lemon essential oil which is very effective for weight loss than using it separately.

Grapefruit essential oil: This mind-blowing oil has been in prolonged use in the treatment of cellulites contributing to reduced fat cells. It has diuretic, fat-dissolving, appetite suppressant and detoxifying properties to assist in weight loss, burning excess fat deposits and control your longing to eat extra.

Apart from these essential oils, you can also make use of cinnamon essential oil, ginger essential oil, lavender essential oil, basil essential oil, geranium essential oil and rose essential oil for deriving the fullest benefits by marrying nature and get ready to break up with obesity and no more overweight as well.

Reference Link:

  1. What are essential oils? Therapeutic Properties of Essential Oils by The International Federation Of Aromatherapists (IFA)
  2. Hypothalamus by Wikipedia
  3. The Ayurvedic Guide to Diet and Weight Loss: The Sattva Program by Scott Gerson