Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

ylang-ylang-bannerYlang Ylang essential oil is an eminent value addition to the perfume and cosmetic industry. Not many of us knew this name a few decades back and thanks to the cosmetic industry that has spread the magic of this herb just like forest fire.

The use of Ylang Ylang and its oil can be attributed to the ancient times as historical references indicate the use of aromatic plants by mankind for more than thousands of years. The essential oil of Ylang Ylang has innumerable Ayurvedic health benefits that you will certainly be amazed at.

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Historical uses and importance of Ylang Ylang oil:

Popularly known as the flower of flowers, all the parts of the Ylang Ylang tree has a celebrated history both in the West and the East. This tree is indigenous to Indo-Malaysia, Philippines and Java. It was used in salves to heal cuts, scrapes, insect bites, snake bites and few other skin disorders in Philippines.

The Ylang Ylang petals are spread over the bed of newly married couples in Indonesia for its mesmerizing aroma and sensual effects.

The essential oil of Ylang Ylang was used in making of antimacassar, an ornamental chair cover that prohibited the Macassar oil from discoloring the upholstery. This oil was also used as a prominent ingredient in Macassar oil, an effective hair pomade.

Ylang Ylang was also used as a medicinal herb in treating chronic disorders like typhus, malaria and intestinal infections. Few sources reveal that the prominent therapeutic properties were initially identified in the early 20th century by famous French chemists Rechler and Garnier on the Reunion Island.

Every part of the Ylang Ylang tree is used for various purposes and the entire tree is claimed to be highly beneficial in many ways. The people of Java use the paste of fresh flowers to treat asthma and the dried flowers to treat malaria.

In Samoa and Tonga, the bark of the Ylang Ylang tree is used as a laxative and to treat stomach disorders. The timber of this tree is used in canoe making and construction works. In Cook Islands this timber is used for making furniture, wooden shoes, crates, fishnet floats and lathe turnings. Ylang Ylang is considered as a culturally important and as a sacred tree.

Chemical constituents or Gas Chromatography Report (GC) of Ylang Ylang oil:

According to the Gas chromatography report, Ylang Ylang oil is constituted of about 8 major chemical components that add to the aroma, consistency, quality and therapeutic values of this essential oil.

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For knowing more about the exclusive information of these key constituents of Ylang Ylang oil.

The table below on the Gas Chromatography report talks about the principal chemical constituents and its role in granting the therapeutic and other attributes to Ylang Ylang oil.

Ylang-Ylang-OIlAyurvedic health benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil:

The most incredible thing about Ayurveda is that it considers every individual as a ‘unique person’ with special individual constitution known as doshas. Ayurveda considers illness as a sign of imbalance in the system as Ayurvedic philosophy states that ideal health can be attained only by having a strong immune system and is a symbol of perfect harmony between a person’s mental, physical and spiritual wellness.

This ancient methodology trusts in treating mankind with the theory of five senses namely vision, smell, taste, touch and sound through colors, aroma, herbs, Abhyanga or Ayurvedic massage with essential oils and music respectively.

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids extracted from plants using steam distillation. Every individual has a unique combination of three doshas (metabolic principles controlling mind and body) known as vata, pitta and kapha and the individual’s character, personality and health is often determined by the predominance of any of these dosha types. Imbalance of doshas acts as the basis of diseases where,

  • Vata imbalance causes weak memory, insomnia, dry skin, constipation and anxiety.
  • Pitta imbalance causes heartburn, acne, anger, indigestion, excess perspiration and criticism.
  • Kapha imbalance leads to obesity, respiratory disorders, water retention, sluggishness, possessiveness and uncaring.

With gentle, uplifting and moisturizing properties, Ylang Ylang essential oil is suitable in treating vata and pitta imbalances like frigidity, impotence, acne, boils, dry skin, wrinkles and skin irritations.

In their popular book ‘Ayurveda and Aromatherapy’, Light Miller and Bryan Miller say that individuals with imbalanced vata need warming up, calmness, relaxation, boost in self-esteem, sensuality for an attached life with their partner and using aphrodisiac essential oils like Ylang Ylang aids in augmenting the functional and hormonal ability of the sex organs.

People with pitta imbalance need help for venting out their anger and unwanted tension to experience their elated personality. Essential oils extracted from flowers like Ylang Ylang helps in supporting such conditions with their calming and cooling tendency.

The Ayurvedic health benefits of Ylang Ylang essential oil are:

Ylang-ylang-broucher (2)1. Excellent oil for skin care:

Ylang Ylang essential oil is very effective and versatile in toning and stimulating the skin cells mainly because of its power to balance the production of sebum, making it suitable for all types of skin and as a promising remedy for treating Seborrhoeic Eczema.

The soothing, anti-seborrhoeic and antiseptic properties of this oil supports in treating skin inflammation, boils, skin irritation, chapped lips, acne, wounds, burns, blemishes, wrinkles, dry skin and few other signs of aging. Adding few drops of Ylang Ylang oil in your skin care lotion will help you in retaining the moisture of the skin, leaving it healthy and glowing.

2. Long, lustrous hair:

An ancient tribe known as Bori Bori used the Ylang Ylang flowers as a hair conditioner by mixing it in coconut oil. They also rubbed these flowers all over the body and decorated themselves by making necklace, headdresses, natural crowns and garlands for its splendid fragrance and curative values.

Massaging few drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil blended with coconut oil or almond oil aids in promoting hair growth, preventing hair loss, nourishing the scalp, augmenting the natural shine of the hair, making it long, lustrous, healthy and voluminous. What else? You are all set to be the proud owner of beautiful hair and gorgeous looks.

3. Relaxing and harmonizing:

Ylang Ylang essential oil is proved to be clearing heart fire and calming the heart due to the sedative quality of its primary constituent Monoterpene Alcohols. The traditional system of healing using aromatics suggests the use of Ylang Ylang essential oil to reduce and regulate rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and rapid breathing as it mainly supports the fourth chakra i.e, the heart chakra because of its connection in the initiation of the heart spirit.

An Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research on ‘Essential Oil Inhalation on Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects’ proved that inhaling essential oil blend with ylang ylang, neroli, lavender and marjoram proved effective in controlling blood pressure and is strongly recommended for preventing the progression of hypertension. This research also proved that “Ylang-ylang oil lowers blood pressure, alleviates palpitations and nervous system excitation, and promotes emotional relaxation”.

Another research titled “Evaluation of the harmonizing effect of ylang-ylang oil on humans after inhalation” by Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand conducted a study on the effects of Ylang Ylang essential oil on human physiological parameters like pulse rate, blood pressure, skin temperature and breathing rate while self-evaluation was assessed in terms of mood, calmness, relaxation, attentiveness, vigor and alertness.

This research proved that Ylang Ylang oil has a harmonizing effect that is momentous in lessening increased pulse rate and blood pressure as well as efficacious in increasing subjective alertness and attentiveness.

4. Firm foe for depression and other mental disorders:

With its sedative, calming, uplifting, nervine, anti-depressant, relaxing, euphoric and regulative properties, Ylang Ylang essential oil is a solid enemy for mental depression, stress, anxiety, insomnia, nervous tension, mood fluctuations, anger and few other mental disorders.  This oil aids in balancing hormones and effectively assists in mood swings associated with menopause and PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome).

A study published in PubMed on ‘Relaxing effect of Ylang Ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption’ proved that Ylang Ylang essential oil is of great value in causing calmness, relief of stress and depression in humans.

You can use it as soothing massage oil blended with any of your favorite carrier oils like Jojoba oil, coconut oil or olive oil. Ylang Ylang essential oil can also be used in compresses, in candles, diffusers or air fresheners. Adding few drops to your bathing tub with warm water can alleviate stress and induce good night’s sleep.

5. Long lasting love and lust:

Ylang Ylang flowers and the essential oil extracted from these flowers are banked upon mainly for the aphrodisiac values adorned by its balsamic, floral, sweet, misty and woody aroma that aids in balancing male and female energy levels. It can significantly reduce emotional conflicts between these apparent opposites.

The sensual fragrance of Ylang Ylang essential oil is simply ideal for the perfect dream nights with your partner. It has positive influence on sexual feelings, tones the reproductive system, grants pleasure, treats lack of confidence and is also powerful in treating impotence and frigidity.

6. Perfect Partner of the Perfume industry:

The compelling fragrance of Ylang Ylang essential oil will make you stand out of the crowd. It is for this natural floral and delicate scent, ylang ylang oil is used in a handful of renowned perfume brands like Chanel No. 5, Escape by Calvin Klein, Beautiful by Estee Lauder, Acqua di Gio by Armani, Champs-Elysees by Guerlain and Poison by Christian Dior. Hmmmmm……………….Haaaaaaaaaaa…….. Doesn’t that smell so good? Absolutely it does.

Other uses:

Apart from all these health benefits, Ylang Ylang oil and the other parts of this tree are used in treating intestinal tract infections, symptomatic manifestation of malaria, fevers, epilepsy, tachycardia, agitation, distress, restlessness and other psycho-emotional imbalances. It is also used in making soaps, cosmetics and shampoos.

You will be surprised if I say that Ylang Ylang oil is also used as a safe flavoring ingredient in the food industry. A well-known study on “Safety assessment of Ylang Ylang as a food ingredient” indicated that “Ylang-Ylang oil has a long history of fragrance and food flavoring use, with no indication that its estimated consumption from food flavoring use (0.0001 mg/kg/day) has led to any adverse human health effects and at the current level of intake as a food ingredient, Ylang-Ylang oil does not pose a health risk to humans”.

Ylang Ylang essential oil is extracted from the star-shaped Ylang Ylang flowers and indeed it is a STAR OIL of all times and one more astonishing news is that it requires approximately 50 pounds of Ylang Ylang flowers to obtain 1 pound of Ylang Ylang essential oil.

Disclaimer:

This article is just for your information and do not ingest any essential oils or apply them directly to your skin without proper consultation with your Ayurvedic Practitioner, as every individual is unique and one that suits you might not suit your partner or your kid.

The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) of Ylang Ylang oil is readily available for your enhanced safety and superior usage.

Gas Chromatography Report (GC) of Ylang Ylang oil.

Thought for the day:

 It was very pleasant to savor its aroma, for smells have the power to evoke the past, bringing back sounds and even other smells that have no match in the present.

-Tita

Suggested Reading:

  1. The Healing Trail:: Essential Oils of Madagascar by Georges M. Halpern, Peter Weverka
  2. HEALING POWERS OF YLANG YLANG OIL (The Aromatherapy Professional: Healing with Essential Oils) by KG Stiles
  3. How to Use Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Aromatherapy) by Miriam Kinai
  4. Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Dr. Light Miller, Dr. Bryan Miller

 Reference Links:

  1. Aromatherapy from Ayurveda’s Perspective by Yayoi Stavish
  2. Cananga Odorata (Ylang-Ylang) by Pacific Island Agroforestry
  3. Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption by PubMed
  4. Essential Oil Inhalation on Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects by In-Hee Kim, Chan Kim, Kayeon Seong, Myung-Haeng Hur, Heon Man Lim and Myeong Soo Lee, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2012

Rose Wood Essential Oil

Rosewood-bannerThe uplifting Rosewood essential oil is extracted from the heartwood of Rosewood tree through steam distillation. Light Miller in her book ‘Ayurveda and Aromatherapy’ says “Along with sandalwood, hina, myrrh and amber, rosewood is one of the five essential oils to put into your metaphysical first aid kit”.

Rosewood also known as bois de rose is a mighty evergreen tree indigenous to Brazil and Peru. Aniba rosaeodora is a member of the Laurel family Lauraceae along with other aromatic trees like Camphor, Cassia, Bay and Cinnamon. Ayurveda, the mother of all healing systems have made significant use of this oil for opening the inner ear, rekindling spiritual feelings and for discharging offensive memories.

Purchase Rose Wood Essential Oil – Wholesale – CLICK HERE

Historical importance of Rosewood:

The valuable wood of this tree was traditionally used in cabinet-making, carving, building, essential oil extraction and for making chopsticks. Certain texts state that the ancient French community used Rosewood for flooring, oils, furniture and guitars.

The alluring fragrance of Rosewood essential oil made its demand sky-rocketing especially during the eighteenth century in the field of perfume-making.

To mark its significance, Rosewood oil was a prominent ingredient of the well-liked perfume Chanel. No. 5. Industrial exploitation for numerous decades has led to categorize this tree as an endangered species and the legislation has now come up with a resolution that requires the essential oil distilleries to plant a new tree for every tree they use for essential oil extraction.

Active components and therapeutic properties:

Rosewood essential oil is regarded as a valuable oil mainly because of the rich presence of about 86% of linalool component, which can be modified into numerous derivatives of high value especially to the fragrance and flavoring industries.

Other components of Rosewood oil are a-terpineol, a-pinene, neral, camphene, myrcene, geraniol, 1,8-cineole, geranial, benzaldehyde, limonene, and linalool oxides.

These active components are responsible for the remedial properties of this oil such as aphrodisiac, anti-depressant, stimulant, anti-infectious, analgesic, antibacterial, tissue regenerator, deodorant, antiseptic, insecticide and cephalic.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Rosewood essential oil:

The essential oil of Rosewood is said to be stimulating and powerful in creating energy enrichment. Unlike other medical practices, Ayurveda considers every individual as a unique part of nature and treats every individual in a special manner as it trusts that each human being is made up of a specific set of energy elements known as doshas (vata, pitta and kapha).

This noble science regards illness as an opportunity to help the body regain its rhythm with nature and in this process of restoring good health, Ayurveda recommends the use of herbs, essential oils, a balanced regimen, meditation, yoga and other physical exercises.

Essential oil according to Ayurvedic texts is the aura or life force of plants, have been used in various Ayurvedic treatments like Abhyanga or Ayurvedic massage, aromatic therapy and in Panchakarma, the technique of Ayurvedic cleansing.

Rosewood essential oil with its floral, warm, spicy, woody, fruity and enlivening aroma reduces excess of vata and pitta imbalances.

Let’s have a look at the predominant Ayurvedic health benefits of Rosewood oil.Rosewood-broucher1. Guards your skin:

Rosewood essential oil acts as a shield to your skin, defending against harmful bacteria, virus, fungi and other microbes. The natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties of this oil aid in treating wounds, cuts, burns and infections while preventing it from being septic.

Excess of vata element in the body is characterized by wrinkling, dryness, thinness, flaking and dullness of skin. Rosewood is an effective vata reducing essential oil and gentle massaging of your skin with 5 to 6 drops of Rosewood essential oil with mild carrier oil like jojoba oil helps in dealing with such skin problems.

Oily skin is the basis of numerous skin disorders like pimples, acne, blackheads, sensitivity and skin irritations. Massaging your facial skin with 3 drops of Rosewood essential oil blended with 3 drops of Lavender essential oil along with Almond oil can assist in decreasing pitta and pave way for a healthy and spotless skin. You can also add 2 drops of Rosewood oil in steam therapy for promoting blood circulation, comforting irritated and stressed out skin.

The rejuvenating properties of this oil help in regenerating the skin cells and support the growth of new cells. Using it in your skin care lotion or cream will show visible results in reducing the symptoms of aging through tissue regeneration and absolute cleansing.

2. Pacifies your mind:

Rosewood oil is an excellent pacifier that calms your mind and relaxes your senses. The anti-depressant, stimulating and uplifting properties of this oil instills confidence as it is known to bring fire and helps in regaining your energy naturally.

Fearful, anxious, disheartened, nervous and hectic situations will take a back seat with the use of Rosewood essential oil in your burners, diffusers or vaporizers before going to bed or at the time of meditation. Miller’s Ayurveda and Aromatherapy book quotes Rosewood oil as “Rosewood helps to relieve tiredness, nervousness, stress, and it is very grounding, giving you a sense of protection”.

Being celebrated for numerous years as one of the best essential oils for meditative and spiritual purposes, Rosewood oil grants a balancing and energizing effect on the mind while influencing constructive feelings even after a long, backbreaking day.

Add 5 drops of Rosewood essential oil to your warm bath for easing tension, muscular pain, mood swings, pre-menstrual syndrome, nausea, headaches due to stress and general discomforts of the mind and body.

Ayurveda manifests that there are seven vital centers of power in a human body known as Chakras, which affect the psychological and physical functions of the system. Among the seven Chakras, the heart chakra is responsible for love for others, creativity, compassion, love for self, emotions of sadness, loss and distress.

The bracing aroma of Rosewood essential oil widens the heart chakra and assists in alleviating depressed feelings, egoism, negative memories and encourages one to spread love and compassion for others and self. Inhaling the aroma of this oil through diffusers or vaporizers or applying 1 to 2 drops on the chakra points will attend to your emotional needs tranquilly.

3. Instigates your love life:

I am wondering whether Rosewood oil has aphrodisiac properties just because it has the romantic word ‘Rose’ in its name? Used in massaging, bath or vapor therapy, Rosewood essential oil has been in use for treating decrease in sexual interest, impotence, frigidity and loss of libido in both the sexes. The magical aroma of this oil strengthens the system, instills a sense of security and grants absolute relaxation for an idyllic mating.

Rosewood essential oil, “Opens the inner ear and Compassion” according to Deborah Eidson, the author of the book Vibrational healing. It is known to enhance your divine feelings and help in spiritual realization. The other documented benefits of Rosewood essential oil are its use as an analgesic for treating cold, toothache and joint pain. It is also used as an effective insecticide to keep away from insects like ants, mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs and lice.

Disclaimer: Never use essential oils directly on your skin as pure essential oils are highly concentrated liquids and may cause harm. This article is for your information only. Consult your Ayurvedic Practitioner before using essential oils for your specific health conditions.

Thought for the day:

“To dwellers in a wood, almost every species of tree has its voice as well as its feature.”   -Thomas Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree

Suggested Reading:

  1. Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Dr. Light Miller, Dr. Bryan Miller
  2. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism by Julia Lawless
  3. Scents Of Life: Use And Effect Of Essential Oils by H. M. Schemske
  4. Facelift at Your Fingertips: An Aromatherapy Massage Program for Healthy Skin and a Younger Face by Pierre Jean Cousin M.B.Ac.C

Reference Links:

  1. Ayurveda and Aromatherapy by Light Miller and Bryan Miller
  2. Health Benefits of Rosewood Essential Oil by Organic Facts
  3. Healing With Rosewood Essential Oil by Suite101

Pine Scotch Essential Oil

Pine-bannerPine oil has such a great honor as it can garland anybody with the bliss and blessedness of the Christmas occasion at any given time. Apart from its use in Christmas decoration, Pine tree and the essential oil extracted from its needles through steam distillation method has many uses in the field of Complementary and Alternative medicine and in household cleaning. There are many species of Pine trees and the common ones used for essential oil extraction are Pinus sylvestris, Pinus alba, Pinus pinea and Pinus pinaster.

The book Ayurveda and Aromatherapy by Bryan Miller and Light Miller quotes Pine oil as “The world’s largest production of any one essential oil is Pine.  It is known to be a stimulant, helping people to be comfortable with any situation”.

With similar properties like Eucalyptus oil, Pine oil was used as a strong medicinal aid in many traditional healing practices including Ayurveda for treating chronic respiratory problems like pneumonia and bronchitis.

Purchase Pine Essential Oil – Retail – CLICK HERE

Purchase Pine Essential Oil – Wholesale – CLICK HERE

Historical importance of Pine tree and its essential oil:

Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine used Pine in the treatment of pulmonary conditions and established its healing effects on the respiratory system. Pine oil was recommended by the ancient physician Pliny for treating respiratory and lung problems.

The Native Americans chewed the needles of the Pine tree to defend against scurvy. They also used the clean-scented Pine needles on their bed to ward off fleas, lice and bed bugs. The highly ornamental timber of Pinus pinaster also known as Maritime pine was used in making furniture, building frames, panels, internal flooring, veneers, particle board etc. The pinecones are also used as Christmas decorations.

Chemical constituents or Gas Chromatography Report (GC) of Pine Scotch oil:

According to the Gas chromatography report, Pine Scotch oil constitutes of 15 chemical components that contribute to its fragrance, therapeutic attributes, consistency and quality of this oil. Of which, alpha-Pinene contributes to the highest proportion of Pine Scotch oil constituents with about 34.7% of its total composition.

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I believe that this must certainly help you in getting to know the exclusive information about these prime chemical constituents of Pine Scotch oil.

The table crafted below clearly depicts the unique nature and contributions of these biochemical constituents to the healing magnificence of Pine Scotch essential oil.

pine-scotch-oil

Therapeutic properties of Pine essential oil:

The therapeutic values of Pine pinaster oil are anti-inflammatory, expectorant, restorative, stimulant, antiviral, antibacterial, circulatory, decongestant, disinfectant, analgesic and deodorant. The bark of this tree contains Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes (OPC’s) that make it an effective antioxidant that can fight against free radicals responsible for cancerous diseases.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Pine essential oil:

Ayurveda is a common sense science that considers illness as an opportunity to trace what is out of balance and what is the actual root cause for an illness. Ayurvedic remedies aim at treating the individual as a whole and the root cause of the disease instead of the disease alone. This helps in preventing illnesses in the future and paves way for healthy aging and longevity.

According to this traditional methodology, same medicine is not given to two individuals even if they have the same health problem because Ayurveda trusts that every individual is unique with a special combination of energy elements known as vata, pitta and kapha doshas and every person needs a unique treatment based on their individual constitution.

Every human being will have a predominance of any one of these doshas, which determines his/her personality. Dosha imbalance is the major reason for all kinds of sickness. Among the three doshas, Pine essential oil has the power to reduce surplus of vata and kapha and treat pitta deficiency.

The major Ayurvedic health benefits of using Pine essential oil are:pine-broucher1. Soothes respiratory problems:

5 drops of Pine essential oil added to steam inhalation helps you in treating sinusitis, cough and cold. The decongestant and expectorant properties of this oil aids in breaking up the mucus deposits and expelling it from the lungs.

Painful cough, congestion, flu, bronchitis, blocked nose, chest congestion, asthma and sinus infections can be treated with this natural aid. You can also mix 2 drops of Pine oil with 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil in a base of coconut oil for using it as a rub or in warm bath for lessening the effects of such respiratory infections.

2. Alleviates stress:

The sweet, slightly balsamic, evergreen, woody and fresh aroma of Pine essential oil instills a warm feeling of newness on the mind.  The aromatic molecules in the essential oil that pass through the nasal passages reach the limbic system of the human brain, where emotions, feelings and responses are controlled. This aids in transforming the relaxing, calming, invigorating, balancing, detoxifying, uplifting, strengthening and energizing effects of Pine essential oil on the mind and body.

This makes Pine essential oil as an excellent mood enhancer and makes it a powerful remedy in alleviating mental strain, stiffness, stress, fatigue, nervous tension and fear. Pine oil is known to help people remember the ways to get along with the flow of life; just like the Pine tree does by the ebb of the sea.

It is for this reason Pine essential oil is a proven remedy in treating memory loss and lack of concentration power. Inhaling the aroma of the divine Pine oil by adding 3 to 4 drops in your diffuser, potpourri, pillows or to a napkin aids in granting emotional stability and the power to go on and on.

3. Reduces pain and boosts metabolism:

Pine essential oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that aids in treating rheumatic pain, muscular aches, stiff joints and arthritis. Massaging the affected area with 5 to 6 drops of Pine oil added to soothing carrier oils like sesame oil or coconut oil followed by a hot bath blended with 3 drops of Pine oil can grant you relief from all kinds of pain. This massaging also helps in boosting your metabolism and stimulates the process of digestion. Pine essential oil is also used as a diuretic for eliminating water retention and toxins from your body.

4. Fights against bacteria and other harmful organisms:

A 2001 study on ‘Chemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils of Five Moroccan Pinaceae’ suggested that the examination of the antibacterial activity witnessed that the essential oils of Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea demonstrated a definite activity against all types of organisms tested and also possess a remarkable antiseptic activity.

5 drops of Pine essential oil blended with carrier oils like almond oil can be used in massaging, in bath or as a topical application for inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi, virus and certain other harmful organisms. This aids in protecting one from skin infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial infections and viral infections like flu and cold.

5. Protects the skin:

As a natural antiseptic, astringent, circulatory, antiviral, restorative and antibacterial oil, Pine essential oil is known for treating an extensive range of skin problems like acne, burns, psoriasis, athlete’s foot, dry scaly skin, boils, itching, eczema and wounds. You can add 4 drops of Pine essential oil to your antiseptic cream or skin care lotion and apply it on the affected part for quicker healing.

Tremendous health benefits of the bark extract of Pinus pinaster: Apart from the essential oil, the extracts from the bark of the Pinus pinaster tree has gained great recognition for its effectiveness in treating a wide range of illnesses.

A recent research on ‘Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical effects of Pinus pinaster bark extract’ proved that “P. pinaster bark extract (PBE) contains polyphenolic compounds (these compounds consist of catechin, taxifolin, procyanidins of various chain lengths formed by catechin and epicatechin units, and phenolic acids) capable of producing diverse potentially protective effects against chronic and degenerative diseases.”

This extract was also evidenced with anti-inflammatory effects, cholesterol-lowering effects, antimicrobial and antiviral effects, benefits for cardiovascular system, venous disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergy and asthma, menstrual disorders, pregnancy associated pain and endometriosis.

Disclaimer:

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that can cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes when used undiluted. It should always be used after diluting in carrier oils. Do not take essential oils internally as it may be harmful for your system. Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before using essential oils for your unique individual constitution.

The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) of Pine Scotch oil is readily available for your enhanced safety and better usage.

Gas Chromatography Report (GC analysis) of Pine Scotch oil.

Pine Scotch Essential Oil – Possible Skin Issues:

Greener Life Diamond – Bio-Healthy Score => 3 – Possible Skin Issues:

See => http://www.essentialdepot.com/GreenerLifeDiamond.html

The essential oil of Pine Scotch is said to cause mild skin irritation, contact dermatitis, sensitization, allergic reactions and irritation of the mucous membrane. It has been certified as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) by the FEMA (Flavouring Extract Manufacturers’ Association). The chief chemical components responsible for the adverse skin impacts of Pine Scotch oil are α-pinene, delta-3-carene and limonene, mainly due to their autoxidation effects.

Certain studies report the effects of Pine scotch oil on contact dermatitis and sensitivity.  When used in large doses α-pinene has the potent to cause irritation of the mucous membrane, kidney damage, CNS (Central Nervous System) depression, growth of benign tumors, skin sensitization, allergies and irritation.

According to the Food and Cosmetic Toxicology edition (1976) by L.J. Opdyke, Pine Scotch oil sensitizing and irritating to certain individuals and is nonphototoxic in nature. When tested on repeated dermatitis patients at 2%, this oil provoked allergic reactions in about 12 members of the 1606 tested.

As Pine scotch oil has the tendency to irritate the lining of the mucous membrane during inhalation, it is good to avoid this oil if you have asthma, allergies in the respiratory passages and bronchial disorders.

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) claims Pine Scotch oil as a sensitizing oil. Pine Scotch oil is recommended only for dermal use and not for ingestion. Besides being proved as an effective cytotoxic agent (fights against cancerous cells), certain studies have witnessed the renal failure, genotoxic and acute toxicity effects of the ingestion of Pine scotch oil.

Never use Pine scotch oil in an undiluted form and make certain that you always blend essential oils with gentle carrier oils like coconut oil and olive oil, as organic essential oils are very concentrated and may cause negative effects on the eyes, skin and the body. Stay safe by using diluted Pine scotch oil and avoid using it on allergies, damaged skin, eyes and inflammatory skin conditions.

It is better to avoid the use of Pine scotch oil if you are pregnant or nursing as there is insufficient information on the safe use of this oil during these sensitive times when the system experience enormous changes in the hormonal functions.

These possible skin issues are applicable only for leave-on products like creams and lotions and not for rinse-off products like soaps, shampoos and other bath preparations.

Reference Links Substantiating the Possible Skin Issues of Pine Scotch Oil:

  1. Pine oil by Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals By Robert Tisserand, Rodney Young
  2. Pine side effects and safety by WebMD
  3. Pine Needle Oil Toxicology by Leung’s Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics by Ikhlas A. Khan and Ehab A. Abourashed
  4. Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 2: Gums, Resins, Tannin and Essential Oils by Cheryll Williams
  5. Selectivity of Pinus sylvestris extract and essential oil to estrogen-insensitive breast cancer cells Pinus sylvestris against cancer cells by Nguyen Thi Hoai, Ho Viet Duc, Do Thi Thao, Anne Orav and Ain Raal, published in the Pharmacognosy Magazine
  6. Scotch Pine Needle Oil by The Good Scents Company
  7. Pinus Species by Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2

Thought for the day:

Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.
-Rabindranath Tagore

Suggested Reading:

  1. The Practice of Aromatherapy by Dr. Jean Valnet
  2. Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Dr. Light Miller, Dr. Bryan Miller
  3. The Aromatherapy Companion: Medicinal Uses/Ayurvedic Healing/Body-Care Blends/Perfumes & Scents/Emotional Health & Well-Being (Herbal Body) by Victoria H. Edwards

Reference Links:

  1. Maritime Pine by Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries
  2. Chemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils of Five Moroccan Pinaceae published in The Journal of Essential Oil Research
  3. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical effects of Pinus pinaster bark extract published in PubMed

 


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