Benzyl acetate

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

Thanksgiving Day: Time To Remember Your Near Ones With An Ayurvedic Tribute

The Almighty has sanctified us with innumerable blessings for which we are obliged to thank Him all through the year and throughout our life. He doesn’t appear right in front of us to make us happy, instead He assigns people in the form of our friends, relatives and other respectable persons and Thanksgiving day is such a special day to remember, thank and feel the difference they have made to our lives.

Just knock their door with an elegant gift pack of invaluable Ayurvedic essential oils to make them feel special, honored and loved. Ayurveda is an ancient healing methodology that aims at bringing good health, harmony and a happy living with increased life expectancy. You can never honor your near and dear ones in any other better ways other than gifting them with an extensive collection of their favorite essential oils with tremendous therapeutic properties.

Ayurvedic essential oils to garland this Thanksgiving Day: Only I can feel the delight of my daughter when I gift her with her favorite Lavender oil remembering all the love she gives me all the way through the year. Here are some suggestions to thank the worth-remembering people in your life.

1. For your Mom and Dad: No one can replace our Mom or Dad for they are the direct representatives of our Creator. Ayurveda, the holistic healing science has a separate branch for treating the elderly people and is known as Gerontology or Jara Chikitsa. Rosemary oil, Eucalyptus oil, Lavender oil, Chamomile oil, Grapefruit oil and Cypress oil are the best Ayurvedic essential oils that can aid them in treating their pains, swollen joints, fever, cold, memory problems, respiratory infections and other health issues. The spiritual aroma and the incredible healing values of these oils will make them remember you every day.

2. For the Love of your Life: Better half is always the best half when both of your minds speak the same words and when your hearts run on the same page. Besides differences and boundaries, the love of your life shares all the good and bad times with you. Nothing can cheer them when they are given a hug with few special words like ‘You mean a lot to me’. The glorious essential oils that can make them feel your presence even when you are away are Patchouli essential oil, Sandalwood oil, Lavender oil, Ylang Ylang oil, Jasmine oil and Rose oil. All of these essential oils can give a great start to your romantic evening or to a grand day with an invigorating bath when added to your bath tub.

3. For the little ones: Babies bring in natural joy to your family and are aptly called as the Kings and Queens of our families. In the celebrated book, ‘Aromatherapy for Babies and Children’, Shirley Price has listed 19 Ayurvedic essential oils that are safe for babies and children. The best among them that can nurture your little one’s growth especially when they are 1 to 3 years old are Roman Chamomile oil, Tea tree oil and Lavender oil. A gentle massage with these essential oils, carefully blended with safe carrier oils like Almond oil, Jojoba oil or Olive oil can help your baby grow up strong both physically and mentally. Only such natural Ayurvedic essential oils used in the early stages of their life can lay a good basis for their intellectual and muscular strength, making them bold enough to face the challenges of this competitive world.

You may wonder what kind of essential oils to bequest your friends, teachers and other relatives. Just check their age and consider under which of these above mentioned groups their age falls and gift them accordingly. Just a small ‘Thank you’ note along with an endearing collection of Ayurvedic essential oils is more than enough to deliver your love and gratefulness with no mistakes. Happy Thanksgiving Day!!! And thanks for your time on my post!!!!

Thought for the day:

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.                                                                   Henry Van Dyke

Suggested Reading:

  1. Chemistry Of Essential Oils Made Simple: GOD’S LOVE MANIFEST IN MOLECULES By David Stewart
  2. Seven Secrets to Raising a Happy and Healthy Child: The Ayurvedic Approach to Parenting By Joyce Seyburn
  3. Making Room for Mr. Right: How to Attract the Love of Your Life By Robin Mastro, Michael Mastro

Reference Links:

  1. Thanksgiving Day by Wikipedia
  2. Aromatherapy for the Elderly by Yahoo! Voices
  3. Essential Oil Care for Children & Babies by Abundant Health

Best Ways To Use Ayurvedic Essential Oils

Ayurveda is a gift to mankind and it follows the implausible elements of nature. This safe science trusts and believes that human being is a part of nature and his illness should also be treated in a natural way using the gifts of ‘Mother Nature’. Here comes the importance of Ayurvedic essential oils which are derived from the natural plant extracts. These oils have therapeutic properties for which it has been used since ages in traditional medicine and folk medicine.

In the recent times, you might have heard about the essence and effective use of essential oils in Aromatherapy but won’t you get surprised if I say that Aromatherapy itself is one of the ways of healing holistically in Ayurveda? This ancient therapy of curing human beings have suggested numerous ways of using Ayurvedic essential oils and the best ways are here for your guidance.

  1. Aromatic bath: A popular adage goes like this ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’, as Ayurveda insists highly on keeping yourselves and your environment clean, it prescribes taking bath twice daily either with the use of herbs or Ayurvedic essential oils in your bath tub.  Adding few drops of essential oils to your bath tub will give you a refreshing bath, which would be energizing and help you stay calm physically and emotionally.
  2. Essential oils massage: You work all day long all through the week; won’t you feel that your mind and body needs some ‘Quality Time To Rest’? Don’t need to go in search of quality time to rest, instead your life partner can help you discover it apparently with a caring massage with the sweet-smelling Ayurvedic essential oils. You can also try exploring the real sense of relief and peace after a systematic massage by an Ayurvedic expert in a nearby Ayurvedic center if you really feel like having a space for yourself. Ayurvedic massage with healing essential oils are often said to alleviate stress, trigger your olfactory sense, make your skin supple and give a never before newness to your life.
  3. As a vitalizing household cleaner: Home is the best place to give a great start to everything and everyone of your family. Why can’t you try complimenting your home by adding few drops of refreshing essential oils to your floor cleaner, washing machine and at the time of washing your dishes and cleaning your toilets? Lemon essential oil is often recommended for laundry, cleaning dishes and other general cleaning as it has the potential to remove tough, oily and greasy stains. You can also try using essential oils with clean, fresh, flowery and woody aroma to bring the real effects of nature even when your doors are closed.
  4. For skin care: Nothing other than certain selective Ayurvedic essential oils can caress your skin and take better care of them. You can use a wide range of skin-friendly essential oils like lavender essential oil, lemon essential oil, rose essential oil, sandalwood oil, ylang ylang essential oil, palmarosa essential oil, tangerine essential oil, mandarin essential oil, chamomile essential oil, geranium essential oil and few other. You can add few drops of any of the above essential oils in your favorite lotions, creams, carrier oil, carrier lotion, cocoa butter etc, to get set with your ultimate skin care pack.
  5. Diffuser/Air-Freshener: Using essential oils in your diffuser or in your Air-freshener will help you kill germs, bacteria and other harmful viruses in the air while giving you an everlasting aroma especially in the rainy season.
  6. Cold/Warm Compress: Circulation problems, sprains, muscular tension and other pains can be easily treated either with a warm or cold compress. It will be a brilliant idea if you add few drops of essential oils with absolute healing properties like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil etc to your compress the next time when you feel like getting instant remedy from excruciating pains like menstrual cramps.
  7. Vapor inhalation/ Facial steam: Adding few drops of Ayurvedic essential oils like Eucalyptus oil or Peppermint oil to steaming water and inhaling the steam will help you keep away from the persisting problems like sinus, bronchitis, cold, flu etc. You can also add few drops of refreshing oils like lavender oil or other cleansing oil like chamomile oil to warm water and use it as a facial steam for deep cleansing.

Note: The way of using Ayurvedic essential oils plays a dominant role on its healing potential. Do not use essential oils directly to the skin as more pure the oil, more concentrated it is.

Reference Links:

  1. Essential Oils by Wikipedia
  2. Methods of Application by Nature’s Gift
  3. How to Use Essential Oils Effectively by David Crow, L.Ac. Published in Yogi Times
  4. What is Aromatherapy by National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy