Jasmine Oil PG Grade

Flowers are always the fervent favorites of poets all over the world and greatly to everyone’s wonder; Jasminum Officinale is lovingly called as Poet’s Jasmine, Common Jasmine or Jessamine. The essential oil of Jasmine is extracted from the flowering buds by solvent extraction method. It is known as Jati, Johi and Chameli in Ayurveda and has been used for treating hiccoughs, poisonous stings, anger, sexual disorders, menopausal problems, post-natal depression, respiratory problems and skin diseases. The attar varieties and perfumes made from Jasmine are famous for more than thousands of years in various traditions of the world.

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Historical uses of Jasmine Oil: Jasminum Officinale has its origin in central parts of Asia mainly in Northern India and China. It was the Moors who brought Jasmine to Spain after which its cultivation slowly spread to Morocco, France, Japan, Turkey and Italy. Jasmine is the national flower of Pakistan and its shield is represented by the floral wreath of Jasmine shrubs.

Since the prehistoric period, Jasmine flowers and the various parts of this evergreen plant including the leaves and roots have been in use for medicinal, culinary, ceremonial and aromatic uses. History denotes that the enchanting aroma of Jasmine flowers encircle the evening time with the magic of love, mystical thoughts, psychic dreams and endless fascination.

Jasmine is used as an important flower in the religious ceremonies in the Indian subcontinent and it is given as a sacred offering to Lord Vishnu. The garlands made with these flowers are considered as symbol of respect and used for welcoming special guests. These flowers are used as ornaments for hair and for offering Vedic rituals.

Jasmine has also been used as an ancient remedy for treating poisonous bites and stings. Jasmine oil was a popular anointing oil for Kings and affluent people during the times of Lord Buddha. It is also used in Indonesia for making garlands, hair ornaments and as a well-liked garnish.

This aromatic herb has been a vital part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine as an aphrodisiac and for certain other medicinal purposes. They used it in folk medicine for treating hepatitis in Southern China. A 2009 study on ‘Antiviral efficacy against hepatitis B virus replication of oleuropein isolated from Jasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum’ published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology proved Jasmine officinale as a potential therapeutic agent for treating infections caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Chemical constituents and therapeutic properties of Jasmine essential oil: There are about 100 chemical components in Jasmine essential oil and the major ones are methyl anthranilate, benzoic acid, indole, linalool, ketone, linalyl acetate, nerol, benzyl acetate, cis- jasmone, farnesol, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, nerolidol, cis-3-hexenyl benzoate and y-terpineol.

These components contribute to its remedial properties like anticancer, antidepressant, antiseptic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, astringent, analgesic, stimulant, uterine, sedative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, parturient, antispasmodic, diuretic, cicatrisant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anthelmintic.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Jasmine essential oil: Ayurveda is the knowledge of life that preached the healing discipline all over the world with absolute justice. This ancient healing methodology aged 5,000 plus years is known as the mother of all the healing systems on earth. Ayurvedic healing gave a new-fangled dimension to health as this elevated system aimed at enhancing physical health, strength of the psyche and the soul that witnesses the presence of life in a human being.

Other than Ayurveda, no other medicinal practice in this world considers human body as a temple where the eternal soul dwells in. It is for this noble reason, Ayurveda recommends human beings to keep their mind, body and the environment clean and healthy for the spirit to reside in harmony. When this harmony happens, human beings develop a strong system mentally, physically and spiritually paving way for healthy aging and longevity.

According to Ayurveda, the world and everything in this world are made up of five major elements known as Pancha Mahabhutas. They are water, earth, space, fire and air. These five elements combine together to form three predominant doshas or Ayurvedic body types. This helps in understanding the unique individual constitution of each and every person.

Every individual has a predominance of any one of these doshas that determine their personality, traits and behavior. Balance between these Ayurvedic body types symbolizes health and dosha imbalances lead to sickness. Ayurvedic remedies focus on striking perfect balance between these doshas and treatment varies from individual to individual even for the same sickness based upon their unique constitution.

Herbs, meditation, essential oils, Ayurvedic routine, healthy balance diet, yoga, prayers and simple physical exercises are the chief Ayurvedic remedies prescribed for health and heartiness. Jasmine essential oil is a tridosha oil that calms all the three doshas specifically the aggravation of pitta dosha in the head. It’s time to look at the Ayurvedic health benefits of Jasmine essential oil based upon the method of usage.

1. In Abhyanga or Ayurvedic massage therapy: Human skin is fundamentally the largest organ of the body. It acts as an excellent barrier for preventing the easy entry of harmful micro-organisms into the body. Ayurvedic massage therapy is the art of massaging with remedial essential oils.

Massaging your body with 5 drops of Jasmine oil blended with 2.5 ml Jojoba oil aids in treating depression, postpartum blues, pain, headache, rheumatism, nervousness, muscular pain, insomnia, tension, negative feelings and stress. It works like a wonder as the therapeutic properties of this oil penetrate deeply into the skin and pass on through the bloodstream. It calms the nerves, soothes the senses and inculcates self-confidence. This massage also aids in alleviating stress and depression by uplifting your mood and promoting relaxation for your system.

Massaging your scalp with 5 drops of Jasmine oil blended with 2.5 ml Almond oil helps in nourishing the scalp, treat anxiety, grant relaxation, enhance memory, improves hair health and leaves behind a natural fragrance. This massage is also helpful in treating headache, tension, confusions and lack of concentration.

As massage oil, Jasmine essential oil can also be of great assistance in treating male and female reproductive problems by promoting the secretion of male and female hormones testosterone and estrogen. With its emmenagogue properties, Jasmine essential oil helps in regularizing blocked menstruation, assist menopausal symptoms (like hot flush), reduce menstrual pain and other symptoms of menstruation by massaging your abdomen with this healing blend.

2. In baths and steam inhalation: Add 2 drops of Jasmine essential oil in warm bathing water for treating fatigue, anxiety, nervous tension, depression, premenstrual syndrome, muscular spasms and loss of sexual interest. Taking bath in this medicated water before going to bed can help in relaxing your mind and body, promote libido in both men and women, protect from dreadful dreams, stimulate the senses, induce peaceful sleep and loosen mucus and phlegm deposits. 1 drop of Jasmine oil added to foot bath can assist in calming down your mind and body, promote relaxation of sore muscles and reduce fever.

Adding 2 drops of Jasmine essential oil to steam inhalation helps in treating respiratory problems like cold, cough, bronchitis and sinusitis by clearing out the excess phlegm deposits and nasal congestion. This healing value is attributed to the antiviral and expectorant properties of Jasmine oil.

3. In vaporizers, burners and aroma lamps: Jasmine essential oil is an excellent remedy for alleviating depression, loss of interest, stress and other mental woes. All these pre-occupied thoughts in your mind will steal your peaceful sleep at night ending up in a mess at office in the morning. Jasmine essential oil has been proved to stimulate the mind and reduce symptoms of stress and depression.

By adding 2 drops of Jasmine oil to your diffuser, burner or vaporizer, you get to inhale the aromatic molecules of this heavenly oil, which passes through the nasal passages and reach the limbic system of the brain. It is known as the brain’s control center that transmits message to the mind and body for controlling feelings and emotions and thus transforming one’s behavior positively. You can sense the difference visibly as the biological factors like blood pressure, heart rate, breathing mechanism, immune functions and stress levels tend to turn normal and leave you relaxed and recharged.

Inhaling the invigorating aroma of Jasmine oil has also been said to treat pitta aggravation in the head that is responsible for loss of temper, insanity, loss of memory and certain other mental disturbances. It helps you control your anger, regain your memory power, augment your confidence level, give a lift to the attributes of love and respect for self and others and grants mental clarity.

The sensual fragrance of Jasmine essential oil especially during the night can turn on your love quotient. Jasmine has been used as a natural aphrodisiac for numerous centuries to improve the sexual drive and libido in men and women, treat impotence and frigidity, promote the natural flow of sexual feelings and instill love, trust and confidence in the partner.

4. In daily creams and lotions: Jasmine essential oil has amazing benefits for the skin. 2 drops of this oil added to your regular skin care creams and lotions assist in improving the texture of your skin, reduce blemishes, improves your skin tone and elasticity, moisten the skin, and treat allergies, open wounds and dermatitis. The cicatrisant and collagen enhancing properties of Jasmine essential oil makes it an exceptional remedy for lessening scars and stretch marks. Applying this aromatic lotion daily will guard your skin from the harmful microbes and help you stay fresh and fragrant throughout the day.

Other health benefits: Jasmine and its essential oil is also effective in treating diabetes mellitus, headache, scorpion stings, eye diseases, cancer, labour pain, addiction and uterine disorders.

According to a 2008 study on ‘Anti-Cancer Flower Power: Researchers Combat Cancer With A Jasmine-Based Drug’ published in the Science Daily, Prof. Flescher reveals that the synthetic compound jasmonate extracted from Jasmine is effective in treating cancerous tumors. The peer commentary also supports this research by saying “Methyl jasmonate has already been shown to have selective anticancer activity in preclinical studies, and this finding may stimulate the development of a novel class of small anticancer compounds.”

Disclaimer: This is only for the purpose of information and is not proposed to make a diagnosis or replace any prescribed medication or professional medical advice. Never ingest essential oils and always use them in a diluted form because organic and pure essential oils are highly concentrated liquids and can harm you if used directly on the skin. It is advisable to do a small patch test on your skin before using essential oils regularly. Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before using the appropriate essential oils for your unique health condition and individual constitution. Care should be taken before using Jasmine essential oil if you are a pregnant or nursing mother.

Thought for the day:

Out in the lonely woods the jasmine burns Its fragrant lamps, and turns Into a royal court with green festoons The banks of dark lagoons.  -Henry Timrod

Suggested Reading:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well Being by Julia Lawless
  2. Captivate Your Senses: Sensual Jasmine (A Scented Book Series) by Unknown
  3. The Encyclopedia of Aphrodisiacs: Psychoactive Substances for Use in Sexual Practices by Christian Rätsch, Claudia Müller-Ebeling
  4. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils by Gabriel Mojay           

Reference Links:

  1. Jasminum Officinale by Wikipedia
  2. Health benefits of Jasmine essential oil by Organic Facts
  3. Jasmine by Kamlesh Ayurveda
  4. Antiviral efficacy against hepatitis B virus replication of oleuropein isolated from Jasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum by Guiqin Zhao, Zhifeng Yin and Junxing Dong published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology
  5. Anti-Cancer Flower Power: Researchers Combat Cancer With A Jasmine-Based Drug published in Science Daily.com

Sesame Oil

Sesame-bannerFrom nasal drops to enema, from babies to elderly people, Sesame oil forms an incredible part of the Ayurvedic regimen. Experts say that about 90% of the herbal oils in Ayurvedic treatment are prepared with a base of Sesame oil.

Celebrated for its rich presence of nutrients, this oil is used as a nourishing cooking oil in most parts of India, especially the southern parts of the nation where Ayurvedic system of healing has its roots deeply vested with.

Known as Tila in the Ayurvedic world, Sesame oil is extracted by pressing the seeds of the plant Sesamum indicum (syn. Sesamum Orientale). Sesame oil has been used for its innumerable benefits to mankind and the most touching thing is that the seed hulls left after pressing the oil can be fed to livestock as a wholesome food.

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Historical importance of Sesame Oil:

This invigorating oil has the longest history of more than 5,000 years just like the ancient Ayurvedic system. This was the main oil crop and was cultivated during the times of Indus valley civilization, the oldest civilization of the world. Sesame was the first crop used for extracting oil.

Before 600 BC, Sesame oil was used as a salve, medicine and in food by the rich Assyrians community. From times immemorial, this oil has been an important part of the world of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Various traditions like Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern used Sesame oil as a flavor enhancer and natural health stimulant.

Most of the Ayurvedic therapies have registered the use of Sesame oil for its ability to strengthen the system, detoxify the body and ensure the proper functioning of all the vital organs. Sesame seed oil is considered as a sacred oil in many parts of India and is used in votive lamps and other ceremonies of religious importance.

Among the seven chakras or the vital points of human energy, sesame oil is said to benefit the heart chakra responsible for unconditional love for others and self, compassion, emotions and all kinds of relationships with the world, root chakra responsible for dealing with the challenges of the world and the spleen chakra responsible for the right to think, self-confidence, self-control and intellect.

Therapeutic properties and nutrients of Sesame oil:

Sesame oil is rich in vitamin E (potent antioxidant), iron, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, dietary fiber and flavonoids phenolic antioxidants.

All these enriching nutrients make Sesame oil as a powerful antioxidant with antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immune-stimulant, restorative, anti-rheumatic, carminative, tonic, anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic, cardiac, dermatologic, laxative, emollient, warming and anti-depressant properties.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Sesame oil:

Ayurvedic encyclopedias like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita have listed enormous health benefits of Sesame oil. Practicing Ayurveda is a sure shot remedy for self-improvement as it involves a systematic life-style along with essential oils, herbal medications, yoga, meditation and physical exercises that keep you fit and fine even in your late 60s.

Human body is made up of 3 energy elements known as doshas in Ayurveda. They are vata, pitta and kapha. The predominant energy element determines your personality, character and behavior. Sesame oil has the potent to balance excess vata along with kapha and pitta deficiency.

Let’s take a look at the Ayurvedic health benefits of Sesame seed oil in terms of various ways of administration.Sesame-broucher1. Oil Pulling:

This is a simple Ayurvedic therapy that helps in eliminating the harmful toxins from the body and enhances immunity and is known as Gandusha in Sanskrit. It is nothing but swishing 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in the mouth for 20 minutes in empty stomach in the morning and spitting out the toxins-filled remains. This process helps in protecting the dental health known as Dantya Swasthya in Ayurveda.

Charaka Samhita (Charaka Samhita Ch V-78 to 80) quotes the act of oil pulling as “It is beneficial for strength of jaws, depth of voice, flabbiness of face, improving gustatory sensation and good taste for food. One used to this practice never gets dryness of throat, nor do his lips ever get cracked; his teeth will never be carious and will be deep rooted; he will not have any toothache nor will his teeth set on edge by sour intake; his teeth can chew even the hardest eatables” . The best oil recommended for oil pulling by Ayurvedic texts is organic cold pressed Sesame oil.

Sesame oil has sesamol, sesamolin and sesamin components along with the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin E that make this oil as a rich natural antioxidant. This property helps in preventing decay and degeneration of cells in the body and blocks the absorption of negative cholesterol in the liver.

A popular study on “Effect of Oil Pulling on Plaque and Gingivitis” by Dr. HV Amith proved that 45 days of methodical oil pulling showed a significant decrease in plaque and gingivitis.

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of this oil help in treating halitosis or bad breath, plaque, gingivitis and dental cavities.

One more study conducted in 2008 on “The Effect of oil-pulling on dental caries causing bacteria” proved the in-vitro antibacterial activity of Sesame oil against dental caries causing bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. This study also witnessed the considerable reduction of the total count of bacteria after oil-pulling.

Oil pulling with Sesame oil is also effective in treating cracked lips, eczema, sinusitis, heart disorders, psoriasis, obesity, dry skin, headache, kidney problems, rheumatic pain and inflammation, dry throat and tooth decay.

2. Abhyanga, the art of Ayurvedic massage therapy:

Abhyanga or Ayurvedic massage with Sesame oil is a significant part of the Ayurvedic treatment to relieve muscular pain and tension, make the skin healthy and glowing, regularize the breathing pattern, improve blood circulation, relax the nervous system, revive the mind and relieve stress and sleeping difficulties. These benefits are mentioned in Ayurvedic texts as Twachya , Balya and Keshya.

(i) Balya (benefits for children):

Known as the King of Oils, Sesame oil is completely safe for the use of children and is known to strengthen the bones, joints and muscles by penetrating deeply into the muscles and the bone marrow. It is because of this property, every Indian family massage their new born babies and toddlers with Sesame oil before bath and leave them under sunlight for few minutes allowing the body to absorb vitamin D and nourish the skin cells naturally.

(ii) Twachya (benefits for the skin):

The presence of vitamin E and zinc in this oil helps in augmenting the elasticity of the skin; repairs damaged skin cells and promote the production of collagen. Massaging your skin with this nourishing natural emollient aids in preventing the symptoms of aging, wrinkles, acne, psoriasis, wounds, burns and other skin infections. Sesame oil also protects your skin from dangerous ultra-violet rays.

(iii) Keshya (benefits for the hair):

Massaging your head with warm Sesame oil stimulates hair growth, controls dandruff, nourishes the scalp, kills the infestation of lice, and eases anxiety and fatigue.

It is a long time tradition of Indians to massage their head and body with Sesame oil once in a week and take bath with the herbal powder known Shikakai to reduce the body temperature and enliven the nerves and cells. This oil kills the dandruff causing bacteria and protects the skin and scalp from the harmful effects of chlorine in swimming pool water.

3. Nasya, nasal cleansing:

Nasya is one important methodology among the 5 methods of Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy. It is the method of administering herbal oils and medicines through the nostrils. According to Ayurveda, nose is the entrance to the brain. Applying a few drops of Sesame oil in the nostrils as nasal drops helps in treating illnesses above your shoulders.  This aids in removing the toxins from the body, alleviate stress, sinusitis, allergies, headache, cold and wrinkles.

4. Pathya, daily diet:

When used as cooking oil in daily diet, Sesame oil is highly beneficial for the entire system from head to toe. Ayurveda suggests the daily use of this oil and is said to grant Vranashodhana (healing and cleansing internal and external wounds), Agni janana (augmenting the power of digestion and metabolism) and Medha janana (enhancing intelligence).

Regular use of Sesame oil helps in fighting cancer with its antioxidant properties, guards the body from DNA damage due to radiation, treats rheumatism, improves digestive health, supports respiratory wellness, aids in preventing diabetes, lowers blood pressure and improve the health of the cardiovascular system.

Disclaimer:

Consult your Ayurvedic physician before using Sesame oil for your individual constitution. This article is only for informational purpose and is not meant to replace your prescribed medicines or the advice of your healthcare professional.

Thought for the day:

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. -Martin Luther

Suggested Reading:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Ayurvedic Massage by John Douillard
  2. Eat-Taste-Heal: An Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living by Thomas Yarema, Daniel Rhoda, Johnny Brannigan
  3. The Oral Health Bible by Michael Bonner, Earl L. Mindell
  4. Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body through Oral Cleansing by Bruce Fife

Reference Links:

  1. Sesame Oil by Wikipedia
  2. Effect of oil-pulling on dental caries causing bacteria by Durai Anand T, Gopinath RM, Pothiraj C and Kayalvizhi B of the PG Department of Microbiology, VHNSN College, India
  3. Open Sesame! 10 Amazing Health Benefits Of This Super-Seed by GreenMEDInfo
  4.  Sesame Oil For Bone Building in Ayurveda by Livestrong.com

Nar Kachur Essential Oil

Nar-katchur-bannerCan Turmeric be white? Yes! And here it is. Much similar to Turmeric, Nar Kachur herb is known as White Turmeric. Then am I not right in calling it as White Gold?

Indigenous to India and Indonesia, Nar Kachur is a well-liked herb found all over in the Indian sub-tropical regions.  Popularly known as Zedoary, the essential oil of Nar Kachur is extracted from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma zedoaria, which is a member of the ginger family Zingiberaceae.

The world of Ayurveda acclaims this herb and its oil as an excellent digestive aid and in particular it has been used in this holistic medicinal system as a gastrointestinal stimulant. Nar Kachur essential oil is also used in the Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of numerous chronic disorders including cancer.

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Historical uses of Nar Kachur:

Known with many popular names across the world, Zedoary was a not so familiar herb in the Western world until it was spread across as a popular spice reminding of ginger, turmeric and mango put together.

It is known as Karchur in Sanskrit, Kachur in Hindi, Meitei Yaingang in Manipuri, Zedoary in English, Ezhu You in Chinese and Shatkachuro in Gujarati. This herb is spread across the natural beds of the Eastern Himalayan region and Karnataka and is cultivated in many countries.

The fresh Nar Kachur herb is used in Indian cooking and also in preparing pickles mainly because of its gingery-mango and energizing taste. It is locally called as amb halad where amb means mango.  Indonesians use Nar Kachur paste in preparing traditional curries.

The powdered herb was used in treating menstrual pain and for regularizing menstruation. Nar Kachur is trusted to tone the uterus and benefit the reproductive system in numerous ways. The ancient people used it as a natural aphrodisiac agent for its stimulating properties.

The juice extracted from the rhizomes of this plant was used in curing infections in the urinary tract and treat other urinary disorders with its diuretic properties. It also serves as an effective remedy in treating colic and flatulence.

Zedoary or Nar Kachur is still used in the Indian folklore medicine as an anti-venom for poisonous snake bites like the Indian Cobra bites. The fresh paste of this herb has been in use for treating wounds, pain, inflammation and certain other skin problems.

Chemical constituents and therapeutic properties of Nar Kachur Oil:

Curzerene, curcumenol, germacrone, zederone, curmanolide A, furanodienone, curcumenone, beta-elemene, pyridine, tau-elemene, isocurcumenol and numerous other components form a part of Zedoary essential oil. The remedial values of this oil are stomachic, diuretic, aphrodisiac, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, analgesic and emmenagogue.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Nar Kachur essential oil:

As a member of the Ayurvedic family Adrak kul, Nar Kachur is an effective herb that treats many health conditions.

Ayurveda is a holistic healing system that trusts human beings as a part of nature and any medication for their illness are readily available in nature itself. With this underlying principle, Ayurvedic therapy revolves around natural remedies like herbs, Ayurvedic essential oils, healthy and balanced diet, yoga, physical exercises and meditation.

Every individual is diagnosed in a unique manner in Ayurveda as it appreciates individual differences and believes that every human being is made up of 3 vital energy elements known as doshas. They are vata, kapha and pitta doshas where vata represents air as its major element, pitta stands for fire and kapha signifies water.

Every person is said to have any one these doshas as a predominant dosha and this predominance determines the Ayurvedic body type, personality, character and certain other behavioral attributes.

According to Ayurveda, vata energy controls the process of metabolism and elimination of toxins from the body. Pitta influences digestion, brain power, energy creation and body temperature and kapha governs the flow of fluids in the body like blood, mucous etc, while contributing to skin health, strength and lubrication of muscles and joints.

Balance between these three doshas indicates that a person is hale and hearty and the imbalance of any one of these or all the three doshas ends up in illnesses.

Your first Ayurvedic consultation with the expert will help you identify your predominant body type, individual constitution, diet that suits your health and physical and mental exercises that would help you in preventing diseases in the future.

Nar Kachur essential oil suppresses excess vata and kapha energies and aids in increasing pitta dosha in case of deficit. This is the main reason that Nar Kachur and its essential oil are helpful in treating digestive disorders, respiratory problems and impurities in the blood while enhancing the natural health of one’s skin.

Let’s have a look at the major Ayurvedic health benefits of Zedoary or Nar Kachur essential oil.

Nar-katchur-broucher1. Excellent digestive aid:

Since the prehistoric period, Nar Kachur herb is used to treat problems in the digestive system especially in the gastrointestinal tract. This herb and its essential oil are said to be beneficial in treating indigestion, colic, loss of appetite, spasms, flatulence, infestation of worms, tastelessness and irregular bowel movement. It is considered as a natural aid for preventing ulceration due to stress.

Nar Kachur oil is proven safe for using it on the skin. Add 3 drops of Nar Kachur essential oil with almond oil and gently massage it on your tummy for relieving from colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, indigestion, irregular bowel movement and spasms.

You can also add 2 drops of this oil to warm bathing water for stimulating your digestion, improving your appetite and assist in expelling the worms through excretion. Adding 2 to 3 drops of Zedoary oil to your diffuser will also help in enhancing your appetite, reducing vomiting sensation and promoting speedy digestive process.

2. Treats respiratory problems:

Respiratory problems mainly occur due to the excess of kapha dosha, due to which fluids like mucous and phlegm gets deposited in the lungs and other parts of the body. It blocks the nasal passages and ends up in breathing difficulties and other respiratory disorders like cough, asthma and cold.

Adding 3 drops of Nar Kachur oil to steaming water and inhaling the medicated steam releasing the camphoraceous aroma of this oil can assist you in loosening the phlegm and mucous deposits and ease breathing. You can also add 2 drops of this oil in your rubs and gently massage it on your neck, chest and back to treat congestion, cold and blocked nose.

3. Relieves pain and inflammation:

As an effective anti-inflammatory agent, Nar Kachur oil helps in treating wounds, inflammation and certain other skin ailments. This herb was used in the Indonesian fold medicine for its effective anti-inflammatory property specifically in treating ulcerative colitis known as an inflammatory bowel disease. It was also used in protecting the lungs of the asthmatic patients by restraining the release of inflammatory mediators during the short-term treatment.

The diuretic properties of this oil supports in eliminating the excess fluids and toxic substances in the body especially in the joints causing pain and inflammation in case of rheumatism and arthritis. It is also used in reducing the body temperature during fever by promoting sweat and purging infectious microbes through urine.

Nar Kachur essential oil is also effective in treating abdominal pain, amenorrhea and certain other menstrual problems. Add 3 drops of this oil to warm bathing water or to hot compress to help relieve rheumatic pain, inflammation and menstrual discomforts. You can also blend 4 to 5 drops of Nar Kachur oil with coconut oil and gently massage it on the affected area for quicker assistance.

4. Fights against cancerous cells:

A 2013 research on ‘Zedoary oil (Ezhu You) inhibits proliferation of AGS cells’ proves that Zedoary, a Chinese medicinal herb has anticancer properties. This study concluded saying, “Zedoary oil inhibited AGS cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis promotion, which were related to Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression.”

Another study on ‘Applications of Nanoparticles in Herbal Medicine: Zedoary Turmeric Oil and Its Active Compound beta-elemene’ published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine states that Zedoary turmeric oil has been approved by the Chinese SFDA as safe for treating various cancerous tumors that affect ovaries, brain, lungs, colon, breast, liver and certain other tissues.

Other uses:

Nar Kachur oil is also used as a mosquito repellant by applying it on the skin after blending it with almond or coconut oil. This herb has also been proved effective in the treatment of gonorrhea, erectile dysfunction, urinary problems, hiccups, blood disorders, piles and certain other skin problems.  Nar Kachur essential oil is also used in soap fabrication and perfumeries.

Disclaimer:

Never use essential oils internally. Always remember to use essential oils in a diluted form as pure essential oils are highly concentrated liquids. Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before using the right essential oil for your unique constitution and health conditions.

Thought for the day:

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.      -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Suggested Reading:

  1. Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Nutrition Desk Reference from CRC Press
  2. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism by Julia Lawless
  3. Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: The Most Complete guide to Natural Healing and Health with Traditional Ayurvedic Herbalism by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Michael Tierra

Reference Links:

  1. Curcuma zedoaria by Wikipedia
  2. Biological and Chemical Properties of Zingiber zerumbet Smith (called as Narkachur) published in the Research Gate.net Publication
  3. Zedoary oil (Ezhu You) inhibits proliferation of AGS cells by Hailian Shi, Bao Tan, Guang Ji, Lan Lu, Aili Cao, Songshan Shi and Jianqun Xie published in the Chinese Medicine Journal
  4. Curcuma zedoaria by Ayushveda