Jojoba Oil

Peek-a-boo!!! It’s Jojoba this time and it is here to reveal your natural beauty, hidden in the rear of your pimples, wrinkles, blackheads, sunburns, scars, microbial infections, skin pigmentation, psoriasis, cellular damages, dandruff, rough hair, chapped lips, and the list that never ends as you know.Jojoba-bannerThis is mainly due to the fact, “Jojoba oil is similar in structure to our natural sebum and such wonder plants used in natural cosmetics actually mimic the skin’s own functions,” quotes the book, ‘The New Age Herbalist – How to use herbs for healing, nutrition, body care and relaxation’ by Richard Mabey and Anne McIntyre.

Trust me; Nature is extraordinarily miraculous in bestowing spectacular souvenirs like Jojoba, which is a woody evergreen shrub that grows in drought and scorching desert conditions. Bearing all the blistering heat around, Jojoba oil still enriches us with its enormous moisturizing and cooling attributes.

Pronounced as ho-ho-ba, Jojoba oil is indeed a fluid plant wax that has replaced animal wax or whale oil since 1971 in the United States and across the world in the production of soaps, skin care creams, moisturizers, shampoos and an extensive range of cosmetics.

Jojoba is used in various Complementary and Alternative Medicinal Practices including Ayurveda, especially in Abhyanga or the art of Ayurvedic massaging for ultimate relief and comfort from various ailments. Jojoba oil has the potent to balance vata, pitta and kapha doshas and is helpful in treating dry skin complaints, acne-prone skin problems and inflammatory conditions.

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Therapeutic properties and chemical constituents of Jojoba oil:

Jojoba oil has fatty acids including ferulic acid, docosenoic acid, 11-Eicosenoic acid, oleic acid, docosdienoic acid, palmitoleic acid, erucic acid and 9-Godoelic acid.

It has a rich presence of skin-nourishing nutrients like Vitamin E, copper, selenium, zinc, chromium, silicon, B-complex and iodine (82 per cent of this magical ingredient grants Jojoba the power to cure).

The superior emollient quality of Jojoba oil is attributed by the two inherent properties in Jojoba oil, namely “unbranched liquid wax esters formed from unbranched Omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids and unbranched Omega-9 monounsaturated fatty alcohol,” says Dr. Nadim A. Shaath, in his study ‘The Wonders of Jojoba.’

Remedial values that make Jojoba the best among all the enriching massage oils are anti-inflammatory, emollient, moisturizing, cicatrisant, antioxidant, anti-degenerative, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, moisturizing, anti-acne, anti-dandruff and anti-aging.

Historical uses and importance of Jojoba oil:

Simmondsia chinensis is the botanical name of Jojoba, a dry perennial shrub indigenous to the Sonoran desert of Northwestern Mexico and in Southern California and Arizona. It is also grown commercially in Peru, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Israel and Egypt.

“Jojoba is the only known botanical wax, which is liquid at room temperature and an estimated 5,000 tons of Jojoba is used in personal care products manufactured around the world,” says the International Jojoba Export Council (IJEC).

Jojoba is an excellent alternative to commercial whaling and this wonder plant save the whales from being killed for ‘whale oil and spermaceti.’ IJEC says that Jojoba oil is chemically similar to whale oil and both are pure, long-chain wax esters.

The rich Jojoba oil is extracted from the crushed seeds of this shrub. Jojoba and its oil have also been in use as a promising skin conditioner, hair restorative, appetite suppressant and as a natural moisturizer.

The founder of 21 California Missions, Father Junipero Serra quotes that the Native American populace have used Jojoba for a longer period in the treatment of burns, bruises, sores, wounds, sunburn, dandruff, hair fall and inflammatory scalp conditions.

Not many people except the resident Americans along with the traditional masses of the Sonoran desert were aware about the many healing benefits of Jojoba oil. This oil was popularly known and has been used as a reliable source of antioxidant emulsions.

The first International Conference on Jojoba and its uses held at the University of Arizona in 1986 was a turning point and an eye-opener to the Jojoba revolution thereafter.

The ban on Whale oil paved way for the boom of Jojoba wax, which also contains wax esters like spermaceti oils. Being a polyunsaturated wax, the structure of Jojoba oil is completely contradictory from that of other vegetable oils.

“Approximately 50 per cent of the Jojoba seed is lipid, not a fat, but a liquid wax. Jojoba is the only known plant in the world to produce such a substance,” quotes Wade C and Edward F Haase. Sherbrooke in their study (University of Arizona) ‘Jojoba: A Wax – Producing Shrub of the Sonoran Desert’.

Jojoba is preferred in the skin care and cosmetic industry than other oils because natural waxes do not respond to rancidification, which is “the chemical decomposition of fats, oils and other lipids by which oils get undesirable odors and flavors and is one of the reasons why Jojoba wax is odorless.”

Ayurvedic health benefits of Jojoba oil:

Ayurveda is the pioneer and the oldest of all healing systems on earth including Homeopathy, Siddha, Unani, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic and Acupressure.

Many think that Ayurveda is a complicated medicinal practice. Believe me; no medicinal sciences on earth can be as simple as an Ayurvedic remedy.

Ayurveda is not a rocket science but is just a common sense healing methodology. The word ‘Ayur (Life) + Veda (knowledge)’ means the knowledge of life. Self-realization is the ultimate mission of Ayurvedic healing for attaining the vision of longevity and oneness with the Divine.

Ayurvedic philosophy states that health is a combination of physical, emotional and spiritual heartiness of a person.

Charaka, the most celebrated Ayurvedic philosopher and the author of Charaka Samhita, one among the three Ayurvedic encyclopedia states The three – body, psyche, and soul – act as a tripod. The world stands upon them, and within them, the world abides.”

Ayurveda never treats an illness or its symptoms, whereas it addresses every individual in a distinct manner and not just their health condition.

This is due to the fact that Ayurveda regards every person as a unique creation with a unique individual constitution known as doshas. Every human being is made up of three doshas, namely vata, pitta and kapha.

These biological energies are an arrangement of the five vital elements of Nature (Panchamahabhutas – earth, water, fire, space and air). All human beings have a combination of three doshas in a specific composition with the dominance of any one dosha.

The predominant doshic energy determines the character, physique, behavioral attributes and spiritual enlightenment of an individual.

Ayurvedic philosophy trusts that everything in this universe is a part of nature and retaining absolute balance with Nature paves way for health and disparity leads to sickness.

Ayurveda recommends herbs, Ayurvedic essential oils, Pranayama or balanced breathing, Abhyanga or the art of Ayurvedic massaging, yoga, Panchakarma or the Ayurvedic detoxification technique, simple physical exercises, Dinacharya or the Ayurvedic routine, meditation and prayers for treating doshic imbalances.

Jojoba is a pacifier and neutralizer of all the three doshas. It is many times prescribed for Abhyanga (massaging in Ayurveda), which is maneuvering of muscles and nerves with Ayurvedic oils using palms, fingers, foot, elbows and certain other conventional massaging equipments.

The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age.”

Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89.

Yes! The wait is over.

Come let’s discover the many healing benefits of Jojoba oil for mankind.

Jojoba-broucher1. God of gorgeous skin: Supports skin health and called as Twachya.

The heading might sound ‘BIG’ but is not a mere exaggeration, as pure Jojoba oil has admirable and commanding qualities that protect your skin health and prevent it from various infections.

Jojoba has supernatural powers and its unique biochemical components make this oil ‘the best’ among various skin care formulations.

For its skin supporting attributes, Jojoba is beckoned as Twachya in Ayurveda.

Jojoba can be ‘everything’ to your skin and hair. It can be a promising conditioner, cleanser, moisturizer, cosmetic, softener, anti-microbial agent, anti-aging serum, softener, lip balm, sunscreen lotion, shaving gel, body lotion, safe makeup remover, detangling cream, cuticle cream, anti-acne cream, anti-dandruff lotion, hair vitalizing serum, cracked foot cream, stretch mark reducer, scar treatment, wound healer, hair thickener and much more.

Ayurveda denotes that Jojoba oil has mild, moist, cooling, light and hydrating properties that are extremely beneficial in the treatment of dry, inflamed and acne-prone skin conditions.

Jojoba oil pacifies all the three doshas and is enormously helpful for vata and pitta skin types. With its light and moisture-enhancing abilities, it is safe for kapha dosha also.

It can work as a brilliant massage oil that can assist in supporting your overall health condition. Just blend 1 ounce of Jojoba oil with 1 ounce of Coconut oil, ¼ ounce of Olive oil and ¼ ounce of Almond oil.

Your magical massage oil is ready for granting you the mesmerizing beauty from within.

Ayurvedic expert, Dr. Meghna Dixit says, “A massage helps in the lymphatic drainage. It leads the toxins and the waste products from the blood and the serum from the lymph nodes to the kidney and through it throws it out of the body. Thus the blood and the body overall is purified.”

She further adds, “It also increases the basic metabolism rate, and activates the cells to perform the best, and thus give a boost to one’s immunity.”

“People who go for massage experience measurable changes in their body’s immune and endocrine response and experienced significant changes in lymphocyte numbers and percentages white blood cells that play a large role in defending the body from disease,” say researchers of Cedars-Sinai’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences.

Applying Jojoba oil leaves the positive impression in such a way that the homeostatic regulatory system of the human body recognizes that sufficient oil has been produced by itself.

2. Mother of sebaceous glands:

Wonderful moisturizer that feeds sebum secretion:

Sebaceous glands are minuscule glands in our skin surface that secretes a wax-like or an oil-like substance called as sebum.

The consistency of sebum is much similar to Jojoba oil. The proper secretion of sebum by our sebaceous glands determines the optimal health of skin surface.

Age, lifestyle changes, diet and other environmental factors affect the normal functions of sebaceous glands. Decreased secretion of sebum leads to dandruff, hair fall, itchy scalp, dry hair, dry skin, cracked and thick skin surface.

According to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the British Journal of Dermatology and Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, “Jojoba oil and similar other components are considered natural moisturizing factors that prevent individual skin cells from losing water and create the appearance of smooth and healthy skin, all major benefits.”

Mothers are created on earth as God cannot be present everywhere’ is a divine adage.

Why is Jojoba oil beckoned as the ‘Mother of sebaceous glands’?

Jojoba oil is an emollient with rich natural wax esters that assist in the secretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands, thus helping in maintaining balanced level of oil in the skin, retaining the natural moisture, enabling the skin to look young and hydrated and leaving the skin soft and supple.

Dry skin is a result of lack of moisture or water in the epidermis or the upper layer of the skin surface. Jojoba oil penetrates through the epidermis and keeps it moist and hydrated all through the day.

The oil of Jojoba has the potent to enable sebum secretion during shortage and dissolves sticky remains in times of excess sebum secretion.

Massaging your skin with 2 ounce of Jojoba oil blended with 5 drops of Lavender oil, 5 drops of Argan oil and 5 drops of Ylang Ylang oil will moisturize your hair and skin and gift you the most spongy skin and bouncy locks like never before.

3. Father of hair follicles:

Keshya – Encourages hair growth and strengthens your hair follicles:

Every problem has a destined root cause. Nothing happens overnight. Thus, treating the symptoms of a specific health condition can grant only a temporary solution.

Treating the real root cause paves way for treating it initially and preventing it in the future. This is the secret behind the healing acumen of Ayurvedic medication.

A Father provides the foundation of strength, wisdom and hope. So that his children may build their dreams upon it,” is a celebrated father quote.

That is why I personally call Jojoba oil as the father of hair follicles, for its ability to strengthen the roots of the hair, enrich the scalp, clear away dandruff, control frizz, treat alopecia and promote hair growth.

Gwyneth Paltrow said, “My father, he was like the rock, the guy you went to with every problem.” In a much similar way, Jojoba oil is a father to your hair follicles as every hair problem begins from its roots and this natural wax treats it better than most other hair care products in the market.

Massaging your scalp and hair with 2 ounce of Jojoba oil blended with 3 drops of Rosemary oil, 2 drops of Thyme oil, 2 drops of Lemon oil can assist in controlling frizzy hair problems, controls dandruff and itchy scalp conditions, balances the level of natural oils and sebum in the scalp and persuade hair growth.

Unlike other liquids, Jojoba does not evaporate quickly and it amasses and penetrates into the roots of your hair. This aids in conditioning the roots and preventing your hair from turning dull and fragile.

Excess secretion of sebum in the scalp might lead to sticky hair, itchy scalp, and invasion of microbes along with dirty and blocked pores that restrict the growth of healthy hair.

Massaging your scalp and hair in alternative days with 2 ounce of Jojoba oil blended with 5 drops of Rosemary oil, 5 drops of Clary Sage oil, 5 drops of Cedarwood oil and 5 drops of Almond oil is an excellent homemade blend for augmenting the volume, shine, texture, thickness of your hair and prevent hair loss significantly.

Jojoba oil spreads evenly on the scalp, dissolves and confiscates excess sebum deposits, thereby leaves the scalp and hair clean and strong.

4. Sister of acne-free clear skin:

Excellent care for treating and preventing acne.

Acne is the most chronic condition in a teenager’s life, mostly during the peak period, when the young ladies and the gentlemen turn beauty conscious.

It is not only a universal adolescent problem but is found in many people even after their teenage years.

Acne includes pimples, blackheads and whiteheads in the initial stages, whereas severe acne might lead to inflammation and larger spots on the skin. If not treated in the initial stages, this condition might turn worse by leaving behind acne marks and difficult to remove scars on the skin.

The major causes behind acne-prone skin conditions are blocked sebaceous glands with excess sebum, dirt, dead cells, keratin and oils. It paves way for the formation of comedone that looks like a whitehead or blackhead.

Blocked sebaceous glands invite bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes that worsen acne and end up in inflammation and spots filled with pus, witnessed by redness and pain.

The extremely shocking fact is that numerous studies have correlated the relation between acne, anxiety and depression that might even lead to suicide in teenagers.

Can a dermatological disorder like acne end up in suicide?

A 2010 study on ‘Clinical implications of lipid peroxidation in acne vulgaris’ by Whitney P Bowe, Department of Dermatology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, New York and Alan C Logan, Integrative Care Centre of Toronto, Canada published a detailed study on the impact of acne frequently associated with depression, anxiety and other psychological sequelae and the oxidative stress involved in the pathophysiology of acne.

This study states “inflamed and damaged sebaceous glands negatively influence neuronal communication at the same time and set the stage for higher rates of depression and anxiety in acne.”

How can Jojoba oil be an effective natural remedy for acne?

My answers are here:

WOW!!!! Is your response now? Am I right?

Yes!! Only a sister can be a caring friend as well as your second mother.

With so many caring features packed in, nothing else than Jojoba can be your ‘LOVING SISTER’ for acne-free clear and spotless skin.

A German based 2012 study, published in the Swiss Journal Research in Complementary Medicine proved the effectiveness of Jojoba oil in the treatment of acne, where facial clay mask blended with jojoba oil dabbed 2-3 times every week for 6 consecutive weeks lead to about 59 per cent diminution of lesions in people with mild acne vulgaris.

Mix 10 drops of Jojoba oil with 1 drop of Turmeric oil and 1 drop of Tea tree oil and dab it on your acne and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash your face with a mild skin cleanser with 2 drops of Jojoba oil diluted in it.

Follow this regimen in alternative days for about a month, visible results are sure to knock your door. Practice Pranayama every day, where 70 per cent of toxic remains in your system are flushed out through conscious exhalation.

5. Brother to ‘The beautiful You’:

Rasayana – Rejuvenates and restores skin health:

‘Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a SuperHero’ – Marc Brown.

Your Super Hero brother would always love to keep you beautiful as you are his lovely little princess/prince.

Jojoba oil is rich in Vitamin E that contributes to its antioxidant properties. This aids in combating against the free radicals that are responsible for aging symptoms like wrinkles, fine lines, saggy and dull skin.

With its exceptional hydrating quality and highly penetrating ability, Jojoba oil protects the skin from the harmful UV rays, aids in treating sunburns, fine lines and wrinkles.

Gently massaging your skin with 5 drops of Jojoba oil and 2 drops of Apricot oil and 1 drop of Cucumber oil can help in rejuvenating and restoring your skin health, leaving it look young and beautiful.

6. Friend for fair complexion:

‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ is a lovely friendship proverb and indeed Jojoba is that true friend for you in possessing a blemish-free, clear and fair skin complexion.

Jojoba oil controls the production of melanin and aids in treating skin pigmentation. Massaging your face, neck and hands with 15 drops of Jojoba oil, 3 drops of Sandalwood oil and 2 drops of Rose Geranium oil everyday can help in improving your complexion by lightening the skin color.

What next? Bright, clear, acne-free, spotless and extremely fairer skin that would make you proud and your rivals to stay envious on you is all yours.

7. Enemy to microbes and foreign bodies:

Kustaghna – Supports skin health and treats various skin problems.

Jojoba  oil is undoubtedly tough on microbes and smooth on your skin.

It is a great warrior in fighting against bacteria, fungi, other microbes and foreign bodies. These micro-organisms would otherwise barricade the functions of the healthy cellular structure of the skin.

Microbes invade wounds, boils, burns, acne and other skin eruptions and worsen its conditions. Bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus enable the wounds to turn septic and delay its healing.

Jojoba oil has anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that curb the growth of microbes and help in the treatment of related skin conditions like eczema, candida, ringworm, dermatitis and psoriasis.

It also promotes quicker healing of wounds, burns, itching, allergies and inflammatory skin conditions.

How will Jojoba do all these things? Is that the next question striking your thoughts? Then, here’s the answer.

Jojoba oil is one among the most light and easily-spreading natural wax that penetrates deep into the skin surface.

First, it arrests the functions of microbes and further curtails its growth. Followed by its ‘repairing mission’ where Jojoba oil promotes the natural ability of the damaged or inflamed skin to turn to its normal cellular arrangement with its rich nutrients and chemical constituents.

Jojoba oil further normalizes the secretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands, the ultimate secret behind your skin in the pink.

All you need to do is to dab the affected areas with 5 drops of Jojoba oil blended with 1 drop of Argan oil to return to your healthy skin regimen.

Other health benefits:

Apart from these amazing benefits, Jojoba oil is also used as a vital ingredient in moisturizing creams, conditioners, shampoos, sunscreen lotions, baby care products, nail and cuticle products, pharmaceutical products, lubrication industry, natural cleansers and an extensive array of cosmetics.

  • Adhere to a wholesome and balanced diet.
  • Simple physical exercises on a daily basis might sound easy but you never know the massive health benefits on your fitness regimen.
  • Linking with the ultimate Divine Force through meditation or prayer for about 15 to 20 minutes a day can help in colossal positive effects on your brain and body, leading you to realize yourself, earn self-esteem and an optimistic outlook of life.
  • Be positive and fulfill your duties or karma for everlasting contentment.
  • Deepen your thoughts with positive thinking and determine to bring a smile in at least one person every day.
  • Fuel your system by drinking plentiful water and juices.
  • Keep smiling; you must have known that ‘Smile is a curve that sets everything straight’ :).

Ok… It’s up to you now, to turn that new leaf in your life this New Year 2016 🙂 and every New Day in the years ahead 🙂

Wishing you all a blessed and blissful New Year 2016, from my heart 🙂

Keep up that great smile 🙂 You look awesome 🙂 while smiling 🙂

Disclaimer:

This article is destined only for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, prevent or treat any kind of health conditions. It is not for replacing any prescription medicines or the consultation of a certified general practitioner. We, at Essential Depot are not doctors of medicine or healthcare practitioners and this piece of information is shared only for spreading the miraculous curing of Ayurveda, the mother of all healing systems on earth.

All essential oils are suggested only for topical application and not for internal use. Blend it with suitable carrier oils before use. This is mainly because 100 per cent untainted and organic essential oils are concentrated liquids and may cause allergic reactions if used on the skin without dilution.

Care should be taken in using essential oils on children, pregnant or nursing women. Speak with your Ayurvedic expert or medical professional before selecting the appropriate oils for your unique individual constitution (Prakriti) and the state of health (Vikruti). Do a patch test on your skin before enjoying the enormous benefits of essential oils.

Thought for the day:

If you truly love Nature, you’ll find beauty everywhere.

-Van Gogh

Suggested Reading:

  1. Carrier Oils: For Aromatherapy and Massage by Len Price, Shirley Price
  2. American Indian Healing Arts: Herbs, Rituals, and Remedies for Every Season of Life by E. Barrie Kavasch, Karen Baar
  3. Jojoba (Carrier Oils Book 10) by Miriam Kinai
  4. [(Jojoba: New Crop for Arid Lands, New Raw Material for Industry)] [Author: National Research Council] [Jun-2002] by National Research Council
  5. Making Soap From Scratch: How to Make Handmade Soap – A Beginners Guide and Beyond by Gregory Lee White

Reference Links:

  1. The Wonders of Jojoba by Dr. Nadim A. Shaath, Alpha Research and Development Ltd
  2. Jojoba oil by Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
  3. Anti-inflammatory effects of Jojoba liquid Wax in experimental models by Habashy RR, Abdel-Naim AB, Khalifa AE, Al-Azizi MM. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, published in PubMed
  4. Jojoba oil by Wikipedia
  5. Jojoba: A Wax – Producing Shrub of the Sonoran Desert; Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography by Wade C and Edward F Haase. Sherbrooke published in the University of Arizona Campus Repository

Brahmi Oil

Fêted as the ‘herb of grace’ and ‘the thinking person’s herb, Brahmi oil gifts you mental clarity by alleviating all kinds of mental ailments with its neuro-pharmacological effects.

Brahmi-bannerBeing the second highest ranked herb in Ayurveda, Brahmi oil is the main component of numerous traditional and folklore medicines in dealing with Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), weak memory, stress, anxiety, fear, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

Commonly called as ‘Brahmi’ in Ayurveda, “it is known as the rejuvenator for all systems in the body and is one of the most commonly used medicated oils”, quotes the book on Ayurveda and Aromatherapy. As a cognitive enhancer, stress buster and neurological tonic, Ayurveda widely uses Brahmi oil for its nootropic, antimicrobial, anti-aging, antipyretic, cardio-tonic and analgesic attributes.

The oblong juicy leaves of this herb, when put under steam distillation yields Brahmi Oil, which is known for its stimulating properties used for enhancing the efficiency of the brain in terms of accuracy, intelligence and attention and mostly prescribed for children to make them more studious, active and attentive.

Purchase Brahmi Essential Oil – Retail – 4 oz – CLICK HERE

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Historical uses and importance of Brahmi and its essential oil:

Bearing India as its origin, Bacopa monnieri has numerous vernacular names, the most common of which is ‘Brahmi’ as it is called in Ayurveda which is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Brahma’, the creator of the Universe as per the Hindu mythology. This creeping herb is botanically named as ‘Bacopa monnieri and it commonly grows in countries like Southern India, Europe, Australia and North and South America.

With extensive utilization in Ayurveda, proof of the existence of Bacopa monnieri in literature dates back to the 6th Century A.D where it is mentioned in the Vedas or the sacred books of the Hindu religion and in Charaka Samhita as well as Sushruta Samhita, the Ayurvedic Encyclopedias.

Sushruta, the father of surgery calls Brahmi by the name samjna sthapana which means ‘ that which brings back consciousness’ and medhya rasayana, meaning its application to make one intellectual with less mental deficits. Allegedly used by the primitive Vedic scholars in aiding them to memorize the sacred hymns and scriptures, Brahmi oil played a major role in treating neural disorders in Indian as well as Japanese traditional medicine.

Being in use for almost 3000 golden years in the Ayurvedic healing system, Brahmi oil is a traditional cure for all kinds of nervous disorders, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, hair loss, premature aging and skin diseases. With natural phyto-chemicals that rejuvenate the brain and the nerves, Brahmi oil plays the role of a healthy tonic stimulating and strengthening the nerves and the cardiac system.

Along with the other renowned Ayurvedic herbs such as Jatamansi and Ashwagandha, Brahmi essential oil is taken along with ghee which itself has numerous medicinal benefits, to treat cough, circulatory disorders and even function as a laxative.

Traditionally administered to children for active functioning and improved intelligence, Brahmi oil is paired along with Centella Asiatica and given to pregnant women along with milk to facilitate childbirth. It was also used as a laxative to treat constipation, flatulence and to treat tumors, inflammations and even as an antidote to snake bites.

Chemical constituents and therapeutic properties of Brahmi Oil:

Widely recognized as a neural tonic, Brahmi oil owes its tribute to the presence of saponins in particular bacoside A and B. The other chemical components include alkaloids and sterols such as bacopasides, brahmine, herpestine, d-mannitol, hersaponin, monnierin, betulic acid, beta sitosterol, bacosine, luteolin, quercetin, apigenin and nicotine.

The therapeutic properties of Brahmi oil are cardio-tonic, nootropic, antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-aging, expectorant, sedative, stomachic, antiepileptic, carminative, astringent and cognitive.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Brahmi oil:

Ayurveda is a 5,000 years old traditional healing methodology that has its roots deeply vested with the Indian mythology, the country with the world’s oldest history. Ayurvedic writings were first said to have been a part of Atharvaveda, one among the 4 Vedas or the sacred books of Hinduism.

Furthermore numerous other diseases and their Ayurvedic remedies were written by the greatest Ayurvedic philosophers Charaka and Sushruta in the books Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.

Ayurvedic healing recommends natural remedies for treating humanity since it trusts that the whole thing on earth is a part of nature and Nature by itself has inherent medicines for healing various health conditions.

As per this ancient science, a person is said to be healthy when his/her body, mind and soul are in absolute balance with nature.  Sickness or disease as per the Ayurvedic philosophy is a fruitful opportunity to find, treat and reinstate perfect health and to help in being in harmony with nature.

Mother Nature is made up of five vital elements. They are water, fire, earth, space and air. Being a part of nature, human body is also made up of these five elements represented in the system in the form of three dynamic energies known as doshas. They are vata, kapha, and pitta doshas.

These 3 doshas join together to form the unique individual constitution or prakriti of a person and the order of these biological energies are determined by nature itself.

Every individual has a predominance of any one of these doshas and it has an upper hand in determining the character, personality and other behavioral attributes of a human being. Perfect balance between these doshas indicates robustness and imbalance leads to illnesses.

Every Ayurvedic treatment begins with the effort to identify the unique individual constitution of a person. This assists in finding the mental and physical attributes along with the part of doshas present in an individual.

Ayurveda prescribes unique remedies for every individual as per their individual constitution, even if it is for the same disease.

The Ayurvedic healing system aids in preventing illnesses in the future and lead to longevity through healthy aging, mainly by treating the root cause of an illness instead of its symptoms alone. The chief Ayurvedic remedies are essential oils, herbs, yoga, simple physical exercises, meditation, Pranayama, prayers, Ayurvedic massaging, Ayurvedic routine, and Panchakarma or the Ayurvedic detox techniques.

Brahmi essential oil is said to pacify vata, pitta and kapha imbalances.

The Ayurvedic health benefits of Brahmi essential oil are:

Brahmi--broucher--info1. Alleviates the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

As a divine blessing to numerous diseases related to the brain and nerves, Brahmi essential oil is indeed one of the most effective natural cure for Alzheimer’s disease and is often portrayed by neuropsychiatric and behavioral changes where a person suffers from memory loss along with losing the ability to think and speak, completely reliable on caregivers in the most advanced stage. With no accurate cure, the symptoms worsen with the progress of the disease and it eventually leads to the death of a person.

With natural sulfhydryl and polyphenols, Brahmi oil possesses endogenous antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase attributes with the help of which it inhibits the acetyl cholinesterase enzyme and reverses the symptoms of amnesia, enhances cognition and acts as a neuroprotectant against Alzheimer’s disease.

Moreover, researches have proved the efficiency of Brahmi oil in reducing the beta-amyloid deposits found in the brain of rats with Alzheimer’s disease induced by anti-cholinergic drugs. The presence of saponins helps in increasing the level of serotonin while decreasing that of dopamine widely aiding in memory retention.

With its anti-oxidant properties, Brahmi oil reduces the reactive oxygen scavengers, divalent metals, suppresses the lipoxygenase activity and decreases the formation of lipid peroxides thus greatly helping in alleviating various hazardous symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in the long run.

Meditating by focusing the mind on Agna or the point below the center of the forehead, appropriately in between the eyebrows, is the best way to improve concentration, activate the brain cells, enhance memory power, grant increased sense of awareness, provide absolute control over senses, and promotes the power of concentration.

This point is connected to the pituitary gland and is associated with the life-force. Adding 2 drops of Brahmi oil in diffuser or vaporizer during Agna meditation helps in treating Alzheimer’s disease and is a boon to people suffering from all kinds of brain disorders.

2. Enhances the memory power:

Brahmi oil is Mother Nature’s gift for supporting cognitive enhancement and neuro-protective attributes. This is attributed to the rich content of saponins such as Bacoside A and B. It actively influences in regulating the levels of dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters released by the nerve cells that pass on signals to other nerve cells that help in motor control, secretion of hormones and is the contributor of feeling of well being and happiness that makes you feel secure and complete.

With its antioxidant properties, it induces cell transport, metabolism of 5-HT and Tryptophan Hydroxylase (TPH2) resulting in providing a protective environment for the cells and promoting the neuron communication. It helps in increasing the branching points in the neurons and the dendritic intersections that results in the neuronal growth in hippocampus, the area in brain associated with enhancing memory retention and improvement in the learning performance.

This also results in increasing the encoding of information in the brain with increased retention speeds, improving delayed recall and verbal learning. All these aspects of Brahmi essential oil make it an excellent aid when administered along with Ashwagandha, Centella Asiatica and Melissa Officinalis for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It is for this reason, Brahmi oil has been in existence since primordial times in the field of holistic healing as a powerful memory enhancer to increase the speed of processing information and cognition and decrease the performance time, reaction time and error incidence for people of all ages especially children for good progress in the field of academic learning.

Adding 2 drops of Brahmi oil to a cotton ball and keeping it besides you during the study time or during your classes can aid in improving your memory power, enhancing concentration and helping you focus on things that you work upon without any deviation.

3. Alleviates epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease:

Often characterized by undetectable periods of vigorous shaking, epilepsy is a group of long-term neurological disorders. With Bacoside –A as the major component, Brahmi essential oil is often paired with Ghee in Ayurveda to treat epilepsy by reducing the occurrence of convulsion.

It induces changes in specific parts of the brain such as striatum and the hippocampus to mediate the reducing activity of the epileptic seizures. Brahmi oil greatly influences the expression of mGluR8 receptors which possess protective mechanism against excito toxicity and hyper excitation.

Additionally, Brahmi oil prevents the depletion of dopamine and serotonin and greatly reduces the death of cells in the midbrain that generate dopamine, which remains as one of the causes of Parkinson’s disease.

Numerous researches carried out in this regard confirmed the positive reduction of the depletion of serotonin and dopamine in rats subjected to chronic stress and supplemented with Bacopa monnieri. It has also been proved that the presence of Brahmi oil prevented the depletion of dopamine even in cases of neurotoxicity induced with rotenone and caffeine.

4. Relieves you from stress and its adverse effects:

Stress simply leads to mental and physical exhaustion, while it drains out all our energy and confidence. Having all the beneficial saponins and phyto chemicals in possession, Brahmi oil acts as a natural adaptogen actively preventing the biochemical effects of stress and blocking the stress response in the body.

It effectively reduces the expression of HSP70, a biomarker of stress in almost all the regions of the brain in particular the hippocampus and the cerebellum. Brahmi oil also increases the anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxide in the brain protecting it from oxidative damage and other stress related factors.

It aids in overcoming acute and chronic stress. In addition to that this oil for the mind helps one in overcoming addiction to ill habits such as drug dependence, smoking, alcoholism etc. Furthermore, Brahmi oil assists in reducing the inflammation in the nerves and possesses neurological anti-aging effect.

With the presence of bacopaside I, bacopaside II and bacopasaponsin C, Brahmi oil naturally alleviates depression and anxiety. Just a gentle massage with Brahmi oil effectively relieves you from tension and fear and provides you a peaceful sleep. It lifts up your spirits and soothes your mind by calming down the nerves with a promise to provide you an eternal elevation.

The best way to alleviate stress is to blend 5 drops of Brahmi oil with 5 drops of Sandalwood oil, 5 drops of Lavender oil and 5 drops of Ylang Ylang oil with 10 ml of Virgin olive oil and massage your system followed by a warm bath diluted with 3 drops of Brahmi oil especially before going to bed can help you in relaxing your nerves, soothing your muscles, alleviating fatigue mentally and physically and grant you the determination to fight stress and its ill effects.

5. Effective in hair care and skin care:

Healthy hair and skin are indeed the lustrous assets of every human being. With natural antioxidants, Brahmi oil rejuvenates the hair follicles and strengthens the hair from the roots. It acts as a cure to numerous problems related to hair and scalp such as dandruff, split ends, itchiness in the scalp and formation of flakes.

Brahmi is excellent for hair growth and the prevention of baldness”, says Bryan Miller and Light Miller in their book Ayurveda and Aromatherapy. With its nourishing properties, Brahmi oil aids in lessening hair fall and promotes hair growth aiding in the treatment of Alopecia Areata. In combination with Amla, it promotes the blood circulation in the scalp; it aids in restoring the natural color of the hair and prevents premature graying.

Massaging your scalp and hair with 2 drops of Brahmi oil along with 2 drops of Jatamansi oil, 2 drops of Rosemary oil and 2 drops of Tea tree oil with 5 ml of Almond oil followed by regular shampooing with 1 drop of Brahmi oil to your mild shampoo, can assist in controlling hair loss, clear dandruff, nourish the scalp, strengthen your hair from the roots and gift you with long, lustrous and shiny locks.

The antioxidant attribute of Brahmi oil mainly due to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins also contribute to the utilization of this essential oil in the field of skin care as a revitalizing agent. It helps in tightening the pores and keeps the cells in tact by preventing the formation of wrinkles and treats numerous skin problems such as boils, psoriasis, abscess, eczema and pimples.

Mix 1 drop of Brahmi oil with 1 drop of Sandalwood oil, 1drop of Rose oil and 1 drop of Lavender oil with 2 ml of coconut oil and massage it on your facial skin in gentle circular movements for visible results. It also promotes the growth of nails.

Other health benefits of Brahmi oil:

Brahmi oil possesses stomachic properties that assist in protecting against ulcers by repairing and preventing the lining of the stomach from the advent of acids and enzymes.

It aids in protecting against the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases by helping in oxidizing the fats in the body. Brahmi oil also acts a diuretic and helps in removing excess toxins from the body in the form of urine and sweat. It acts as a cardio-tonic, nerve tonic and as an analgesic helping you to relieve from pain.

Disclaimer:

This article is just for educational uses and is not destined to check, treat or diagnose any medical condition or replace with any prescription medicines or expert medical advice. We are not medical professionals and this data is shared only with the idea of throwing light on the significance of Ayurveda, the time-honored wisdom of holistic healing.

Internal use of essential oils is strictly restricted except under medical supervision. Make certain that you dilute essential oils before using it topically because pure and organic essential oils are highly concentrated liquids and direct application on the skin may cause allergic reactions. It is always recommended to speak with your Ayurvedic expert/ healthcare professional before choosing the suitable essential oils for your prakriti or unique individual constitution and your medical condition.

Thought for the day:

Perhaps nature is our best assurance of immortality.  -Eleanor Roosevelt

Suggested Reading:

  1. Brahmi – the brain tonic by Brijesh Regal
  2. Nutrient Management in Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri L.) by Vineeta Rathore, Kuldeep Singh, Vandana Rathore
  3. Ashwagandha & Brahmi – Withania somnifera and bacopa monnieri – The most powerful brain-boosting herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine by James Lee
  4. Ayurveda and the Mind: The Healing of Consciousness by Dr. David Frawley
  5. Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease by Robert Rodgers

Reference Links:

  1. Bacopa monnieri by Wikipedia
  2. A research article on ‘Bacopa monniera -a Future Perspective’ by the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research
  3. Enhanced dendritic arborization of hippocampal CA3 neurons by Bacopa monniera extract treatment in adult rats published in PubMed
  4. Bacopa monniera on stress induced changes in plasma corticosterone and brain monoamines in rats published in PubMed