Essential oils A -Z Bergamot

Bergamot essential oil comes from the rind of the Bergamot fruit which has been cold pressed.

Bergamot fruit, listed as a sub species of bitter orange, is about the size of an orange and is yellow inside.  It is typically grown in Italy (where it gets its name), southern France, and Turkey.  The juice from this winter flowering citrus tree tastes less sour than a lemon and more bitter than a grapefruit. It is known however, for its aroma.  It is used as the "top note" in many perfumes.  Bergamot is used in black tea.  When you add Bergamot to black tea it becomes known as "Earl Grey."

**There is also an herb called Bergamot.  Apparently it smells similar to the fruit and has been used to "cutting" the oil to make essential oil production costs less. This herb is not related to the fruit and the Italian government has now put strong sanctions on the processes used for export.  The herb is in the mint family and will be the topic of another conversation in the future.**

Since it tastes horrible, what are it's benefits?  Bergamot is just another great all around essential oil. It can ease frayed nerves,  increase energy, it can leave you with a sense of freshness and happiness in cases of depression.  Bergamot is good for digestion and is antimicrobial, and antifungal.  It is also used in antibacterial soaps.

Bergamot is a good analgesic for muscle pain, headaches, and sprains.  People with insomnia will like using this essential oil as it soothes nervous tension, anxiety, and stress.

The cosmetic industry likes to use this essential oil in their products because Bergamot has a property that allows for the healing of scars and not just surgery scars but acne scars as well.

It is a great fever reducer and it "is also a tonic, meaning that it tones up the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory, and nervous system, as well as skin and muscles. It is also anticongestive and is used in vaporizers to relieve congestion and respiratory problems, particularly during coughs and colds. It works as an expectorant to loosen up phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tracts and helps the body to eliminate through natural avenues like sneezing and productive coughs, thereby reducing the total amount of material and eliminating some of the germs and toxins that caused the condition in the first place."

Bergamot must be kept away from sunlight as one of it's components will become poisonous.  If used on the skin, you should not go out in the sun until it has fully absorbed into the skin.

Bergamot mixes well with other essential oils like: Clary Sage, Frankincense, Mandarin, Jasmine, Black Pepper, Cypress, Geranium, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Orange, Rosemary, Vetiver and Ylang-Ylang Oil. It is particularly complementary with other citrus oils.

Next on the list is Cajeput Essential Oil.


http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-bergamot-essential-oil.html

Essential Oils A-Z (Sweet Basil)

Sweet Basil is native to the areas surrounding the Mediterranean and used in a lot of Italian cuisine.  It is a part of the mint family and has a strong odor. Basil likes a lot of good soil, warmth, water, and sun.  It will grow in gardens, planters, or in a cup on your window sill so long as those conditions are met.

An interesting fact about basil:  "Basil is a polymorph, meaning it occurs in many different forms, varieties and closely related species. The different types are easily hybridized, producing many different kinds of plants with different essential oil constituents and compositions. There are cinnamon, lemon, clove and licorice scented basils; purple and green, curly and lettuce leafed varieties. Dwarf bush types with tiny leaves are grown as ornamental plants."  

Ancient physicians used basil to cure headaches, fevers, digestive and respiratory issues, snake bites, and yet others thought it was a good aphrodisiac for horses. Today it is used in aromatherapy to cheer you up.  It is also used for clarity in the mind and positive thinking.  The odor is strong in basil and if you don't mind temporarily smelling like an Italian dish you can put a drop or two in a nice hot bath to help relieve muscle pain, gout, and arthritis. :)

In making essential oils from basil the stems, flower, and leaves are used.  Basil is steam distilled.

There are many ways in which you can use basil.  When diffused it can help the following: Anxiety, addiction, bronchitis, chronic fatigue, mental fatigue, and migraines.  When used topically it can help: Adrenal fatigue, autism, insect bites/bee stings/spider bites/snake bites, brusitis, carpel tunnel syndrome, cuts, cramps, ear aches, muscle spasms, mouth ulcers, and wounds.

Note of caution with basil...a little goes a long way and it should not be used with epileptic's.

Next up will be Bergamot essential oil.





http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/eo_basil.html

Essential Oils A-Z (Aniseed (Anise))

What a beautiful flower Anise has!  I found this picture at gernot-katzers-spice-pages.com.  If you like licorice you will like anise as far as flavor goes because it is the Anise oils that are used to give licorice it's flavor.

This one is Star Anise.  Very  lovely looking plant.

Anise is typically found in the Eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia.  Anise is traditionally known for it's uses as a spice and a fragrance.  As far as medical uses it appears that the ancient Egyptians used Anise for diuretic purposes, and also for relief of toothaches, and digestive issues.  The ancient Greeks found that not only did Anise care for the above but was also a pain reliever.

Today Anise is mostly known for it's licorice flavor, as a spice.  It has been included in puddings, meats, liqueurs, gelatins, and candies.  But what about medicinal uses?  Do we use it today for such things?

According to Drugs.com it does still have medicinal uses today.  "Anise is well known as a carminative and an expectorant. Its ability to decrease bloating and settle the digestive tract still is used today, especially in pediatrics. In high doses, it is used as an antispasmodic and an antiseptic and for the treatment of cough, asthma, and bronchitis."  The oil has been used to kill lice, scabies, and psoriasis.

I found on Botanical.com some interesting uses for Anise: 

"Oil of Anise is used also against insects especially when mixed with oil of Sassafras and Carbolic oil."

Anise essential oil has many qualities according to organicfacts.net.  "The health benefits of Anise Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties as an anti-epileptic, anti-hysteric, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, aperient, carminative, cordial, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, stimulant and vermifuge substance."

Anti-epileptic, anti-hysteric - Used in high doses Anise has a sedative/narcotic effect.  Because of this effect it is thought to calm down the nervous system as well as respiratory and circulatory responses.

Anti-rheumatic - Used topically it can increase blood circulation causing the sensation of pain relief in area's of rheumatic and arthritic pain.

Antiseptic - Gives extra protection to wounds which allows them to heal faster.

Anti-Spasmodic - Because of it's relaxing properties it calms all ailments brought on my spasmodic activities such as coughing, cramps, diarrhea, etc.

Aperient - In small doses it is good to clear the intestinal tract of blockages.

Carminative - Promotes the removal of gas and if used before eating it is suppose to stop it from forming to begin with.

Cordial - Helps to counter colds, phlegm production, etc.

Decongestant - Helps to clear airways.

Digestive - Helps to promote digestion.

Expectorant - loosens phlegm and mucous in the lungs.

Insecticide - Can be diffused or sprayed.  The oil of Anise is toxic to insects and small animals so they stay away from the scent.

Sedative - Because of its narcotic effects, it helps calm anger, stress, etc.

Stimulant - used to increase blood circulation for arthritis.  Makes you feel more active or alert and possibility increases your metabolism. 

Vermafuge - It can kill worms found in the intestines.

A caution for Anise is that in strong doses it can be harmful to children.

I'm glad I looked this up because it gave a lot of interesting information that I did not know about Anise.  I will probably come back to this one for more information but for the basics, I think this is good enough.

http://www.drugs.com/npc/anise.html
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-anise-essential-oil.html

Essential oils A - Z Introduction

This is my journey through the land of essential oils:  what their attributes are, the various ways they can be used, recipes that can be used with that particular oil or a mix of oils, and my own personal feedback if I have used the particular oil for any reason.

Since I sell essential oils  (http://mydoterra.com/jodyboucher) , I thought it would be good to become more familiar of some of the lesser known oils and learn more about the oils everyone knows about and share them with whoever might read this.  This information could contain but is not limited to: history of oil, uses of oil, extraction methods, advantages or disadvantages of oil, shelf life of oil, and recipes.

I work a full time job, a part time job, and I am studying to become a RN.  My time is limited so this blog will not be done daily but I will try to achieve the lofty goal on one oil per week.

If you have ever walked by a lavender field, peeled an orange, or been around freshly cut mint you have experienced essential oils in the form of aromatherapy.  That is just one way to use essential oils.  You can also use them topically (directly on the skin), or internally (some not all oils) as well. Essentials can be added to lotions, candles, soaps, etc. to give them different fragrances.

Essential oils are not something new.  They have been used for many hundreds of years.  Egyptians used essential oils (Myrrh, Sandalwood, Frankincense, and Cinnamon) to name a few for medicinal purposes, religious ceremonies, and beauty treatments.  The Greeks added essential oils to massage therapy. Essential oils are even mentioned in the bible. Frankincense and Myrrh were given to Jesus after his birth.

I am no doctor, I'm not even a nurse yet.  My knowledge of essential is so small compared to all the knowledge out there.  I am not here to tell anyone to use essential oils instead of modern medicine.  I am only here trying to share the information I learn from my journey.  Take from it what you will or nothing at all, it's up to you.  Try using some of the knowledge and see if it helps in your life.

For me, essential oils have become a huge part of my life.  Depending on which essential oil I use, they pick me up, they clear my mind, they help me sleep, they open my airways so I breathe better, they have helped me get rid of some of my scars from past surgeries, they help with relax muscles after hard workouts.  The uses seem to infinite.  I hope you find this journey as interesting as I hope to make it.

Jody