Essential oils

Plant Description

Botanical information

History and Origin

Balsam Fir is one of the typical trees to our Boreal Forests. This evergreen can reach up to 40m high. The term Balsam refers to the soothing properties of certain plants on different problems. Fir forms an important part of our cultural heritage. Around this evergreen tree, our families gather to celebrate love, abundance and warmth in the middle of winter.

In the past, branches of Fir were used to build encampment during the winter but was also a big part of the Native's traditionnal medecine for its immunitary et anti-infectious fonctions. 

Native Americans also use the fresh shoots to make infusion and collect the resin on the bark of the trees. These extractions can be used to make pomades for superficial wounds and mosquito bites, as a laxative and analgesic, for cardiac, renal and pulmonary disorders, for irregular menstruations, as well as to treat gonorrhea, cancer and rheumatisms. 

"The Anneda: The Tree of Life", by Jacques Mathieu, restores the Balsam Fir as the real "Tree of Life" that was quoted in many historical stories from the early colonies. This healing tree saved Jacques Cartier's marines who were afflicted with scurvy. 

Plant Description

History and Origin

This variety of basil was likely developed in India, where the plant is sacred and used for the worship of Vishnu and Krishna. Still today, its medicinal properties are very much valued by Indian health practitioners. The essential oil from this plant is known since the XIV^th century. It came through to Europe and England from the Middle East with the first emigrants. The term “basil” would be derived from ancient Greek meaning “royal plant”, for the value the plant represented. The French name “basilic” and the use of the plant in cooking date back to the 13^th century.

Energetic and Emotional Effect

The smell of basil induces the need for action. This plant helps bringing back to life our forgotten dreams and empowers us to realize it. It supports people who have decided to live every moment of their lives fully and consciously. It allows fresh thoughts and concepts to flow easily in our reality, and it supports teachers and persons inclined to serve.

Plant Description

History and Origin

Bay laurel natively grows as a shrub around the Mediterranean Sea. During Antiquity, laurel was the very symbol of victory and prestige. Associated to the divinity of the Greeks Apollo, Romans and Greeks used to crown their leaders and elite members with its leaves. The classic image of Jules Cesar is associated to laurel.

The use and reputation of laurel is well established, yet, today, its culinary use often offsets its therapeutic properties.

Herbalists used to advise laurel in cases of mild nervous disorders, atonic amenorrhea, chronic bronchitis and breakdown. As an herbal tea, it was also used to treat loss of appetite and atonic dyspepsia. Crushed leaves were applied to cure ulcers and disinfect wounds.

Energetic and Emotional Effect

Laurel is soft and powerful at the same time; it acts on the center of power. Its energy consolidates the solar plexus, which helps you take your place and assume your freedom. Laurel helps you take calm and thoughtful actions.

Plant Description

History and Origin

Bergamot is the fruit of the bergamot tree, a hybrid of bitter orange and lime (also called green lemon), mainly cultivated in Calabria (an Italian region). The fruit resembles to a small orange with a greenish pulp and a soft and thick bark, yellow when it reaches maturity. Its flesh is too acid and too bitter to be eaten. But the zest is used to produce the natural extract.
It is said that the white flowers from this tree are the symbol of the Virgin Mary, and that its fruits represent her chastity.

Energetic and Emotional Effect

Applied on the heart chakra, it helps healing blockages caused by mourning and sorrow; it eases forgiveness and unconditional love.
Also, applied on the seven or ten chakras in meditation, it helps reaching the Light, and stimulates the openness of the crown chakra.
The oil seems to combat the frights withheld by the physical body.

Plant description

History and Origin

There are numerous species of this plant, over a hundred. These grow in a wide variety of environments, and that characterizes the landscape of St. Lawrence Valley and North America in general. Goldenrod easily spreads owing to its prolific downy fruits (between 15 000 and 20 000 by plant). Once planted, goldenrod finds its way with its rhizomes. Goldenrods are also numerous and abundant in Europe. They are sometimes even considered as a weed plant, just like in North America. Numerous measures are taken in order to eradicate it. Goldenrod species are abundantly used by native people. Therapeutic uses are numerous. To name only a few, the plant is used as a liver stimulant, antipyretic and antidiarrheal. The Meskwaki people would also use it in children having difficulty starting to speak or laugh.

Energetic and Emotional Effect

Goldenrod essential oils stimulate the opening of the Crown chakra. A relation can be made with the color and shape of the plant, recalling a golden arrow pointing the sky. For an emotional healing, it is suggested to use a synergy of ginger, black spruce and balsam poplar on the first, second and third chakras in combination with goldenrod essential oil on the forehead, sixth chakra.

Plant Description

History and Origin

Ceylon cinnamon is native from Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon island. It belongs to the lauraceae family. Its leaves are bright green and measure 7 to 18 centimeters long. Its flowers have a greenish colour and quite an unpleasant odour. The cinnamon tree fruit is a small purple berry. The bark is harvested in the rainy season.

Plant Description

History and Origin

 Sage is cultivated since Antiquity. It used to be called “clear eye” (origin of its name: “clary” sage). People believed it was able to reinforce eye vision. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is one of the two sage varieties used in perfumery; the other one being Salvia officinalis. Sclareol, typical component of this plant, is a very powerful molecule that is highly sought after for its capacity to produce derivatives with an amber aroma. Large scale cultures of Clary sage are exploited in the United-States, China and Ukraine and used to produce a concrete from which sclareol is chemically extracted. Provence also produces Clary sage.

Energetic and Emotional Effect The plant shares with us the power to connect with the feminine principle. It takes us on a fast rise towards the superior chakras while providing strength to our legs. Applied on the base or root chakra, it enhances our connection with Mother Earth, sensual pleasure, self-love and love for others. Applied on the plexus and frontal chakras, it eases the access to knowledge and psychic communication through dreaming. Sage seems to make dreams clearer and/or to help us remember them. This plant purifies and tones up the mental body, which allows us to come more easily into contact with joy and peace of mind. With this oil, women will find a help for mid-life crisis and periods of change and transition.

Plant Description

History and Origin

Clove tree is an evergreen medium-sized tree native from the small volcanic islands of the Moluccas, Indonesia. Clove buds have long been known from the Chinese (you had to chew one to speak to the emperor) and around the Mediterranean Sea.  Imported in Europe in the Middle Age, clove used to be extremely expensive. Its origin remained secret at first and, just like for cinnamon and nutmeg, only the Portuguese and Dutch colonization brought about large scale harvesting and exportation activities towards Europe.

Energetic and Emotional Effect

Plant Description

History and origin

The generic name Cupressus is the Latin name of the common cypress. This name comes from "Cyparissus", a figure from Greek mythology, son of Telephus, who was transformed into a cypress tree by Apollo. Cypress are trees or bushy shrubs, sempervirents, which can reach from 5 to 40 meters in height.

Romans and Egyptians dedicated this tree to the god of death. The mention "always green" in its name would remind of "still alive". Is it why cypress trees were planted in cemeteries?

Plant description

History and Origin

Eucalyptus radiata is a tree with a bluish grey trunk which may reach 30 to 50 meters in height. The flowers are grouped by 11 to 20 and are cream white. Australian aboriginals used the fresh leaves to heal their wounds. They already knew well its great antiviral and immune system stimulant properties. Eucalyptus radiata is part of all the pharmacopoeia throughout the world.