Essential oils

Plant Description

History and Origin

This sub shrub can reach up to 50 cm in height. Its long green three-lobed leaves with reddish veins are highly indented and velvety. The buds are pinkish; the small flowers white or purple, with five petals of which two have red striations. Geranium is now very common for its aesthetic appearance and ability to repel insects. Furthermore, this ornamental plant is well-known for its low maintenance. Today, there are hundreds of geranium species. They are spread throughout the world, in China, Morocco, Egypt, Madagascar and Réunion Island.

Geranium essential oil is used in dermatology since many years. It is particularly recommended for acne problems.

Associated to the planet Venus, geranium was often used to dilute rose oil to lower its costs. 

Plant Description

History and Origin

There are many kinds of chamomile not to be confused: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium). German chamomile grows along roads and in field edges. It has scented flowers with white petals and yellow hearts. For peoples of Northern Europe, the yellow disc of the flower represents the sun. Its Latin name Matricaria comes from "matri" which means mother because the plant was mainly used to treat "women’s problems".

Plant Description

History and origin

Citrus paradisii is a very popular citrus in the market. It is a large fruit that ranges in diameter from approximately 10 to 15 cm, with a yellow or pink peel when ripe. However, the fruit is very much smaller than the pomelo fruit, Citrus maxima syn. Citrus grandis. When discovered in the Antilles around 18th century, the pomelo was considered as a mutation of Citrus grandis. Then, in 1847, James Mac Fayden, in his book Flore de la Jamaïque, gave it its botanical name Citrus paradisii. From 1948, one started to suspect that pomelo was in fact a hybrid of Citrus maxima x Citrus sinensis, i.e. a hybrid of grapefruit and orange. Moreover, its botanical name appears more and more often written in order to reflect this hybrid status: Citrus x paradisii.

Grapefruit tree is mainly grown in North America (Florida, California, Texas), in Brazil, in the Antilles an in Israel. Pink grapefruit is a cross between pomelo and sweet orange. Its fruit, with a thin yellow to pink peel is an edible berry slightly sweet made of a dozen of sections. It grows in bunches, hence its English name "grapefruit".

Aromatherapy 

Plant Description

History and Origin

Italian Helichrysum or Everlasting is a perrenial plant. Helichrysum comes from the greek words "helios", sun, and "chrysos", gold, because its flowers look like little gold suns. It is found almost everywhere around the Mediterranean area and in Corsica, by the sea and inland. It is used for its particular biochemical compounds.

Plant Description

History and Origin

Ho Wood is part of the cinnamomum family, just like ravintsara. Its complete botanical name is Cinnamomum camphora (ct. linalool), very close to ravintsara. Ho Wood essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the bark, and also called Ho Leaf or Shiu Rosewood. Ho Wood essential oil is considered as a twin of rosewood, known to be very efficient and very well tolerated by the skin.

ENERGETIC AND EMOTIONAL EFFECT

Ho Wood is used for meditation and as a preparation to healing. It is closely related to the crown chakra. It opens the inner ear and prepares to compassion. It stimulates creativity and helps dissolve internal conflicts. It soothes the feelings of abandonment and loneliness.

Plant Description

History and origin

In North America, Labrador tea is transcontinental. It tends towards boreal and arctic regions. This indigenous species is mainly found in bogs and sites populated with black spruce. It is a medium-sized evergreen shrub with alternate and oblong leaves. Native Americans drink infused Labrador tea to treat certain respiratory, digestive and renal problems, rheumatisms, scurvy and headaches. They also use it as a blood purifier and as a parturition aid. Besides, the infusion was used as a wash for wounds, insect bites and skin rash and to prepare a dark brown tincture used to color wool and wood

Energetic and Emotional Effect Labrador tea has a remarkable effect on emotions. It helps dissolving energy blockages (with the massage of the stomach and liver region). It also favors self wakening. Applied on the throat chakra, it helps expressing the truth; on the forehead chakra, it facilitates knowledge and understanding. Combined with bergamot zest, it helps spiritual healing.

Plant Description

History and Origin

Lemon verbena is a small shrub of the verbenaceae family originating from South America. It is cultivated for its delicious lemon-scented leaves and for its properties in phytotherapy. It can flavor some dishes, drinks and infusions for its calming and digestive virtues. Lemon verbena is also known to fight against depression and insomnia. It is also called Aloysia triphylla in Latin.

Aromatherapy 

Energetic and Emotional Effect

Lemon verbena has an energizing effect. It stimulates energy and reduces nervous fatigue, while helping find back the joy to live and self-esteem. It helps strengthen concentration abilities. Lemon verbena enables to turn the page on the past and to manage the present. It is very useful to fight against depressions and to help overcome grief. Lemon verbena prepare for the future with joy and confidence.

Uses

Plant Description

Plant Description

Plant Description

History and Origin

Melissa is indigenous around the Mediterranean sea. It is now common in Europe, Central Asia, North America, North Africa, and Western Siberia. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, more or less pubescent, with a strong lemon aroma. Melissa is one of most ancient medicinal plants. It was originally used mainly to treat nervous and cardiac problems as well as to act on the level of emotions (to treat anxiety, melancholy, etc.) as well as to reinforce and vitalize the spirit. In Native herbalism, it is used by the Cherokee as a cold remedy, febrifuge, stimulant and gastrointestinal aid.

Energetic and Emotional Effect

Melissa is helpful during transitions; it disperses fears (for example, nearing death). It induces and brings a peaceful joy. Use it on heart and solar plexus chakras (point of expression forcreativity). It helps realigning our will with the Divine.

Plant Description

History and Origin

 Around late 17th century, Anne Marie Orsini, Dutchess of Bracciano and Princess of Nerola, popularized the essence of bitter orange as a fragrance by using it to perfume her gloves and as bathing water. Since then, “neroli” is used to designate orange blossom. Many young brides would use orange blossom to ornament their hair as a symbol of purity and fertility. The flower represented the spirit of the Virgin Mary. The white flower symbolizes virginity and the fruit, maternity.

Energetic and Emotional Effect

Enhances self-love, stimulates the opening of the crown chakra and eighth chakra. Reinforces spirituality (Ref.: Patricia Davis). Orange blossom encourages self-realisation. It opens and equilibrates the masculine and feminine aspects of one’s heart, bringing a feeling of security and protection as well as an intense sensation of being loved in all one’s aspects.