Plant Description

History and Origin

 Black spruce can reach 8 to 20 meters in height and presents a conical shape, usually straight and sharp. It likes granitic, sandy or peaty and humid soils. It is found in numerous regions of Quebec. Black spruce forms dense clusters, stopping sunlight from reaching the ground, therefore creating thick moss layers over a humid, dark and deep soil. This tree is largely used to produce paper pulp because its fibre is relatively soft and because it is subject to twisting. Besides, black spruce is traditionally used to prepare spruce beer beverage, dating from the French colonies.

Native people have been using black spruce as a medicinal aid for numerous pathologies. As an example, Cree people use it as an antidiarrheal (preparing a decoction from the cones). They also prepare a balm with the resin to treat severe burns and chew the cones to relieve toothache. As to the Montagnais, they use it to prepare an infusion against sore throat.

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

The castor oil plant is a shrub of the tropical regions. It is in the Middle Ages that the plant takes the name of Palma Christi (Palm of Christ) probably because of its hand-shaped leaves of a beautiful metallic green and its therapeutic properties reminding of the healing gift of Christ.

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.

Deeply cleanse without affecting the lipid film that protects the skin. Especially suitable for sensitive, reactive and allergic skins, rhassoul is also exfoliating and astringent, which is interesting for oily or problematic skins. To use on dry skin, try adding a couple drops of argan oil for a nourishing effect. Rhassoul is traditionally associated to rose or orange blossom floral water (hydrosol). It enlightens the complexion of your skin and acts as anti-ageing.

On hair: It is suitable for all hair types, except for very dry hair. Degreasing and purifying, it regulates the production of sebum and helps eliminating dandruff.

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

Edible coconut flesh is also known as copra. Copra oil is extracted from the flesh of the nut, or coconut oil, which has a solid texture at room temperature because of its high levels of saturated fatty acids. Copra oil is mainly used by the food industry for making pastries, candies and for frying, and it is also sometimes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, which makes it even more solid.  The word "coco" appeared in the language at the beginning of the 16^th century. It comes from the Portuguese and Spanish word "coco" which means approximately bogeyman, monkey, dwarf or ghost, by referring to the fact that the shell reminds of a hairy face. The word "copra" comes from English and Portuguese, borrowed from Tamil dialect, "koppara". It refers more specifically to shelled and dried coconut. Green or immature, the nut contains about half a litre of a milky liquid (coconut water or albumen). This liquid becomes flesh as it matures. The flesh is usually dried with sun or heat to be sold under the name of copra. Commercial coconut milk and cream are made from this flesh ground with water, then filtered. Coconut oil (or coconut butter as it is solid at room temperature) is extracted from copra or fresh flesh. 

Plant Description

History and origin

Edible coconut flesh is also known as copra. Copra oil is extracted from the flesh of the nut, or coconut oil, which has a solid texture at room temperature because of its high levels of saturated fatty acids. Copra oil is mainly used by the food industry for making pastries, candies and for frying, and it is also sometimes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, which makes it even more solid.  The word "coco" appeared in the language at the beginning of the 16^th century. It comes from the Portuguese and Spanish word "coco" which means approximately bogeyman, monkey, dwarf or ghost, by referring to the fact that the shell reminds of a hairy face. The word "copra" comes from English and Portuguese, borrowed from Tamil dialect, "koppara". It refers more specifically to shelled and dried coconut. Green or immature, the nut contains about half a litre of a milky liquid (coconut water or albumen). This liquid becomes flesh as it matures. The flesh is usually dried with sun or heat to be sold under the name of copra. Commercial coconut milk and cream are made from this flesh ground with water, then filtered. Coconut oil (or coconut butter as it is solid at room temperature) is extracted from copra or fresh flesh. 

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.